OK, so I saw the thread on the G42 and thought about the G43 I carry often. I have the 43X, and a 26...but I really enjoy how small the 43 is for a carry gun. (I actually must further admit I own 2...).

Does anyone else prefer the smaller G43 to the other bigger options? I know I should want a P365 or one of the higher capacity micro's...but I just prefer the feel and size of the 43.

My P365 rendered my G43 obsolete, but even before the P365, I preferred the Kahr PM9/CM9/P9/CW9 series over the G43. IMHO, the G43 seems like a cheap knock-off of a Kahr. The Kahr came out long before the G43. Kahrs are the same size or smaller than a G43, have greater capacity, and I prefer Kahr's trigger.

I bought a G43 and I saw that it was the same size as my G26, ONLY 1/4" narrower. I didn't feel like 1/4" was worth giving up four rounds. More than that using a PMAG 12 GL9 magazine. It was too big for a pocket pistol so I might as well holster a G26 or G19.

I like the G43 and how little it prints and conceals so much easier than most guns.

Nice thin pistol and can comfortably fit IWB. When going into inhospitable liberal environment it is a hand unit. Not as block like as my 26. Both have their place.

My edc, carried in a kydex iwb. I put a Hogue handall on it, and +2 ghost baseplates. Hardly prints, those baseplates give me a full hand grip. 8+1 and a spare mag in a pocket. Just right for summer and shorts.

I carry a 43 and wish every day it was a 365.

It's my everyday conceal carry as well as my first Glock. I'm willing to give up a few rounds in order to feel comfortable carrying. I do carry a spare mag though whenever I go into WalMart.

quote:

Originally posted by bcjwriter:
OK, so I saw the thread on the G42 and thought about the G43 I carry often. I have the 43X, and a 26...but I really enjoy how small the 43 is for a carry gun. (I actually must further admit I own 2...).

Does anyone else prefer the smaller G43 to the other bigger options? I know I should want a P365 or one of the higher capacity micro's...but I just prefer the feel and size of the 43.

I “like” the 43X. But the 26 IMHO is the best for deep concealment. Not too mention I can use 33,24,19,17,15, and 10 round mags in it. The 43X I’m stuck with 43X mags, unless I go with the shield mags.

I love my G43, It’s my favorite carry gun. Though my G32 might get jealous if you tell it

I had a 43, it was a wonderful pistol, but the little Sig just smoked it in every way.

Now my 43x, it's just about on par with the Sig in all but the trigger. However the Sig has better capacity.

While I'm normally one of those infamous "Glock guys", the smaller P365 effectively "retired" my G43, thanks in part to my small hands and how that factor made it relatively easy for me to adapt to the SIG. Plus even more significant for me, from a control standpoint I think the 365 is slightly lighter on recoil between these two.

The 9-round Shield Arms mag for the 43 might normally have caused some reconsideration if they had brought that mag to market a year or so ago. But in the context of today that mag configuration increases the overall size of the kitted gun since it's not a flush fit style of mag to gain those extra 3 rounds, instead it's mimicking the height of a factory G43 mag with pinkie extension, where I'd always use the factory flush 6 rounder whenever I carried the 43 for minimum intrusiveness. So in my situation the Shield Arms answer is a case of too little, too late. I do like the G43 well enough but not to the point where I'd return back to it as a carry option in those infrequent instances where my attire can't support my G23.

I hear and understand the arguments for the G26, but with its relative girth I may as well be carrying a G19. The 26 has its decidedly smaller overall footprint but with the 12 rounder in the magwell, the grip + mag is nearly the same height as the G19 with a flush 15 rounder onboard. Cutting down to the flush 10 rounder in the 26 and carrying backup 15s or 17s might make sense from a firepower standpoint, but I'd rather deal with a far more slender and way less conspicuous (plus more comfortable) 365 and carry its significantly less girthy 15 round mags if I felt the need for added firepower.

Having written all of this, I confess that I'm currently evaluating the notion of switching to the Shield+ and away from the P365. I've always shot Shields well, and the new trigger in the Shield+ makes the results even better. And to me there's no comparison when it comes to which micro compact 9mm does recoil control best.

What a great topic. Thanks for posting. There is definitely something about Glock and something about the G43 despite all of the wonder micros.
I have small hands. Have owned Glocks since a late 1980’s G19, then later a 17L. Could appreciate them, but just they were just big and blocky for my Goldilocks paws. Didn’t really come to love Glocks till the 43, 48, and 43x. The 43 became my EDC, the 48 my bedside. A stock G43 (with Talon grips and Ameriglo front sight) was fine for me in terms of capacity — 6+1 and a spare 6 round OEM mag.
Then the 365 came along, and mostly because of its trigger (and associated accuracy), NOT capacity, the 365 has become my EDC. A 365 with 3.7” upper and 12 round magazine became my bedside and frequent EDC option.
But still I probably like shooting the 43 more. When I go to the range with loaded mags and game plan to shoot x number of rounds through each, I more often keep reloading those little six rounders and keep having fun.
The big thing for the G43 for me is the Glock grip angle. That almost creates a huge beaver tail that to me, in the thin frame 9’s, with my small hands, makes them milder in recoil and a pleasure.
For me, the 365 is better in carefully aimed fire, the G43 better in rapid fire, drills, and point shooting. And the G43, with four less rounds, is 2 oz lighter when fully loaded. And it feels a bit thinner and cleaner.
So why does the 365 win out? Not capacity, but two other things:
- With the 365 one gun can be near Rohrbaugh in size, or with the longer upper and 12 round mags, near G19 in size and impact. And all mags fit both configurations. With Glock, I need a G 43 and a G 48.
- And probably the bigger factor (putting on flame retardant suit now) I like having a manual safety on a striker fired gun. Much of that is because I greatly Remora like holsters, and just don’t trust a striker fired gun without a manual safety in a soft skin holster. If I could find a thin Kydex with a really easy on / off clip for the G43 maybe I’d go back to it.
Pardon the long, wordy post. It’s just a great topic.

For me, the G43 really hits its sweet spot with the Magguts +2 installed. At nearly the same size as factory, the 8+1 really brings out the best in the 43.

I carry my G43 as my main choice for AIWB. I also have a 43X but to me, that’s a full on belt gun. As for the P365, mine only really sees pocket duty - usually in cargo shorts or in my motorcycle vest.

I've carried a G43 for quite a while and like the gun. Shoots well, is fairly easy to carry and brings all of the dependability that is Glock. However, since picking up a P365XL it's become my go to pistol for a number of reasons. My poor G43 sits in the safe as I just can't bring myself to sell it.

I use the G43 as my main concealed carry gun, I like it very much. I haven't bothered to really investigate any other alternatives (I did try the 365 but I liked holding the 43 better). In this case, it ain't broke, why fix it? I have a number of holsters for it, it is comfortable and conceals nicely.

quote:

Originally posted by ScotP7:
And probably the bigger factor (putting on flame retardant suit now) I like having a manual safety on a striker fired gun. Much of that is because I greatly Remora like holsters, and just don’t trust a striker fired gun without a manual safety in a soft skin holster. If I could find a thin Kydex with a really easy on / off clip for the G43 maybe I’d go back to it.

Check out the Tulster offerings.They are a nice fit for the 43.

I carried a G19 for years and then went to the 43x with the metal 15rnd mags. Love how it feels.

But I’ve gone to a lightweight aluminum framed 1911 commander sized 45 for EDC.

quote:

Originally posted by lbsid:

quote:

Originally posted by ScotP7:
And probably the bigger factor (putting on flame retardant suit now) I like having a manual safety on a striker fired gun. Much of that is because I greatly Remora like holsters, and just don’t trust a striker fired gun without a manual safety in a soft skin holster. If I could find a thin Kydex with a really easy on / off clip for the G43 maybe I’d go back to it.

Check out the Tulster offerings.They are a nice fit for the 43.

Thank you very much.
Do you recommend the Profile, Oath, other?

I’ve had a 43 since they came out. I’ve got a 365, 365xl and more stuff to carry than any one man should have but damn if I don’t find myself carrying the 43 more than any of the Sigs, for whatever reason it just carry’s so much better for me than the 365, just seems flatter for IWB carry and I know weight wise they are close but the 43 just hits all the right spots for me, same with my 43x. As I stated in the 42 thread, I find that I pocket carry that in a kydex pocket holster more than a j frame I’ve carried for 30 plus years. I know it makes no sense but im comfortable with the 43 and 43x, I guess that’s half the battle right there.