Opinions about Glock 43x

[doug77]

Currently using S&W Shield Plus. Thinking about 43x with Shield Arms mags. Any thoughts/experience 

Thanks

[Badshot57]

I carry the 43x MOS with the Shield Arms mag and mag release. No optic tho as I trust plain sights. It's a great 9mm in my opinion. I wear a lot of sweatpants/shorts so the light weight doesn't sag my pants like my Glock 45 does which I usually carry with jeans on. And as a 6ft guy with big hands the 43x fits perfectly in my hand way better than the regular 43 which I got rid of a month after buying. Definitely recommend upgrading to the Shield 15 round mag. 10 rounds in a double stack 9mm is pointless.    

[Rowdy]

I carry this setup almost every day.  It fits me very well.  Much easier for me to handle than the micro guns.

[doug77]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like something I better try. Thanks again!

[45guy]

I do not shoot the 43 will for some reason.  The size difference is minimal from the 26 which I like a lot and do shoot well.  Not sure why with that small of a difference but it does. Plus the increase capacity of the 26 is nice.  My wife carries our 43.

[Patton]

I am at about 18 months of carry time and about 1500 rounds with a Glock 43x. I like it more than any Glock I have ever owned.  I had one malfunction with a Shield magazine and haven’t really trusted them since. I own a G48 also, but I have no where near the same amount of time with it.  I do shoot the 43x a few inches to the left from the 10 yard line which is really common.  
 

The 43x is extremely common amongst LE agencies at this time.  It replaced the G33 at THP and the ones I have talked to praise them. 
 

I actually shoot my P365X a little better.  If it weren’t for the fact the 43X and Glock is so much more common with the agencies I train with, I would just run a p365x with factory 12 or 15 round magazines. 
 

I like the M&P Shield Plus, but I don’t need another platform complicating things.  I was always a big fan of the older Shields. I still have a 40.

Edited March 25, 2022 by Patton

[tmauto769]

8 hours ago, Patton said:

I am at about 18 months of carry time and about 1500 rounds with a Glock 43x. I like it more than any Glock I have ever owned.  I had one malfunction with a Shield magazine and haven’t really trusted them since. I own a G48 also, but I have no where near the same amount of time with it.  I do shoot the 43x a few inches to the left from the 10 yard line which is really common.  
 

The 43x is extremely common amongst LE agencies at this time.  It replaced the G33 at THP and the ones I have talked to praise them. 
 

I actually shoot my P365X a little better.  If it weren’t for the fact the 43X and Glock is so much more common with the agencies I train with, I would just run a p365x with factory 12 or 15 round magazines. 
 

I like the M&P Shield Plus, but I don’t need another platform complicating things.  I was always a big fan of the older Shields. I still have a 40.

are you running the shield arms metal mag release with the mags? 

[Patton]

25 minutes ago, tmauto769 said:

are you running the shield arms metal mag release with the mags? 

I actually had the old aluminum one before they made them with steel.  My recommendation is to switch the polymer one out every year or every ~600 rounds.

[Danger Rane]

I have the G48 and my Dad has the 43x, we both like them quite a bit. He’s running OEM mags due to where he lives, and I’m running the Shield Arms mags with their mag release. We both switched out the sights to Night Fision sights. He’s using a leather holster for his and I’ve got a kydex holster from Tulster. No issues thus far. 

[et45]

I have carried a 43x for the last 22 months.Light,compact,accurate yet the grip is long enough that your pinky finger isn’t hanging off with the mag removed.I have Ameriglo Hackathorn ( tritium/fiber optic front,plain rear) sights on it and they work really well.

Edited March 26, 2022 by et45
Spelling

[doug77]

Thank you all for sharing your experience with the 43x.  I also shot a little to the left with one at the range. Probably have to have one for sure. 

[et45]

Quite update.I ordered a 3.5lb connector for my 43x from 10-8 Performance,as far as I know Hilton the owner is the only vendor selling one. I just installed it 15 minutes ago and it is a noticeable improvement.It lightens the pull about a pound but the big difference is the wall before the break is not as stiff .Big improvement in the trigger for less than $30 shipped.

[jimmylogan]

My son has a 43 and I will tell him about this!

[hipower]

I've had the 43x in my possesion. I really liked the size and the feel of it. Especially with those 15 round mags.

Alas, this small, lightweight package was too much for my arthritis. Pretty stiff recoil for my hand. That's just my experience with them. Otherwise, I liked the 43x a lot.

[doug77]

Thank you all!

[mamcdonald]

I have a 48 that I carry almost daily with Shield Arms mags and love it. I think the 43x is the more popular choice but personally I don’t see the appeal of a full size grip with a short barrel. I do however really like the “single stack” Glock frame, I shoot them better than any of the larger-framed glocks I’ve owned.

[doug77]

Thanks for the info   Ordered 43x but probably will wind up with 48 too. 

[gun sane]

I don't have much to add to discussion, except to say I'm a bit like 45guy--after trying the 43X I went back to my G26.  I wanted the X because it was skinnier, but suddenly it felt too skinny.  I call it the "Goldilocks Syndrome;" always looking for that perfect, elusive gun that will fit everything I hope for.  I've now got the G26 and a Shield Plus to waste ammo on.  Someday I'll realize that I should go with what I've got and learn to master that.   But until then....

[doug77]

Reminds me of the old saying “How many guns do you need?  Just one more.”  I think that applies to us all. 

[JeffL]

On 3/26/2022 at 12:15 PM, et45 said:

Quite update.I ordered a 3.5lb connector for my 43x from 10-8 Performance,as far as I know Hilton the owner is the only vendor selling one. I just installed it 15 minutes ago and it is a noticeable improvement.It lightens the pull about a pound but the big difference is the wall before the break is not as stiff .Big improvement in the trigger for less than $30 shipped.

I put a Ghost Pro connector in mine. Requires a little fitting with a file but it was a huge improvement.

[alex-the-great-77]

I would say you can't go wrong with either the 48 or 43x. depends on how much barrel length you want

[doug77]

Thanks. Got a 48. Probably going to get 43x too. Haven’t seen a bad Glock yet. 

[DodblD]

I’d stick with the Shield. The 43x grip sticks out way more. Hard to beat the Shield. 

[Frog4aday]

Toss me in with the "love the Glock 43X" crowd. For me, it is the goldilocks carry gun. Enough ammo on board to make me happy, skinny & light enough to actually carry, & enough grip to hold onto so I can actually shoot it well. It has been impeccably reliable thus far, too (200 rnds so far without a malfunction.)

[Tjohns]

I’m a big fan of the Glock 43x and have been carrying one for quite sometime with shield mags and mag release.  Haven’t had any problems with the mags for years and I keep 15 rounds in them at all times.  I can tell you from experience that if you attend a Glock armorers school the instructor will bad mouth the mags and try to make you question their reliability.