Review: Glock 43 w/ Shooting Results

[Tensaw]

Pfft... Needs a threaded barrel. And a comp.

[ST911]

UPDATE

+1059 rounds since last update, no malfunctions. One new shooter used this gun as a loaner for a basic handgun class and it was also used in the Pocket Glock division at a GSSF match. I’ve continued to use the JAG 43 magazines as my primary range mags and they run without issue. Use includes repeated drops to concrete range floors. Magazines with finger extensions and extended-magazine capacities are not used at all. Sights are still the excellent Ameriglo Hackathorns (GL-436).

Four new loads were added to the list: Armscor 124 FMJ, Winchester 147 FMJ, and two steel cased 115 FMJ loads from Maxxtech and Hotshot. The latter two were pretty dirty but functional. Both, accurate enough.

With BHA 115 FMJ, this gun shot a 92-2X, 10-round bullseye group to a B8 at 25yds. This is the best group to date. During another outing, the LAV 10-10-10 “Test” was fired from ready, scoring 92-4X and included a slide lock reload. On the Gabe White standards (http://www.gabewhitetraining.com/performance-awards/) it hovers in the lower end of Dark Pin territory. Any assertion that the G43 cannot be shot accurately or practically is utter tripe.

Similarly, there continues to be no foundation for any +P ammunition precautions. Of the 6080 rounds fired, 724 (~12%) have been +P ammunition. No +P load has been involved in any malfunction.

I had hoped this gun would reach 10k rounds by the end of the year, but I think I’ve spent more time on other people’s G43s than my own in 2017. Those guns were likewise reliable, and most badly in need of new sights. The ability to see both quickly and as precisely as needed is particularly helpful with this gun.

Number of shooters: 64
Cumulative round count: 6080

Updated ammo list:

Ammunition used (49):
*1249rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr FMJ (BHA brass)
40rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)
50rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr GDHP +P (Starline brass)
30rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (Win brass)
164rds Black Hills Ammunition 115gr TAC-XP +P (BHA brass)
12rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr FMJ Reman
231rds Black Hills Ammunition 124 JHP-XTP (BHA brass)
100rds Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP-XTP +P (BHA brass)

26rds Federal 100gr RHT lead free frangible
548rds Federal 115 FMJ (aluminum case)
50rds Federal Champion 115gr FMJ
50rds Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok
*374rds Federal 147gr JHP
50rds Federal 147gr Hydra-Shok
64rds Federal 147 HST
100rds Speer Lawman 115 TMJ
70rds Speer Lawman 124 TMJ
422rds Speer Lawman 147 TMJ
174rds Speer GDHP G2
112rds 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 Corbon 147gr FMJ

68rds Remington 100gr +P Disintegrator lead free frangible
50rds Remington UMC 115gr MC
150rds Remington UMC 147 FMJ

50rds Winchester Mk254 Mod 0 Frangible
179rds Winchester 115 FMJ (WWB)
50rds Winchester 147 FMJ

25rds Ruger 80 ARX +P (PolyCase)
50rds Magtech 115 FMC
50rds Herters (S&B) 115 FMJ
162rds 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
55rds Northern Hills Ammunition 115 FMJ reman
25rds Hornady Critical Defense 115 FTX
100rds Armscor 124 FMJ
50rds Maxxtech 115 FMJ (steel case)
50rds Hotshot 115 FMJ (steel case)

46rds test load, 3/21
*200rds test load, 6/11
111rds test load, 7/30, 12/17
50rds test load, 7/30

[Jason M]

UPDATE:

A while ago I posted that I had ordered the Victory First drop in barrel. It is measurably more accurate than the stock barrel. The gain is about as much is adding a KKM drop in to a 3rd Gen 19. Eight round groups were fired against 6in paper plates (1/2 inch bigger than a B8 black zone) at 25 yds with both the OEM and VF barrel. On average the groups were approximately 1.00 inch smaller with the VF barrel using Federal 124gr AE ammo. During un-timed fire all of the rounds were able to be kept on the plate. POA/POI remained at the tip of the front sight with Ameriglo DeFoor sights. I realize that this is hardly scientific but the VF barrel does seem to be more accurate. Two other shooters of like ability fired several eight round groups with similar results. There seems to be a greater group improvement with 147gr ammo. Fed HST standard pressure was used. The OEM barrel likes the same ammo but the gain in accuracy is about the same. Again, no shift in POA/POI. If you are looking to make the G43 a little more accurate the VF barrel is not a bad way to spend $110. I will shoot both barrels with 147gr against a B8 and provide better data in the near future.