There are some guns that just burrow their way into your daily carry rotation, even when they give you every reason to leave them in the safe. For me, the Glock 48 and Glock 43x are exactly those kinds of guns. Do they bug me? Absolutely. Do I still carry them regularly? Also yes. In a world full of sleek striker-fired compacts and double-stack wonders, these two pistols continue to prove themselves. But it’s not without a few grudges I’ve picked up along the way.
I Was Already Committed to the G43
Long before the G43x and G48 hit the market, I had sunk time and money into the original Glock 43. I liked the slimness and simplicity, and I’d already stockpiled a small army of G43 magazines. Not only that, I’d added magazine extensions, upgraded base pads, and had my system dialed in. Then Glock dropped the 43x and 48 – both offering ten-round capacity out of the box. Suddenly, my carefully curated G43 setup felt a little… outdated.
Magazine Fatigue Is Real
Here’s the thing: magazines aren’t cheap, especially Glock mags. When you start adding quality base pads – like the +2 Vickers Tactical extensions or the +3 Taran Tactical upgrades – it gets pricey fast. And when Glock changed the frame to accommodate the longer 43x/48 mags, they also rendered my existing G43 mag stash obsolete. If I wanted to jump ship and upgrade to the newer pistols, I’d have to start all over again with a fresh stockpile. That’s not just annoying – it’s financially painful.
The Concealment Paradox
As someone who carries AIWB almost daily, concealment matters to me. And while both the 43x and 48 are technically “slimline” pistols, they aren’t exactly small. The G43 still wins when it comes to deep concealment. There’s a noticeable difference in grip length once you start tacking on extended base pads. That longer grip is more likely to print under a T-shirt. So, while I love the extra capacity of the 43x and 48, they’re not always the best for vanishing under clothes.
The G48: That Slide Length…
The G48, in particular, is a weird middle child. Its longer slide doesn’t bother me too much in terms of concealment – I’ve learned that slide length isn’t the main factor for printing – but it makes me wonder what I’m really gaining over a G19. If I’m going to carry a gun with that much slide out front, shouldn’t I just carry the bigger pistol with five more rounds? The G48 shoots great, sure, but I find myself constantly asking whether it justifies its footprint.
Magazine Extensions Make All the Difference
Let’s be honest: the reason I stick with these guns is because magazine extensions have bridged the gap. With a +3 base pad on my G43, I’m carrying nine rounds in the mag and one in the pipe. That’s just one round less than the 43x offers stock, and the overall height of the gun stays just a little more compact. The added weight of the aluminum base pads also helps the mags eject cleanly, which is a big deal in a real reload under pressure.
Plastic vs. Metal: It Matters
There’s a noticeable difference between polymer and metal base pads, both in feel and function. The Vickers +2 pad is reliable and budget-friendly, but it’s lightweight. That means reloads are sometimes sluggish – especially with an empty mag. The Taran Tactical pads, on the other hand, are heavier and feel more premium. They tend to drop free with more authority, and for me, that can mean the difference between a fumbled reload and one that just works.
Reload Speed on Subcompacts Is Critical
When you’re carrying a single-stack or slimline pistol, you’re accepting a lower capacity. That means reloads matter more. With a G19 or something with 15+1 onboard, a reload may never even come into play in a real-life encounter. But with a G43 or even the G48, chances are you’ll run that mag dry fast if things go bad. Having a base pad that helps the mag drop free quickly is a small detail – but it becomes crucial when seconds count.
Everyday Carry Realities
Despite my complaints, the 43x and G48 are almost perfect for real-world EDC. They’re slim, reliable, and incredibly shootable. The 43x, in particular, balances capacity and concealment in a way few guns do. While I still grab my G19 on many days, there are times when I just need something thinner – when I’m dressed light or running errands and don’t want to worry about bulk. That’s when the 43x shines.
Tinkering Keeps Them Relevant
If I’m being honest, part of the reason I still carry these guns is because they’ve become little projects. Swapping base pads, testing springs, dialing in my loadouts – I enjoy tweaking and optimizing. The 43x and G48 give you just enough room to experiment without turning into full-on custom builds. It keeps things interesting and makes me more confident with the guns because I’ve spent so much time getting them just right.
Cost and Compatibility Still Sting
Even though these pistols have been around for a while now, it still irritates me that Glock didn’t make the new mags backward compatible with the G43. I get the engineering reasons, but it feels like a missed opportunity. If the 43x had just been an upgrade in capacity without requiring all-new mags, I probably wouldn’t have hesitated to switch. But making that jump means starting over – and for gear junkies like me, that’s no small thing.
I Carry Them… Reluctantly
Here’s the weird part: for all my griping, I still carry both the 43x and the G48. Because when I really look at what I need in an EDC gun – reliability, concealability, capacity – they check a lot of boxes. I don’t love that they made me abandon my old setup. I don’t love that I had to spend a small fortune on new mags and extensions. But they shoot well, carry light, and disappear under my shirt. That kind of practicality is hard to argue with.
A Balance of Shootability and Concealment
The Glock 43x and G48 aren’t perfect. They annoyed me from day one with their incompatibility and the way they undercut my G43 investment. But time has proven them to be solid performers. With the right base pads, smart holster choices, and some practice, they offer one of the best balances out there between shootability and concealment. I didn’t want to like them – but now they’re part of my daily carry rotation. Some grudges just come with the territory.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.