Glock 43 Review | A Compact and Reliable 9mm Gun

If you have been considering investing in a quality pistol for self-defense, the Glock 43 makes an excellent concealed carry gun. As someone who is very fond of this gun, I've been looking forward to sharing my thoughts in a Glock 43 review. The Glock 43 is quite versatile and makes a great addition for anyone needing a small and lightweight pistol with plenty of stopping power. For more reliable pocket pistols, click here, or look into our 9mm pistol reviews. You can also check out a VP9 9mm from Heckler & Koch.

There is certainly a lot to like here. And yet, there are also some questionable aspects that you should be aware of before you jump right into the Glock 43. We'll discuss that and a whole lot more to ensure that you are able to make the most informed buying decision.

Is the Glock 43 Worth Buying?

Glock fans have been clamoring for a 9mm single-stack for quite some time, such as in a popular G19 handgun we reviewed earlier. Now that it's here, it's safe to say that Glock didn't disappoint. As I mentioned, it's a small gun for a Glock. As such, it's rather comfy to handle. Sure, it has a lower capacity compared to some of Glock's other offerings, but that's kind of the allure here. We reviewed Glock 48 too, for those who want to check what Glock has more to offer. You can also check how it performs compared to Sig p365Smith and Wesson 642, or Ruger LCP II we reviewed here.

There is no doubt that this gun was designed to be a concealed carry. It's perfect for self-defense and worthy of being one of the best handguns for women. Another compact and versatile option is a Smith And Wesson M&P 9mmIt's easy to draw comparisons to Glock's Model 26. Both are smaller in size and made for personal carrying. However, the G26 sports a double-stack frame and a noticeably wider slide, making it harder to conceal.

It's important to note that the law enforcement-only G26 Gen 4 comes equipped with a 10-round capacity, whereas the Glock 43 is 6 rounds. That's a pretty sizable difference, but I've always maintained that a six-round capacity is more than enough for self-defense in most situations.

Those of you who are in the market for a lightweight pistol will revel in the G43's pocket-ready construction.

Although not quite as small as, say, Ruger's LCP II, it is compact enough to where you can stick it in a holster and forget about it.

If you're familiar with the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, the Glock 43 is even lighter in weight.

So I don't see many people having any issues with the body and design. It's pretty straightforward but it gets the job done.

Before we go any further, let's take a moment to check out the specs that make up the G43 so you can better determine if this is the kind of pistol you'd like to carry.

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Glock 43 Specifications

Magazine capacity: 6 (plus one)

Weight: 17 .95 ounces (empty)

Overall length: 6 .26 inches

Barrel length: 3 .39 inches

Slide length: 6 .06 inches

Slide width: .87 inches

Caliber: 9mm (9×19)

Height: 4 .25 inches

Width: 1 .02 inches

Finish: Black

Is a Glock 43 a Good Gun?

If you've handled a Glock before, you're going to feel right at home with the G43. You can count on Glock making a gun with the same quality materials you've come to expect. You won't find a Picatinny rail system here, however, so that might be problematic for some people. This seems to be a holdover from the G42 that came before it. The firing pin safety is another noticeable difference in that it is beveled instead of rounded.

The firing pin safety seems to be identical to that of the G42, in fact. If you're familiar with the Safe Action System found in other Glocks, you'll know what to expect here. This system is comprised of a trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety. All three combine to deliver a much safer time with this gun.

The trigger pull was a little harder than I expected, but the difference certainly doesn't make or break the gun. In fact, I would go so far as to say it is one of the most comfortable I've used.

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I'm a big fan of the safe-action trigger, as well. You can't seem to go wrong with a Glock trigger, and the G43 excels in delivering an enjoyable experience. At somewhere in the 8-pound range, I believe the trigger pull is just right.

If I have anything to gripe about, it's the texture of the grip, or lack thereof. While Glock positions this as a selling point, it's far from convenient or beneficial. What gets me is the smoothness of it all. It makes it quite bothersome to try to get a good grip while firing.

I believe there is a profound need for some kind of design that makes it easier to handle. I found this to be somewhat problematic when removing from the holster, as well. Actual texturing would make removing it from the holster much better, by my estimation.

If you're going to invest in the Glock 43, do yourself a favor and pick up a grip enhancement. This will make a big difference in both your comfort and confidence while shooting.

On a personal note, I never have been a fan of stubby handles. My palms tend to swallow the butt of the handle, making for an uncomfortable time. However, this is easily remedied with Glock's extended magazine. Once that's in place, the G43 is a serious contender that delivers a much better shooting experience.

It is important to notate, however, that the extended mag carries the same amount of ammo as the flush-fit mag. Both feature a 6+1 capacity. You would expect the upgrade to feature a higher-round magazine. But for whatever reason, that's not the case here.

Thankfully, there are some aftermarket options available that let you up the capacity, as well as various sight and holster options. They are admittedly a bit limited at this juncture, but I would expect more to become available as time goes on. The same is true for the lasers and lights. At present, options aren't as robust as other pistols. But being a Glock, more are bound to enter the scene at some point in time.

What’s Hot and What’s Not

There are some really great features on the Glock 43 that everyone is sure to like. Conversely, there are also some potential drawbacks that would be nice to see rectified in an update down the road.

Pros

  • A growing list of accessories
  • Excellent concealed carry
  • Comfy magazine release
  • Good stopping power
  • Safe Action System
  • Exceptional trigger
  • Single-stack 9mm
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Trigger pull is a bit heavier than you'd expect for a gun this size
  • Magazine capacity might be too low for some people
  • The trigger guard is a bit uncomfortable at times
  • Lack of decent grip texture
  • No Picatinny rail

As a single-stack pistol, I found the G43 to be a tight shot. Yes, a single-stack is vastly different from a double, but I believe this bodes well for the Glock 43. It's ideal for a personal carry pistol and is sure to please newcomers and veterans alike.

If you can get past the number of rounds it can carry, I believe you will be quite pleased with what the 43 has to offer. You don't come across pistols this size every day that have the Glock logo on them. As such, you're investing in quality that you can rely on.

Is a Glock 43 Easy to Shoot?

There's no getting around the fact that this gun is thinner than most you've likely shot. I could see the smaller slide and frame being a bit of a learning curve for some folks. With that being said, I believe the G43's construction complements the overall design quite well.

The really like the versatility of the Glock 43. It handles like a dream for the most part and is comfortable when shooting. I appreciate the location of the magazine release button, as it's a Glock standard.

The 6-round capacity may be a turnoff for some, but I find it to be perfectly accommodating for a personal carry weapon. One of the reasons it doesn't hold more is to keep its size pocket-friendly. I have no problem with that.

It fits nicely into a holster, too, making it ideal to carry on your person. The weight is likely to be lighter than what most people are familiar with, but I believe this serves the Glock 43 rather well.

For a 9mm gun, the Glock 43 has respectable power behind it. Shooting is tight and easy to control. You don't need to be a seasoned veteran to get acclimated to this gun.

At no time during my review did I experience any problems with firing. Like most Glocks, it's clear that a lot of workmanship went into the production of this gun. And for a pocket-sized concealed carry, the accuracy is commendable, to say the least.

Shooting the Glock 43

Those with large hands may have some trouble at first. I found that the extended mag helps with this issue quite a bit. I would imagine that shooters with small hands will immediately fall in love with the build. It's perfectly suitable for beginners and those of smaller stature.

And although shooting the Glock 43 isn't the most comfortable experience I've had, it's far from the worst. The trigger is a notable standout that provides both comfort and precision shooting.

Follow-up shots are made easy thanks to the compact design of the G43, which I really like. This is one pistol you won't have to worry about struggling with if you need to fire off multiple rounds in quick succession. If you're troubled by the small handle, you will need to grab the extended mag.

pic of glock 43

While I have certainly fired off rounds in other guns much more comfortably, it's easy to understand why the G43 is a bit wild when firing, especially given its smaller size. If you're looking for supreme comfort, you're likely to walk away disappointed. But if you come in knowing what to expect from this single-stack Glock, you should be pleased with its performance.

Unlike a double-stack gun, there are bound to be some control issues with the G43. It's simply the nature of pistols like this one with its smaller slide and frame.

Thankfully, the high-quality construction found in other Glocks is present here, delivering a worthy contender that is sure to satisfy anyone who values compact pistols.

Is Glock 43 Good for Home Defense?

No question. Like previous Glocks, you're investing in a reliable pistol that offers a solid shooting experience. The trigger is ideal for home defense, in my opinion. And the compact construction lends itself to being a wonderful personal carry weapon.

You get a lot of bang for your buck in this gun, making it a great option for defense. Sure, the grip could use some TLC and the magazine holds only 6 rounds. But both are easily remedied thanks to offerings from aftermarket companies.

I could see some people liking the grip as is, but I had to use a longer magazine to get the grip I needed. Again, as long as there are options to rectify these concerns, no harm, no foul.

Glock has always been pretty good about allowing you to customize certain aspects like those above. Just one more reason to add the Glock 43 to your arsenal. As a home defense gun, the 43 is perfectly suitable. Firing is accurate for such a compact gun, which adds even further value to it.

Whether you are just getting your feet wet or you're well-versed in gun safety and handling, you should be happy with the Glock 43. It has some potential shortcomings, sure. But there's enough to like here that serves to outweigh the bad.

Wrap-Up

So, is the Glock 43 the best pocket-sized pistol I've ever used? Not quite, but I am still extremely fond of what this gun has to offer. As long as you understand its limitations and what this gun is designed for, you shouldn't have any issues with it.

glock 43 gun

I hope you found my review to be helpful and insightful in assisting you in your quest to find a good home defense weapon. As I mentioned in the open, I have been looking forward to sharing my thoughts on the Glock 43 for quite some time.

This is one gun that I have used plenty of in the past and continue to maintain its excellence to this day. Questionable issues aside, you're getting a reliable pistol that easily stands the test of time.

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