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Glock 43 - Personal Reviews from Indiana folks!
- Thread starter BuckShotSG
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At least one member here got to shoot one.
At least one member here got to shoot one.
I picked up the first one sold at M and J firearms on Friday afternoon and fired a couple of hundred rounds on Saturday at ACC.
Feels a bit heavier than the 42 and I liked the mag with the extension much better. Shot my normal reloads and it works great and was pretty accurate, no failures. I noticed the rear sight was a bit off center when I got it and measured it at a bit more than 1/64 off center. So I was compensating. I installed night sights this afternoon and will check it out tomorrow.
Overall I'm very happy with it, feels way smaller than a 26
Feels a bit heavier than the 42 and I liked the mag with the extension much better. Shot my normal reloads and it works great and was pretty accurate, no failures. I noticed the rear sight was a bit off center when I got it and measured it at a bit more than 1/64 off center. So I was compensating. I installed night sights this afternoon and will check it out tomorrow.
Overall I'm very happy with it, feels way smaller than a 26
Last edited:
SirRealism
Master
- Nov 17, 2008
- 1,779
- 38
Mark from Bradis reviewed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEfRuIIjh8I
(Not sure if he is included in the aforementioned "youtube sensations".)
ETA: more of a first look than a full review.
(Not sure if he is included in the aforementioned "youtube sensations".)
ETA: more of a first look than a full review.
Here are my initial observations of the Glock 43 that I picked up yesterday. While it may not carry the weight of a review by Ayoob, it reflects the evaluation by an average shooter. You get what you pay for.
For context, I have a few small guns that I occasionally carry. Each has issues, which is what prompted me to pick up a G43. I'm hoping that, like most Glocks, it will be the best of the worst. Face it -- BUGs have compromises, and this one is no different.
I stacked the G43 up against three other 9mms -- Sig Sauer P938, Kel-Tec PF9, and a Ruger LCR9.
My issues with the P938 are its size -- it's really, really small. So small that my trigger finger has to be in an unnatural position to press the trigger. The external, ambidextrous safety is also really small, and flipping it on and off is a chore that I'd rather not deal with under stress. Lastly, it has a peculiar habit of ejecting the top round from the magazine if it is removed from the gun. Not sure when that would be an issue other than at the range, but it shouldn't happen. Add in the fact that the earliest ones made suffered malfunctions (my firing pin stopped striking the primers) and had to be returned to Sig, it has a little cloud of unreliability hovering over it.
The Kel-Tec PF9 has issues, too. I could leave it at that, but I won't. Mine always goes bang. It's very, very accurate within about 3 feet. Beyond that distance, it's a crapshoot. And, especially with SD ammo, it kicks like a mule! After about 2 mags' worth, my hand is toast. It's cheap, reliable, and basically disposable -- a perfect drop gun for those with a need.
That leaves the Ruger LCR. Being a wheelgun, it's naturally a bit wider than the semis, and only carries 5 rounds. Moon clips are a must also, since it uses rimless cartridges. And, being so light, it also lets you know when it goes bang.
The three semi-autos are designed to be as slim as possible. I didn't dig out a micrometer, but to tuck into a pocket holster or IWB, all three would be excellent. The most notable difference is in the grip of the Sig -- since it's the BRG (Black Rubber Grip) model, it has a noticeable palm swell that makes it a much more enjoyable gun to shoot, but a tad tougher to conceal if thin is in.
Compared to its big brother (Glock 21SF), it's noticeably smaller, and it feels a LOT smaller in my hand, as it should. Needless to say, loaded up it's a lot lighter, too.
When I took it apart to clean it before a trip to the range, I noticed that it only has two pins. It's my understanding that it's innards are pretty much like the G42. I was surprised to see the workings of the trigger group as well as the slide lock lever. Other than that, it's basic Glock inside.
Firing it for the first time, I was surprised that it had more perceived recoil than I had expected. I'd put it smack in the middle between the Sig and the Kel-Tec. It's not uncomfortable, but it's not exactly fun, either. It's a BUG, period. After about 100 rounds of 115gr Federal and about 50 115gr plated reloads, I decided to push some Cor-Bon rounds down the pipe. Ouch. Again, better than the Kel-Tec but worse than the Sig. It left a definite ouchy on the tip of my trigger finger that lingered a while. I don't consider that a disqualifying attribute though. "Yes, officer, I'm fine. A little shaken, and my trigger finger is a bit numb, but otherwise I'm unharmed ..."
The trigger, while redesigned, is still pure Glock. It's nothing to write home about, but it's firm, smooth and has a relatively clean break. Polishing the guts might smooth it out a little, but compared with the other three BUGs in my little test, it's on par with the Sig's trigger, maybe a bit better.
I shot 5-round groups without a rest (I told you that I'm not Ayoob) from 15', 25', 35', and 50'. It definitely shoots a wee bit left, as demonstrated by the drifting hits the farther away the target was. I'll likely replace the sights anyway, and can dial it in then. It can't be ME, naturally.
These Cor-Bon rounds were fired from 15 feet ...
Certainly a respectable group for a BUG. Even the dropped rounds would be defensibly acceptable in my book.
Overall, I'd say that the Glock 43 is pretty much what I was looking for. It's big enough to handle confidently yet small enough for deep concealment, unlike my G27. It's not a training gun, and (sadly) many well-intentioned husbands will buy these for their wives and they'll show up in classes with them. Many won't ever shoot again. But that's a subject for another time.
That's my take on the new Glock 43. [Sorry for the extra pic at the bottom -- no clue how to delete it.]
For context, I have a few small guns that I occasionally carry. Each has issues, which is what prompted me to pick up a G43. I'm hoping that, like most Glocks, it will be the best of the worst. Face it -- BUGs have compromises, and this one is no different.
I stacked the G43 up against three other 9mms -- Sig Sauer P938, Kel-Tec PF9, and a Ruger LCR9.
My issues with the P938 are its size -- it's really, really small. So small that my trigger finger has to be in an unnatural position to press the trigger. The external, ambidextrous safety is also really small, and flipping it on and off is a chore that I'd rather not deal with under stress. Lastly, it has a peculiar habit of ejecting the top round from the magazine if it is removed from the gun. Not sure when that would be an issue other than at the range, but it shouldn't happen. Add in the fact that the earliest ones made suffered malfunctions (my firing pin stopped striking the primers) and had to be returned to Sig, it has a little cloud of unreliability hovering over it.
The Kel-Tec PF9 has issues, too. I could leave it at that, but I won't. Mine always goes bang. It's very, very accurate within about 3 feet. Beyond that distance, it's a crapshoot. And, especially with SD ammo, it kicks like a mule! After about 2 mags' worth, my hand is toast. It's cheap, reliable, and basically disposable -- a perfect drop gun for those with a need.
That leaves the Ruger LCR. Being a wheelgun, it's naturally a bit wider than the semis, and only carries 5 rounds. Moon clips are a must also, since it uses rimless cartridges. And, being so light, it also lets you know when it goes bang.
The three semi-autos are designed to be as slim as possible. I didn't dig out a micrometer, but to tuck into a pocket holster or IWB, all three would be excellent. The most notable difference is in the grip of the Sig -- since it's the BRG (Black Rubber Grip) model, it has a noticeable palm swell that makes it a much more enjoyable gun to shoot, but a tad tougher to conceal if thin is in.
Compared to its big brother (Glock 21SF), it's noticeably smaller, and it feels a LOT smaller in my hand, as it should. Needless to say, loaded up it's a lot lighter, too.
When I took it apart to clean it before a trip to the range, I noticed that it only has two pins. It's my understanding that it's innards are pretty much like the G42. I was surprised to see the workings of the trigger group as well as the slide lock lever. Other than that, it's basic Glock inside.
Firing it for the first time, I was surprised that it had more perceived recoil than I had expected. I'd put it smack in the middle between the Sig and the Kel-Tec. It's not uncomfortable, but it's not exactly fun, either. It's a BUG, period. After about 100 rounds of 115gr Federal and about 50 115gr plated reloads, I decided to push some Cor-Bon rounds down the pipe. Ouch. Again, better than the Kel-Tec but worse than the Sig. It left a definite ouchy on the tip of my trigger finger that lingered a while. I don't consider that a disqualifying attribute though. "Yes, officer, I'm fine. A little shaken, and my trigger finger is a bit numb, but otherwise I'm unharmed ..."
The trigger, while redesigned, is still pure Glock. It's nothing to write home about, but it's firm, smooth and has a relatively clean break. Polishing the guts might smooth it out a little, but compared with the other three BUGs in my little test, it's on par with the Sig's trigger, maybe a bit better.
I shot 5-round groups without a rest (I told you that I'm not Ayoob) from 15', 25', 35', and 50'. It definitely shoots a wee bit left, as demonstrated by the drifting hits the farther away the target was. I'll likely replace the sights anyway, and can dial it in then. It can't be ME, naturally.
These Cor-Bon rounds were fired from 15 feet ...
Certainly a respectable group for a BUG. Even the dropped rounds would be defensibly acceptable in my book.
Overall, I'd say that the Glock 43 is pretty much what I was looking for. It's big enough to handle confidently yet small enough for deep concealment, unlike my G27. It's not a training gun, and (sadly) many well-intentioned husbands will buy these for their wives and they'll show up in classes with them. Many won't ever shoot again. But that's a subject for another time.
That's my take on the new Glock 43. [Sorry for the extra pic at the bottom -- no clue how to delete it.]
Attachments
SirRealism
Master
- Nov 17, 2008
- 1,779
- 38
I had wondered whether yanking the top round out while removing the mag was a feature unique to my P938. It's downright annoying.
Excellent review. Thank you.
When you mentioned trigger redesign, what specifically are you referencing? I'm assuming its serrated as it is on other Glock subcompacts. I'm also assuming/hoping the reset is standard Glock and that you can ride the trigger and that it has a tactile/very perceptible reset? Is that the case? Anything substantially different from other Glocks?
I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one of these. Deep conceal is of interest, and I'm really only interested in Glock. I've spent too much time with my various Glock models to learn a new system.
I haven't held one yet, but everything I've read over the last couple weeks says that it isn't smaller than a 26, only thinner.
shooter521
Certified Glock Nut
Geez, I hope not!
everything I've read over the last couple weeks says that it isn't smaller than a 26, only thinner.
From the Internet: G26, G43, G42
From me: G26, G43
The G43 is slightly shorter in height than the 26, but almost exactly the same length and of course much thinner. The shape of the G43's grip also allows it to sit lower in the hand than the 26, resulting in a gun that feels much smaller than it actually is.
The G43 uses G42 sights, so there are several night sight options already available.
We (Bradis Guns) are taking prepaid-in-full back orders on the first 10 guns we get in; there are still a couple slots open. After that, we will be selling them on a first-come, first-served basis.
HTH!
I haven't held one yet, but everything I've read over the last couple weeks says that it isn't smaller than a 26, only thinner.
For IWB, that thinness is important. I went from uncomfortably carrying a G19/G26 to very comfortably carrying a Shield a year ago. The difference was very noticeable. Plus, the smaller, lighter gun only needed a small, single clip holster, which made it even more comfortable. If I didn't already own the Shield, I'd be snatching one of these up as soon as I could
I can't wait for Bradis to get one. I want to hold one and see how it feels.
My problem is that I don't have the cash for one, and would have to sell something to get one.
My other problem is that I go back and forth on if it would be worth getting a G43. I have no problems concealing my Glock 26, and I like the fact it holds 10 rounds, and can hold a Glock 19 magazine as well. BUT, I can see how the G43 would be EASIER to conceal.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
My problem is that I don't have the cash for one, and would have to sell something to get one.
My other problem is that I go back and forth on if it would be worth getting a G43. I have no problems concealing my Glock 26, and I like the fact it holds 10 rounds, and can hold a Glock 19 magazine as well. BUT, I can see how the G43 would be EASIER to conceal.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
Defensive Shooting Concepts
Plinker
I will be getting one as soon as I can find a blue label store with one in stock. That is as long as the feed back and reviews remain positive. I had some issues with my first 42 so I did not rush out and get on any list this time. I hope this waiting period I put myself in doesn't kill me but I am hoping it will pay off if problems start being reported. Even though it does not seem that it is going to happen.
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