One of my buddies wants to trade me a Remington 1187 Premier for my stock G43. I’d been thinking of picking up the 43X, but the more I look at it I think I want the 48 MOS with a dot for my CCW. I work in a downtown area, but walk several blocks from a parking garage to my office. The 43 has served me well, but I’d like the ability to handle 15 rounds and the dot would be a plus.

Can you guys think of a reason this shouldn’t happen?

Handle one before you jump. Two things to consider: Shield Arms will soon be out with a 10 round mag for the 43 using the same concept they use with their 48 mags. Secondly, you can easily send your 43 slide off to have it milled for installation of a MOS. Have you tried an MOS yet? Most like them, some do not, but either way there's a learning curve with them.

I don't see how it's possible to use a double stack magazine in a standard Glock 43. The 43X could accommodate one because the grip is wider than the standard Glock 43.

The shield arms magazine is going to be 9 rounds and extended length. The best part of the 43 is how small it is and added grip length makes it 43x size but less capacity. There’s not a lot of win there over a 43x/48. I have a +1 base plate on my 43 that keeps the footprint almost the same. My 43 sits most of the time with my 48 getting daily carried. The reflex sight on the 48 is nice but makes it taller and a little more difficult to conceal.
My 43 may go down the road.

You could add a 48 and swap slides around and have a free 43x. *Glock wouldn’t recommend this but it has been done.*

Sounds like a good plan. I really like the grip size on my 43X, and having 15 rounds onboard without a magazine extension isn't hard to like.

The only thing the 43 brings to the table, in comparison to the 43X or 48, is the ability to pocket carry a bit easier.

If you are going to use a belt holster, might as well go for the larger grip and increased capacity of the 43X or 48. The larger grip of the 43X/48 is still very easy to conceal on the belt.

I have a 48, the only thing I might consider would be a 43X.
Goes without saying either way they would have Shield Arms mags

Coupla things...

How you carry - is probably the biggest issue, not round-count.

You should carry a spare mag and be able to swap it out in two seconds, anyway.

Appendix carry would favor the G43.

An optic is not sight radius critical.

An IWB/3:30 carry won't notice the longer grip, extra Bbl. length, longer sight radius, and better performance of an std. G48.


"Form follows function."
- Frank Loyd Wright -




GR

The other question is do you really want/need a 11-87 Premier? I agree with TRH about the 43 mags...no way.

Do I need the 11-87, no.

Do I want the 48, yes.

Am I going to buy it anyway, probably.

Will I keep any of them, who tf knows.

I shoot, train, carry, and compete quite a bit. Not as much as a few years ago, but I can still hold my own with other competitors.

I have the 48 and 43…. gonna get rid of the 43. Personally I don’t see the point of the 43X, If I have an issue with printing it’s the butt of the gun and not the barrel. I have shot all three and the 48 is the most comfortable in my hand and I shoot it FAR better than the shorter barreled versions. With the Shield mags, I think the 48 is the best all around model Glock has ever built.

None.

Or maybe sell him the 43 and use that money toward a 43x or a 48 and skip the 1187.

There was a used 1187 on the gun rack at the LGS the other day when I went by. His used gun prices have always been fair so I don't think he was out of line. The price was $550 on the gun, it is the one with the black plastic butt stock and forearm. I say that to give you a reference point on what the Remington may be worth.

I may just keep the 43, and buy a 48 or a Sig P365XL. Never can have too many.

43 and some extended magazines….that way you can always use the 43 mags if you want to carry shorter

The G43 is ok. Most people do not realize they will run out of time long before they run out of ammo, therefore, 15 round capacity only adds useless weight to CCW. Many people are week and need psychological boost thinking larger capacity will make them safer, not true.