The GLOCK design, which is over 40 years old, paved the way for the very simple "draw-aim-shoot" concept: no manual safeties, no corners and edges, and a relatively low weight with small size. All this together with an ergonomic grip, which brings great advantages in fast shooting.
The GLOCK 17, designed as a service pistol, quickly had successors, including sub-compact models such as the G26. Just over ten years ago, the Model 43 in 9mm chambering was launched on the market. Marketed in the USA as an "ultra concealable pistol", it has a short, single-stack magazine with a capacity of just six cartridges. However, the grip, which is also very short, is usually only sufficient for three fingers –replacement magazines with an extended, ergonomically shaped base provide some relief. The COA version of the GLOCK 43X now available is designed for ten cartridges; medium-sized hands will find room for all fingers on the slightly longer grip. In response to the strong demand for carry pistols with a red dot option, this test gun came with a reflex sight from Aimpoint fitted and zeroed. We already presented the pistol – now comes the test.
The GLOCK 43X COA in detail
When loaded, this pistol weighs only around 650 grams, depending on the cartridge – so it won't pull your trousers down. Functionally there is nothing new either, it remains a GLOCK in all respects. For non-GLOCK connoisseurs: a polymer framed, striker-fired pistol with partially pre-cocked striker. A safety in the center of the trigger eliminates the need for manual safeties. The magazine release can be moved to the right. There are no backstrap adapters for this version, but the grip angle and feel leave nothing to be desired for medium-sized hands. The grip of almost every GLOCK fits average hands perfectly from aiming to firing.
The GLOCK G43X COA on the shooting range
Apart from impressions, there is hardly anything else to report on the proper handling of a GLOCK. Malfunctions have always been rare in tests with GLOCK firearms, and none occurred in this test either. Despite the short barrel, both tight and fast groups could be achieved thanks to the red dot sight.
The only special considerations for this very short variant concern the ammunition. This is because after the chamber, only about 55 mm of barrel length is available. Loads with high propellant densities can be blinding in low light. It takes time to see if and how the target reacts after firing. The 100-gr S&B XRG, 100-gr Hornady Critical Defence (FTX) Lite and the 108-gr GECO Action Extreme JHP cope well with the short barrel of the GLOCK 43X, both in terms of expansion and muzzle flash. In the end, the Hornady load was also able to claim the accuracy victory with a grouping of 29 mm at 15 meters.
GLOCK 43X COA technical specifications
| Model: | GLOCK 43X COA |
| Caliber: | 9mm |
| Capacity: | 10+1 rounds |
| Barrel Length/Profile: | 87 mm/ GMB (polygonal) |
| Twist Rate: | 1:250 mm |
| Trigger Pull Weight: | 2,600 g approx. |
| Dimensions: | 165x27x147 mm (including optic) |
| Weight: | 595 g
approx. (including optic) (unloaded, without optic: 545 g
approx.) |
| Equipment: | Polymer-framed pistol, polygonal rifled barrel, Aimpoint COA factory mounted and zeroed, spare magazine, loading aid, cover plate, cleaning brush, printed operating manual. |
GLOCK 43X COA: conclusions from the test
The combination of the high-quality red dot sight with the carry gun, which has already become a modern icon, is a unique selling point. The price-performance ratio, including the Aimpoint COA, is also hard to beat. For this, it comes highly recommended.
