Glock 43X VS Glock 19 – Full Comparison

If you're looking to buy a small size 9mm handgun for concealed carry. The Glock 43X and Glock 19 are two most popular options. In this Glock 43X VS Glock 19 guide, let's compare them side by side and disassemble them to see the engineering behind these two firearms.

For this comparison, we've purchased the Glock 43X and the Glock 19. Our job is to provide content to highlight their differences and similarities with close up details, aiding you in making an informed buying decision.

Glock 43X VS Glock 19 - Side By Side Comparison

Physical Dimensions

Factory Barrel Specs

Glock barrels from generation 1 to 4 use a special design called polygonal riflings. This design makes bullets go faster and helps the barrel last longer and stay clean. But, it's more expensive to make than regular barrels. Still, when made right, it's better than the usual design.

For the Gen 5 Glock 43X, Glock made a new barrel called the Glock Marksman Barrel. It mixes the old and new designs. I can't see any difference, but tests show this new barrel is a bit more accurate. 

Magazine Capacity

The Glock 19 takes a standard 15 round 9mm magazine, and the Glock 43X takes a standard single stack 10 round 9mm magazine. When it comes to magazine capacity, the Glock 19 is the winner if you want more firepower. 

The Glock 19 can also accept full size Glock magazines with extension. On the other side, the Glock 43X is slim and it's great for conceal carry if you really want to cut down the size of the gun.

However, the downside is that the magazine doesn't carry enough rounds past 10 unless a magazine extension base plate is added.

Optic Footprint

The Glock 43X is slimmer and shorter in overall length than the Glock 19. For conceal carry purposes, it's great to keep it low profile. The slim body design of the Glock 43X allows the user to tuck the firearm tighter into the body when carry it without sticking out.

The frame of the Glock 43X provides a balanced grip ergonomics for most users.

While the Glock 19 is a compact size firearm, it's still small enough for conceal carry, and it has been for many years, and people still love it.

Grip Frame Comparison

The Glock 19 Gen 4 is a famous gun in the Glock family. It has a special grip that has changed a lot over time. The first version had a smooth grip.

The second version had a patterned grip. The third version added a rail and special places for fingers. But the Gen 4 is the best. It has a rough grip, comfortable finger spots, and a big button to release the magazine. People can change the grip to fit their hand better.

At first, there were Medium and Large grips. 

Later, they added special grips for both sizes. Many people, even experts, like the Gen 4's smaller grip. They say it fits their hand better and it's easy to use the magazine button. If you want a gun that's comfortable and can change to fit you, the Glock 19 Gen 4 is a great choice.

The Glock 43x is a sub-compact pistol designed primarily for concealed carry, and it addresses some of the grip issues that users had with its predecessor, the Glock 43. One of the most noticeable features of the Glock 43x is its larger grip frame. This improved grip size comfortably accommodates the pinky finger, ensuring a firmer hold.

The Glock 43x is a Gen 5 variant, which means its grip does not have finger grooves, but it does feature the Gen 5 texturing. This model combines the short 3.41" barrel of the original Glock 43 with the longer grip frame assembly of the Glock 48, offering users the best of both worlds.

The grip provides a balance between concealability and ease of handling. The Glock 43x also has a built-in beavertail at the top of the tang or back strap, which helps protect against slide bite for most hand sizes. The magazine release is straightforward and is made of plastic, similar to other Glock models. It's also reversible to cater to both left and right-handed users.

For those considering aftermarket magazines, especially the all-metal ones from Shield Arms, it's recommended to switch to an all-metal magazine release button on the grip frame to prevent wear.

Finally, there are no removable back straps on the 43x; however, there is a noticeable amount of material at the top of the tang or back strap to protect against slide bite for most hand sizes.

The Glock 43x is a small gun made for concealed carry. It's not the best for beginners to learn shooting with.

If you're new to guns, it's better to start with a bigger one, maybe a Glock 17 or 19.

The bigger grip on the Glock 43x fits my pinky finger well. It's made like the first Glock 43 to be hidden and used for protection. This Glock 43x is a Gen 5 model, so its grip is smooth with Gen 5 texture.

It has the same short 3.41″ barrel as the first Glock 43 but with a longer grip like the Glock 48. This gives you the best parts of both guns. It's smaller than many 9mm Glocks, but the trigger guard design is the same.

Factory Trigger Performance

Glocks are reliable guns, but many shooters find their trigger pull "mushy." This means there's some extra movement before the shot fires.

The Glock 43x is a smaller pistol, so its trigger pull is shorter. The same goes for the Glock 19.

The Glock 43x trigger also has a safety system. It has three safety features that turn off one by one as you pull the trigger and turn back on when you let go.

However, please don't let this turn you away from Glock pistols. There are many aftermarket Glock 43 triggers available to upgrade. Products like the APEX Action Enhancement, and Overwatch Precision triggers can greatly improve the trigger performance.

Glock 43X

Glock 19

Both handguns only offer slide release on the left side. While most Gen 5 Glocks feature ambi slide release lever, the Glock 43X only features the left side slide release.

Glock 19 and Glock 43X's slide release levers are pretty much the same, so the right thumb can easily reach it when using. They are not the best, but users can always switch them out later.

Both handguns feature only left side magazine release button. It's ergonomical enough for most users to reach and engage without any problem. Both are easy to reach and push. 

The Glock 43x has a simple mag release button made of plastic. It works just like the ones on other Glocks. You can switch the mag release to either side for left or right-hand use.

Gun Safety

The GLOCK's SAFE ACTION System is both Glock 19 and Glock 43X. They ensures the gun shoots consistently every time. It has three built-in safety features that work automatically.

This system is safe, easy, and quick. It lets the shooter focus on aiming without worrying about turning safeties on or off. The gun won't fire if dropped and works in extreme temperatures from very cold to very hot.

Trigger Safety:

• The gun only fires if you press this lever and the trigger together.
• It stops the gun from firing if dropped or if the trigger is bumped.
• If the trigger is forward, the gun might be loaded.

Firing Pin Safety:

• It stops the firing pin from moving unless the trigger is pulled.
• If you decide not to shoot and let go of the trigger, this safety turns back on.
  

• This involves a bar in the gun.
• The bar stops the firing pin from moving unless the trigger is pulled.
• After shooting, the bar goes back to its safety position. When you let go of the trigger, this safety turns back on.

Slide Serration

Glock 43X comes with front and rear serration cuts and the Glock 19 Gen 4 only comes with rear serration cuts. Front serration cuts should not be a determining factor when choosing a handgun. They are nice to have, but not necessary.

If you want the front serration for the Glock 19, please check out the Gen 5 Glock 19. Another way is to buy an aftermarket slide with serration cuts.

Iron Sights

Both Glock 43X and Glock 19 comes with standard plastic iron sights. These sights are always replaced by the user eventually.  There are many iron sight choices available.

The basic plastic sights should be changed. Glock offers better night sights as an upgrade. There are also many other sights you can buy. 

Main Takeaways

The Glock 43x worked really well, just as I thought it would. It's a Glock after all, so it's reliable. If you're a fan of Glocks, you'll like this one. It works as well as the bigger models but is smaller.

I found it easy to carry and use every day and at the shooting range. The extra grip on the Glock 43x was easy to hide and made the gun more comfortable to use.

The Glock 19 is still recommended for duty use and high volume range training. It's more comfortable to shoot, and the recoil impulse doesn't numb your hand as fast as the small frame Glock 43X.

Both guns offer a large variety of aftermarket support, so you won't be disappointed.