Good afternoon shooters and welcome back to TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner where we discuss anything and everything related to the topic of packing a firearm for personal protection. Today we are going to revisit a topic we touched on more than two years ago: a by the numbers look at two of the most popular ultra-compact pistols currently on the market. The GLOCK G43 vs G43X debate has been discussed numerous times since the “Silver Slide” debut of the G43X and the longer G48 about two months ago. But now that the feverish new-product rush is past, how is the latest release stacking up against the original 9mm GLOCK pocket pistol? Let’s take a mathematical look, shall we?

But first, my humble caveat: Yes, I am aware that there are other pistols besides GLOCK that are well suited to the EDC and CCW world. So, just because I carry a GLOCK every day, it doesn’t mean I’m going to force you to as well. By all means, if you want to ride dirty with a five shot revolver, Commander-sized 1911 or a Thompson Center Contender, please do so. Note: if you daily carry a TC Contender, I want to hear about it.

CONCEALED CARRY CORNER: G43 vs G43X By The Numbers

Here’s the deal. I know many of you, like myself, years ago who carried a G26 when the original G43 rolled out wondered if the time had come to migrate to the new pistols. I covered that topic back in 2017. So for those of you who own the G43 and are thinking about making the move to the G43X, I thought we should do an unemotional dive into the numbers behind each pistol.

In case you have been locked in a dank castle dungeon awaiting a slow death or a rescue from Navy Seals, you already know that the G43X is a slim, single stack pistol with a longer grip that holds a new GLOCK magazine and 10 rounds. As opposed to the G43 that has a shorter grip and holds six rounds with the standard flat basepad. The G43 and G43X magazines are not interchangeable.

Here are the stats direct from GLOCK.

G43 By The Numbers

https://us.glock.com/Products/G43

The already legendary G43 is a single stack, 9 mm Luger caliber pistol. It is ultra-concealable, accurate and a fantastic tool for all shooters regardless of one’s hand size. The grip has a built-in beaver tail design which allows the shooter to acquire a high and tight grip. The aggressive texture of the grip surface allows for comfortable and reliable operation of the pistol. The large magazine catch makes quick work of removing the six round magazine. Engineered based on the same superlative standards that GLOCK is famous for, the tiny G43 tolerates the same torture tests all its bigger brothers in the GLOCK pistol family withstand.

1. Length (Overall)**: 159 mm | 6.26 inch

2. Slide Length: 154 mm | 6.06 inch

3. Width (Overall): 27 mm | 1.06 inch

4. Slide Width: 22 mm | 0.87 inch

5. Height incl.Mag.:108 mm | 4.25 inch

6. Line of Sight (Polymer): 133 mm | 5.24 inch

   Line of Sight (Steel): 132 mm | 5.20 inch

   Line of Sight (GNS): 131 mm | 5.16 inch

7. Trigger Distance**:65 mm | 2.56 inch

G43X By The Numbers

https://us.glock.com/Products/g43x_silver_slide

The silver nPVD finished slide of the G43X combines its short and slim dimensions to the extended slim frame size of the G48. A perfectly balanced slim fit for nearly all hand sizes with a satisfying magazine capacity and high concealability. The magazine capacity of the slim 01 magazine of the G43X is 10 rounds.

1. Length (Overall)**: 165 mm | 6.50 inch

2. Slide Length: 154 mm | 6.06 inch

3. Width (Overall): 28 mm | 1.10 inch

4. Slide Width: 22 mm | 0.87 inch

5. Height incl.Mag.: 128 mm | 5.04 inch

6. Line of Sight (Polymer): 133 mm | 5.24 inch

   Line of Sight (Steel): 132 mm | 5.20 inch

   Line of Sight (GNS): 131 mm | 5.16 inch

7. Trigger Distance**: 67 mm | 2.64 inch

Analysis:

A quick look at the numbers shows that on paper, the two pistols are nearly indistinguishable. The biggest difference is in height, where the longer grip of the G43X puts on 3/4 of an inch in comparison to the G43. In other categories, the differences are measured in fractions of an inch and others are identical. When it comes to weight, the G43X adds only five grams over its older brother without magazines. With the magazines, the “Silver Slide” gains only 20 grams over the G43.

In the below comparison charts that I *cough* borrowed *cough* from GLOCK, I included the G26 as a frame of reference. I won’t rehash the double stack vs single stack argument here, but I do think we should address it in a future Concealed Carry Corner episode.

G43 VS G43X – “Intangibles”

Ok, I’m misusing the term “intangible” here because obviously if you can feel a difference between two pistols, then there has to be a felt characteristic. But when you compare a G43 with a full magazine extension to the G43X with a standard basepad, the grip lengths may actually be quite similar, but the difference comes in the solid grip feel on the newer pistol. Some of you, again, like myself, may have a similar feeling when swapping between the G19 with a standard basepad and a G26 with a grip extension. While you have a similar surface area for your fingers, there is a better “feel” to the fuller grip of the G19.

Other additions worth noting are the front slide serrations for easier manipulations and the rounded corners on the slide for reduced snags and easier re-holstering.

Let’s not forget the magazines. The G43X comes with longer, ten round magazines without the need for a baseplate swap. It may not sound like much, but three spare magazines will get you 30 rounds versus 18 rounds with the G43.

I do like the flush-fit of the magazines into the grip of the original G43. It makes for a slim and sleek pistol.

And then comes the two-tone color selection, the change that I am going to guess that many of you will base most of your purchase decision on. And, while this is strictly my opinion and it has nothing to do with a “by the numbers” analysis, I will say the silver slide has grown on me. Besides, give me a reliable and accurate pistol and I’ll carry it in zombie green for all I care.

Conclusions:

On paper, these two pistols are much more alike than they are different. However, if I didn’t own either one and I was forced to make a decision, I’m fairly certain I’d pick the G43X. The reason? I rarely shoot the G43 without a full-size magazine extension so why not to get the benefits of a full sized grip on the G43X?

But what are you asking me for, I still carry a 12-year-old G26.

Thanks for reading TFB. See you next week.

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