Glock 19 vs. Glock 43: Which Glock is Right for You?
Glock pistols have earned a reputation for reliability, simplicity, and affordability. They’re a common sight with law enforcement, military personnel, and everyday citizens who want a dependable firearm.
Among Glock’s many models, the Glock 19 and Glock 43 stand out as popular choices, though they’re designed for slightly different purposes. The Glock 19 is a “compact” pistol, versatile enough for both concealed carry and duty use. On the other hand, the Glock 43 is a subcompact pistol, prioritizing concealability above all else.
This article will compare the Glock 19 and Glock 43, helping you make an informed decision based on your individual needs and preferences. We’ll consider factors like size, capacity, concealability, and intended use to determine which pistol is the better fit for you.
While we’re focusing on these two models, it’s worth noting that other options exist, like the G43X and G48, which offer a compromise between the two. But for this comparison, we’ll stick to the Glock 19 vs Glock 43.
History and Design Philosophy
The Glock 19 and Glock 43, while sharing the same manufacturer and some design elements, represent different approaches to handgun design. Understanding their history and the philosophy behind their creation helps explain their distinct characteristics.
Glock 19: Evolution of a Classic
Introduced in 1988, the Glock 19 was conceived as a slightly smaller sibling to the original Glock 17. Its purpose was to bridge the gap between full-sized duty pistols and smaller, subcompact options. The Glock 19 quickly became a favorite due to its balance of size, ammo capacity, and ease of shooting.
Glock 43: Entering the Slimline Era
Fast forward to 2015, and Glock released the 43, its first slimline, single-stack 9mm pistol. The Glock 43 was designed with concealed carry in mind, so slimness and concealability were paramount. It was Glock’s answer to the call for an even easier-to-conceal handgun.
Design Philosophy Differences
The Glock 19 is all about versatility and balance. It’s meant to be a jack-of-all-trades, suitable for duty carry, home defense, and even concealed carry.
The Glock 43, on the other hand, is laser-focused on concealability. Its design emphasizes minimizing size and weight above all else, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize discreet carry.
SPECIFICATIONS AND DIMENSIONS: A Side-by-Side Comparison
The Glock 19 and Glock 43 are different sizes and weights. Let’s take a look at how they stack up, dimensionally speaking.
Size and Weight
Here are the official specs for each model:
- Glock 19:
- Length: 7.36 inches
- Height: 4.99 inches
- Width: 1.18 inches
- Weight (unloaded): ~23.63 oz (estimate based on other Glock models)
- Glock 43:
- Length: 6.26 inches
- Height: 4.25 inches
- Width: 1.06 inches
- Weight (unloaded): 17.95 oz
As you can see, the Glock 19 is noticeably larger and heavier than the Glock 43. The G43 is slimmer and shorter.
Capacity
Capacity is where these two pistols really diverge:
- Glock 19: Standard magazine capacity of 15 rounds. You can purchase aftermarket magazines with a higher capacity if you want.
- Glock 43: Standard magazine capacity of 6 rounds. Aftermarket extended magazines can increase the capacity, but this can make the gun harder to conceal.
Barrel Length
- Glock 19: ~4.02 inches (based on common models)
- Glock 43: 3.39 inches
Key Takeaway
The Glock 43 is much smaller and lighter, but it holds fewer rounds. The Glock 19 is bigger and heavier, and it can hold more than twice the number of rounds.
Frame and grip: Ergonomics and handling
A pistol’s frame and grip can determine how comfortable it is to hold, how well you can control recoil, and ultimately, how accurately you can shoot. Here’s how the Glock 19 and Glock 43 stack up in this area.
Glock 19 frame and grip
The Glock 19 has a more substantial grip that’s designed to fit a wide range of hand sizes. Many shooters find this wider grip more secure and comfortable.
The Glock 19 features the standard Glock grip texture: nothing fancy, but functional.
Glock 43 frame and grip
The Glock 43’s slimmer grip is designed for smaller hands and easier concealment. If you have large hands, you may find the Glock 43 less comfortable to hold and shoot.
To compensate for its smaller size, the Glock 43 often has a slightly more aggressive grip texture.
Ergonomic considerations
The Glock 19’s larger size and weight give it an advantage when it comes to recoil control. Some shooters may find the Glock 43 harder to control, especially when using +P ammunition, which generates more recoil.
Aftermarket modifications
Both the Glock 19 and Glock 43 have a wide range of aftermarket grip modifications available. Grip extensions, stippling, and frame modifications can improve ergonomics and handling. With a little work, you can customize either pistol to fit your hand perfectly.
CONCEALABILITY: Assessing Practical Carry
When it comes to everyday carry, concealability is a major factor. How easily can you hide the weapon, and how comfortable is it to carry all day? Here’s a breakdown of how the Glock 19 and Glock 43 compare.
Glock 43: The Concealment Champion
The Glock 43 wins this round, hands down. Its smaller size and slim profile make it significantly easier to conceal. You can comfortably carry the G43 inside the waistband (IWB), on your ankle, or even in a pocket (depending on your holster and clothing choices).
The Glock 43 is an excellent choice for concealed carry, especially in warmer climates where you’re likely to be wearing lighter clothing.
Glock 19: Concealable with Compromises
You can conceal a Glock 19, but it takes more planning and effort. It requires a good IWB holster, a sturdy belt, and clothing that provides adequate cover. You may find that carrying a Glock 19 becomes less comfortable over longer periods, given its larger size and weight.
Factors Affecting Concealability
Keep in mind that concealability isn’t just about the gun itself. It also depends on:
- Your body type and size.
- The type of holster and where you position it.
- Your clothing and the climate you live in.
Accuracy and Performance: On the Range
When it comes down to it, how do these two Glocks perform when you’re actually shooting them? Here’s a rundown of what you can expect at the range.
Glock 19: Proven Accuracy and Reliability
The Glock 19 has a longer barrel than the 43, and that extra length translates to better accuracy when you’re shooting at longer distances. Its larger size, heavier weight, and more substantial grip also make it easier to shoot accurately.
Glock 43: Accuracy within its Intended Range
While the shorter barrel of the Glock 43 may mean slightly reduced accuracy at longer ranges, it’s still an accurate and reliable pistol for self-defense purposes within typical engagement distances. Some shooters find the 43 to be “snappy” due to its lighter weight and smaller size.
Subjective Shooting Experience
Experienced shooters will likely find both pistols to be accurate and reliable. However, less experienced shooters may find the Glock 19 easier to control and shoot accurately, thanks to its greater size and weight.
Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB)
The Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB) features enhanced rifling designed to improve accuracy. As of this writing, the Glock 19 Gen5 and later generations come standard with the GMB. The Glock 43 does not include the GMB.
Features and Functionality: A Detailed Look
Let’s dive into the features that make the Glock 19 and Glock 43 what they are and how those features perform in the real world.
Trigger
Both the G19 and G43 feature Glock’s Safe Action trigger system, a design known for its consistent pull and integrated safety mechanism. You’ll find that the trigger pull weight and overall feel can vary a bit from one pistol to the next. Aftermarket triggers are a popular upgrade for both models, allowing shooters to customize the feel to their preference.
Sights
Out of the box, both pistols come standard with Glock’s polymer sights. While functional, many owners choose to upgrade to aftermarket options for improved visibility and precision. A wide array of sights are available, from basic night sights to fiber optic models. If you’re interested in mounting a red dot optic, it’s worth considering the Modular Optic System (MOS) versions of the Glock 19, which come with a pre-cut slide for easy optic installation.
Reliability
This is where Glocks truly shine. Both the Glock 19 and the Glock 43 have earned a solid reputation for being incredibly reliable and durable. This reputation is a major selling point for both models, and it’s a key reason why so many people trust Glocks for self-defense and duty use.
Value and aftermarket support
Let’s talk about cost and availability.
Glock 19: A well-established value
The Glock 19 usually costs a bit more than the Glock 43. It has excellent value, though, because it’s so versatile and has such a solid reputation.
Glock 43: An affordable concealed carry option
The Glock 43 is usually more affordable, so it’s a good value if you’re prioritizing how well it conceals and how easy it is to carry.
Aftermarket support
Both of these pistols have tons of aftermarket support. You can easily find holsters, magazines, sights, triggers, and other accessories for either one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Glock 19 too big to carry?
Whether a Glock 19 is “too big” for concealed carry is subjective and depends on your body type, carry position, clothing choices, and personal comfort level. Many people successfully conceal carry a Glock 19 every day. However, its compact size might be a bit bulky for some, especially those with smaller frames or who prefer more minimalist carry methods.
Should I get a Glock 19 or 45?
The Glock 45 is essentially a Glock 19 slide on a Glock 17 frame. If you like the longer grip of the 17 for better control but prefer the shorter slide of the 19 for easier concealment, the 45 might be a good choice. Consider what feels best in your hand and fits your shooting style.
What is the advantage of the Glock 43?
The main advantage of the Glock 43 is its slim profile and smaller size, making it significantly easier to conceal, especially for those with smaller hands or who prefer appendix carry. It’s more comfortable for all-day carry in a wider range of clothing. The trade-off is a lower magazine capacity and potentially slightly snappier recoil compared to the Glock 19.
Is Glock 19 or Glock 43 better?
Neither Glock is objectively “better.” It depends on your individual needs and priorities. The Glock 19 offers a balance of capacity, shootability, and concealability, making it a versatile choice. The Glock 43 prioritizes concealability and is ideal for those who need a smaller, lighter pistol for everyday carry. Consider how you plan to use the pistol and choose the one that best fits your requirements.
In Conclusion
The Glock 19 and Glock 43 share the legendary Glock reliability, but they’re designed for different purposes. The most important differences between them are size, capacity, how easy they are to conceal, and the way they feel in your hand.
When choosing between these two excellent pistols, think about what you want to use it for, your body type, and how you plan to carry it. The Glock 19 is a great all-around pistol that offers a balance of size, capacity, and shootability. It’s a solid choice if you want one handgun for home defense, range days, and concealed carry.
The Glock 43, on the other hand, excels as a dedicated concealed carry pistol. It’s the better option if your top priority is a handgun that disappears under clothing and is comfortable to carry all day.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which pistol is right for you is to visit a gun range that rents handguns and try shooting both the Glock 19 and the Glock 43. That hands-on experience will help you make the most informed decision.