Shield V Glock 43

[CaptRon956]

I love my Shield 9, it's my EDC along with my M&P bodyguard 380. Both have been 100% reliable & good looking pieces.

 

[GerSan69]

I never owned a plastic gun until my job outlawed my 3913. As a result, I picked up a Shield 9 over the M&Ps or Glock. Never liked the Austrian tupperware, probably never will. From what I was able to see with their really low LE-only pricing, they bought their way into the market. Whatever. (I also never liked the older S&W plastic models, whatever they are/were, that supposedly mimick the Glock system. Never liked the grip shape of the M&Ps, for that matter...) I'm just naturally suspicious when a product is almost given away.
I'm sure they have some value to someone. I just don't see the "why" part.

 

[PHolster]

Love my 9mm Shield.

I had the opportunity to shoot a G42 and was really impressed with the accuracy and trigger but my LCP is way smaller and more concealable for a 380.

I'm sure the G43 is just as nice but when I think about my Shield's assets:

Reliable -check. Accurate - check. Concealable - check. Feels great in the hand- check. Decent trigger- check. Affordable -check.

What exactly, other than the name, is Glock bringing to the party?

I think they waited too long.

I agree about the size of the G42 vs that of the LCP, but, the G42 is much nicer to shoot 250 rounds through at the range. It is an incredibly soft shooter. My wife loves hers.

I too like my Shield. It has been absolutely reliable for 5000+ rounds.

If I didn't have the Shield, I would consider the G43. I did pick up a Kimber Solo and have been carrying it lately though instead of the Shield because of its size.

 

[CaptRon956]

I agree about the size of the G42 vs that of the LCP, but, the G42 is much nicer to shoot 250 rounds through at the range. It is an incredibly soft shooter. My wife loves hers.

I too like my Shield. It has been absolutely reliable for 5000+ rounds.

If I didn't have the Shield, I would consider the G43. I did pick up a Kimber Solo and have been carrying it lately though instead of the Shield because of its size.

I really like the Kimber solo, mainly for the fact that it's all metal & the smaller size, but that price tho.... I just couldn't "pull the trigger"

 

[OpsMgr]

I own a Shield 9mm, LC9, G26 Gen4, G23 Gen2 and G17 Gen4. Each of them have been 100% reliable and have a place in my carry rotation EXCEPT the LC9 due to its long heavy trigger pull.

I will buy a G43 as I qualify for blue label pricing. I have NO brand loyalty as a carry pistol is simply a tool for me. Looks don't matter either - I could not care less what it looks like if it is 100% reliable and meets my expectations of accuracy...

 

[GerSan69]

I have NO brand loyalty as a carry pistol is simply a tool for me. Looks don't matter either - I could not care less what it looks like if it is 100% reliable and meets my expectations of accuracy...

That's a very interesting observation. That in part or whole is actually what I heard over the years from the least "gun-savvy" new officers, the ones not interested in firearms as a hobby or anything else.
Do you divide your interest between what you carry vs. what you collect (if any)? Strictly curiosity, no criticism.

 

[hokiefyd]

I find Glock's decision to limit the 43's capacity to 6 curious. Historically, the semi-auto's primary benefit over a revolver has been capacity. Revolvers are dead-nuts reliable, but rather limited in round count, and semi-autos trade potential reliability issues (feeding, ejecting, etc) for more rounds. At only 6 rounds of 9mm with the 43, aren't we at the point where we might as well carry a revolver?

I'm not a revolver guy necessarily, but that's what I understand the common decision matrix to be...do I want ultimate reliability or round count?

 

[JohnSW]

At only 6 rounds of 9mm with the 43, aren't we at the point where we might as well carry a revolver?

I have a J-frame revolver. If I was to buy a Glock, I would rather have the 10 round G26.

 

[PHolster]

I really like the Kimber solo, mainly for the fact that it's all metal & the smaller size, but that price tho.... I just couldn't "pull the trigger"

I got mine for $650 so I thought it was a fair price, still a bit steep, but I am liking it now.

 

[druryj]

Have you seen the glick 43. It's ugly as sin compared to a shield. Guys over at the glock forum are having this very discussion

Well, when I look at the comparison pics, I'd say the Glock actually looks better than the Shield. Looks more business-like to me.

 

[Well Armed]

Well, when I look at the comparison pics, I'd say the Glock actually looks better than the Shield. Looks more business-like to me.

If by "business-like" you mean "plain jane" and "boring", then we agree on that part... But looking "better?"

I'm amazed that people are willing to pay $100 more to get less just because Glock manufactured it. They could have had released the G43 with a 4 round capacity, the size of a full sized pistol, and for $200 more than everything else that's on the market, and people would still make excuses and illogically rationalize why it's better than the less expensive tried and true pistols already on the market.

Some are will to do away with a Shield that now has a proven reliability track record to stake their lives on a new untested pistol... Makes no sense to me... Also, I love how Glockers are claiming that the G43 is "reliable" or just as "reliable" as the Shield when they either have not shot it yet, shot only a few rounds through one, and the fact the gun was just released... Once in high circulation, you do not know what problems that may come to light...

 

[PirateJim]

I have a J-frame revolver. If I was to buy a Glock, I would rather have the 10 round G26.

I regularly carry a 642 as a pocket gun. The shape inside a pocket holster doesn't print "GUN" like a semi-auto and 5 for sure of 38 +P isn't that far short of the G43. 6 +1 of 40 S&W in my Shield is a notable step up in power.

 

[ClayCow]

I just want the glock because its a glock. Im not defendung anything

 

[kbm6893]

Whether they waited too long or not, the point is moot. It is here now and it will likely outsell all of the other single stack 9's. It is a Glock and people have waited for this one a long time.

I like Glocks, but I don't really want a G43. However, my wife is drooling, so I will probably have to get one in a year or so! I just bought her a Shield 9, so I don't know why she wants a G43 too?

I do like the way that the Shield feels in my hand better than the Glock.

I hate Glocks and would never buy another (I've owned 2). And brand loyalty or not, it was a scumbag move to sell the 43 so close to the 42. If people knew a single stack 9 would be coming out in less than a year, they would have held off.

I owned a Shield. Nice gun and reliable. But I wanted smaller so I got a Ruger LC9-S.

As for Glock "reliabilty", the 42 is experiencing problems.

http://thegunwriter.blogs.heraldtribune.com/15882/more-glock-42-problems-reported/

And as usual, Glock blames the ammo, the user, the Earth's gravitational pull, or global warming on any problems with their product.

 

[RobzGuns]

I hate Glocks and would never buy another (I've owned 2). And brand loyalty or not, it was a scumbag move to sell the 43 so close to the 42. If people knew a single stack 9 would be coming out in less than a year, they would have held off.

A BUNCH of people, including myself, pretty much knew that it wouldn't be long after announcing the G42, that a 9mm version would come along and we waited it out. The thing is, many didn't really care, had money burning a hole in their pockets and bought a G42 anyway. Others, as always, just gotta have their newest/latest/greatest ss9mm Right Now and rather than waiting, turned to either the Shield, XD-S, or LC9S, grumbling how they were 'screwed' by Glock putting out a 380 instead of a 9mm. We pretty knew they'd have 'Sour Grapes' when Glock did get to the 9mm and you can tell who they are by their posts.

As for Glock "reliabilty", the 42 is experiencing problems.
UPDATED: More Glock 42 problems reported - The Gun Writer

Hmm... You mean WAS experiencing problems, don't you? C'mon That article is from Feb 2014... a mere Month after the G42 came out. Got anything NEWER to support your 'Is Experiencing' claim?
Other than the Shield, I don't remember any Subcompact Single-Stacks that haven't had growing pains... and even the Shield had its Trigger Alert.

And as usual, Glock blames the ammo, the user, the Earth's gravitational pull, or global warming on any problems with their product.

So does Ruger, S&W, SA and others... and many times, it IS either User Error, or Ammo related... As experienced with the handful of Documented Shield40 Catastrophic failures (over-pressurized ammo). If there were a true problem with the product, the company (Glock, SA, S&W, etc) would (and DO) issue a Fix/Recall/Update, rather than continuing to produce faulty equipment.
....Wouldn't they???

 

[kbm6893]

A BUNCH of people, including myself, pretty much knew that it wouldn't be long after announcing the G42, that a 9mm version would come along and we waited it out. The thing is, many didn't really care, had money burning a hole in their pockets and bought a G42 anyway. Others, as always, just gotta have their newest/latest/greatest ss9mm Right Now and rather than waiting, turned to either the Shield, XD-S, or LC9S, grumbling how they were 'screwed' by Glock putting out a 380 instead of a 9mm. We pretty knew they'd have 'Sour Grapes' when Glock did get to the 9mm and you can tell who they are by their posts.

Hmm... You mean WAS experiencing problems, don't you? C'mon That article is from Feb 2014... a mere Month after the G42 came out. Got anything NEWER to support your 'Is Experiencing' claim?
Other than the Shield, I don't remember any Subcompact Single-Stacks that haven't had growing pains... and even the Shield had its Trigger Alert.

So does Ruger, S&W, SA and others... and many times, it IS either User Error, or Ammo related... As experienced with the handful of Documented Shield40 Catastrophic failures (over-pressurized ammo). If there were a true problem with the product, the company (Glock, SA, S&W, etc) would (and DO) issue a Fix/Recall/Update, rather than continuing to produce faulty equipment.
....Wouldn't they???

No. Google NYPD Glock 19. Yeah, it was 20 years ago. But I carried one and so did over 10,000 NY cops. Glock ignored the problem and blamed everything on ammo and user error. Funny how the other 2 guns the job issued had no problems (5946 and a Sig 226). They let cops walk the beat with a problem gun until The job called Ruger for replacement guns for all Glocks. Over 18 months. Then Glock sent a full time armorer to the range and recalled all 19's in service. Only the prospect of losing their biggest contract and the negative publicity that would come got them to do something. In the meantime, there were several documented failures with the gun in actual street shootings. They didn't care.

Glocks are good guns, but they're no better than other guns. Certainly not "perfection".

As for a bunch of people knowing they were coming out with a 9, MAYBE members of s gun forum did, and even then that was a rumor, but gun forum members are certainly a small percentage of gun buyers.

As for being pissed that Glock didn't put out a single stack 9 and being forced to slum it and buy a Shield or a Ruger, that's not me. I wouldn't own a Glock if you gave it to me. And since the 43 has a 6 round capacity for nothing gained over my Ruger LC9-S and barely anything gained over a 642, I think I'll pass.

As for the "ancient article" I posted about the 42 issues, how many people you think have shot more than a box full of ammo through their 43's who don't even know about the issues?

 

[baldmedic]

I like Glocks, I have a 17 and it's a good gun. I am pissed at S&W for not supporting their 3rd gens anymore, but my carry weapon is a Shield 9. For me, it's close to perfection for a carry gun. I see no need to try to replace it.

 

[OpsMgr]

That's a very interesting observation. That in part or whole is actually what I heard over the years from the least "gun-savvy" new officers, the ones not interested in firearms as a hobby or anything else.
Do you divide your interest between what you carry vs. what you collect (if any)? Strictly curiosity, no criticism.

I don't "collect" firearms, I shoot my firearms, each and every one of them. No Safe Queens in my collection. Shot guns, center fire rifles and pistolas, and rimfire rifles and pistolas. Target, field and defensive models. All are tools with a specific purpose. Hope that adds a little background...

 

[B Phillips]

I own a glock 42 and love it. Use it everyday as a backup to my glock 22 Off duty I carry my M&P 40. Love it and when I retire it will be my everyday carry. The glock 42 is very nice to shoot and is very accurate. My shield 40 is a pleasure to shoot and is also accurate, very easy to conceal.

 

[modelbuilder56]

First off I'am a Glock guy, I have 2 gen 3 19's. Just back from my LGS and lo and behold they had a 43 in, got them last Friday. It's heavy and not as thin as a Shield or the Ruger LC9. The owners said Glock cut production of the 19's by 60% to get the 43's out, there isn't a 19 at any of their distributors they say.

I guess time will tell if the 43 has the same teething problems the 42 had.