[Spartan24]

Pics first:

I used a GSSF coupon to get this. At first, I was gonna get a regular 43X. Then all my 43 holsters would be completely compatible. However, while at the shop, I called an audible and went with the MOS. I did my usual “upgrades” which consists of: maritime spring cups, smooth trigger conversion, and night sights. The night sights weren’t the usual Agents or Bolds, as they look awful by hanging off the back. I instead ordered the Trooper set and have been very happy with them. Only knock against them is they don’t have the U-notch, but that isn’t a deal breaker.
Being that this was the MOS version with optic mount and light rail, I knew they wouldn’t sit long unoccupied. I did a bit of research and landed in the Vortex Defender CCW for the optic, and the TLR7 Sub for the WML.
Years ago I tried a TLR6 on my Glock 43. In my opinion, it is hot garbage. Bad ergonomics and not user friendly. Output is poor. I also couldn’t find a holster that it worked well with. The TLR7 Sub is everything the the TLR6 wasn’t. For what it is, it’s great. It’s only 500 likens, but that’s a lot for its size and due to its size, it will always be behind the output of full size WMLs. The controls are easy to reach and manipulate. Streamlight hit a home run with those design.
The Vortex Defender CCW is… okay. I like its size and features. It’s rugged, thought out controls, and easy battery access. However, the dot itself has a slow refresh rate. This isn’t an issue in dry fire or most shooting. However, it becomes an issue in rapid fire. On my Glock 34 I have a Trijicon SRO. In competition, the dot becomes a line in rapid fire during recoil. With this you’re able to see the dot and get it back to where you want it at in rapid fire. With the slow refresh rate if the Defender, in rapid fire you don’t get a line, you get essentially what is a dot graph. Depending on the speed of the gun during recoil, the dots get pretty spaced out. It definitely slows me down as a shooter so I don’t overestimate and lose the dot. So far this isn’t a deal breaker, but I am open to other dot options.
The 43X MOS reminded me of something that I had forgotten I knew: subcompacts aren’t fun to shoot. It’s the same with my 43. I like them as EDCs. They serve in that role great. However, they are not something I really want to shoot many rounds through in a short period. Shoot enough to stay comfortable and proficient, but not much past that. It’s not like a full size gun where they are fun to shoot. I know this isn’t profound, anything new, nor insightful, but it’s what it is.
This 43X was purchased to supplement my EDC as a backpack and hiking gun. In that role it will excel. The plain ol’ 43 has done that for me for a while. However the chance to get a very similar gun with a fuller grip where being as concealable isn’t as big a factor was a good way to spend that GSSF coupon. I’m looking forward to the hikes and trips it will come with on.
Now, I said I wasn’t impressed by it. That’s mostly true. I was expecting it to be a “funner” gun to shoot. It fell short in that. However, in my envisioned utilization of it, it’s meeting and exceeding.
Bottom line: The 43X is more tool than toy.

 

[Diesel McBadass]

It obviously won't be as fun to shoot as a 34. It's like saying a 34 isn't fun to conceal. Different tools different tasks.

 

[Danke Glock]

Out of curiosity, why use the Maritime spring cups? Unless you’re expecting to submerge the gun in water they really have no purpose. The G43 and G43X recoil can be more harsh given the thin grip and short slide, but I don’t find it that bad. To your point, it serves its purpose well.

 

[Spartan24]

Out of curiosity, why use the Maritime spring cups? Unless you’re expecting to submerge the gun in water they really have no purpose. The G43 and G43X recoil can be more harsh given the thin grip and short slide, but I don’t find it that bad. To your point, it serves its purpose well.

It’s something I do in them all. I’ve done river and canoe trips, so water is an element in the mix.
I did personal testing with and without the cups. They do make a difference when the gun is and has been submerged. However, the biggest issue was sealing ammo. A free moving striker is only so good with wet powder!

 

[Pat Riot]

@Spartan24 what ammo are you shooting that makes firing the 43X comfortable? If it’s +P have you try standard velocity ammunition?

 

[Spartan24]

@Spartan24 what ammo are you shooting that makes firing the 43X comfortable? If it’s +P have you try standard velocity ammunition?

It was just Blazer 115gr. I’m not shooting hundreds of rounds of +p!

 

[Hydra-SHOKz]

Put a PMM comp/barrel, DPM recoil system and Katana magwell on it if you want fun.

 

[Spartan24]

Put a PMM comp/barrel, DPM recoil system and Katana magwell on it if you want fun.

Recoil of a staple gun with that setup?

 

[Pat Riot]

It was just Blazer 115gr. I’m not shooting hundreds of rounds of +p!

Okay.
I have a G48 MOS. When I first bought it I noticed when firing it the gun was a bit lively unless I really gripped it tightly. I installed a Talon Grip rubber overlay. That helped. The recoil is is less dramatic as the gun is not slipping in my hands and not as uncomfortable as I have a better grip without trying to grip so tightly. The Talon Grip doesn’t provide cushion, just a better gripping surface.

 

[HOLLADAY]

/\ /\ /\ /\
After my first range session with my 43X I ordered some Talon grips, definitely made a huge difference for me. I also took a Dremmel to the trigger guard, now I feel that I have solid purchase.

 

[Grabbrass]

smooth trigger conversion

Tell me about that pls.

 

[cciman]

It’s something I do in them all. I’ve done river and canoe trips, so water is an element in the mix.
I did personal testing with and without the cups. They do make a difference when the gun is and has been submerged. However, the biggest issue was sealing ammo. A free moving striker is only so good with wet powder!

I bet you know to use a lanyard.

<iframe src="The Rolling Stones GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href=" ">via GIPHY</a></p>

 

[Spartan24]

Tell me about that pls.

Replace the serrated 43X trigger shoe with one from a G17 type. When parts were plentiful and easier to come by, I had a little cottage business making and selling these conversions. I had a jig and a system to find the blind pin remove the triggers from the trigger bars. People seemed to be very happy with the conversions. I got into it because years ago I was redact to sell my 43 because I hated the trigger shoe. I tried all sorts of aftermarket, but didn’t like those either. Did some research, bought some extra parts in case I screwed it up and went for it. It was a success but my first examples were rough. I later developed a method and jig. If I could find a steady and inexpensive source of parts, I’d still offer them. I’ve done a few in the last couple years on special request.

 

[vindibona1]

To each his own Spartan. I don't have any "big" Glocks and my only comparison for a large firearm is a full size 1911 in .45acp. I have a 43x and 48 MOS and am particularly impressed with the 43x now that I have it "tuned" to my liking. I've tried several shoe and connector combinations and with a smooth modified OEM shoe with adjustable pre-travel combined with a fully tuned Ghost Pro connector I have a smooth and continuous trigger pull that allows the sights to stay on target better than any other combination I've tried.

As far as the TLR-6 goes, I actually like it quite a bit. I don't know about you, but I don't anticipate "lighting the night" outdoors with a light, but just need something to illuminate my home at night when the lights are off and the TLR_6 has plenty of light for that. If I'm going to be outside and more than 20' from an aggressor I'll be retreating from the situation as best I can, not trying to stand and fight at distance. I can pretty much guarantee that a bad guy isn't going to shine a light on me from his gun. The biggest drawback of that light in my opinion is that it is not easily removable and not designed to be taken on and off regularly. But that's ok. It provides felt recoil reduction (as the TLR-7 should as well) and the laser was extremely helpful in dialing in my iron sights. And for some reason, the way that the mount grips the trigger guard provides me with more grip leverage for my support hand. It's wider but not bulky for IWB carry. I actually like the side mounted switches as my finger sits right on the button before I insert it into the trigger guard for firing.

As others have pointed out, Talon grips help a lot. But overall I liked the 43x so much that I bought the 48 MOS. But in hindsight, other than the optics cut and rails of the 48, the 43x while not shooting competition groups is accurate enough for my needs and checks all the boxes. One additional think that I've done to my 43x and 48 is to CONTOUR (not undercut) the trigger guard on both pistols which allow a higher grip and increase grip leverage as well as eliminate Glock knuckle. Glock could have easily done that with the mold. I highly recommend that modification.

I have toyed with the idea of getting a larger 10mm or even a Glock 19. Then I think about it and ask myself what practical advantage would I have- and can't think of any. JMO

 

[Grabbrass]

Replace the serrated 43X trigger shoe with one from a G17 type. When parts were plentiful and easier to come by, I had a little cottage business making and selling these conversions. I had a jig and a system to find the blind pin remove the triggers from the trigger bars. People seemed to be very happy with the conversions. I got into it because years ago I was redact to sell my 43 because I hated the trigger shoe. I tried all sorts of aftermarket, but didn’t like those either. Did some research, bought some extra parts in case I screwed it up and went for it. It was a success but my first examples were rough. I later developed a method and jig. If I could find a steady and inexpensive source of parts, I’d still offer them. I’ve done a few in the last couple years on special request. View attachment 1222230
View attachment 1222231

Thanks for the explanation. Glocks with that ridged trigger are torture devices. Can't stand it.

 

[vindibona1]

Thanks for the explanation. Glocks with that ridged trigger are torture devices. Can't stand it.

To me the discomfort of the serrations on the trigger shoe are even secondary to the protruding (and IMO unnecessary) dingus. Even Glock, with their GPT has proven that the protrusion isn't necessary if the shoe is shaped properly. I don't think most people realize is that the shoe that comes stock on the 43x/48 models is that way because of the lower "points" assessed for those pistols to be allowed to be imported into the US.

 

[Buttanic]

Replace the serrated 43X trigger shoe with one from a G17 type. When parts were plentiful and easier to come by, I had a little cottage business making and selling these conversions. I had a jig and a system to find the blind pin remove the triggers from the trigger bars. People seemed to be very happy with the conversions. I got into it because years ago I was redact to sell my 43 because I hated the trigger shoe. I tried all sorts of aftermarket, but didn’t like those either. Did some research, bought some extra parts in case I screwed it up and went for it. It was a success but my first examples were rough. I later developed a method and jig. If I could find a steady and inexpensive source of parts, I’d still offer them. I’ve done a few in the last couple years on special request. View attachment 1222230
View attachment 1222231

I put the G17 trigger shoe on my G19, It was an improvement but then I put an Overwatch Precision Polydat flat trigger and really liked it so much I put one on my G44.

Overwatch Precision Glock Triggers | Gun Parts & Accessories

Overwatch Precision designs and manufactures the best Glock triggers, magazines, and accessories. Explore our selection of the best aftermarket gun parts.

overwatchprecision.com

 

[cowboy1964]

Bottom line: The 43X is more tool than toy.

I would hope so.

 

[Martini9x]

This post seems like a statement of the obvious. The one thing I'm curious about is the choice of the vortex. Why not go with a holosun?

 

[bigoldbuck]

I believe the G48 MOS might suit you better than the G43x. For me, it fills the slot of a single stack Glock that is one size up from my G43. Recoil/muzzle rise is much less and accuracy is noticeably improved.