WHAT'S SHIPPING: Glock Model 43, 9x19mm

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
21

Shot another 200 rounds today. Federal 124r Suppressed. With more careful placement of my thumb i experienced zero issues. After my wife was done with her G19 she asked if we could trade for the last 50 rounds. She said afterwords that she found the gun to be fun with less recoil than she expected. Conversely after 200 rounds through this gun i found the G19 to feel gargantuan in my hands which isn’t usually the case as i usually shoot a G17.

Need to work on the solution Skintop911 mentioned to the magazine insertion issue.

Will be getting rid of the extension on the one magazine as soon as they become available alone.

Overall for me it is a reliable pocket gun in a way the G26 can’t be due to its width and is a welcome addition to the stable.

22

UPDATE

+70rds today, played with some turners, but bored quickly and decided to stop. Add a new load to the list, no malfunctions.

Number of shooters: 30
Cumulative round count: 2,073

Updated ammo list:

Ammunition used (29):
*404rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr FMJ (BHA brass)
50rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr GDHP +P (Starline brass)
30rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (Win brass)
120rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (BHA brass)
60rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)

26rds Federal 100gr RHT lead free frangible
100rds Federal 115 FMJ (aluminum case)
50rds Federal Champion 115gr FMJ
50rds Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok
*150rds Federal 147gr JHP
50rds Federal 147gr Hydra-Shok
70rds Speer Lawman 124 TMJ
50rds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
62rds American Eagle 115 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 147 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 124gr FMJ
50rds CCI Blazer Brass 115 FMJ

100rds Corbon 115gr FMJ (Starline brass)
40rds Corbon 100gr +P Pow’RBall

50rds Magtech 115 FMC
50rds Herters (S&B) 115 FMJ
62rds PMC Bronze 115 FMJ
87rds Freedom Munitions 115 FMJ
50rds Herters-Tula 115 FMJ (steel case)
50rds Winchester Mk254 Mod 0 Frangible
46rds Remington 100gr Disintegrator lead free frangible
*16rds International Cartridge Company 100gr lead free frangible
50rds Fiocchi 115gr FMJ
50rds Remington UMC 147 FMJ

23

UPDATE

+92rds since the update above. No new loads. Added six new shooters, 2 men, 3 women, one 8yo boy with no previous shooting experience. 8yo is now the youngest shooter. One failure to return to battery with a lady shooter new to handguns, 1/10 rounds fired. All others, no malfunctions. Another lady shooter noted that she preferred her G26 to the G43. Primary reasons were preference for the larger grip area, and less muzzle rise.

Number of shooters: 36
Cumulative round count: 2,165

Updated ammo list:

Ammunition used (29):
*496rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr FMJ (BHA brass)
50rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr GDHP +P (Starline brass)
30rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (Win brass)
120rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (BHA brass)
60rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)

26rds Federal 100gr RHT lead free frangible
100rds Federal 115 FMJ (aluminum case)
50rds Federal Champion 115gr FMJ
50rds Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok
*150rds Federal 147gr JHP
50rds Federal 147gr Hydra-Shok
70rds Speer Lawman 124 TMJ
50rds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
62rds American Eagle 115 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 147 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 124gr FMJ
50rds CCI Blazer Brass 115 FMJ

100rds Corbon 115gr FMJ (Starline brass)
40rds Corbon 100gr +P Pow’RBall

50rds Magtech 115 FMC
50rds Herters (S&B) 115 FMJ
62rds PMC Bronze 115 FMJ
87rds Freedom Munitions 115 FMJ
50rds Herters-Tula 115 FMJ (steel case)
50rds Winchester Mk254 Mod 0 Frangible
46rds Remington 100gr Disintegrator lead free frangible
*16rds International Cartridge Company 100gr lead free frangible
50rds Fiocchi 115gr FMJ
50rds Remington UMC 147 FMJ

24

I got a chance to shoot one today and came away fairly impressed. It shot right to point of aim without any adjustments on my part. For some reason it seemed to shot softer than the Shield and XDs I have previously shot. I might be picking one up.

25

UPDATE

+100rds, no new shooters, one new load. Swapped to Machine Gunners Lube for lube, just because. No malfunctions. The new load, 115 Speer Lawman (53650) had 1/3 bounce off my hat. Resorted the list below a bit.

Number of shooters: 36
Cumulative round count: 2,265

Updated ammo list:

Ammunition used (30):
*496rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr FMJ (BHA brass)
50rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr GDHP +P (Starline brass)
30rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (Win brass)
120rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (BHA brass)
60rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)

26rds Federal 100gr RHT lead free frangible
100rds Federal 115 FMJ (aluminum case)
50rds Federal Champion 115gr FMJ
50rds Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok
*150rds Federal 147gr JHP
50rds Federal 147gr Hydra-Shok
100rds Speer Lawman 115 TMJ
70rds Speer Lawman 124 TMJ
50rds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
62rds American Eagle 115 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 124gr FMJ
50rds American Eagle 147 FMJ
50rds CCI Blazer Brass 115 FMJ

100rds Corbon 115gr FMJ (Starline brass)
40rds Corbon 100gr +P Pow’RBall

50rds Magtech 115 FMC
50rds Herters (S&B) 115 FMJ
62rds PMC Bronze 115 FMJ
87rds Freedom Munitions 115 FMJ
50rds Herters-Tula 115 FMJ (steel case)
50rds Winchester Mk254 Mod 0 Frangible
46rds Remington 100gr Disintegrator lead free frangible
*16rds International Cartridge Company 100gr lead free frangible
50rds Fiocchi 115gr FMJ
50rds Remington UMC 147 FMJ

26

Skintop911 - with 36 shooters putting rounds through the G43, are there any common themes, opinions, gripes, etc that you noticed amongst the shooters? I’m getting close to 500 rounds myself but I’m certainly biased since I’m quite committed to the Glock platform. It would be interesting to hear the commentary from the wide array of folks.

27

I put 50 rounds through one I rented at my local range yesterday.

I found it comfortable to hold and shoot. It felt like shooting a real pistol and not some half ass pocket pistol. Trigger was maybe a little stiffer than other Glocks I shot. Reset was excellent, just like on a full sized Glock. It REALLY needed a Vickers slide release IMO.

The biggest thing was that recoil was much milder than I thought it would be.

28

In your opinion, how does the recoil compare to the Glock 42?

29

I shot the 42 & 43 side by side recently and the increase in recoil from the 380 to the 9 is way less than you’d expect. The design really makes the 42 feel like a rimfire and the 9 feel like a weak 380. Much tamer than even the kahr pm9.

30

I am sorry but I have not fired the 42, only the 43.

31

I have both and absolutely agree with this.

32

I went to the range today and rented a 9mm S&W Shield. It had more recoil then the G43 which led to some discomfort when shooting. For me if were to make a purchase it would be the G43 over the Shield. YMMV.

33

UPDATE

+62rds since last post, no malfunctions, 5 new shooters sampling the gun, one new load, ammo list resorted.

Number of shooters: 41
Cumulative round count: 2,327

Updated ammo list:

Ammunition used (31):
*496rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr FMJ (BHA brass)
50rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr GDHP +P (Starline brass)
30rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (Win brass)
120rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (BHA brass)
12rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr FMJ Reman
60rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)

26rds Federal 100gr RHT lead free frangible
100rds Federal 115 FMJ (aluminum case)
50rds Federal Champion 115gr FMJ
50rds Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok
*150rds Federal 147gr JHP
50rds Federal 147gr Hydra-Shok
100rds Speer Lawman 115 TMJ
70rds Speer Lawman 124 TMJ
50rds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
62rds American Eagle 115 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 124gr FMJ
50rds American Eagle 147 FMJ
50rds CCI Blazer Brass 115 FMJ

100rds Corbon 115gr FMJ (Starline brass)
40rds Corbon 100gr +P Pow’RBall

46rds Remington 100gr Disintegrator lead free frangible
50rds Remington UMC 115gr MC
50rds Remington UMC 147 FMJ

50rds Magtech 115 FMC
50rds Herters (S&B) 115 FMJ
62rds PMC Bronze 115 FMJ
87rds Freedom Munitions 115 FMJ
50rds Herters-Tula 115 FMJ (steel case)
50rds Winchester Mk254 Mod 0 Frangible
*16rds International Cartridge Company 100gr lead free frangible
50rds Fiocchi 115gr FMJ

34

Thanks Skin Top. I bought a Glock 43 on July 23rd. The only change I made was to replace the OEM sights with Ameriglo CAP sights. To date, I have fired 1350 rounds through it.

The pistol will have an occasional failure to feed on the last round in the magazine when firing 147g Gold Dot HP. Winchester +P+ is a little harsh to shoot and not recommended for a recoil sensitive person. (+P+ may void the warranty.) All other ammunition functioned flawlessly.

35

UPDATE

+150rds since the last update, no malfunctions. Added 3 new shooters, all ladies new to handguns. A 13yo male fired 24rds SHO using the standard length (non-pinky) mag using the Fed AE 115gr FMJ aluminum case in hopes of inducing a stoppage. There were none. Current totals follow. Made a correction to total number of loads used (32).

Number of shooters: 44
Cumulative round count: 2,477

Updated ammo list:

Ammunition used (32):
*622rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr FMJ (BHA brass)
50rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr GDHP +P (Starline brass)
30rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (Win brass)
120rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (BHA brass)
12rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr FMJ Reman
60rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)

26rds Federal 100gr RHT lead free frangible
124rds Federal 115 FMJ (aluminum case)
50rds Federal Champion 115gr FMJ
50rds Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok
*150rds Federal 147gr JHP
50rds Federal 147gr Hydra-Shok
100rds Speer Lawman 115 TMJ
70rds Speer Lawman 124 TMJ
50rds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
62rds American Eagle 115 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 124gr FMJ
50rds American Eagle 147 FMJ
50rds CCI Blazer Brass 115 FMJ

100rds Corbon 115gr FMJ (Starline brass)
40rds Corbon 100gr +P Pow’RBall

46rds Remington 100gr Disintegrator lead free frangible
50rds Remington UMC 115gr MC
50rds Remington UMC 147 FMJ

50rds Magtech 115 FMC
50rds Herters (S&B) 115 FMJ
62rds PMC Bronze 115 FMJ
87rds Freedom Munitions 115 FMJ
50rds Herters-Tula 115 FMJ (steel case)
50rds Winchester Mk254 Mod 0 Frangible
*16rds International Cartridge Company 100gr lead free frangible
50rds Fiocchi 115gr FMJ

36

ST911,

Have you measured the trigger pull weight on your Glock 43?

37

No, but I’ll get it on the scale in the next day or two. Been meaning to do that, thanks for the reminder.

38

At 2,198 rounds the trigger pull weight on my G43 is 7 lbs. 8 oz.

39

UPDATE

I had a request for more Winchester ammunition, especially WWB. I ran +79rds of it playing with a plate rack, no malfunctions. I did experience the mag popping free while using the magazine equipped with the finger rest, but the gun continued to feed. It’s now across the 2,500rd threshold. Resorted the ammo list.

Number of shooters: 44
Cumulative round count: 2,556

Updated ammo list:

Ammunition used (33):
*622rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr FMJ (BHA brass)
50rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr GDHP +P (Starline brass)
30rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (Win brass)
120rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (BHA brass)
12rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr FMJ Reman
60rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)

26rds Federal 100gr RHT lead free frangible
124rds Federal 115 FMJ (aluminum case)
50rds Federal Champion 115gr FMJ
50rds Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok
*150rds Federal 147gr JHP
50rds Federal 147gr Hydra-Shok
100rds Speer Lawman 115 TMJ
70rds Speer Lawman 124 TMJ
50rds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
62rds American Eagle 115 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 124gr FMJ
50rds American Eagle 147 FMJ
50rds CCI Blazer Brass 115 FMJ

100rds Corbon 115gr FMJ (Starline brass)
40rds Corbon 100gr +P Pow’RBall

46rds Remington 100gr Disintegrator lead free frangible
50rds Remington UMC 115gr MC
50rds Remington UMC 147 FMJ

50rds Winchester Mk254 Mod 0 Frangible
79rds Winchester 115 FMJ (WWB)

50rds Magtech 115 FMC
50rds Herters (S&B) 115 FMJ
62rds PMC Bronze 115 FMJ
87rds Freedom Munitions 115 FMJ
50rds Herters-Tula 115 FMJ (steel case)
*16rds International Cartridge Company 100gr lead free frangible
50rds Fiocchi 115gr FMJ

40

UPDATE

+200rds since last update. I hadn’t handled this G43 much or shot it at all since October. To continue comparison to the G26, I took it out today for two runs on the IDPA classifier. These were shot cold, open carry, 3:00 OWB. The G26 results are from June, 2015. I use the RGT-1 target for classifier practice, which has the proper -0 and -1, but no -3. Any -3 hits score as a miss.

For information on the IDPA classifier, see: http://www.idpa.com/compete/rules
RGT-1: http://www.letargets.com/content/rgt-1-reston-group-tactical-training-target-version-1.asp

Results:

G43 (1): 92.93 time, 38pts down, 111.93 total
G43 (2): 91.57 time, 38pts down, 110.57 total

G26 (1): 90.57 time, 40pts down, 110.57 total
G26 (2): 82.46 time, 41pts down, 102.96 total

I tried to run the 43 about the same pace as the 26, and got pretty close. Though the times and points down are very similar, the differences on the target were more significant. For the 43, there were 3 misses in run(1) and 5 in run(2). For the 26, only 1 miss for both runs. Other points down with the 43 were spread around the -1, but were evenly distributed surrounding the -0 for the 26.

During strings with reloads, I pinched my hand on the 43 but it didn’t negatively affect times for comparison. The pinky rest magazine popped free on stage 3 creating a type 1 stoppage, cleared and shot through. I’m officially done with any extended magazine in this gun, it just doesn’t work for me.

No other gun or ammo related malfunctions, nor items of note. I continue to like this gun, but it’s role for me remains very narrow.

Number of shooters: 44
Cumulative round count: 2,756

Updated ammo list:

Ammunition used (33):
*622rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr FMJ (BHA brass)
50rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr GDHP +P (Starline brass)
30rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (Win brass)
120rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (BHA brass)
12rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr FMJ Reman
60rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)

26rds Federal 100gr RHT lead free frangible
224rds Federal 115 FMJ (aluminum case)
50rds Federal Champion 115gr FMJ
50rds Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok
*150rds Federal 147gr JHP
50rds Federal 147gr Hydra-Shok
100rds Speer Lawman 115 TMJ
70rds Speer Lawman 124 TMJ
50rds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
62rds American Eagle 115 FMJ
50rds American Eagle 124gr FMJ
50rds American Eagle 147 FMJ
50rds CCI Blazer Brass 115 FMJ

100rds Corbon 115gr FMJ (Starline brass)
40rds Corbon 100gr +P Pow’RBall

46rds Remington 100gr Disintegrator lead free frangible
50rds Remington UMC 115gr MC
50rds Remington UMC 147 FMJ

50rds Winchester Mk254 Mod 0 Frangible
79rds Winchester 115 FMJ (WWB)

50rds Magtech 115 FMC
50rds Herters (S&B) 115 FMJ
62rds PMC Bronze 115 FMJ
87rds Freedom Munitions 115 FMJ
50rds Herters-Tula 115 FMJ (steel case)
*116rds International Cartridge Company 100gr lead free frangible
50rds Fiocchi 115gr FMJ