Glock 43 9mm Subcompact Pistol | Omaha Outdoors
The Glock 43 is our premier single-stack 9mm subcompact, engineered for deep concealment and all-day carry. Measuring just 1.02 inches wide, it disappears under everyday clothing while delivering the legendary reliability Glock is known for. We built this pistol for shooters who refuse to compromise on quality or capacity—six rounds in the flush magazine, plus one in the chamber, gives you real defensive capability in the slimmest Glock frame ever produced.
Our Omaha Outdoors customers consistently choose the Glock 43 for appendix carry, ankle holsters, and off-duty work. The Safe Action trigger system provides the same crisp, consistent pull you expect from every Glock, while the polymer frame keeps carry weight to just 17.95 ounces unloaded. From first-time concealed carriers to seasoned professionals, the Glock 43 remains one of our most requested EDC handguns.
Core specs & carry dimensions
Dimensions & Concealment Profile
The Glock 43 measures 6.26 inches in overall length, 4.25 inches in height, and just 1.02 inches across the slide. That slim profile is what sets this pistol apart from double-stack competitors—our customers report consistently better concealment in waistband holsters, pocket rigs, and even ankle platforms. The 3.39-inch barrel provides enough sight radius for accurate rapid fire while keeping the muzzle short enough for appendix carry comfort.
We stock both standard and extended magazine options. The flush six-round mag maintains the pistol’s minimalist silhouette, while Glock’s factory seven-round extended magazine adds a pinky rest and extra capacity without significantly increasing print. Aftermarket options from Taran Tactical and Shield Arms push capacity to nine or ten rounds, though we recommend starting with Glock’s own magazines to establish your baseline reliability.
Trigger & Controls
Safe Action System
The Glock 43 uses the same Safe Action trigger found across the entire Glock lineup. Three independent safeties—trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety—engage automatically without manual levers or thumb breaks. The trigger pull measures approximately 5.5 pounds with a short reset, giving you the muscle memory consistency that carries over from our full-size Glock models to this subcompact platform.
Slide Stop & Magazine Release
Both controls sit in standard Glock positions. The slide stop lever is slightly smaller than what you’ll find on a Glock 19 Combat, but our range testers had no issues operating it under stress. The magazine release is reversible for left-handed shooters, and the button sits flush enough to avoid accidental drops during deep concealment carry. We’ve tested hundreds of draws from appendix and strong-side holsters without a single unintended mag release.
Sights & Accuracy
Factory sights are fixed, with a white-dot front and a U-notch rear. They’re durable and fast to acquire, though many of our Omaha Outdoors Glock 43 buyers upgrade to tritium night sights within the first month. Trijicon HD, AmeriGlo, and XS Big Dot sights are popular choices—all drop in without gunsmithing.
At typical defensive distances (3–7 yards), the Glock 43 prints tight groups. We regularly see 2-inch clusters at seven yards during our customer demo days. The short 3.39-inch barrel does reduce velocity compared to full-size 9mm pistols—expect around 50–75 fps less with most defensive loads—but terminal performance remains entirely adequate for personal protection. Federal HST 124-grain and Speer Gold Dot 124-grain both cycle flawlessly and expand reliably from this barrel length.
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Common Questions About the Glock 43
The Glock 43 ships with two six-round magazines, giving you 6+1 capacity with a round in the chamber. Glock also manufactures a seven-round extended magazine that adds a pinky rest and one additional round. Third-party companies offer higher-capacity options, but we recommend sticking with Glock OEM mags for maximum reliability in a carry gun.
The Glock 43X uses the same 1.02-inch slim slide as the 43 but features an extended grip frame that accepts 10-round magazines. Overall length is nearly identical, but the 43X gives you four more rounds and better purchase for shooters with larger hands. If you prioritize absolute minimum size, the 43 wins. If you want more capacity in the same width, the 43X is the better choice.
No. The Glock 43 and 43X use different magazine designs. The 43 takes single-stack six-round and seven-round mags, while the 43X uses a slightly wider 10-round magazine. The frames are not interchangeable, and attempting to force a 43X mag into a 43 will not work. Always use magazines designed specifically for your model.
We see excellent results with appendix rigs from Tier 1 Concealed and PHLster, strong-side IWB holsters from Vedder LightTuck, and pocket holsters like the DeSantis Nemesis. The 43’s slim profile fits most kydex and hybrid holsters designed for subcompact single-stack pistols. Make sure your holster covers the trigger guard completely and provides adequate retention for carry.
Yes. The Glock 43 feeds and cycles premium hollow points like Federal HST 124-grain, Speer Gold Dot 124-grain, and Hornady Critical Defense 115-grain without issues. We recommend testing your chosen defensive load through at least 100 rounds to confirm reliability in your specific pistol, but the 43’s feed ramp and chamber dimensions handle modern JHP designs very well.
Yes. We carry Trijicon HD, AmeriGlo, and XS Big Dot night sights that fit the Glock 43. All of these sights drop into the factory dovetail cuts without permanent modifications. We also offer sight installation services if you prefer to have our gunsmiths handle the swap. Night sights are one of the most popular upgrades our Glock 43 buyers request.
The Glock 43 has a 3.39-inch barrel. This short barrel keeps the overall length to 6.26 inches, making the pistol easy to conceal in appendix, pocket, and ankle holsters. While velocity is slightly lower than full-size 9mm pistols, modern defensive ammunition still performs effectively from this barrel length at typical self-defense distances.