Glock 43

The Glock 43 is the original single-stack Glock 9mm, designed from the ground up for deep concealment rather than capacity. It is not the 43X. The 43 uses a shorter grip that holds 6+1 in the flush mag, measures 4.25 inches tall, and tips the scales at 17.99 oz empty. That compact grip footprint is what makes the pinky-tuck G43 disappear in pocket holsters, ankle rigs, and tight appendix setups where the longer 43X grip prints.

Factory trim is minimal: no Picatinny rail, no MOS optic cut, and standard plastic Glock sights. Shooters who want a weapon light or red dot have to commit to slide milling through a shop like Primary Machine, Agency Arms, or L2D Combat, and any mounted optic must use the Shield RMSc footprint, not the RMR cut found on full-size MOS slides. The small grip also rules out Shield Arms S15 magazines, which are 43X-specific; G43 owners rely on factory 6-round mags plus Pearce +1 or Taran Tactical +2 extensions for extra rounds.

For shooters who prioritize absolute minimum printing over round count or shootability, the base G43 remains one of the most concealable 9mm pistols on the market. Aftermarket sights, triggers, and extensions can address most of its factory shortcomings without permanent modification.