Both are highly popular pistols among gun owners, known for their reliability and accuracy.
However, there are some key differences between the two pistols. The Glock 43 is the smaller and lighter of the two pistols, while the Glock 43X has a larger magazine capacity and a longer grip.
Another key difference is that the Glock 43 has a single-stack magazine, while the Glock 43X has a double-stack magazine. This means the Glock 43X can hold more ammunition but is also slightly wider.
So, which pistol is better for you? It depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for the smallest and lightest possible pistol for concealed carry, then the Glock 43 is the better choice. If you want a pistol with a larger magazine capacity and a longer grip, then the Glock 43X is the better choice.
Here is a more detailed comparison of the two pistols:
| Feature | Glock 43 | Glock 43X |
| Length | 6.26 inches | 6.46 inches |
| Height | 4.25 inches | 4.25 inches |
| Width | 0.98 inches | 1.08 inches |
| Weight | 17.63 ounces | 18.19 ounces |
| Barrel length | 3.39 inches | 3.41 inches |
| Magazine capacity | 6 rounds | 10 rounds |
| Grip length | 3.58 inches | 3.91 inches |
Ultimately, the best way to decide which pistol is right for you is to try them out and see which one you prefer.
These frames are not that different the only difference is that the Glock 43X is a little bit wider and much longer.
Now, when you go on the overall feeling of the gun, the Glock 43X feels good in the hand. It’s wide enough that even when somebody with hands of normal size, it feels natural.
For somebody with much smaller hands, it will still be a very natural-feeling gun where the grip fills the hand. You’ve got plenty of length, so your fingers don’t hang off. That is going to be an issue on the Glock 43 for a lot of people.
For a lot of people, concealment is not an issue. The Glock 43X becomes a hands-down no-brainer.
Unless you have extremely small hands where you have trouble reaching the trigger or any of the controls on the Glock 43X, then the Glock 43X will be a better choice over the Glock 43.
The texturing on these guns is identical.
The Glock 43X is considered a Gen5 Glock, while the Glock 43 is considered something like a Gen4, though both have a lot of Gen4 features. Calling the Glock 43X a Gen5 is a misnomer.
The texture is identical, and it’s not super aggressive. At the same time, it is aggressive enough to give you a good solid grip on the firearm if you’re shooting and your hands get wet. You can expect the grip to slip slightly if you get soap on your hands.
It’s not that aggressive.
The slides on the Glock 43X and the Glock 43 are 100% interchangeable.
You could take one slide off the gun and put it on the other. The 43X has forward-cocking serrations, while not all 43 models do. Forward-cocking serrations are a plus.
Otherwise, these guns are identical.
Something to note: If you get a Glock 43X with a silver finish, the slide will not be as slick as the black finish available on the 43 and 43X.
Because of that, the slide will also be slightly easier to manipulate. However, it’s also going to show dirt, debris, carbon, and all of that type of stuff faster as well.
If you’re shooting for accuracy, the sights can make a huge difference in the amount of concentration it takes to make the shot.
The sight options are identical on these guns. You can get the guns with the plastic slot filler sights that Glock is known for, or you can get AmeriGlo sights from the factory.
The AmeriGlo sights that Glock ships their guns with are excellent: a bright orange front that shows up well in the daylight and a rear that is blacked out during the same period. The sight picture is a 3-dot tritium night sight in low light.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better set of factory-installed sights.
When choosing a gun, the controls must work for you. It’s always something I would suggest checking when handling a gun in the gun shop.
Believe it or not, the triggers on these guns are slightly different.
The Glock 43 trigger is like a Glock Gen3 trigger despite being a Gen4 gun.
It has a light take-up until you hit a very heavy wall with a very stiff break, and then a short reset right to the beginning of the wall.
The Glock 43X, on the other hand, has very light take-up and has more of a Gen3/Gen4 hybrid trigger pull that veers a lot closer to the 4. It’s not quite a rolling break, but it is more of a rolling break than the Gen3 Glock.
Besides that, the triggers and their shoes are identical. If you want to replace them with an aftermarket option, you can use the same trigger shoe, but you must get a different bar.
The connectors are identical as well.
These guns' slide locks are identical and identically placed.
It’s just as easy to reach one as compared to the other with your thumb. I don’t think there’s anything to compare there. The firearms might benefit from adding an extended slide lock, but I think this will work well enough for most people.
Unfortunately, it is not ambidextrous on either gun, which would be a nice feature to see improved.
The reach is slightly shorter on the Glock 43, and if you have really small hands, that might be an advantage. I can depress the magazine release on both guns without breaking my grip.
The magazine can drop through without breaking my grip on the Glock 43X because the grip is a lot longer, so my hand does not sit below the magazine baseplate as it does on the 43.
Both these guns have similar magazine wells, but the magazine is much wider on the Glock 43X.
It's easier to get that magazine in there and have that slightly longer grip that sits slightly lower.
Quality-wise, these guns are identical.
The Glock 43X with the silver slide has a lower-quality look and felt finish, but they are now making the Glock 43X black.
The quality will appear similar if you get the gun with the black finish. It just doesn’t look as good and shows dirt and debris.
From an aftermarket perspective, there will be a few more options for the Glock 43.
I think that’s changing as the Glock 43X gains steam, though. You have to remember that the 43 has been around for a long time, while the Glock 43X was introduced just a little while ago.
Aftermarket options are catching up, but many parts are also interchangeable. Having interchangeable parts is a big deal as you gain traction from years of aftermarket market dominance.
These guns are similar. At the same time, I think the Glock 43X doesn’t look as proportional as the Glock 43.
If you want to see a Glock 43X in proportional size, get the Glock 48.
The gun is muzzle-short. The Glock 43X looks proportional, and I think it’s better-looking. These guns are meant to be shooters, not lookers. So, this will not be a deciding factor for Glock 43 vs. 43X.
Shooting these two guns is a completely different experience.
Both have a lot of recoil, and the slides are virtually identical. The only difference you’ll get is from the slightly larger and longer grip on the Glock 43X.
Adding a plus-two extension to the Glock 43 will shoot similarly to the 43X.
Having that extra bit of grip for me makes a huge difference. It’s much more advantageous to get more leverage when shooting the gun. Otherwise, they shoot very similarly.
If you want a gun that’s a little more versatile, you’ll lose some capacity since your magazine will not be as wide. You can get the Glock 43 and add a plus-two or three extensions to increase capacity and size.
You can get Shield Arms S15 magazines for the Glock 43X that hold 15 rounds of 9mm and a flush-fit Glock 43X magazine. That is a game-changer as it adds 50% capacity over the OEM magazine.
However, it doesn’t improve the way the gun shoots.
The 43X still doesn’t shoot as well as a Glock 19.
ust realize that you might have a huge capacity difference if you’re willing to spend the money to upgrade to the Shield Arms S15 mags. Each gun has its role. If you’re looking for a small gun, deal with the 43.
If size isn’t that big of an issue, you’ll probably be better served with a 43X.
Prices for these two guns will be the same unless you get the Glock 43x MOS and, therefore, the ability to add a red dot optic. Capacity does provide a little bit of value, but so does concealment. You’ll have to decide which feature is more valuable to you.
The Glock 43 and Glock 43X are excellent choices for concealed carry but have different strengths and weaknesses. The Glock 43 is smaller and lighter, making it easier to conceal. The Glock 43X has a larger magazine capacity, giving you more rounds to work within a self-defense situation.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which pistol is right for you is to try them out and see which one you prefer. However, this comparison can help you narrow your choices and make a more informed decision.