Glock 19 vs 43X: Which One is Better for You?

Glock 19 vs 43X is one of the most in-demand comparisons for all the right reasons. Both pistols have built-in features for reliability, safety, and performance that shooters prefer. It is like looking at the different sizes of the same shoe. But you'll find many subtle differences when you get past their similar mechanical build. The pistols differ in their weight, size, capacity, grip, and resultant accuracy. The differences impart a unique personality to each model. Explore these variations in detail and discover the ideal gun for yourself.

Glock 19 Vs. 43X - Size

A major difference between the Glock 19 and 43X is its size. 43X is slimmer and more compact than 19, so it is better suited for concealed carry. The width of the grip, slide, and overall length of 43X is less than 19. It is thus a great concealed-carry weapon and ideal for those with small hands. However, the smaller size of the pistol comes with a lower capacity. G19 can hold more ammo than 43X. This is why, although it is bulkier, the gun is still preferred by military professionals and those shooting at the range. If you want to retain the capabilities of G19 but desire concealability, go for the newest Glock 19 Gen5 variant. Here's a detailed comparison of the dimensions of Glock 19 vs 43X.

Differences in Capacity Between the Glock 19 and 43X

The G19 is definitively large and has a standard capacity of 15 rounds. You can use larger magazines and boost the capacity of the pistol easily. G19's capacity can be 17+1 or 33+1 with extension magazines.

G43X is chambered in 9mm Luger and has a 10-round capacity. It can be 15 rounds, but the gun will always have a smaller footprint than the G19. This is because the pistol was made to balance comfort with convenience. So, if capacity matters to you, then we recommend G19.

Grip and Texture Differences Between Glock 19 Vs 43X

The design of the grip influences handling and control. If you have smaller hands, 43X's grip will feel better to you. It is compact and has a rough texture overall. But the texture of the grip is smaller and less aggressive, facilitating ease of handling by those who are short. Your hands will not hurt if they do upon holding aggressively textured Glocks.

Bigger hands will not face any trouble in gripping the full-bodied G19. It has a more comprehensive grip than 43X, so you can hold the gun with stability. G19's texture is also a lot more aggressive than 43X. Today, you can find custom-made rubber grips for G19 offering maximum coverage. The grips facilitate better traction and reduced recoil.

Differences in Frame and Slide

There are no significant differences between the frames of the pistols. They are built from high-strength nylon-based polymer. The slides of both models have a black matte finish and have forward-cocking serrations above the grip. Thus, you can manipulate the slide and get positive traction even with sweaty hands. Aftermarket slides customized to Glock 19 and 43X are readily available. You may explore them to increase your performance.

Differences in Accuracy Between G19 and 43X

Both G19 and 43X are highly accurate guns. However, G19 can give some variations in accuracy, especially when you shoot from between 25 to 1100 yards. This is because of some tolerances in the pistol that make it a reliable weapon for adverse environments. These small variations can be easily overcome if you use quality, higher-grain rounds.

G43X is small but boasts impressive accuracy. Factors like subcompact slide and ergonomically designed grip contribute to its accuracy. This is true even if you mount factory slides.

Now comes the recoil. G19's recoil with a 9 mm round is negligible, especially if you shoot with a proper stance and a strong grip. The pistol's low bore axis helps in reducing felt recoil. Unless you have very aged and inflamed hands due to medical conditions, the recoil will always feel manageable.

Differences in Recoil

However, when you fire G19 after chambering a fresh round, the barrel will tilt upwards, causing a 'muzzle flip.' It happens because of the gases rising from the exploding powder. In order to combat this issue in G19, you can install a micro compensator.

Contrarily, G 43X comes with slightly more recoil. If you fire with a loose grip, you'll discover a huge difference between the recoil of the gun and the G19. Still, it does not pose much of an issue. For example, if you fire with four mags of 115 grams, there won't be any perceived recoil. But it would be felt upon using the pistol with 124-grain rounds.

Differences in Sights

Both G19 and 43X come with fixed or night sights made of polymer. But to get the most from them, upgrade to AmeriGlo Bold sights. With G19, you have the choice to mount iron or factory-installed night sights as well. Glock 43x and 19 MOS (Modular Optics Configuration) have a plate on their slides. Upon removing the plate, your gun becomes ready to accept a red dot.

G19 has adapter plates, but 43X does not. So, if you have 43X, you will need red dot optics that will fit directly. The pistol has a design that allows for mounting the extremely compact Shield RMSc red dot sight. There are plenty of aftermarket options when it comes to sights for both pistols. G19 has a considerably greater number of aftermarket sights available than 43X.

Differences in Trigger Mechanism

Triggers in G19 and 43X correspond with their sizes. G19, being large, has a heavier trigger than G43X. Without a connector, G19's trigger weighs around 6 lbs. It weighs 8 lbs with a '+' connector. If you want to reduce the trigger pull, use the '-' connector. It will reduce the weight to around 4.5 lbs.

The Glock 43x has a consistent trigger pull, which is between 4.0 and 4.1 lbs. Note that pulling the trigger of both pistols will give a squishy or soft feeling. Seasoned Glock owners may not like this feeling, but you can rest assured that they are backed by Glock's patented Safe Action System.

Glock 19 or 43X - Which One to Buy?

The decision to invest in a specific model depends on how you want to use it. If concealability is not important and you want a high-capacity gun to train on the range, G19 will be ideal. Also, it is a softer-shooting pistol than a G43X. But that doesn't make 43X an option that you can easily discount. The compact and easily concealable gun is highly comfortable and reliable for shooters with short height. It also has an impressive accuracy. Moreover, with the various aftermarket options, you can equip the pistol with greater capabilities. Try out both guns and find the perfect pick based on your necessities.