Introduction
Thinking about taking the step toward concealed carry? The market is flooded with choices, and one name consistently rises to the top: the Glock. But is the Glock 43, a popular choice for those seeking a compact and reliable pistol, the right firearm for you? This article dives deep into the Glock 43, dissecting its strengths, weaknesses, and how it stacks up against the competition, to help you determine if it’s a good fit for your needs and lifestyle.
The Glock 43, often simply referred to as the G43, is a subcompact, single-stack 9mm pistol. It’s built upon the same core principles that made Glock famous: simplicity, reliability, and a commitment to durability. But in the world of concealed carry, where size and weight often dictate practicality, the G43 has carved out a significant niche. The question remains: is the Glock 43 a good gun? After thorough examination, the answer is nuanced. The Glock 43 is a solid choice for concealed carry, praised for its manageable size, renowned reliability, and ease of use. However, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations, including lower capacity and a more pronounced felt recoil compared to some other firearms. To fully understand its suitability, let’s break down its features and how it stacks up in the crowded market of subcompact pistols.
Size and How Easy it Is to Carry
The Glock 43’s defining characteristic is its compact size. This is a key factor in its popularity for concealed carry, where the goal is to minimize the firearm’s footprint on your body. The dimensions of the G43 are deliberately streamlined for discreet carry. Its overall length is relatively short, contributing to its ability to disappear under clothing. The width is also minimized, making it less likely to “print” through clothing. Its slender profile allows the pistol to nestle comfortably against the body, minimizing the chance of detection.
Furthermore, the G43 is incredibly lightweight. This helps make it comfortable for all-day carry, especially in hot weather or when engaging in physical activity. The reduced weight also lessens the strain on your body, which is a critical consideration for many.
Compared to other firearms of similar class, the Glock 43 consistently performs well in terms of its concealability factor. When compared to larger, full-size handguns, the difference is immediately apparent. Carrying a Glock 43 is dramatically easier, making it a strong option for those who have struggled with concealing larger firearms. When you compare the G43 to some of the even smaller, micro-compact pistols, the differences become apparent. The larger micro-compacts may offer a slight advantage in overall ease of concealment. However, the G43 often benefits from its ergonomics and the generally higher level of comfort it affords shooters.
Comfort is also crucial. A pistol that’s easy to conceal but uncomfortable to carry will likely result in its owner leaving it at home. The Glock 43’s design prioritizes ergonomics and comfort, contributing to a positive and successful carry experience.
Dependability and Strength
When it comes to firearms, few things are more important than reliability. The Glock 43, like all Glock pistols, benefits from Glock’s well-earned reputation for dependability. Glocks have consistently demonstrated their ability to function flawlessly under challenging conditions, making them a favorite among law enforcement officers and civilians alike.
The Glock 43 utilizes a proven design. It’s based on the same principles of simplicity and reliability that have defined Glock’s success for decades. This means fewer moving parts, a robust construction, and a commitment to minimizing potential points of failure. This design philosophy contributes directly to the pistol’s overall reliability.
The materials used in the construction of the Glock 43 also contribute to its strength. The frame is constructed from a high-strength polymer, known for its durability and resistance to corrosion. The slide is typically made from steel and treated with a durable finish, further protecting it from the elements and wear. This blend of materials makes the G43 ready to withstand repeated use, and harsh environments.
This approach to design and manufacture results in a pistol that can withstand considerable use and can generally maintain its operational condition for an extended period of time. The Glock 43’s dependability is one of its major selling points, making it a firearm that you can trust to perform when you need it most.
How Easy it Is to Use
The Glock 43 is known for its user-friendliness. It’s engineered to be straightforward and intuitive, which is an important consideration for anyone, from beginners to seasoned shooters.
The controls on the Glock 43 are intentionally kept simple. This helps to reduce the learning curve and allows users to quickly become familiar with the pistol’s operation. The trigger, magazine release, and slide release are all designed to be readily accessible and easy to manipulate. This ease of access and operation is critical in high-stress situations.
The Glock 43 also generally has excellent pointability. This is because of the grip angle and overall balance of the pistol. When aiming, the Glock 43 naturally aligns with the shooter’s line of sight, allowing for fast and accurate target acquisition. This characteristic makes it easier for the shooter to quickly acquire the target and place accurate shots.
Maintenance of the Glock 43 is a straightforward process. Field stripping is a relatively simple procedure that can be done quickly and easily. Routine cleaning and lubrication are crucial for maintaining the pistol’s reliability, and the Glock 43’s design makes this a hassle-free task.
Accessories and Upgrades
The Glock 43 boasts a large aftermarket support system. This means there are many accessories available for the pistol, including holsters, sights, magazine extensions, trigger upgrades, and other aftermarket modifications. This is significant because it allows owners to tailor their G43 to their unique needs and preferences.
The sheer number of holster options available is a prime example. There are holsters for every style of concealed carry imaginable, from inside-the-waistband (IWB) to outside-the-waistband (OWB) to ankle holsters. This diversity allows you to choose the perfect holster for your body type, clothing choices, and lifestyle.
There are also many sighting options, including aftermarket sights. These upgrades can significantly improve your accuracy and target acquisition capabilities. You can select from a variety of sights, including tritium night sights, fiber optic sights, and adjustable sights, depending on the desired use of the Glock 43.
Customization potential is also worth consideration. There is a wide variety of trigger upgrades available for the Glock 43. You can upgrade the trigger itself for a lighter pull weight, a shorter reset, or a more crisp break. This is something that can significantly improve your shooting performance.
Value in Comparison to Price
The price of the Glock 43 is one of its strong suits. Glock, as a brand, is known for offering an excellent value proposition. The Glock 43 typically costs significantly less than some competitors without sacrificing quality or performance. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable and accurate pistol without breaking the bank.
When you consider the reliability, durability, ease of use, and wide availability of accessories, the Glock 43 provides a high overall value. The performance you get for the price point is quite good. This makes the G43 a very appealing choice for anyone interested in concealed carry.
Dealing with Recoil
The Glock 43, as a compact firearm, has a trade-off. Because of its smaller size, it may exhibit more felt recoil than larger handguns. This is a natural consequence of the physics involved: a smaller frame has less mass to absorb the recoil energy. While this might initially seem like a disadvantage, the G43’s recoil is still generally manageable for most shooters.
The level of perceived recoil depends on a lot of factors including the shooter’s experience and the specific ammunition used. The recoil experience will vary. Shooters who are experienced with handguns may not find the G43’s recoil to be particularly harsh. Novice shooters might require some practice to become accustomed to it.
The grip of the Glock 43 can also influence recoil. The G43 is a relatively compact pistol, and those with larger hands may find it challenging to achieve a firm and comfortable grip, potentially leading to less effective recoil management. Aftermarket grip modifications, like grip tape or extended base plates, can sometimes help.
Capacity of the Magazine
One of the main disadvantages of the Glock 43 is its magazine capacity. The Glock 43 is a single-stack firearm, meaning its magazine holds rounds in a single column. The original factory magazines for the G43 typically hold six rounds. Although there are extensions that are available to increase this number, it is a factor to consider.
When compared to other popular concealed carry pistols, such as the Glock 19, which has a significantly higher capacity, the difference is immediately apparent. This lower capacity means you have fewer rounds available before needing to reload.
The importance of magazine capacity is a key consideration in self-defense situations. While not every self-defense encounter requires a large number of rounds, a higher capacity magazine can provide a greater margin of safety. If you’re concerned about having additional rounds on hand, consider using magazine extensions, or simply carrying spare magazines.
What You Should Know About the Trigger
The Glock trigger system is very well known, and is a defining characteristic of Glock pistols, including the Glock 43. It’s often described as having a consistent and relatively predictable pull. Its length and pull weight are known to be heavier than what is commonly found in other handguns.
The Glock trigger, for all its benefits, is a point of contention for some shooters. The longer pull and the lack of a defined break can sometimes make it harder to shoot accurately, especially for new shooters.
However, there are various aftermarket options available for those who want to customize their Glock 43’s trigger feel. Trigger upgrades can improve the overall shooting experience, by reducing the pull weight, shortening the reset, and producing a more distinct break. This allows for faster and more precise shooting.
The Sights and Your Sight Picture
The sights on the Glock 43, like all Glocks, are functional, but they aren’t always a favorite of experienced shooters. The standard sights are polymer and are generally basic in design. Many shooters prefer to upgrade to aftermarket sights for a better sight picture.
The benefit of this is that improved sights can significantly enhance your accuracy and target acquisition. Better sights make it easier to quickly align the front and rear sights, facilitating faster and more precise shot placement. Many people find that aftermarket sights help with improving accuracy, which is critical in high-stress situations.
The Glock 43, like other Glock pistols, offers a variety of sight upgrade options. You can select from various sights, like tritium night sights, fiber optic sights, or adjustable sights, depending on your preferences.
Comparison with Other Options
The market for subcompact pistols is extremely competitive. There are several other excellent options for concealed carry, each with its own pros and cons. Some of the more popular alternatives to the Glock 43 include the SIG Sauer P365, the Smith & Wesson Shield, and the Springfield Hellcat.
The SIG Sauer P365 is a popular choice, largely because it offers a higher magazine capacity than the G43 while remaining quite compact. It also has a more refined trigger and a more aggressive grip texture, which some shooters prefer. However, the P365 may have a slightly higher price point.
The Smith & Wesson Shield, another popular choice, is known for its reliability and relatively thin profile. It offers a user-friendly design and a straightforward set of controls. The Shield also offers a good balance between size, weight, and capacity.
The Springfield Hellcat is a newer entry to the subcompact market, but it has quickly gained popularity. It is praised for its high magazine capacity and compact size, offering a blend of concealment and firepower. The Hellcat also offers a good trigger and a good sight picture, but it is a bit more expensive than the G43.
Ultimately, choosing between these pistols comes down to individual preferences. The Glock 43 has a good balance of features and reliability, while the other options have their own specific strengths.
Who is the Glock 43 Suited For?
The Glock 43 is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a compact and concealable handgun for personal protection. It is particularly well-suited for those who:
- Want a small, easy-to-carry handgun.
- Value Glock’s reputation for reliability.
- Appreciate a simple, user-friendly design.
- Want a gun with a lot of available aftermarket support.
The Glock 43 is not the best choice for everyone. It is less suitable for those who:
- Prefer a higher-capacity magazine.
- Are very sensitive to recoil.
- Have very large hands (grip may feel small).
- Are new to firearms.
Final Thoughts
So, is the Glock 43 a good gun? The answer is a resounding yes, with qualifications. The Glock 43 offers a compelling package for those seeking a reliable, concealable, and easy-to-use handgun. Its compact size, ease of use, and Glock’s proven track record make it a formidable choice for concealed carry. However, potential buyers should weigh the G43’s benefits against its limitations. The slightly higher recoil and limited magazine capacity are essential considerations.
Before making a purchase, it’s advisable to handle and, if possible, shoot the Glock 43 and its competitors to ascertain which pistol is the best fit for you. Consider factors such as hand size, comfort, and carrying style. A well-informed decision, based on your unique requirements, is the best approach to selecting the perfect concealed carry pistol. If your primary goal is a concealable, reliable, and affordable handgun, the Glock 43 remains a strong contender, well deserving of consideration.
