Are Glock slides and frames interchangeable (Within the same model series)

[whatnickname]

I think I know the answer to this one but, I occasionally see posts that make me question the advisability of doing this. For example: I have a G48 and a G43. Both are what Glock calls slimline pistols. Can I place a G43 slide and barrel on a G48 frame? Seems to fit well enough with my pistols. However I’ve seen posts by others stating that the slide fit very loosely on the other frame. What is the consensus here?

 

[12Bravo20]

Yes you can swap a G43 and G48 slide onto either a G43 or G48/43X frame without any issues.

When we talk about compact and full size frames things will change a bit. And what generation will matter too. You can use a Gen 3 slide on the corresponding Gen 4/5 slide with changing the slide back plate and also using an adaptor to fill in the space between the slide and frame. So a Gen 3 G19, G23, and G32 slide will work on any generation of compact frame.

Things get tricky with the full size frames (G17). The Gen 5 G17/22/31 barrels use the same size barre locking lugs as all G19/23/32 barrels. So you can run a Gen 5 G17/22/31 slide on a Gen 4 G19/23/32 frame.

Gen 1-4 G17/22/31 barrels have bigger/longer locking lugs and those will not work in the Gen 5 G17/22/31 frames. You can however run a Gen 1-4 G17/22/31 slide on any G19/23/32 frame as long as you use a Gen 5 G17/22/31 barrel with the corresponding slide.

NOTE: The 40 S&W and 357 Sig barrels will NOT fit into a 9mm slide, the barrels barrel hoods are bigger. And do NOT use a 9mm slide in a 40/357 slide since the barrel and hood are too small.

 

[whatnickname]

Yes you can swap a G43 and G48 slide onto either a G43 or G48/43X frame without any issues.

When we talk about compact and full size frames things will change a bit. And what generation will matter too. You can use a Gen 3 slide on the corresponding Gen 4/5 slide with changing the slide back plate and also using an adaptor to fill in the space between the slide and frame. So a Gen 3 G19, G23, and G32 slide will work on any generation of compact frame.

Things get tricky with the full size frames (G17). The Gen 5 G17/22/31 barrels use the same size barre locking lugs as all G19/23/32 barrels. So you can run a Gen 5 G17/22/31 slide on a Gen 4 G19/23/32 frame.

Gen 1-4 G17/22/31 barrels have bigger/longer locking lugs and those will not work in the Gen 5 G17/22/31 frames. You can however run a Gen 1-4 G17/22/31 slide on any G19/23/32 frame as long as you use a Gen 5 G17/22/31 barrel with the corresponding slide.

NOTE: The 40 S&W and 357 Sig barrels will NOT fit into a 9mm slide, the barrels barrel hoods are bigger. And do NOT use a 9mm slide in a 40/357 slide since the barrel and hood are too small.

Very useful information. Thank you.

 

[12Bravo20]

You're welcome. Hopefully I didn't throw too much information out all at once.

 

[whatnickname]

You're welcome. Hopefully I didn't throw too much information out all at once.

No problem at all. I understand it completely.

 

[InTheSwamp]

43, 43X & 48 slides are interchangeable as @12Bravo20 noted above.