The flap over Bob Owens’ LA Times editorial notwithstanding, I am a GLOCK fan. In my opinion, GLOCK offers an excellent, easily-maintained pistol that goes bang when I want it to, that fits my hand reasonably well (YMMV). I own a G17 and a G19 and train with them regularly – to the point where I might actually be a halfways decent shot. I haven’t, however, actually carried my GLOCKs much lately . . .
Before my current job, I worked at a startup whose dress code was as nonexistent (as was their respect for their employees or their ability to make payroll). I could pretty much wear any gun I wanted and cover it up with a tactical vest, oversized T-shirt or whatever else I felt like wearing that day.
My current employment requires a bit more sartorial discretion and conformity. As I learned recently when a friendly co-worker let me know through a wink and a nod that he had ‘made’ me while I was carrying my G19. And now that we’re getting into warmer weather, wearing a blazer to cover up the clips and the tumor-like bulge on my belt wasn’t going to cut it.
In the interests of maintaining concealment, I started carrying my Kahr P380 to work. (Note: to my knowledge, I’m not violating any work policy; I just prefer to stay concealed at work, and I don’t talk about firearms with people at work that I haven’t ‘vetted’ so to speak — for my own privacy if nothing else).
I’ve never been a fan of the Kahr trigger, but after trying a few out I know I’d be even unhappier with an LCP, TCP or P3AT. Besides, I bought it to be a carry-a-little, shoot-even-less pocket gun for the few times where I wanted to carry a piece but couldn’t risk discovery under any circumstances. Or for the even rarer times when I wanted to carry a backup piece in lieu of a spare magazine. I didn’t really buy it as an EDC. Using it as such is sub-optimal, to say the least.
The main problem: I’ve spent most of my range time and all of my training time in the past few years shooting one of my GLOCKs. Like they say in the ads, confidence. That’s why I was thrilled to see the GLOCK 43 released. When it arrived last week at my local gun store, I bought one and scurried out to the range to try it out.
Yes, it’s accurate enough. Pay no attention to all that masking tape at the bottom.
Nearly 400 hiccup-free rounds later proved the new GLOCK’s reliability. The same GLOCK trigger that I’ve come to know and love more or less sealed the deal. The G43’s grip fits my hands far better than the P380 and the GLOCK fires a more reassuring caliber. Better fit, better accuracy and a stronger hit. You can’t beat that with a stick.
I’ve been carrying the G43 around all day today in a beat-up Tagua OWB holster that worked surprisingly well despite being made for a different pistol. The 43 conceals well and it’s wonderfully comfortable. Especially compared with the P380 which, despite it size, can be a little uncomfortable with its cheese grater-like slide serrations.
I also did some A/B testing at the range, and realized that G43 felt as comfortable in my hands as the 19 did. Maybe even a little better. In fact, I started having a bit of a flashback to my former beloved EDC, the Springfield EMP.
The EMP fit my hand perfectly, provided surprising accuracy out to 25 yds and held a decent number of rounds (9+1). It was light and easy to carry and very concealable. And damn if it didn’t look good. Unfortunately, it wasn’t terribly reliable.
After spending a day with the GLOCK 43, I now realize that the EMP was like that one girlfriend you had in your youth that you were head-over-heels for but ended up breaking your heart. I’ve still been secretly comparing my pistols to the EMP.
The G43 comes close in many respects, but in some ways it’s too small. I wish the barrel were longer for better accuracy and that the grip was a little longer to accommodate a better hold and a few more rounds. In other words, I’ve been pining for a handgun kinda like the EMP. It doesn’t necessarily have to have a 1911 manual of arms, just a decent trigger. (Um, and reliable. Forgot to add that part. You know, like my EMP wasn’t.)
Surely I can’t be the only one who thinks this way (about the dimensions of the G43, not my bizarre attachment to the EMP). I’m not. Melody “Limatunes” Lauer recently wrote:
I am a small female and I’m not the only one. I’m also not the only one who has small hands or prefers single stack firearms. There are thousands upon thousands of women and men, like me, who have been begging and pleading for smaller-framed firearms that fit better in the grip and hand. You have answered the call by making single-stack 9mms! Thank you!
But for some reason you’ve assumed that means we have to have short barrels, too. That’s not necessarily so….
Glock, if you’re listening, how about a 44? Please? A G19 length barrel with a G43 frame… that’s all I’m asking (oh, and larger capacity magazines with sleeves but baby steps).
I’m going to be carrying my G43 as soon as I get some decent night sights and a good holster. But I’m aware of its shortcomings. Fair enough; nothing’s perfect. But my ideal EDC would be a single stack piece with the overall length of the GLOCK 19. As the gal says, roll on the GLOCK 44!
DISCLAIMER: The above is an opinion piece; it is not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship in any sense. If you need legal advice in any matter, you are strongly urged to hire and consult your own counsel. This post is entirely my own, and does not represent the positions, opinions, or strategies of my firm or clients.
The post Johannes on the GLOCK 43: What’s With the Short Barrel? appeared first on The Truth About Guns.