Only slightly larger than the Glock 42 and chambered in 9mm, the single stack Glock 43 is a wonderful blend of concealability and performance.
Many companies offer products that make an already excellent package even better. With a few additions, the G43 is an amazing backup or pocket carry.
Here are four add-ons to consider.
1. Carry concealed IWB
With the right gear, the Glock 43 can easily be concealed under a t-shirt with minimal to no printing. A blend of premium leather and Kydex, the Supertuck Deluxe from Crossbreed Holsters molds to the body and rounds out the profile of the weapon while providing a comfortable ride. The holster hooks to a belt and is adjustable for different depths of carry. The cant of the carry is also variable. This is an in-the-waistband (IWB) carry so it takes a little more room on the beltline. Adding the IWB mag carrier, I was able to wear shorts and a t-shirt while carrying completely concealed.
2. Swap the sights
Darkness is always a consideration for bad encounters, so you may want to bump up the functional (slightly anemic) sights on the G43. TRUGLO has an answer that beats that pants off of stock sights in day and nighttime settings. The TRUGLO TFX uses the tritium many have grown accustomed to for dark shooting, but also uses fiber optics to give bright sights in well-lit scenarios. The difference is stark. The sights go day-glow green in bright settings. The fiber optics pick up and amplify ambient light giving the sights a brightness that grabs the eye, making acquisition swift.
3. Light the Way
In the dark, sight alignment is great but target identification is critical. One tick closer to optimum is a weapon-mounted light. Streamlight came to the rescue with the TLR-6. This small yet powerful package consists of a halved polymer frame that mounts together to the trigger guard of the Glock 43 (or G42) and secures with two bolts. I’ve carried and used the TLR-1 for years and have always appreciated the quality. Despite this, it’s surprising how bright (100 lumens) the little light on the TLR-6 is.
Pushing the ambidextrous button activates the light and laser at the same time. When shooting, my trigger finger is reserved for one thing only, so the left thumb worked great to light up my target. The laser was dead on in the 3-12 yard range. The unit runs on two watch-sized batteries and has a run time of an hour (laser and light).
4. Get a Grip
Strike Industries make a lot of great products, but one, in particular, has maximum function for the Glock 43. The Enhanced Floorplate cranks your total magazine capacity to eight rounds while increasing overall grip. It’s perfect for my hands, has a great deal of texture and does not reduce the concealability. Ergonomics and the added capacity is a win all around.
BONUS TIP: Punch it Up
To fully take advantage of the capacity of this platform, an outstanding ammo selection is a must. Hornady Critical Defense is an entire line of ammunition designed to serve as a final shield in crisis moments. The 9mm comes in a 115-grain weight with patented Flex Tip technology. This improves the traditional performance of a hollow point by creating reliable expansion and eliminating the clogging that sometimes occurs with heavy clothing. The low flash propellants are even optimized to not disrupt night vision, even in short-barreled offerings like the G43.
Summary
The Glock 43 is a purpose-built weapon, blending some of the best attributes of ballistic performance durability, reliability and concealability. I ran with this idea and built a great defensive pistol package that literally “shines” at night. After months of testing, I’ve found this setup is comfortable, well-concealed, and performs admirably in dark and low-light settings. I find myself wanting to replicate this treatment with all my pistols but that would be an expensive proposition indeed!
Originally published on 12/21/2015, this article has been updated.
