Glock 48

[22lrfan]

Our local LE dealer had a 43X and 48 last week that we handled. We didn't try a 48 slide on a 43 but a 43 slide fit a 48 frame with no problems. It appears that if you already have a 43 you can get a 48 and put the 43 slide on it when you want the more compact gun.

 

[bubbatime]

If you already own a 43 and you buy a 48, yes, you can mix and match the slides as you see fit.

43 frame with 43 slide
43 frame with 48 slide
48 frame with 43 slide (this is basically a 43X)
48 frame with 48 slide

 

[Kanewpadle]

Got a close up look at both the 48 and 43X today. They feel REAL good in my hands. Not to thrilled about the stainless slide but it's not a deal breaker.

Has the Gen 5 trigger and supposedly a better barrel. We'll see.

I can see that either would be a great choice for those that don't have a G19 and 43 like I do. If I do buy one it will be the 48.

 

[Farmer17]

For all the dozens of models and millions of guns Glock has made the last 36 years you would think after all this time they'd make one gun with a normal grip angle and a thumb safety. I bet their stock would go up 15 percent over night.

 

[stykshooter]

I picked mine up yesterday afternoon... heading to the range here in a little bit. So far I really like it. The G-48 has a completely different feel in the hand than any of my full size Glocks or my G-43. I'm not a huge fan of the silver slide but I think it will grow on me as most things new do.

I wish it was available with the Ameriglo bold sights but not at present time. So, I will just add a set here soon. Other than that, it appears to be a winner.

 

[stykshooter]

I had the opportunity to run about 200 rounds through the G-48 yesterday. That is a very nice package! Just about the perfect compromise between power/capacity/concealability.

It is a Glock, so no issues with feeding, firing or functioning. Still a small pistol but not nearly as snappy during recoil as my G-43. Informal shooting I was getting about 2-3" groups at 20 yards. It was hitting to the left for me, which all my handguns tend to do. But a couple turns with the sight pusher brought everything back in line. Afterwards I was very happy to see that my favorite load of Winchester Ranger 127 gr. +P+ SXT hit right to POA/POI.

All in all I think the G-48 is a real winner.

 

[Old Corp]

For all the dozens of models and millions of guns Glock has made the last 36 years you would think after all this time they'd make one gun with a normal grip angle and a thumb safety. I bet their stock would go up 15 percent over night.

Will echo Farmer 17 - I'm just one of many that easily acknowledge the durability/reliability of Glock's stuff. My agency approves them for OD carry, but the first poly duty gun is/has been the M&P .45.
I've owned a very early G17 and shot it 'til I got tired of it and traded it.
A used LE trade-in G19 now does admirable duty as a truck gun.

But will have to say - if they're gonna go all crazy and change the frame, what would be wrong with offering the 'normal' 17 degree angle for people who just can't warm up to the funky 22 degree they've always used?

Yes - realize I'm edging into curmudgeonly ramblings....
It's just that weird grip angle I've never felt comfortable with. Have often wondered how they (Glock) decided on that angle.

And for the posts on issues with Kahr - bought a PM9 in about 1999/2000, had expected feed/eject issues during break-in. After that, it's been 100% with everything from 100 gr JHP handloads all the way through various 147 gr. factory ammo and everything in between. And it's been shot a LOT.
Perhaps I'm just lucky.

 

[CH4]

Yesterday I played some more with the G43X and 48, and for me there's not enough difference in width between them and 26/19 to to justify limiting myself to 10 rd magazines; however of I lived in a restrictive state like CA it would make more sense. The two-tone finish is growing on me...

 

[RobzGuns]

... however of I lived in a restrictive state like CA it would make more sense. The two-tone finish is growing on me...

Funny you should mention CA... last I checked, the new 43X and 48 are not legal for sale in CA (not on their 'list' yet).

 

[VictorLouis]

... you would think after all this time they'd make one gun with a normal grip angle and a thumb safety. I bet their stock would go up 15 percent over night.

Now that I've had a 48 in my hands several times, I can offer my observations. First off, I have a hand that LOVES the feel of a K-frame with either Spegel's or Hogues regular full-size stock. That is, with the open backstraps. I love the feel of a 1911-A1 pattern, and the BHP, also. THIS new Glock is darned-near right there with the others. Despite the Glock 'hump', it doesn't point quite as nose-high as with the double-stacks in my single handed grip. With a two-hand isosceles, it's damn-near spot-ON. I can get easily get the first joint of my trigger-finger over the blade-safety. So, if your hand is like mine, you will be pleased. It is a svelte package, IMO.

If ya gotta have one, I wonder if the Cominoli safety kit for a 19 would work?

 

[TazTJ]

I got to play with them. The 43X/48 Frame is slightly different width wise than the 43 frame. The 43 has a thumb scoop on the left and right side of the gun (under the slide stop and above the mag release). The 43X/48 do not have the thumb scoop and may not fit some of the tighter molded holsters.

 

[Farmer17]

For a single stack 9m/m the Smith M39 is a great choice. I bought one when I was 19 years old and it was my first center fire pistol, I loved the gun but back then in 1978 all the gun writers were saying the 9m/m is for wimps and a .45 acp is a serious defensive round. I wanted to shoot IPSC so I traded it on a new Combat Government model and I really wish I had it back.