Concealed Carry & Home Defense

It’s real – Glock Model G43 Single-Stack 9mm

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By Daniel McElrath, Shooting Illustrated

Yes, the Glock G43 subcompact single-stack pistol is real.

Glock, 9 mm, concealed carry

The G43 (bottom) can be distinguished from the G26 (top) by the lack of finger grooves on the grip, as well as the difference in width.

… a Glock. It handled well, the controls were familiar and it went bang every time we pulled the trigger.

There has been considerable demand for this gun, given Glock’s loyal customer base and the arrival of several competing brands into the market niche for flat subcompacts in 9mm. This is primarily due to both the burgeoning concealed-carry market and the re-ascendancy of the 9mm, thanks to high-performance bullet designs from major ammunition manufacturers. Despite the presence of numerous other makes in the market segment, the Smyrna, GA-made G43 has consumers eagerly waiting for it.

Since the introduction of the G17 30 years ago, Glock pistols’ unusual assemblage of features (polymer frames, double-action-only triggers and double-stack magazines) has always been a strong selling point. That those features no longer seem unusual is evidence of just how successful the company and its products have been. It seems counter-intuitive that Glock should develop a hot seller by eliminating one of those features, but a flat subcompact that can easily be worn in a pocket holster has tremendous appeal for those who carry concealed yet want a pistol with some oomph.

Glock, 9 mm, concealed carry

The G43 (left) is only marginally larger than the G42 in .380 ACP.

There are also those consumers who have smaller hands. Okay, women. (Who’re we kidding?) Yes, women tend to have smaller hands and some of them have found the grip circumference of a double-stack just a bit too much for them. Given that women are one of the fastest growing demographics among gun buyers, the G43 couldn’t get here fast enough.

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