Why I carry a 43x

Guns & Gear
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43x gets pooped on for some justified reasons. However, I’m going to list out the reasons it’s my go to carry gun. I play around with the idea of switching, but I won’t. There is no carry gun that is just the overall best for everyone’s situation. So 43x is not the “right answer” for everyone.

I’m going to start with cons:

Ammo Capacity is 10+1 while guns like 365, hellcat and S&W have smaller options with more ammo. Alternative mags are available but I stick with oem for reliability.

Plastic factory sites… yeah that’s been beat to death.

Pros:

Perfect size grip for aiwb. I can get a full grip on the gun during a draw easy. I do not like pinky handing off for a draw, especially the appendix position.

I find the gun shoots well for me compared to the 365 and hellcat. I tried those pistols out next to a 43x and I find the 43x to be a more pleasant gun to shoot by a landslide. This is probably because it is a larger gun, but it’s the perfect size for small gun for me. I’ve also grown to like the Glock grip angle for recoil control and getting back on target faster for follow up shots

Oem trigger is perfect for self defense. It’s not too light it’s not too heavy. I did find the trigger improved drastically over time with shooting and dry firing the gun.

I like the Glock manual. The slide can be disassembled quickly. My shield requires the rear sight to be removed to fully disassemble the slide (remove striker block plunger).

Whether it’s valid or not I like how the internal safety works. Gun is cocked 60% over most new striker fired guns cocked close to 95-99%. This is probably just my emotions, but it makes me feel more comfortable carrying

I like the grip texture. It’s good enough for me to get a good grip but it does not scrape up my skin while carrying.

I like it has a trigger safety unlike p365.

And, of course, it’s very reliable.

The pros outweigh the cons easy for me. I am comfortable with 10 +1 (of course carrying more is not bad, but capacity compromise for a smaller package in the configuration I like most is fine for me).

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I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t ask: “why not Shield X then?” No cons :wink:

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Staccato CS :grinning_face:

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Available since 2019 - just sayin’

365-MS-LEFT-700x549
365-MS-LEFT-700x549700×549 24.9 KB

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That’s exactly like the Sig P365 that I have/carry. :grin:

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@Scoutbob :grinning_face:

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TTI and CS:

Cons:

:money_bag: :money_bag: :money_bag: :money_bag:

:face_savoring_food:

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I don’t like Manuel safeties. That one also sucks. Sigs don’t have the trigger safety and I haven’t trusted Sig since the drop issue after they got the military contract. 365 is probably gtg but I don’t trust Sig. never have never will.

Plus I hate how the p365 shoots. 43x shoots better for me probably with the larger grip. The Sig P365 XL is more intriguing but I still don’t trust Sig and I need a trigger safety like every other striker fired gun comes with.

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Cons are it just came out. No reason to drop extra money when I have a platform already set up with holsters, mags, and draw and presentation reps… but I’d be lying if I didn’t watch some reviews on it :eyes:.

What smith does right is 1. Good proven reliable products, 2. Price and value. Shield Xs are coming out with better optics cut at really fair price.

Glock needs to make an oem mag that holds a few more rounds in a 43x. But the Shield X is not enough for me to change everything from my Glocks. I’m hoping Glock sticks with the optics cut they just released with the 43x fde. I might pick up one of those to switch to optics carry and still have no optic carry when I need smaller.

The one gun that has intrigued me slightly, still probably won’t do it, is the Hellcat Pro. That sucker has 15 rounds in a very slim profile. BUT I like the slide length of the 43x. Very comfortable aiwb for me compared to larger guns. And the 43x most is over $100 cheaper than hellcat though Glock sight change makes it about the same.

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No striker block.

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Do you think my wife would consider letting me have one? Asking you as my counselor.

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Oh hell no. For that price I’m getting…. Nothing I’m not paying that much for any handgun :rofl:.

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I have heard stories about people that like glocks…

don’t ask me to repeat them they are too terrible!!! and not for mixed company!!! HONEST!!!:grin:

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I carried the 17 as a duty weapon until the DHS decided to replace them with HK’s for no apparent reason other than they decided to ship the Glocks off to Iraq in 2004.
I suspect that the criteria the gooberment uses to buy guns is based on political considerations as much as on performance.
For personal use, I’ll stick with the M9/FS92.

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I carry a 43x most of the year. When it’s cool enough outside to layer more clothing, I carry a Canik Mete MC9. I’d prefer to carry the Canik all year, but it’s a bit larger and therefore more difficult to conceal. I like the 43x, just not as much as the Canik.

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ABSOLUTELY!!! :grinning_face:

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You’ll only pay for it once. :rofl:

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:grinning_face:

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Scoutbob better place his order while supplies last!!! :laughing:

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When I got the 43x I was going to consider s15.

I read so many mixed things about them. I just like my cheap oem g43x mags. If Glock made their own I’d use them.

I’d feel fine carrying a snub nosed revolver tbh so a g43x with 10+1 is totally acceptable to me.

I might get a psa one to play with as a range toy since they don’t require a mag catch change.

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