Who owns a Glock 43 and hates it?

[Maxcage]

I guess I'm one. I don't mind my Glock 19. I shoot it reasonably to moderately well (I'm no pistol sniper, but 25 yards I can place all shots within 8 inches with 3 to 4 inch groupings, 7 yards I can group sub one inch), and I am comfortable carrying it as a duty gun or concealed.. It's not my favorite gun in the world to shoot, but I trust its reliability and I really don't mind it other than it's uncomfortable as all hell for my body type to carry for an extended period of time. My 43 has pretty much sat with about 300 rounds through it and never been carried since I've owned it more than a handf0ul of times. My current carry gun is a CZ-75D Compact PCR, which I find I shoot exceptionally well, even with the double action first shot. Not to mention the ergonomics of the CZ really fit my body type better and the contours of the muzzle hurt much less to carry appendix than the really thick Glock slide.

Back to the 43 though. I find this gun is MORE uncomfortable than my 19 to carry appendix as the small barrel jabs me right in the pelvic bone, and has a heavier trigger. Couple that all with the fact that my hands are huge and this thing weighs nothing I feel like I really have to try hard and concentrate to place accurate fire at any distance past 5 yards. It's not that it isn't doable. I can still shoot it at least 90% as well as the 19 when I focus, but I hate this gun. I feel like if it were pocket sized and it could disappear in a pocket in any clothing it would be worth it as an any time better than nothing pistol. It's not though. The pistol is just big enough it's nearly worthless. It's too uncomfortable and big for the number of rounds you carry, requires you to carry a spare magazine, and it's just not a gun I feel comfortable getting into a gunfight with. However, I've got so much money invested in the holster, mag carrier, etc and it is totally much smaller than my 19 and 75 compact.. so on a rainy day I just might throw it on. That's the only reason I haven't sold it yet.

I really want to sell it.. or like it. So many people like it, I can't understand why I don't personally like it. Maybe I'm not a single stack 9 guy. Maybe I have a weird body type. Maybe it's my 7 inch span from my thumb to my index finger and the fact that my support hand sits right at the muzzle. Or maybe I'm just OCD and nothing is ever good enough.

So, should I shoot it more and learn to like it? Or should I sell it? I have thought about going to a 42 because at least that gun can be thrown in a pocket and shoots soft enough it's really easy to place accurate fire. Although, with my hands I don't know if smaller is going to do me any better.

Anyone else hate the 43 as much as I do?

 

[Acera]

Welcome to the forum.




.

 

[JohnKSa]

...my hands are huge...7 inch span from my thumb to my index finger...

Interesting. My thumb to index finger span (spread but without being pushed against anything to force them further apart) is about 7.5 inches and I have always thought that they were about average size for an adult male.

 

[rskent]

I don’t know if I hate it, but it sure ain’t my favorite Glock.

I haven’t had mine long enough to decide if I like it enough to keep it or not.

I have ordered some Talon grips and some Tarren mag extensions for it.

Maybe I can find the love.

 

[ritepath]

I went with a pocketful of cash when the first come out....worst feeling glock ever....even worse than the "baby" glocks which I can't stand. Make mine 20 and 40 please.

 

[cxm]

I bought a couple of G43s shortly after they hit the market...

Underwealmed would have to be word to describe my experience with them... If small is your only consideration then they have to be near the top of mini carry pistols. After shooting mine a good bit, I went back to my S&W Shield. The Shield fits my hand better than the Glock and I prefer having a thumb safety on my pistols. As a bonus my Shield 9 is quite accurate and totally reliable.

I can't really say much negative about the G43, but it just has not lived up to all the hype... Glock should have been able to get at least one more round into the gun without going to magazine extensions... but again, looks like 'smallest' was the major design parameter for the gun. The G43 isn't terribly comfortable in my hand but shoots ok...

A buyer may not be completely pleased with the G43, but they will get a serviceable SMALL carry pistol.

FWIW

Chuck

I guess I'm one. I don't mind my Glock 19. I shoot it reasonably to moderately well (I'm no pistol sniper, but 25 yards I can place all shots within 8 inches with 3 to 4 inch groupings, 7 yards I can group sub one inch), and I am comfortable carrying it as a duty gun or concealed.. It's not my favorite gun in the world to shoot, but I trust its reliability and I really don't mind it other than it's uncomfortable as all hell for my body type to carry for an extended period of time. My 43 has pretty much sat with about 300 rounds through it and never been carried since I've owned it more than a handf0ul of times. My current carry gun is a CZ-75D Compact PCR, which I find I shoot exceptionally well, even with the double action first shot. Not to mention the ergonomics of the CZ really fit my body type better and the contours of the muzzle hurt much less to carry appendix than the really thick Glock slide.

Back to the 43 though. I find this gun is MORE uncomfortable than my 19 to carry appendix as the small barrel jabs me right in the pelvic bone, and has a heavier trigger. Couple that all with the fact that my hands are huge and this thing weighs nothing I feel like I really have to try hard and concentrate to place accurate fire at any distance past 5 yards. It's not that it isn't doable. I can still shoot it at least 90% as well as the 19 when I focus, but I hate this gun. I feel like if it were pocket sized and it could disappear in a pocket in any clothing it would be worth it as an any time better than nothing pistol. It's not though. The pistol is just big enough it's nearly worthless. It's too uncomfortable and big for the number of rounds you carry, requires you to carry a spare magazine, and it's just not a gun I feel comfortable getting into a gunfight with. However, I've got so much money invested in the holster, mag carrier, etc and it is totally much smaller than my 19 and 75 compact.. so on a rainy day I just might throw it on. That's the only reason I haven't sold it yet.

I really want to sell it.. or like it. So many people like it, I can't understand why I don't personally like it. Maybe I'm not a single stack 9 guy. Maybe I have a weird body type. Maybe it's my 7 inch span from my thumb to my index finger and the fact that my support hand sits right at the muzzle. Or maybe I'm just OCD and nothing is ever good enough.

So, should I shoot it more and learn to like it? Or should I sell it? I have thought about going to a 42 because at least that gun can be thrown in a pocket and shoots soft enough it's really easy to place accurate fire. Although, with my hands I don't know if smaller is going to do me any better.

Anyone else hate the 43 as much as I do?

 

[GBExpat]

Welcome to THR, Maxcage!

Couple that all with the fact that my hands are huge ... 7 inch span from my thumb to my index finger ...

<chuckle> That is going to get a lot of us measuring that span on our gunhands ... I wear size Large gloves and my gunhand measures ~8½".

I do not have a 43 but I do have a 42 (which is about the same size as the PPK that I have been carrying for decades) which I have found to be acceptably accurate & comfortable (w/a short mag extension) to shoot.

For a small single-stack 9 I have been carrying & shooting a Kel-Tec PF9 for 9½ years. I only shoot this one periodically because it is not a range gun, it is a conceal-carry/emergency pistol and, therefore, not terribly comfortable to shoot. FWIW, I do not find myself having to concentrate any more than I do when firing any other of my handguns.

I wish you the best of luck in making peace with your 43.

BTW, re: my PPK ... that little bugger has never been terribly accurate in my hands, it often bites and, because it is a blowback design, the recoil is a bit stout for the cartridge ... but for decades I found it to be adequate to my particulars needs.

 

[Anna's Dad]

I don't hate mine, but I have guns that serve the same purpose that I much prefer over it.

 

[stoky]

Anyone else hate the 43 as much as I do?

yup
and I don't even own one

 

[Telekinesis]

It's a subcompact single stack 9 about the size of a j frame. Most of your observations about shooting the gun and your hands swallowing it up apply to all of the guns of that size class.

I know you mentioned that you already have a bunch of money stuck in holsters and mag carriers etc, but I'd recommend looking for a new holster. I've found that holster design plays a huge role in how comfortable those guns are to carry, especially when carrying appendix. You also may want to try moving the gun closer to 12 o'clock with your current holster and see if that helps.

For the trigger, just sit infront of the TV and dry fire it a few hundred times a night. That should smooth up the trigger nicely. Alternatively you can look into some of the trigger parts like a lighter connector or different trigger spring weight, but I'd work on the dry fire first. Zero cost and just a bit of time.

If you're hesitant to sell it, I'd just keep it and occasionally take it out to the range with you (unless you took out a loan for it, it's not costing you anything to sit around). It may grow on you and while you may never come to love it, I bet if you find a good way to carry it you may come to appreciate it for what it is. I had something similar happen with my S&W 442. I initially hated shooting it (and was considering selling it) because it's just a difficult gun to shoot accurately, but I loved carrying it because it hides really well and I could carry it literally anywhere, in any type of clothing. So because I carried it I made a point of practicing with it when I went to the range, and now I enjoy shooting it. Maybe not as much as my other guns, but more than I used to.

 

[98bluewave]

I have both the Glock 43 and 42. After adding Pearce +1 extended grips they both fit my hand much better. I also polished the trigger bar, etc., added the latest O.E.M. 5.5# connector that I purchased from GlockParts.com. After a few hundred rds. through each the triggers have smoothed out, and the trigger pull is about 5.5#. I shoot both very well and am pleased with both. I pocket carry the G 42 some but don't carry otherwise.

 

[herrwalther]

I had a Glock 42 (the .380 of the G43) and had it sold less than a week after I bought it. I got from a guy for next to nothing and tried it out. I don't like Glocks and this was my chance. Still don't like them.

 

[Browning]

I have thought about going to a 42 because at least that gun can be thrown in a pocket and shoots soft enough it's really easy to place accurate fire. Although, with my hands I don't know if smaller is going to do me any better.

Your experience with the G43 sounds like my experience with the G42, including the bit about large hands.

So I don't think that'll help you.

Maybe try a Walther PPS M1. That's slightly larger, fit my hands well and it's what I pocket carry.

I like Glocks too. G17, G19, G26, G21 and a G23. So it wasn't the Glock thing for me. Was just too small.

 

[scaatylobo]

I had to put a "rubber glove" on my G-43 to make it much easier and almost fun to shoot.

I have tried any and all loads to see what it likes,and what I like = 'we' do not agree.

I do LOVE how easy it is to truly conceal,belt,IWB, or ankle.

But on my way out now,and as THE issue is not to conceal = the G-23 is the choice .With a spare mag or 2.

 

[Eagle103]

I was looking for a pocket carry auto a while back and went with a Kahr CM9. Same capacity as a G43 but it has a shorter barrel which helps a lot for pocket carry. About $100 cheaper too and so far totally reliable.

 

[wally]

My friend got one when they first came out, it was a jam-o-matic with half a dozen different shooters and ammo brands. Thought it would be great for my wife, but she couldn't go three shots without a stovepipe. I was better -- only getting a stovepipe about every other magazine, very disappointed. Maybe they've made changes, but I lost interest.

We both find the Kahr CW9 perfectly reliable, although I'm less than thrilled with Kahr's customer support. My favorite in this size range is the S&W Shield.

 

[bannockburn]

Not a small Glock fan either. Just can't get comfortable with the grip design of any of them and I have relatively small hands. Greatly prefer my Kahr CM9 to any other subcompact 9mm.s.

 

[lpsharp88]

I had one a sold it. Recoil was a bit much for me to enjoy shooting at all. I'm debating picking up the 42 though

 

[mongoslow]

my solution is the shield


How the G23/19 looks in my hand

 

[rskent]

Recoil was a bit much for me to enjoy shooting at all.

That’s where I’m at right now. I am starting to get used to it.

I'm debating picking up the 42 though

I think the 42 has become my favorite 380. It shoots great and is cute as a bug’s ear.

 

[DeadEye9]

I guess I'm one. I don't mind my Glock 19. I shoot it reasonably to moderately well (I'm no pistol sniper, but 25 yards I can place all shots within 8 inches with 3 to 4 inch groupings, 7 yards I can group sub one inch), and I am comfortable carrying it as a duty gun or concealed.. It's not my favorite gun in the world to shoot, but I trust its reliability and I really don't mind it other than it's uncomfortable as all hell for my body type to carry for an extended period of time. My 43 has pretty much sat with about 300 rounds through it and never been carried since I've owned it more than a handf0ul of times. My current carry gun is a CZ-75D Compact PCR, which I find I shoot exceptionally well, even with the double action first shot. Not to mention the ergonomics of the CZ really fit my body type better and the contours of the muzzle hurt much less to carry appendix than the really thick Glock slide.

Back to the 43 though. I find this gun is MORE uncomfortable than my 19 to carry appendix as the small barrel jabs me right in the pelvic bone, and has a heavier trigger. Couple that all with the fact that my hands are huge and this thing weighs nothing I feel like I really have to try hard and concentrate to place accurate fire at any distance past 5 yards. It's not that it isn't doable. I can still shoot it at least 90% as well as the 19 when I focus, but I hate this gun. I feel like if it were pocket sized and it could disappear in a pocket in any clothing it would be worth it as an any time better than nothing pistol. It's not though. The pistol is just big enough it's nearly worthless. It's too uncomfortable and big for the number of rounds you carry, requires you to carry a spare magazine, and it's just not a gun I feel comfortable getting into a gunfight with. However, I've got so much money invested in the holster, mag carrier, etc and it is totally much smaller than my 19 and 75 compact.. so on a rainy day I just might throw it on. That's the only reason I haven't sold it yet.

I really want to sell it.. or like it. So many people like it, I can't understand why I don't personally like it. Maybe I'm not a single stack 9 guy. Maybe I have a weird body type. Maybe it's my 7 inch span from my thumb to my index finger and the fact that my support hand sits right at the muzzle. Or maybe I'm just OCD and nothing is ever good enough.

So, should I shoot it more and learn to like it? Or should I sell it? I have thought about going to a 42 because at least that gun can be thrown in a pocket and shoots soft enough it's really easy to place accurate fire. Although, with my hands I don't know if smaller is going to do me any better.

Anyone else hate the 43 as much as I do?

I'm with you brother! First off, I am a Glock fan through and through. I've been shooting them my whole life, I love them and Ive carried either a 19 or 32 every single day for the better part of the last decade. I also regularly use a 19 for weekly Action Pistol shoots. That being the case, when the 43 finally came out I bought one as soon as I could. Put a solid 250 rounds through it my very first range outing and went home disappointed. I just didn't hit well with it. Went back to the range another half dozen times putting another 750-800 rounds downrange but still could not get the accuracy I was looking for out of it. I no longer own the 43. My "perfect" gun in the G43 class, the M&P Shield with Sigs 938 being runner up. I pick the Shield first because I like a striker fired carry gun and I can shoot the Shield just as well as its big brother the Duty sized M&P9. The same is true for standard "baby" Glocks. By and large I can shoot a 26 just as well as a 19 or even 17. With the 43 though it just did not aggree with my hands and my shooting style no matter how much I practiced the fundamentals. It just wasn't a good fit for me, even as a glock lover overall. For me the Shield is my go to single stack 9 and often serves auxiliary/back up Duty to my Glock 19 (summer/fall) or 32 (winter) carry pistols.

 

[Ibmikey]

Love my G 42 but was thoroughly disappointed with my G43 and traded it for a Sig P 238 and a dozen mags. I normally carry the 42, P238 or in 9mm, P 938. No hate just disappointment.

 

[DeadEye9]

Love my G 42 but was thoroughly disappointed with my G43 and traded it for a Sig P 238 and a dozen mags. I normally carry the 42, P238 or in 9mm, P 938. No hate just disappointment.

Why may I ask if you like the 42 you hate the 43? I shoot the both nearly identically which is why I ask. I disliked them both equally, I just can't hit good with them. I'm not a fan of .380 in general, but I recently bought the LcP2 as a gym shorts pocket gun because I liked the new trigger so much. That gun I can shoot OK for such a tiny pistol. My Shield though is like shooting a full sizd gun, I can hit with it out to 25-30yds all day without issue. G42/43 I'm limited to about 10-12yda of adequate accuracy, after that it suffers in my hands.

 

[wally]

Why may I ask if you like the 42 you hate the 43

I can't answer for lbmikey, but ...
My friend had a perfectly reliable .380 42 and quickly traded it when the 9mm 43 came out, which ended up being a jam-o-matic. He has moved so I don't know if Glock fixed it or he traded it for something else.

I'm not good with Glocks, but I generally did better with the 42 and 43 than I usually do with the larger brethren.

 

[zb338]

I have a Kahr CW9. It is really a nice gun. I would prefer a better trigger
but the DA Kahr trigger isn't horrible. The CW9 with a better trigger would
really be nice.
Zeke