Preparing for SHOT Show this year a wealth of media releases about new products, and upgrades were released. Conspicuously missing was an announcement from Glock about the handgun everyone has been seeking for a long time.
Well, the BlueSheepDog Crew can finally share with our readers that Glock has produced that long-awaited pistol – the single stack, compact Glock 43 in 9mm.
Much thanks, and full credit, goes to our friend Phil White at The Firearm Blog for breaking this announcement and providing us the confirmation that the Glock 43 is coming! For a look at Phil’s article and his Glock 43 shooting experience check out the link above
The gun that has such potential for CCW use, back-up gun for officers, and even general carry is finally here! Though I do not have confirmation, the Glock 43 will likely be revealed officially at the NRA Annual Conference in Nashville, TN this April 9-12.
Our companion site GunsHolstersandGear.com reviewed the Glock 42 .380 ACP pistol after SHOT Show 2014, and since then that pistol has become an extremely popular firearm selection with both law enforcement and civilian shooters.
The Glock 43 is very similar in size to the Glock 42, with a 1.0″ width, but 8mm longer than it’s smaller cousin. Phil was one of a very few select media representatives invited to Glock, USA headquarters in Smyrna, GA for a factory tour, and to test fire the new Glock 43.
Glock 43 Specifications
- Caliber – 9 x 19mm
- Overall Length – 6.26″
- Overall Width – 1.02″
- Slide Length – 6.06″
- Slide Width – 0.87″
- Height – 4.25″ (with magazine)
- Weight – 16.19 oz. (without magazine); 20.60 oz. (with full magazine)
- Capacity – 6+1
- Barrel Length – 3.39″
- Trigger Distance – 2.56″
- Trigger Travel – 0.49″
- Line of Sight – 5.20″
- Barrel Profile – Right hand twist; Hexagonal rifling
- Muzzle Velocity – 1116 fps
- Muzzle Energy – 339 ft./lbs.
- MSRP – $589.00.
The suggested retail price is about the only feature of the Glock 43 that is disappointing. A pistol that has been long awaited, and too long ignored, this CCW or back-up pistol should be priced around $400.00 instead of the price of a full-sized Glock. Thankfully, once the pistol hits the dealers the competitive market will likely drop the final price to below $500.00, but that still is just too high in my opinion.
The BlueSheepDog Crew were able to test shoot the Glock 42 during last year’s SHOT Show. We were all impressed by the pistol, and how similar the feel and shoot ability was to other Glock pistols. Though obviously thinner and smaller than larger Glocks, the feel and function was very recognizable. We’re confident the Glock 43 will be just as familiar and enjoyable to shoot.
The BlueSheepDog Crew does not typically recommend .380 caliber handguns for back-up of off-duty carry, especially when a similar 9mm alternative is available. However, the .380 caliber is the smallest caliber firearm that we would support if the firearm fits the shooter’s needs.
The Marietta, Georgia Police have recently purchased every officer a Glock 42 as a back-up or off-duty firearm. Carrying full-size Glock 22 pistols in .40 S&W, Chief Dan Flynn recognized that the Glock 42 would have a natural transition as a back-up sidearm.
The selection of a handgun is a very personal decision, and we simply provide recommendations that we feel will provide the shooter a comfortable CCW firearm; as well as, a caliber capable of successfully ending a life threatening incident. Though some .380 caliber handguns, like the Glock 42, would meet our minimum required standards for recommendation, we are more favorable of the 9mm options.
For Glock fans, the Glock 43 appears to offer the balance of concealed carry with the increased stopping power of the 9mm. The incredible benefit of having a back-up or CCW pistol that is identical in function as your primary sidearm cannot be under-emphasized. Like the Glock 42 before it, the Glock 43 appears to literally offer a miniaturized option of the larger Glock pistols, with a slightly thinner, but still familiar grip.
Perhaps that reason alone will continue to make Glock one of the most broadly used firearm manufacturer’s in American law enforcement.
One of the few faults that anyone can find with the Glock pistol is the factory sights. They are made of plastic and don’t work well for a lot of people. However, for a comprehensive look at the Glock 43 sights that are available, check out GunsHolstersAndGear.com. They have put together a list of everything being made for them today.
