Who owns a Glock 43 and hates it?

[Manny]

I have a Talo edition G43 that I've added Pearce +1 extensions to the mags. I shoot it quite well and over the few hundred rounds I've put through it so far it's been flawless. It's nearly identical in size and weight to my favorite KLCR Ruger and adds an extra three shots. I'm very distrustful of small semi-autos and this is the first one I've felt confident trusting for reliable function. So far I've been shooting nato spec 124gr ammo in mine, and it does sting the hand a bit after a few mags. I've some 147gr ammo I'm going to try that may shoot a bit softer. Other than that I'm growing fonder of it each time I shoot it.

 

[cfullgraf]

I'll go against the grain, I like my Glock 43. I would like it better if it had a manual safety though.

 

[Ibmikey]

Deadeye, I have posted about this subject before so did not go into detail this time, my G 42 is used often for CC however i much prefer one of my Sigs or Kimber micro carry. The 42 fits my hand , is low recoil, easy to carry in a IWB kydex holster and it is accurate. My experience with the G43 found it to not feel good in the hand, was the wrong size-- bigger than my P 938- just enough it did not carry well for me, was not fun to shoot ( this is hard to explain but the Sigs and 42 are fun, the 43 was uncomfortable) and although the much smaller 42 held only six rounds i feel i can make do with them, the 43 did not leave me with that same confidence.
This may not satisfy you but as i said before the 42 is neat-- i did not like the 43 and although i rarely sell or trade a firearm any more the 43 went with a smile and another (i already had two) P 238 was in my hand.
I recently purchased a R 51 with the intention of just using it for a plinker but the more rounds i put through it the pistol it may find some CC time with me. I have fired over six hundred rounds through it without incident and it is a lot more fun to shoot than a G 43, no "sting after a few mags".

 

[rskent]

I think Ibmikey sums it up pretty well.

I’m not gonna sell my 43. I shoot it pretty well. It’s not a fun gun, but it has a purpose for me.

It does seem like Glock is selling a kit, not a gun. First you get the base gun. Then you have to fix up the

mags so they hold a decent amount of rounds. Then you’re gonna need sights. . . . .

 

[Tallball]

I got one recently and like it. I am 6'6" with very large hands. It doesn't fit my hands well with the flush magazine or the slightly longer mag with the pinky rest. With the slightly longer magazine with no pinkie rest, I can hold it quite well and get all of my fingers on the grip.

I have only shot 50 rounds or so through it. I had no malfunctions. I was shooting nice groups at 15 yards. The recoil was no problem. I like the sights. It replaced my LC9, and for me is an improvement in virtually every aspect.

I am a revolver guy, or big steel service pistols like a 1911 or CZ75. I didn't really expect to like this polymer striker-fired pistol, but I really do.

 

[Tallball]

Double post

 

[camsdaddy]

I don't hate my 43 but I have not warmed up to it. I purchased it between Christmas and New Years. I have shot 273 rounds through it. At seven yards I can drill a hole with it but its 1" low and with the rear sight drifted to the right only 2"left. I know that this is a close range gun blah blah blah. I want to be able to shoot plates at 20-25 yards. I have not carried it. I am still carrying my 26. I really hope my 43 takes its place. I am comfortable with a K frame so capacity doesn't bother me.

 

[wickedsprint]

I guess I'm one. I don't mind my Glock 19. I shoot it reasonably to moderately well (I'm no pistol sniper, but 25 yards I can place all shots within 8 inches with 3 to 4 inch groupings, 7 yards I can group sub one inch), and I am comfortable carrying it as a duty gun or concealed.. It's not my favorite gun in the world to shoot, but I trust its reliability and I really don't mind it other than it's uncomfortable as all hell for my body type to carry for an extended period of time. My 43 has pretty much sat with about 300 rounds through it and never been carried since I've owned it more than a handf0ul of times. My current carry gun is a CZ-75D Compact PCR, which I find I shoot exceptionally well, even with the double action first shot. Not to mention the ergonomics of the CZ really fit my body type better and the contours of the muzzle hurt much less to carry appendix than the really thick Glock slide.

Back to the 43 though. I find this gun is MORE uncomfortable than my 19 to carry appendix as the small barrel jabs me right in the pelvic bone, and has a heavier trigger. Couple that all with the fact that my hands are huge and this thing weighs nothing I feel like I really have to try hard and concentrate to place accurate fire at any distance past 5 yards. It's not that it isn't doable. I can still shoot it at least 90% as well as the 19 when I focus, but I hate this gun. I feel like if it were pocket sized and it could disappear in a pocket in any clothing it would be worth it as an any time better than nothing pistol. It's not though. The pistol is just big enough it's nearly worthless. It's too uncomfortable and big for the number of rounds you carry, requires you to carry a spare magazine, and it's just not a gun I feel comfortable getting into a gunfight with. However, I've got so much money invested in the holster, mag carrier, etc and it is totally much smaller than my 19 and 75 compact.. so on a rainy day I just might throw it on. That's the only reason I haven't sold it yet.

I really want to sell it.. or like it. So many people like it, I can't understand why I don't personally like it. Maybe I'm not a single stack 9 guy. Maybe I have a weird body type. Maybe it's my 7 inch span from my thumb to my index finger and the fact that my support hand sits right at the muzzle. Or maybe I'm just OCD and nothing is ever good enough.

So, should I shoot it more and learn to like it? Or should I sell it? I have thought about going to a 42 because at least that gun can be thrown in a pocket and shoots soft enough it's really easy to place accurate fire. Although, with my hands I don't know if smaller is going to do me any better.

Anyone else hate the 43 as much as I do?

Like you, I had the 19 and 43. Sold the 43. IWB, the 43 was only a little lighter and dug into my side in a manner the 19 didn't when both using kydex IWB holsters.

Also tried a shield, digs into hip when IWB.

19 just works and with a spare mag I've got 33rds and similar feel to my duty gun (22)

 

[TarDevil]

It's a subcompact single stack 9 about the size of a j frame. Most of your observations about shooting the gun and your hands swallowing it up apply to all of the guns of that size class.

I know you mentioned that you already have a bunch of money stuck in holsters and mag carriers etc, but I'd recommend looking for a new holster. I've found that holster design plays a huge role in how comfortable those guns are to carry, especially when carrying appendix. You also may want to try moving the gun closer to 12 o'clock with your current holster and see if that helps.

For the trigger, just sit infront of the TV and dry fire it a few hundred times a night. That should smooth up the trigger nicely. Alternatively you can look into some of the trigger parts like a lighter connector or different trigger spring weight, but I'd work on the dry fire first. Zero cost and just a bit of time.

If you're hesitant to sell it, I'd just keep it and occasionally take it out to the range with you (unless you took out a loan for it, it's not costing you anything to sit around). It may grow on you and while you may never come to love it, I bet if you find a good way to carry it you may come to appreciate it for what it is. I had something similar happen with my S&W 442. I initially hated shooting it (and was considering selling it) because it's just a difficult gun to shoot accurately, but I loved carrying it because it hides really well and I could carry it literally anywhere, in any type of clothing. So because I carried it I made a point of practicing with it when I went to the range, and now I enjoy shooting it. Maybe not as much as my other guns, but more than I used to.

This^^
Or, slim 9's just aren't your cup of tea.

I carry a LC9s. Final selection came down to it or the Shield. Shield felt a bit better in my hand but was heavier (sole purpose was to find "light" to ease chronic back pain) and the trigger wasn't my cup of tea.

I wasn't very happy with my LC9s at first, felt I was having to hold low to be accurate. Relaxing, some dry firing, a bit of work on my grip... it started feeling natural to me. I was worried the new muscle memory would impact my accuracy with my SR9c, but I guess once the old gun got in the hands, they reverted immediately. I now have no problem switching between the two.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Maybe the OP will come back and if he does I suggest he sell the gun since he does not like it and owns a carry substitute. Don't keep a gun just because you have a holster, carrier and spare mags. Sell those too.

 

[edmo01]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I find the GLOCK 43 is my go-to gun for single stack carry... My Shield is now stuffed in a "go bag" somewhere on the compound.

With the Pearce +1 pinkie extensions and in the Tulster holster pictured below, it is one of the few guns I carry AIWB without discomfort.

I find the G43 owns the zone in between the J frame snubbies and G26 in carry comfort and capability.

Edmo

 

[CDW4ME]

The Glock 43 is not my primary carry of choice, it is a good 2nd option* in pocket to a larger pistol on belt.
The option* to put my hand on it (and not reveal I'm carrying) if I see someone "shady" approaching in a parking lot.
I carried a Glock 21 appendix IWB for a year (including 100+ heat index), so a model 19 is easy.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

I gave a lot of hard thought to a Glock 43 to sub in for my XDs .45 ACP in dress clothes and my new wardrobe (went from 275 to 172 over the course of sixteen months and I only stand 5'9"). I shot one at a gun range near me that belonged to a fellow shooter. Was not impressed, fortunately the guy was selling his Glock 42 because he got the Glock 43. So for $300 I got a Glock 42 LNIB with the original mags and case. My Kelt-Tec .380 went bumb on me but I blame myself for not keeping it oiled and cleaning it out every week as it rode pocket duty. My XDs and Glock 42 now get weekly cleanings with Hoppes and gun oil reapplied. If the XDs goes bum on me, I'll likely replace it with a Glock 43. I live in Florida and coat and IWB just isn't easy or conducive and I'd rather have a small six shot semi or one of my snub nose .357 magnums (Rossi 462 and Ruger Sp101) in the pocket of my pants than a larger gun left in the truck or at home should the need arise.

I will say this for Glock, shot the 34 and fell in love with it as a 9mm. That's my new $20 a week set aside gun this year (marriage and kids really cut into disposable income).

 

[Zaydok Allen]

"Who owns a Glock 43 and hates it?"

Despite the fact that I shoot Glocks well, I hate all of them. Does that count?

 

[rskent]

Despite the fact that I shoot Glocks well, I hate all of them. Does that count?

That’s OK. I love them enough for both of us.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

That’s OK. I love them enough for both of us.

See. That's teamwork!