Glock 48 vs Glock 43
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Glock 48 vs Glock 43
GLOCK 48 VS GLOCK 43 TESTING
Since the introduction of the m3 19 in 1988, two major trends have dominated the civilian concealed carry market. The first is the growing popularity of small, pocket-sized guns like the Ruger LCP. The second trend is the rise of compact, slim 9mm single stack pistols like the Sig Sauer P365 and Springfield Armory Hellcat. Glock responded quickly to both of these new markets, which is why we’ll be comparing the Glock 48 to the Glock 43 today.
FAST FACTS: GLOCK 48 VS GLOCK 43
Many internal parts are shared by the Glock 43 and 48.
The Glock 43 is a 9mm version of the Glock 42 in 380 ACP.
The Glock 48 improved on the 43 by having a longer barrel and a larger magazine.
The internal differences between a Glock 48 and a Glock 43 are minor. This is not surprising given that the 9mm Glock 48 is essentially a larger version of the 9mm Glock 43, albeit with a longer barrel and a larger magazine capacity. Aftermarket triggers for the Glock 48 are typically compatible with the smaller Glock 43 and even the smaller Glock 42, both of which are chambered in 380 ACP.
| Caliber | Weight (w/magazine) | Height (w magazine) | Width | Length | Barrel Length | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glock 48 | 9×19 Luger | 30.16 ounces | 5.04 inches | 1.10 inches | 7.28 inches | 4.17 inches | 10 rounds |
| Glock 43 | 9×19 Luger | 20.64 ounces | 4.25 inches | 1.06 inches | 6.26 inches | 3.41 inches | 6 |
The size difference between a Glock 48 and a Glock 43 is the most noticeable. The Glock 43 is compact and ideal for pocket carry. The Glock 48, on the other hand, is much larger and competes with the Glock 19 in the market for waist-mounted concealed carry. The decision between a Glock 48 and a Glock 43 comes down to which method of concealed carry is best for you.
WHY YOU WANT A GLOCK 43 IN YOUR POCKET
We go into more detail about pocket carry over here, but one of the biggest benefits of carrying a concealed pistol in a pocket is that it is very easy to conceal. At first glance, the Glock 43’s small size and light weight make it ideal for pocket carry. While the Glock 43’s dimensions are small enough to fit in a medium to large size pocket, things change once you start shooting it.
Even under ideal conditions, 380 ACP pocket pistols are difficult to control. Glock exacerbates the situation with the Model 43 by stuffing the added power of the 9mm Luger round into a gun that looks very similar to one that shoots 380 ACP. To be clear, we had no trouble hitting targets at ten yards with our Glock 43. However, the larger Glock 48 was noticeably faster than the smaller Glock 43 for followup shots.
WHY YOU WANT A GLOCK 48 ON YOUR WAISTBAND
When we compared the Glock 48 to the Glock 19, we went into greater detail about its design and features, which you can read about here. One of the topics we discussed was the ever-expanding number of accessories for this gun. A Glock 48 that is ready to accept a red dot sight can be purchased from the factory. Holsters from the 48 are available from companies such as Blade-Tech, Dark Star Gear, and Safariland. If a red dot isn’t your thing, Trijicon and Ameriglo manufacture aftermarket sights for the Glock 48. The good news is that, due to their shared heritage, sights that work on a 48 will most likely also work on a Glock 48
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Glock 48 was significantly easier to use than the smaller 43. We were able to get a good firing grip with both hands on the 48’s larger frame, and we were able to get rounds on target quickly and easily.
According to some of the best research on defensive gun use by armed citizens, it takes at least three hits from a 9mm pistol to stop an armed and determined attacker. This means that a Glock 48 is effective against three attackers if all of your shots are successful. A Glock 43, on the other hand, has a maximum of two attackers, which can be unsettling. If you own a Glock 43, (or any other pocket pistol, for that matter), carrying a spare magazine might be a good idea.
The two pistols were very different to shoot on the range. Because of the Glock 43’s smaller frame size, we couldn’t wrap all of our fingers around the grip, and the lighter weight meant less mass to absorb recoil. With the larger Glock 48 vs. the smaller Glock 43, the 1-2 punch of small frame and low mass combined to give us much faster follow-up shots. While we did not shoot the guns from a bench rest or measure group sizes, both guns were able to place all of their rounds in the center of the torso at 10 yards while shooting offhand.
CONCLUSION
While they share many components, these two guns serve very different purposes. The Glock 48 is designed to be worn in a holster on your waist, either appendix carry or hip carry, and serve as your daily carry defensive pistol. The Glock 43, on the other hand, is well-suited to pocket carry or similar situations where discretion trumps firepower. Finally, it’s not a matter of Glock 48 vs Glock 43. Rather, the question is how you intend to carry your defensive firearm. Whatever gun you choose, whatever carry method you choose, your mindset and ability to make the shot will make all the difference when lives are on the line. Whichever gun you choose is just a conduit for those two vital skills.