Glock 43 – History and Specs

One of the bestselling 9mm concealed carry pistols on the market today, the Glock 43 is considered by many to be the gold standard against which other 9mm single stack pistols are judged.

As a Glock, the G43 shares the same level of quality and customization options as other Glock pistols. There are no shortage of spare parts and accessories for the G43, and there are a variety of OWB holsters and IWB holsters available for the pistol as well.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the history and evolution of the Glock 43, and then we’ll discuss the features and specs of the pistol.

History and Evolution of the Glock 43

The Glock 43 is a pistol that people had been asking for years before its formal introduction in 2015. By then, guns such as the Walther PPS, Springfield XDS, Beretta Nano, Ruger LC9, and Smith & Wesson M&P Shield (among others) had flooded the marketplace. But a single stack 9mm Glock was nowhere to be found, and the most compact 9mm Glock you could get at that point was the Glock 26.

When the Glock 43 was finally announced and released, it became instantly popular with the American public. Gun dealers could hardly keep the gun on the shelves, as it was one of the most anticipated pistols in Glock’s entire history. The G43 is still being made today, and many additional variants of the pistol have been released to capitalize on its success.

An example of an updated version of the Glock 43, called the Glock 43X, was released last year with a grip length equal to the Glock 19 while maintaining a single stack magazine. The total capacity of the G43X is 10 rounds. Another example is the Glock 48, which has a slide and barrel equal in length to the Glock 19 as well, but again keeps the single stack frame size and a narrower width.

Design and Specs of the Glock 43

The Glock 43 is still a Glock. As such, it’s built to the same level of standards as other Glock pistols. It utilizes a synthetic polymer frame that is more durable than most metals, with a nitrocarburized finish over the metal parts to help improve both durability and wear resistance.

The grip to the Glock 43 features a beavertail design to help the shooter get a higher grip (and therefore more control) over the weapon. It’s just as simple in its design and operation as other Glock pistols, and is built to the same tolerances and designed to withstand the same torture tests as well,

The G43 is also one of the smallest 9mm single stack pistols that you can get today. It’s smaller and lighter than competitors such as the Springfield XDS, Walther PPS, and Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. As a result, it tends to be a little bit snappier than those pistols in terms of recoil, but the tradeoff is that it is marginally easier to conceal.

Specs for the Glock 43:

• Country of Origin: Austria
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 6+1 rounds (standard factory magazine, extended magazines also available)
• Overall Length: 6.26 inches
• Barrel Length: 3.41 inches
• Weight (loaded): 20.64 ounces
• Weight (empty): 17.99 ounces
• Width: 1.06 inches
• Height: 4.25 inches

Conclusion

All in all, the Glock 43 is one of the most reliable and durable small CCW pistols on the marketplace today. It’s considered to be the gold standard for a 9mm single stack pistol for a reason. If you want a 9mm pistol that is very small, easy to conceal, and built to the same level of quality as a bigger duty-sized pistol, the G43 is a solid choice.