Trade j frame for Glock 43?

sawlog

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
511
Reaction score
202
Location
central il
Has anybody switched from a j frame to the Glock 43 for conceal carry? I'm really wanting to try the Glock 43 for carry. The bad part is I would have to give up my 60-14 that I carry to get it. Have any of you went from revolver to the 43? If so, what do you think? I still would have my 60-15 pro to carry as well.
 
Register to hide this ad
Kind of an apple to oranges comparison. Even though it's a single stack, the Glock 43 is chunky and blocky. To each his own, but I think the Kahr series is easier to conceal than the Glock. I carry J frames all the time, for the most part without a holster and belt (I'm battling a back injury and a belt or heavy handgun aggravate the injury). I pocket carry or hook the Desantis gripped J in my waistband.

I have six J frames, one of which is the 60-15 Pro series. While it's my favorite J frame to shoot, it requires the use of a holster. If you're going to have to use a holster, I feel you should carry a little bit bigger gun that is easier to shoot accurately. I have Glocks and have shot my friends 43.

Glocks are good guns, reliable and functionally accurate, they're aesthetically challenged in my eyes. I think you need to really define how you are going to CC. If you plan on going with pocket carry, ankle holster and want the most comfortable approach, alloy J frames are hard to beat. If you're committing to always wear a belt, quality holster, cover up garments and appropriate size long pants, then something bigger makes sense. In the latter case, a medium size handgun conceals as well as a ultra compact chunky pistol and shoots a bunch better.

A very close friend alternately carries a Glock 43 or the micro size Kahr 9mm in an IWB holster. He does it right; wears a long tail tee shirt between his body and the gun, pants big enough in the waistband to fit the IWB holster, high quality holster and belt. He wears suspenders under his cover up shirt to support the weight of the firearm and spare mag and tops it off with 5-11 casual button up shirts. With the platform he's working from he could just as easily carry and conceal a Glock 19, Kahr CW9 or 3" K frame .357 which are so much easier to shoot. As I said earlier, toeach his own I.
 
Last edited:
You said 'trade;' I was thinking change possession. In that regard, HELL NO!

After reading the post, swapping EDCs? I just bought a G19 that will get some holster time once I get a holster for it. It's easier for me to shoot and shoot faster than the J. I guess I'm just a p**** that can't hang onto a revolver like a man lol! I love my Js, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Glock. I went with the 19 as the 26 and 43 were the weird size where my pinky wasn't comfortable either on the grip or under the butt.
 
Just my opinion,but I have several J frames,only have carried 442 in pocket holster,not bad to carry,but I just have trouble in hitting much beside a fat man's belly at close range.I bought a Glock 43 because of larger capacity and easy IWB holster carry under a T shirt.And it shoots like a Glock...L can with regularity hit a 10 inch plate at 15 yards and have more round to do it with.Then it is a lot faster to reload for me.
 
Has anybody switched from a j frame to the Glock 43 for conceal carry? I'm really wanting to try the Glock 43 for carry. The bad part is I would have to give up my 60-14 that I carry to get it. Have any of you went from revolver to the 43? If so, what do you think? I still would have my 60-15 pro to carry as well.[/QUOTE

I sold a 642 IL in order to buy a Sig P 290RS. I then turned around and bought a 60 no dash snubby at a local gun show. Love both guns. I like having the extra capacity of the P 290RS, but the little J Frame is never far from reach around the house, and it likes to go with me on motorcycle rides.
 
Last edited:
I tried it for a while. I couldn't make it work where my 340PD does.

The G43 is just big enough that it doesn't fit well in a pocket and would need a cover garment of some sort to carry on my waist. If I'm going to wear a cover garment, I'll be carrying a G19.
 
I did but I still have the J frame. The G43 is thinner and lighter, carries 1 extra round and capable of carrying two more with extension. The down side is that it does need a holster. But neither gun works as pocket carry for me. The J frame is to thick and bulky. I don't even like carrying my wallet in the front pocket. You can't just throw the G43 in your pocket. I still use my J frame but for different situations

I carry the G43 when I know I'm going to be local. The J frame goes in the pocket of my sweat pants when I walk my dog.

It's two small guns that will fit you depending on what comfort level your used to

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
I did but I still have the J frame. The G43 is thinner and lighter, carries 1 extra round and capable of carrying two more with extension. The down side is that it does need a holster. But neither gun works as pocket carry for me. The J frame is to thick and bulky. I don't even like carrying my wallet in the front pocket. You can't just throw the G43 in your pocket. I still use my J frame but for different situations

I carry the G43 when I know I'm going to be local. The J frame goes in the pocket of my sweat pants when I walk my dog.

It's two small guns that will fit you depending on what comfort level your used to

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I don't pocket carry either, I only carry in.
 
I have a model 60 no dash & have no plans to get rid of it! Before I ever think of getting a 43 I would get the S&W shield!Funny,every gun show I go too,& even at the range,guys stop me & ask if I want to sell my 60!
Jim
 
Yes the 43 is no j frame for deep concealment. If your going auto get a G19, I carry one all year apendex carry IWB. The 43 not needed. When need a hideout it's a sw640-1,other wise the G19 is my bare bones auto which holds full size capacity of 16rds.
 
Last edited:
I would say concealability is about the same (comparing my 642 and G43). Neither go in the pocket. Size wise they are about the same and the J frame is a little thicker due to the cylinder.

Someone mentioned the Shield. There is a good comparison video made by Colin Noir on the Shield and G43. The Glock is smaller overall but does loose one round.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
I wouldn't necessarily trade a J-frame for a G43 unless the J was one of the more common versions out there (i.e. an extra 642; otherwise just buy the 43 outright). Going from a J to a 43 for concealed carry is not a bad thing as the 43 is easy to conceal, will carry two extra rounds or even more when using a + base plate, and has a pretty wide selection of ammo available for it.
 
Last edited:
Another J frame Glock what if. I like a J you like a G. Carry what you like and I'll carry what I like who cares. My J bullet is almost the same diameter as your G. I have five rounds you have seven. If five can't handle it either run! Are drop to your knees and pray! I'm gonna carry my J everyday. You carry your G everyday. Oh ! If you like a C carry your C.
 
I like Glocks and own four. I carry a j-frame most of the time and don't see much benefit in going to a low capacity glock. The only exception might be some type of circumstances where the gun had to be keep in an unloaded condition and autoloaders can be loaded much quicker. Or if you wanted to carry it in C3 for some reason.

The main advantage semi-autos have over revolvers are higher capacity. You don't really get that with the 43. Faster reloads for sure, but they are so rare in civilian defense encounters to be given much consideration
IMO. The dynamics of most personal defense scenarios are reactive close-quarter, short duration and such conflicts are resolved with whatever rounds are in the gun. With the 43, you give up the revolvers ECQ advantages, but get nothing in return.
 
I switched from a 642 to a Kahr CM9 for EDC. I tried a Glock, but the trigger just isn't for me. I find the Kahr to be very compact, reasonably accurate, functionally reliable and I love the trigger! Transitioning from a double action trigger to the Kahr was natural. I still have all my j frames. If you have to trade the j frame off for money reasons, then I understand, but I think otherwise you will regret it down the road.
 
Has anybody switched from a j frame to the Glock 43 for conceal carry?


No one gives up a 642 for a G43 with recoil even more snappy.
Cartridge comparisons mean nothing if you can't control it and get on target.

When I ran a 642 I even practiced with one hand and even one hand off-hand. (although the off-hand was a work in progress):)
Point is you better be able to fire any gun at least one handed even if it's just your strong hand.

G43 has a stellar reputation already if you lean that way.
I've own myself a couple in the .45 flavor, but that safe action trigger cause malfunctions for me because I could not adapt to it and when you can't trust your carry gun than get the heck away from it as fast as you can.

I can tell you this though, I never could have shot either one with one hand, which is why also besides not trusting them they where never my primary draw.
642 up front was.

And I carried both.

Fast forward, I now carry a Governor and I might be able to shoot the A.C.P or the G.A.P one handed, (haven't practiced for it yet I'm still getting use to it and putting it through it's paces)
But there is no way in heck you are shooting that one handed with .410 bore or .45 LC which is how I keep it loaded, my reloads are the A.C.P. Not to mention I miss and loss my front pocket quick draw.

So guess what, I'm going back to 2 gun carry. :)

The only way you will ever truly know what works for you is by trial and error. Compromise is in order if you lack the funds or the time and effort, but to much compromise defeats the purpose usually.

Good luck with your choices.
 
Back
Top