Why I still carry a G43

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I was at the range earlier today after adjusting the rear sight on an SA Ronin in 9mm, and installing a set of Ameriglos front and rear on a G17, which are identical to the set I have on my EDC, a G43.

The 43 doesn’t hold as many rounds, and is clumsier to reload in a hurry, but dang if it doesn’t put rounds on target.

20 yards, 16 shots slow fire
115grain FMJ some Blazer and and some S&B
Down 1
C9EDF128-B522-4B20-B3D4-19C87448E1CD.jpeg

same 20 yards, G17, Gen 4, 115 grain Blazer
Not sure what the heck that group of four shots is up top.
Down 4

9C31531C-5588-4143-B0C7-40542C553674.jpeg

And SA Ronin 9mm 115 grain Blazer
20 yards
I pulled one way left, but the rest of the group wasn’t any better than the two Glocks.
Down 5

B225E00E-AB5B-490E-B00D-A2314CE5CBC1.jpeg
 
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fieldgrade said:
Not sure what the heck that group of four shots is up top.
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We refer to those as misses. As in didn't go where you wanted them. I don't shoot any smallish carry gun that I own any better than my G43. It just pisses me off that a gun smaller has damn near double the capacity.
 
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I could never shoot my G43, or any single stack for that matter, all that well. Only exception being the Walther PPS M2. Now my P365 with XL frame, I can shoot that really well.
 
I love my 43. I learned at Battery Oaks that drawing from concealment is a second faster from my pocket that everyone else’s concealed holsters. Mine fits in my pocket and rides there very well and that’s where it’ll stay.
 
Burt Gummer said:
I love my 43. I learned at Battery Oaks that drawing from concealment is a second faster from my pocket that everyone else’s concealed holsters. Mine fits in my pocket and rides there very well and that’s where it’ll stay.
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I draw slow from the pocket, but it’s just too easy to carry that way and I’ll continue to do that.
 
I hated my 43. It carried better than the Shield that preceded it, but I just didn't like shooting it. I sold it off and got a Sig P938 that's a dream to shoot and carries better still. I learned a long time ago not to say you're done buying guns, but so long as I never touch a 365 I'll probably be set with my 938.
 
James said:
Sorry if I missed it, what pocket holster are you using?
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My pocket is my holster. The other holster gets in my way.
 
James said:
I have historically felt the same way but I don't fully trust the Glock trigger in my pocket like I would a J Frame or PPK (for example). Also, with bigger pants come bigger pockets and stuff doesn't stay in the ideal draw angle for me anymore.
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I wear Wrangler cargos, short or long, every day. This holster fits in the front pocket , and in the front pocket of my barn coat.
 
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I like the G43 for carry. All my mags have Hyve aluminum extensions. Mine resides in a service van. I do not shoot it well nor any subcompact. It is not even remotely as accurate as my full size G17. I can not control muzzle rise on the G43 which in turn throws empty cases toward my head and chest.
 
BlackGun said:
I like the G43 for carry. All my mags have Hyve aluminum extensions. Mine resides in a service van. I do not shoot it well nor any subcompact. It is not even remotely as accurate as my full size G17. I can not control muzzle rise on the G43 which in turn throws empty cases toward my head and chest.
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My G43 is magical. I can shoot as good or better groups than my G17. Without having shot the G43 in a month or more.

It’s the weirdest thing.
 
I carried a 43 for a year, and tried to like it. Trigger sucked, and it was mediocre as far as accuracy. My SCCY holds 10+1 and is just as accurate at 1/3 the price. Only thing I don’t like about the SCCY is the longer trigger reset, but I can deal with that.
 
I can run The Wizard with a G43 out of an OWB concealed and only miss making the time on the last shot by a few hundredths.

Judging from comments I best keep this one. It is uncanny that I can shoot it was well or better than larger Glocks. It shoots better than a G48 I had, and a G17 I still have.
 
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I've been pocket carrying a 43 every day for 4 years. I love mine. Its been glock reliable, and is very versatile being able to swap from flush
magazine(with or without Magguts +1 spring), +2, or +3 extensions. My favorite pocket holster is:
https://www.boraii.com/store/p4/GLOCK_43.html
I've tried a few, and this adds basically zero thickness to the pistol.

Another Pro for the 43 is when you own a 48, you can mix and match slides/frames to have a 43x, or a 48L, in which both configurations are a hoot to shoot.
 
I own one, haven’t really touched it since I got a 43X. I don’t plan on getting rid of it, but I don’t shoot it nearly as well as the 43X, which conceals nearly as easily and has 15 round mags.
 
Burt Gummer said:
I love my 43. I learned at Battery Oaks that drawing from concealment is a second faster from my pocket that everyone else’s concealed holsters. Mine fits in my pocket and rides there very well and that’s where it’ll stay.
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Is that starting with hands by your side for both methods? I’ve never pocket carried so I’m curious.

I think those running the Wizard while pocket carrying get to start with hand in the pocket...so I wasn’t sure if that’s how you were comparing them.
 
I carried a 43 for a couple years. Once I put in the 3.5 connector and a little bit of range time I became proficient with it. I sold it for some reason but I kind of miss it. It was one of those guns you could forget you had on you. I have a Sig 365 now and with the added weight of the ammo it is more noticeable than the 43 was for sure, but it is a trade off I am okay with. I do find myself missing the 43 still at times.
 
CCW007 said:
It was one of those guns you could forget you had on you.
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A while back I had accidentally forgotten to put it in my pocket when getting ready. I was so used to it being just part of my attire I couldn't figure
out what felt different when it finally dawned on me what was missing.
 
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