Glock 43X or 48

[Devildawg2531]

For years I have carried a Glock 26 and occasionally Glock 17. I did the Warrior Poets Society pistol 2 Friday and got to play with a 43X. I'm really thinking that the slimmer 43x or 48 might be a little easier to conceal and more comfortable. Really curious if anyone has thoughts on the 43x vs 48 and if the extra .75 inch of barrel length adds any real benefit. I might go with a dot but am still locked in on regular sights up this point. At 48 eyes aren't as good as they used to be and the dot may be inevitable at some point.

[Navin Johnson]

For years I have carried a Glock 26 and occasionally Glock 17. I did the Warrior Poets Society pistol 2 Friday and got to play with a 43X. I'm really thinking that the slimmer 43x or 48 might be a little easier to conceal and more comfortable. Really curious if anyone has thoughts on the 43x vs 48 and if the extra .75 inch of barrel length adds any real benefit. I might go with a dot but am still locked in on regular sights up this point. At 48 eyes aren't as good as they used to be and the dot may be inevitable at some point.

Best thing to do is go rent them both. Far cheaper than buying and trading/selling.

That said there are many many many posts already about the 43x/48. It is probably faster to search than start a new thread.

[fatdog]

Get some trigger time if you can. I loved the profile and everything about the 43X and 48 until I owned them both and put several thousand rounds down range, to only learn I cannot perform with that grip to even 80% of the level I can shoot a G19/26.

It was enough of a difference to me that I sold both off and stuck with the 19/26 family.

[dontshakepandas]

I like the 43x better than the 48 just because I slightly prefer the recoil impulse and balance. I’m all about the dot life so the liner sight radius isn’t a concern for me.

I also shoot the 19 or 45 considerably better and prefer to carry one of those, but have the 43x for when it just won’t work.

[JBP55]

I have both and prefer the G48.

[LOKNLOD]

I have 48, and I'll say I'm not convinced I like it any better than the 26.

If you're an appendix guy, a lot of people prefer to carry in a 48-length holster anyway...not much difference in carry/conceal
If you're planning a red dot, the extra bit of sight radius doesn't matter (if it really matters much at all anyway).
If you think you might do a comp/dot mini-Roland type setup, the 43X is the way to go to keep decent holster options.

Other than that it's just personal preference on the recoil impulse/feel.

[Nephrology]

I have 48, and I'll say I'm not convinced I like it any better than the 26.

Same and same. I'm thinking about selling my pair. I already own a pair of 43s and 26s, and the 48 sometimes feels like it's a bad compromise between the two.

[Blades]

I had a 43x but found it didn't conceal any better for me than my 19. But, I haven't worn my t-shirt/shirts tucked in for over a decade or more.

[Up1911Fan]

I've owned both and of the two I preferred the 43X. Both were rarely carried as I found they just weren't that much smaller than my normal G19/RMR. I've decided to use a P365 for times when I need something smaller.

[LittleLebowski]

Same and same. I'm thinking about selling my pair. I already own a pair of 43s and 26s, and the 48 sometimes feels like it's a bad compromise between the two.

Sicko.

[RJ]

I've owned and shot a Glock 19 Gen 5, Glock 26 Gen 5, a 43X and a 48. I'm not exactly a collector, so out of those four, I only have the Glock 48 left. All the others are sold.

I shot the Glock 19 through most of my training and USPSA (6,800 rounds). I carried it AOWB in both a Mitch Rosen Upper Limit, and later in a n RCS Perun. I bought the Glock 26 as a companion carry gun to the 19. I also carried it in a MR UL (and the same Perun) AOWB with an OEM +2 mag. There are many advantages to a Glock 26 as a BUG if you have larger Glocks. I liked everything about it except the shooting. I just didn't enjoy taking it to the range. And It was so wide and fat for it's capacity, I found might as well carry the 19. I sold it after 200 rounds and never looked back. Out of all my Glocks, I miss it the least.

I liked the Glock 43X from the start. I discounted reports of snappy recoil and started zeroing it in with aftermarket sights. I added an Overwatch trigger because I had one on my game gun. Then I started noticing it was smacking my hand pretty well with carry ammo (147 HST or GD 124+p). I added a Glockstore Tungsten Guide rod, but while I could tell the added 0.7 oz softened the recoil impulse, I never really warmed up to shooting it. So I traded it to have a brief affair with a P365XL. That didn't end well. So I traded *that* for a Glock 48.

Bottom line: I. Love. It.

I carry it AIWB in a Dark Star Gear Hitchhiker on a Graith Specialist belt, with an extra mag in a DSG Koala. I have Ameriglo sights and a Tau Industries Striker Control Device (I would not carry a Glock with out an SCD, period, full stop.) I have a set of Talon rubber grips on it that I'm 50/50 on.

Carried it all week, and for a trip in the car over to Orlando and back visiting family. This was my pocket dump at the hotel:

68192

I've seen comparison pictures between a Commander length 1911 and the Glock 48. They look eerily the same. The feel is very flat, thin and concealable. I guess the longer sight radius of the 48 helps with sight alignment, but of course as with all Glocks you must have good Trigger Control. The G19 length barrel may help give rounds a bit more muzzle velocity, too, as I understand it, which can't be bad. Obviously the rest of the gun is identical to the Glock 43X.Although I am a pretty mundane shooter I find it accurate and controllable in recoil, with a perceptible softer "bump" with my normal carry ammo than the 43X. I don't know what it is, perhaps the added slide mass slows it down a touch, but I can feel it.

The potential future changeover to Shield 15 rounds magazines giving 15+1 make it a no brainer to get rid of my Glock 19.

It is a real pleasure to shoot and I enjoy the heck out of it.

I'm in the middle of transitioning to dots, having bought a Glock 34 MOS and Holosun 507c v2 to get going in USPSA. I will either mill my current 48 for a 507k or buy another Glock 48 MOS.

[Nephrology]

Sicko.

Not a new accusation :cool:

[rainman]

If you already own a 26, there's no need for a 43X or 48 IMNSHO.

I own 43, 48, and multiple copies of the 19. I prefer to carry a 19 as the 48 doesn't conceal appreciably better or easier, but I shoot the 19 exponentially better...YMMV.

For me, the 48 shoots much closer to the 43. Factor in the reliability issues that some agencies have had with the 43, 43X, and 48, vs the nearly stone-axe reliability of the 26 and 19, and it's a non-brainier so far as I'm concerned. Others will no doubt disagree. I have to say that I really like the trigger, the feel, and just about everything about my 48...except the way I shoot it compared to a 19.


-Rainman

[paherne]

I bought both a 43x MOS and a 48 MOS. Waiting to run them hard.

[YVK]

I read the original post when there were still just a couple of replies. Since the question was effectively a G26 vs G43x vs G48, I decided to see how many pages it would take for us, as in cumulative p-f voice, to make recommendations for each and every one of the options asked about. So here we are, page two, and we have recommendations for

- G43x over G48
- G48 over G43x
- G48, period.
- G26
- G19

You're welcome, Devildawg, hope we made the selection process easier.


P.S. Personal contribution:
- G48 over G43x if both iron sighted.
- Never shot G48 with optic, 43x with optic is fine.
- G26 is easier to shoot than both of the above but it is a brick. Many people believe if you can conceal 26, you can conceal 19. I tried to sell mine twice; Phlster Enigma prevented a third attempt but I look like a mild Viagra overdose with it.
- G19 is a duty sidearm with various US military and LE units, and therefore a duty sized firearm, with cubist design and lack of any intent to bevel its edges by the manufacturer. It is a bitch to conceal in any semblance of professional clothing.
- G48 is not as easy to conceal as one would think because of a full length grip but slim slide does help quite a bit. 15 round mags run with some extra maintenance. In a world of compromises, it is my pick. In a world of no compromises, a small collection of 43, 48, 26, and 19 got you fully covered. I don't even feel the need for 43.

[Nephrology]

I read the original post when there were still just a couple of replies. Since the question was effectively a G26 vs G43x vs G48, I decided to see how many pages it would take for us, as in cumulative p-f voice, to make recommendations for each and every one of the options asked about. So here we are, page two, and we have recommendations for

- G43x over G48
- G48 over G43x
- G48, period.
- G26
- G19

You're welcome, Devildawg, hope we made the selection process easier.


P.S. Personal contribution:
- G48 over G43x if both iron sighted.
- Never shot G48 with optic, 43x with optic is fine.
- G26 is easier to shoot than both of the above but it is a brick. Many people believe if you can conceal 26, you can conceal 19. I tried to sell mine twice; Phlster Enigma prevented a third attempt but I look like a mild Viagra overdose with it.
- G19 is a duty sidearm with various US military and LE units, and therefore a duty sized firearm, with cubist design and lack of any intent to bevel its edges by the manufacturer. It is a bitch to conceal in any semblance of professional clothing.
- G48 is not as easy to conceal as one would think because of a full length grip but slim slide does help quite a bit. 15 round mags run with some extra maintenance. In a world of compromises, it is my pick. In a world of no compromises, a small collection of 43, 48, 26, and 19 got you fully covered. I don't even feel the need for 43.

You forgot I also recommended the G43 or G26 over the G48 or G43x :cool:

[CLaw]

I've always wondered about this. While I notice a bit of difference in printing between the 17 and 19 that is noticeable. The difference between the G26 and the G19, less so... I guess the question I'd love to know without spending the money is how much does the width of the 43X and 48 impacts printing. It would be great to have some sort of slideshow of images that shows the printing differences between 17, 19, 26, and 43x/48 (all in a similar brand holster and cover garments)... Knowing that peoples body types probably play a larger difference at some point.


If you already own a 26, there's no need for a 43X or 48 IMNSHO.

I own 43, 48, and multiple copies of the 19. I prefer to carry a 19 as the 48 doesn't conceal appreciably better or easier, but I shoot the 19 exponentially better...YMMV.

For me, the 48 shoots much closer to the 43. Factor in the reliability issues that some agencies have had with the 43, 43X, and 48, vs the nearly stone-axe reliability of the 26 and 19, and it's a non-brainier so far as I'm concerned. Others will no doubt disagree. I have to say that I really like the trigger, the feel, and just about everything about my 48...except the way I shoot it compared to a 19.


-Rainman

[rainman]

I've always wondered about this. While I notice a bit of difference in printing between the 17 and 19 that is noticeable. The difference between the G26 and the G19, less so... I guess the question I'd love to know without spending the money is how much does the width of the 43X and 48 impacts printing. It would be great to have some sort of slideshow of images that shows the printing differences between 17, 19, 26, and 43x/48 (all in a similar brand holster and cover garments)... Knowing that peoples body types probably play a larger difference at some point.

This is very subjective and there are many variables (as you noted). When I carry a 48 or a 19, I have to pay more attention to position of the holster on my belt and use a holster that pivots the butt into my body to a greater degree. Holster makers accomplish this in a number of ways, including use of a 'wing', a 'wedge', 'claw', or other implement. The good holster makers understand physique and are usually able to offer good advice when it comes time to make a selection.

The 26 is 'thicker' than the 48, so that's a 'wardrobe consideration' - one of my female coworkers used to refer the color 'black' as "the ever slimming black", and there is some truth to that. Many find that they can shoot the 26 nearly as well as the 19, but don't do nearly as well with the 48. There are others (a smaller number I believe) who are able to shoot the 48 nearly as well as the 19. Trying new guns and holsters is fun, but expensive (ask me how I know this). If you own a 26 but have substantial issues with the width, the 43X or 48 might be worth a try. However, if you find you don't shoot the 'mid-body' Glocks as well, then it might be better to try alternate holsters and/or clothing changes and deal with the width of the 26.

Two things that have helped me greatly have been weight-loss (even 10 lbs can be significant) and ensuring that my pants have enough, but not too much room. Having a 'table tumor' pushes the butt out at the top and causes printing, while pants that don't fit (too loose) and (especially) don't ride at waist-height don't provide the correct support (it's more than the belt that keeps things stable).

Best of luck finding the combination that works best for you.


-Rainman

[tlong17]

P365

:rolleyes:

[paperman]

G43x with threaded barrel


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[Sanch]

They’re both stupid guns.

The g43x is stupid because you need a longer holster, that is g48 sized, to avoid muzzle flip over the belt. So if you’re carrying a holster that fits/prints the same as a g48, why not put a g48 in it?

The g48 is stupid because glock wanted interchangeability so they used a g34-style extended slide over smaller frame with a weird recoil system so the recoil feels shitty. And unless you’re actively swapping slides on frames to mr potato head your guns regularly, you get none of the benefit, the benefit is all on reduced cost of production to glock to consolidate frame manufacturing.

If they just built a single stack 9mm g19 on a thinned down full size frame, it would have been a lot better.

I own a g43 and a g48 and a g19. I could make my own potato head g43x by swapping slides but that seems ridiculous only to carry it in my g48 holster. I carry the g43 when in relaxed mode, I carry the g19 in standard mode and I have never carried the g48 yet. The only reason I don’t get rid of it is because if there’s a 10 round mag ban, I’d rather use a g48 than a g19 with unreliable 10 round mags.