Yes, know this is a Smith forum but you folks own lotsa guns.

My wingman on America's 9/11 Ride was toting a Glock 43 and had occasion to show it to me. (Controlled environment; no one else around, all safety practices followed.)

It felt great in my hand and had the most luminous front sight I have ever seen. Very similar in size to my M60, NY-1.

Thinking about buying one but smart enough to inquire with you gun gurus first. Talk to me, please.

Be safe.

It's ok, fairly accurate once you learn how to hold it. Little finicky on pointed self defense ammo feeding. Decided to sell mine and just go with g19

I have one, along with one of most every other Glock 9mm model. I don't like it as well as the Glock 26, but it is narrower and rides much better in an AIWB holster. The 43 operates as well as any other Glock. Spare magazines are a little harder to come by, and I need the Pearce extension to keep my pinky from dangling. All and all a worthwhile addition to the inventory . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I have one and put a TLR6 laser/light combo on it. No issues feeding or otherwise, but less than 200 rounds thru it. It does not hold or point well for me – I find the Ruger LC9s to better suit my needs – especially since it has a thumb safety. I liked it so much I even picked up an EC9s and put a CTC laser on it. Ruger mags hold more, are thinner, and easier to load. The Ruger is less expensive although (speculation here) it may not hold up as well as the Glock for long term shooting. Edited to add: Truth be told, I have carried my NAA .22Mag the last week and a half. I have the good fortune to live in a low-threat environment. It goes without saying that it’s easier to conceal than the G43 - and I realize that I would quickly be toast carrying it. But, it is an order of magnitude better than carrying just a knife.

Just for comparison, I have a G43 and an M&P Shield. I prefer the Shield. The Shield is a little bit heavier and I like the Shield grip a bit better. I shoot the Shield better than the G43.

The G43 is easier to detail strip (it's a Glock) than a Shield and the 43 probably has more aftermarket parts. If you're a veteran (with DD214), Glock has a deal through Labor Day to buy one Glock for Blue Label pricing. A G43 would be $380. It's a decent pistol.

__________________
Vegan by proxy.

a "really decent pistol" at a really great price...
as mentioned earlier , it is a great addition to the inventory

I have one. I like it. I find I don't shoot it as well as my Beretta Nano (despite the latter having a trigger that appears to have been reverse-engineered from a staplegun), but it's reliable and I like having it. Here are those two together.







Here's a photo that shows its thickness relative to other guns of similar size.

__________________
Now go make God proud...

I like mine. I bought a Shield but sold it because I preferred the 43.

I had a G43 but it was a solution without a problem. I personally think the single stack 9mm craze is a bit silly. The G43 offers no real advantage over a G26. But then my Gen 4 G26 was a jam-o-matic and spit brass at my face fast enough to take out an eye, so the only 9mm Glock I still have is a G19. I pretty much never carry it, but when I do I can conceal the G19 with no problem. I'm 5'8", 175 lbs with a bit of a gut, and I typically carry it AIWB, but sometimes OWB @ 4 o'clock.

I bought mine shortly after they came out. It has over 1200 rounds through it of many different brands and type of ammo. Not one bit of trouble. It is now my edc in a Vetter owb holster. Could not be happier with it but still prefer my revolvers.

I too have both & prefer the G43. It simply fits me better

__________________
Guns + Dogs= Bliss

I have a G43, love it. Daily carry in warm weather. It conceals well. I also carry a spare mag with a Strike Industries +2 extension.

I was thinking of the Shield but after 1000 rounds through both the Shield and the 43 I decided on the 43. The 43 feels better in my hand. It’s plenty accurate and functions like a Glock.

Recoil isn’t bad with Federal HST 124 +P.

__________________
Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I have 2. I EDC a stock one with a pachmyr grip sleeve (recent addition pre pic below)); vedder lighttuck 4 o clock position; pearse +1 magazine extension (7+1). Live in AZ - so shorts and a T is almost year round wear. Conceals very well.

I shot it fine from the start - I did not have a period of getting used to it. I shot friend's Shield once - liked it, but not enough difference for me to drop the 43 for the Shield.

I continue to shoot it well - typically do not shoot it past 30 feet. I am a fan. Simple and reliable. I do not find it "snappy" or to have a lot of recoil. I can put a lot of rounds through it in a range visit without fatigue and enjoying it the entire time. (not so true for me putting 125g 357 through my SP101 w/ 3"barrel)

Recently picked up a Sig P365 that is currently in NE due to issues. If I get to the point I feel the Sig 365 is as reliable as the 43, I'll replace it as my EDC.....but for now I dig the 43.

Attached Images

	Glock 43 2.jpg (189.0 KB, 103 views)
	Current carry 2.jpg (134.6 KB, 104 views)

I have a 43 and love it. I also have a 26 and a 19 and I would take
either over the 43 if I knew I had to defend my life with one of the
three. But we never know if or when that might happen and the 43 is
more compact. The 43 will just fit in a jeans pocket of my old skinny
body and the others won't. The 19 is a bit much for EDC but I love it.
The 26 conceals well with a belt slide holster so all three have their
place in my inventory.

Good info above...pro and con. Appreciate the quick feedback.

Be safe.

I've carried the 43 and a Shield. I prefer the Shield because I can shoot it well and it fits my large hands better.

I had a difficult time getting a good grip on the 43 and I wasn't as accurate with it as I am with the Shield.

Shoot one before you buy it!

I just can't shoot a Glock accurately. I might be OK with enough practice, but they just don't shoot the same as my other guns. And, I don't have the inclination to work it out, since the others all work well! I like Smith, Ruger, Taurus, etc, and they work for me!

I had one felt it was to snappy for me. Sold it and bought the new Shield 2.0 and love that.

Funny you should ask, I bought a very lightly used G43 from a guy at work YESTERDAY. Came with a Blackhawk kydex holster, DeSantis nylon holster, one Taran tact. 3 round mag base plate, and has a Ghost disconnect installed (stock disconnect in box). I won't get to shoot it until Sunday morning.

PS: Had occasion to shoot my new to me G43 a couple days after my post. 200 rounds, no malfunctions. Shoots nice groups at 25 yards for such a small gun. In short, I like it. Ordered a couple magazines and Pearce +1 extensions.

Lets see .. S&W .. Beretta .. Sig's .. Tanfoglio .. Remington

Nope .. No Glocks !!!

Had one couldn’t shoot it well. Gave it to the ex and got a Gen 5 26. I can shoot it just fine.

Attached Images

073D5AE4-F7F7-4860-A6BE-DEFA73183942.jpg (53.0 KB, 77 views)

For me shooting my 26 is not an excersie in accuracy, thus I stayed away from the 43. The idea, for me, is that it is for up close and personal use so distance accuracy was not my main priority. I am more of a wheel gun guy so my 66 or 624 tend to be on my hip, but I take the 26 along in the car for sheer volume versus a 43. The 26 fits discretely in a small space in the car and packs 15 + 1. I use the G19 magazines with a sleeve, and with an extra mag I don’t ever feel that I don’t have enough rounds. I just picked up the sig 365 and it is a perfect BUG in an ankle sleeve or in my pocket which I think is the role of the 43 and the 365 thus is my option over the 43. The 43 has its place but it’s just not the do everything gun for me.....thus multiple guns and the 365 instead of the 43 as a deep bury gun.

I had a 43..nothing wrong with it...but someone offered me too much money for it, so it's gone. I prefer my 30 anyways..and they both carry about the same. Neither one is a pocket gun.

I have had one for years. Several thousand rounds thru it and never a single issue. I have a Pearce plus 1 mag (7 rounds) for IWB carry in fist kydex. I use the flush 6 rounder in an uncle Mike's nylon pocket rig for fall\winter carry in my Carhart jacket. So, while i agree that it's not a full time pocket gun, it has that capability which something like the G26 (which I also have and is excellent in every way) does not practically have.
It's scary accurate, snappy but controllable and not unpleasant to shoot, and utterly reliable.
Love my j frames for carry, but when I want a flatter profile and/or little more firepower, the 43 is the go to.
It is an excellent pistol.

carried a s&w 38 snub for many years . went to the 43 bout 2 years ago and do not miss the revolver. it pockets fine in the summer in cargo shorts & in jeans also . couple of more shots than a concealable snubby and is easier to hit with than the 38 ever was ,
yes , the recoil is a bit more snappy than a full size auto but that trade off is understood for an 18 oz carry gun. ! still has the glock reliability trait & glock tests all there guns to around 40,000 rounds and
that is something you do get with other gun makers ! glocks are good to go !

I have both a G43 and Nano as well. How in the world did the Nano Trigger make it through R&D? It ranks right up there with some of the worst triggers of all time. The Nano would be a favorite if it had a better trigger.

G43 is a good shooter and I like it! It seems to me that the current crop of concealed carry 9mms have more in common than they do different!

OK, you’ve had your fun with OPP, but now it is time to come home...

OPP - Other Peoples Pistols

When I compare the G43 to my Shield 9, I see a gun of similar size, a bit grippier grip, worse sights, similar aftermarket,etc.

My Shield has the added benefits of a thumb safety, a rubber grip, and Pierce floor plate pinky extension.

I have the original PF9. a Shield 9mm V1, and a Glock43. I bought the 43 shortly after release as I thought it was time to update the Kel-Tec, although the Kel-Tec has treated me well.

The PF9 is an ideal motorcycle riding jacket pocket carry. The 43 is a little thicker so it's not quite as good a carry from that perspective. I like the 43, it does carry easily, it shoots well, I don't find it to be "snappy" or whatever the complaint is. It's been 100% reliable (It's a Glock).

I then got a Shield V1 for my wife. How could anyone not buy one of them when they were selling so cheap and had a rebate too (not this latest rebate deal). I think I effectively paid about $200 all said. I bought from one of the big internet dealers.

Wife was carrying a 380, initially my old P3AT. I got the Shield for her because she wouldn't consistently carry the Glock 27 I gave her years ago. It was too bulky and heavy. I don't like the 27 either. I find the 23 easier to carry. Well back to the story. She found she could only pull the slide back on her new Shield once in a while and only if she was lucky. She also found she could consistently and fairly easily pull the slide back on the 43. So we traded.

I find I like the Shield pretty much as well as the 43. I'm happy with either. I bought the 43 blue label but the Shield was still darn near half the price. Under those conditions it's a no brainer unless the slide tension is an issue for you.

I for one never had an issue with the PF9 either. Long trigger, but that's OK for something I've never even had a holster for. I have a clip on it, which works great for it.

I'm not as comfortable jamming the 43 in my waistband without a holster as I am with the PF9. I wouldn't be with a Shield V2 either. The V1 with it's safety and longer trigger is OK though.

I've handled and shot the little Ruger also. It seems like a fine little gun too. It's nice to have so many good choices now days.

I guess I kinda prefer little 9s with longer trigger pulls or a safety you can use while stowing (Kel-Tec, Shield V1). I don't think I can compare to any of the other small single stack 9s I have no real experience with. I do like my Springfield XDs just fine but it's a 45. The newer 9s do give more of an appearance of quality as compared to the PF9.

Glock 43 is a nice, compact, reliable gun from a company you can trust. I find I shoot it well, as does my wife. It's never had a malfunction. It is an excellent choice of gun in it's category.

Edit to add: In case you're wondering why I bought the 43 if I was satisfied with the PF9, (well I know you really weren't wondering,,TS). Well I've come to very much respect Glock's consistent reliability. When Glock came out with their 42 I said on several occasions that it was very cool but why make a 380 that's for all practical purposes the size of newer compact 9s and if they'd just make it in 9mm I'd buy one. Well that's essentially what they did with the 43. It's the same size category as the 42 but 9mm. So I felt obligated to make good on my word. That and the fact that I hadn't bought a new gun in awhile .

I have a Shield and have rented the G43 on occasion. It feels just a bit snappier than my Shield, but not nearly as snappy as some of the other Subcompact Single-Stacks I've shot. I like the G43, but not enough to sell my Shield (I don't need both).

Had the G43 came out at the same time as the Shield, I MAY have gotten it instead of the Shield... Maybe.

I picked up the Shield when they had the massive discount/rebate a while back on the V1's. I think I ended up paying under $200 after the rebate. Couldn't pass that up. I got the 43 this summer on the Blue Label for Vets pricing deal. Just part of the addiction -- err hobby -- I guess.

In double stack striker pistols, I really like Glocks. With the single stack 9's, for some hard to explain reason, I prefer the Shield over the Glock.

__________________
Vegan by proxy.

Picked up my Glock 43 on Tuesday. Have not had a chance to shoot it yet but don't think I have ever held a pistol that seems to 'fit' me better than the G43 does.

Seems to point/aim just right with factory ('U' and dot) sights but my pal is going to install the sights he has on his. Forget the name...but very bright...even in daylight.

Expect this will become my new carry gun but time will tell.

More after I get sights installed and shoot it. My friend carries Hornaday Critical Defense ammo in his; I will try that and other ammo.

Be safe.

I think I've finally stopped filing on mine (de-horned the stupid trigger Eighties-feel-TODAY guard and went up under the trigger guard for a better hold) - it points/shoots/holds much better for me now. I like the trigger a good bit.

__________________
Now go make God proud...

I put the Talon brand rubberized grip on mine. It vastly improves the grip without increasing the girth. I have them on all my Glocks. My 43 out of the box has not had a malfunction and runs well on Federal 124gr HST +p.

__________________
Tony

I've carried one for a couple of years - stock with Ameriglo Agent sights. I do thing the slim profile is easier to carry. If you're used to shooting the fat, double stack pistols, the 43 (and Shield) will take some time to get used to them. I think the 43 may be a bit more finicky with ammo such as the Gold Dot G2 than the larger pistols, but I really haven't had any chambering failures as long as I pull back on the slide to release it to chamber a round. It has worked fine with more conventional 147s and ball rounds. Personally, I think the 43 runs best in stock configuration.

I have one. I bought it for my wife, but that didn't work out for her. I had been thinking of selling it, but then spent some time shooting it, then carrying it a bit. It shoots nice groups out to 25 yards and the Federal HST +P ammo shoots to point of aim at that range. The more I use it, the more I like it. It may well become my summer EDC now. IWB or in a pocket holster, it's pretty nice for our hot summers.

Yep, have one. Imho it is the second best all around carry 9mm ever produced second only to the G26. I couldn't disagree more (respectfully) about it offering something the G26 doesnt. The G26 is NOT a realistic pocket carry gun. It IS a small, very accurate, very reliable, very shootable 9mm pistol which shines in its role as an IWB carry pistol or in OWB under a garment.
The G43 is every bit all of that AND gives you a true pocket carry option.

Like the only Glock I own, but still carry my 642, most of the time.
I shoot it better with the +2 Vickers mag. Ext. & Hogue grip adapter.

Attached Images

	20161224_211620.jpg (48.5 KB, 44 views)
	20181017_173056.jpg (142.1 KB, 39 views)

I fondled a G43 prior to purchasing my Shield. U liked the feel of the Shield much better. The price difference with the $75 rebate made the Shield a no-brainer. I did put Pearce grip extensions on both the 7 round and 8 round mags, although they say they are specifically made for the 7 round mags.

__________________
otis

A friend bought one for his wife and I've had a chance to work with it a little. I admit I'm not into Glocks (or any striker fired plastic pistols, for that matter.) I tried to like a Glock 26 and, while it was OK, I wasn't impressed. There are times when I'm stuck with pocket carry; if I were restricted to that brand, I'd rather have the 43.

I got 6 1/2” to 7 1/2” groups at 50 yards at my local indoor range. It is a great little gun.

one thing for sure , if its a Glock it will go bang when you want it to.

The 43 is a subcompact , single stack , I'm not partial to either feature.
Too darn small for me. The majority of my "shootin" buddy's are Glock guys , 19's galore , and they are a stubborn bunch

I recently retire my Shield 9 for a 2.0 compact...great shooter...give it a try . most ranges will have them in abundance to rent.

I think PSA still has the Shield V1 for $250. Kinda hard to beat at that price.

I like my 43 .... Just the right size ...

bought one... didn't like it... sent it on down the road.

What specifically didn’t you like?

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I'm guessing you didn't get to try one (rent/borrow/try one that someone else was shooting at the range) before throwing money at the clerk?

Try Before You Buy

Had one and traded the ex for a new 26.5 with Ameriglo sights. I shoot the 26 much better than the 43 and the 26 will accept all mags from 10 to 33 rounds.

Attached Images

5563E4FF-1FD9-490A-89CE-E498DAB7B689.jpg (53.0 KB, 22 views)

__________________
213th FBINA

I have a 43 and 43X.... The 43 was my EDC until Glock introduced the 43X. I'm very comfortable with 11 rounds of +P 9mm. In the summer I tote the 43 with 7 rounds and a spare mag....A model 65-5 3" is on my nightstand...

Attached Images

IMG_1492.jpg (85.4 KB, 15 views)

I may finally be done fooling with mine. My hands wanted a bit more girth, so I spent some time comparing the various options before settling on the Pachmayr Tachtical Grip Glove with its gentle palm swells, no finger grooves and low front strap.







Had the thing out at the range on Sunday and it shot better for me than ever before. I noticed a particular improvement in my one-hand (weak or strong) shooting.






Anyhow, I do consider it a pretty handy gun.

__________________
Now go make God proud...

Great friend hooked me up with new sights and installed bigger slide stop and mag release controls. He also gave me six (6j extra mags and a few boxes of Federal Premium 147 grain HST Tactical ammo.

Yes, that is a great friend, indeed.

Carry it in a Remora IWB and a De Santa’s 085 8B OWB holster. Carries great; shots great.

Now must decide if I will use a semi auto or revolver when renewing LEOSA qualification next month.

Be safe.