My daily carry is a G19 in an Alien Gear IWB but I am looking for a thinner version, a single stack. Finding a place that has both a 43X and a 48 in stock for side-by-side comparison is about impossible so I thought I look for opinions here. I am planning on the 48 but a friend suggested I look at the 43X.

I plan to carry AIWB or maybe at 4 o'clock. Not interested in other brands at this time because I get Glock Blue Label pricing, although I will probably end up with a Sig 365 at some point.

Thoughts or experience?

Carried a G23 forever. Still love it. Got a 43x from my wife and there's no comparison in terms of carry. It's day and night difference. Lighter and thinner. I still despise 9mm as a defensive round, but with the 15 round shield mags, my conscience has some peace. Barrel length doesn't matter in terms of CCW, so pick your poison, the 43x or 48; it's thickness and weight (for me) that determine how easily a gun will carry and conceal. The 43x is super easy to carry and conceal...and it has a full grip.

Sig P365. Save yourself some money!

chlinstructor - with or without the manual safety? I am tracking there are both versions. I grew up with a 1911 so I'm comfortable with a manual safety but without seems easier to employ.

43....you a get q mag extension to add a couple rounds and gives you a full grip. Cost $25 bucks, and then you can still use the shorter mag if needing better concealment option

I’d go and did myself 48 for the longer sight radius. It’s one sexy gun

Just because a gun has a safety doesn't mean you have to use it.

I have a couple of 43x and love them. Added Apex triggers, Trijicon HD night sights, and 15 round Shield Mags, nice carry guns.

That's a really bad choice.
If there is a safety, I'm going to use it and gfet used to flipping it off.

If you don't use it, you won't automatically unsafe the gun.

It's always possible it could get put on safe, be nice to have the unsafeing
done by the time you are ready to fire.

Safeties are a big reason for Glocks success.
No forgetting to drop the hammer, no forgetting to safe the gun,
No forgetting to unsafe the gun.

Pull and shoot.

What he said. Mine have the safety.

I have been carrying a G45 since they came out. Love that pistol, shoot it well, have no complaints. Then the Shield Arms mags become available for the G43x and the G48. My first inclination is toward the G48, because it is the same as the G19, but thinner. Without doubt, a wonderful little pistol. Just before making the purchase, a buddy shows up with a G43x. I handle it, shoot it, and subsequently decide I must have one of my own. Sights, Connector, and Mag Release. After that, I am in love with a little handgun that is no bigger than the Walther PPKs, but handles 15+1 rounds of full speed 9mm ammunition. The little booger is for real.

Yep. Holds 10 rounds with standard mags and is still smaller than the G43. With 12 round mags it has replaced my G19. It's just as accurate in my hands. I've been a Glock guy for years, but Sig has a winner here. The trigger is much lighter than Glock. I don't have a problem with no safety on the Glocks, but this is light enough that it makes me feel better having one. I wouldn't carry a 1911 with out a safety.

no safety, long trigger pull, keep your bugger picker off the bang switch until you are ready to fire. P365 kicks glocks ass with trigger pull, accuracy. forgot better sights as well.

I had a 365xl. I thought I loved it. It was stolen. Replaced with a G48 because of the grip was longer and fit my hand better. I did some training using the 365xl. Realized the grip was too short and when I rapid changed the mags, I would short the mag install and then it would dry fire. I don’t have that problem with the G48.
It’s amazing what you learn with good training. Both are great pistols!

Redleg172: I have a Glock 48 (and many other Glock models as well) - I love the Glock Model 48 but a month ago my close friend bought one of the ultra-cool Glock 43-X's.
He has invited me to shoot it as soon as we can get to the range together. I did look over that new Glock 43-X real closely side by side with HIS Model 48 and did so for a long time - and I believe I would rather have the Glock Model 43-X!
Best of luck to to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I picked up a 48 and a couple Shield Arms magazines. For concealed carry the barrel length isn’t the concern for me. Grip length and thickness are the challenge for the best concealment. I like the longer sight radius. The 48 fits my hands better than a 19.

I have a 43 for summer carry so if I swap slides I can have a 43x but I don’t personally see the advantage.

Either way the 15 round magazines changed the game for the slim Glocks to be competitive with the other small 9mms.

Can you put a 43 slide on a 48?

Yes.

Hmmm. Well then, my resistance to purchase of glock 48 grows more futile.

I picked 48 as barrel length doesn’t matter tucked into your drawers. Shield mags are icing on the cake. I thought that shooting BUG in IDPA would require a 43x though. I may pick up a pair for my daughters.