Glock took their sweet time entering the single-stack 9mm market with the original Glock 43. Over time, the market changed; there was a shift to prioritizing ammo capacity and ease of shooting over maximum concealment. The gun industry wanted a “Goldilocks” gun, and Glock gave it to them, not once, but twice, with the Glock 43X and the Glock 48.
The Glock 48 and 43X are part of the Slimline series of Glock firearms. The Slimline also includes the G42 and original G43. The G43X and G48 are both single-stack 9mm handguns that each hold 10 rounds of 9mm. Their magazines are completely interchangeable.
In fact, their slides are interchangeable. You can slap a Glock 48 slide on a Glock 43X frame and vice versa. That’s exactly what I did. I’ve had a G43X forever and wanted to give the G48 a try.
Instead of buying an entirely new gun, I just purchased a G48 MOS slide for about half the cost of a complete pistol. Now I can pick between the two depending on my priorities. With that said, which one do I carry and why?
I think the best way to compare the two is to break them down side by side and show what one does better than the other.
Ergonomics
Since the guns use the same frames, the ergonomics are almost identical. The controls are the exact same, as is the frame shape and design. The only difference is slide length.
The longer barrel also creates some additional bulk. While our handling ergonomics aren’t much different, our carry ergonomics tend to change a bit.
For the end user, the G48 is the heavier gun. The 4.17-inch barrel is .76 of an inch longer than the G43X’s 3.41-inch barrel. More barrel and more slide to cover it results in a weight of 25 ounces loaded; it’s two ounces heavier than the G43X.
Even two ounces is a noticeable difference when both guns are in hand. On your belt, over a long day, it can make a minor difference as well. While it’s nothing to be overly concerned about if you use a good holster and belt, it’s worth mentioning.
The longer barrel of the Glock 48 creates an interesting discussion in regards to carry ergonomics. If you’re carrying appendix, the gun’s barrel creates a “Keel Effect” that keeps the grip from tipping forward and increasing printing.
If you want to carry OWB, the G48’s longer barrel can create concealment concerns. The G43X is shorter and makes it easier to carry OWB.
Range Performance
How do these two handle? To no one’s surprise, remarkably similarly.
The G48’s longer barrel and sight radius make shooting straight easier, but if we add optics to either gun, that benefit disappears. Overall, I didn’t notice a big difference in accuracy. I can print slightly tighter groups with the Glock 48, but we are looking at a minor difference when all the rounds are hitting an A-zone.
The Glock 48 gets the benefit of a softer recoil impulse thanks to the longer slide. This becomes super handy when shooting with one hand or when shooting for extended periods of time.
The extra weight and slightly slower return-to-battery impulse of the G48 make it feel soft and predictable. The G43X has a snappier recoil impulse. The lighter slide moves faster rearward, but also forward, which tends to help with muzzle rise.
The full grip and short slide of the G43X give you the advantage of a fast slide cycle without much additional recoil. If you don’t mind snappy, the G43X has a slight advantage for fast shooting. The G48 is certainly the better option for those who are more recoil sensitive.
To get a practical perspective, I fired several drills. Using the Bill Drill as a benchmark, the Glock 48 consistently gave slightly faster times. Sometimes the G43X won, but that was rare. The times varied by less than a tenth of a second in most cases.
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve joked more than once that the G43X is the central A/C of handguns. Its grip is long enough to shoot with ease. The smaller, lighter design makes it more comfortable to carry. Plus, OWB is an incredibly comfortable carry method, and the G43X lends itself better to that task.
The G48 is a skinny Glock 19. That’s its purpose. It’s easier to carry than the Glock 19 and remains fairly easy to shoot. It’s a great choice for AIWB and modern carry. The Glock 48 is well-suited for an experienced concealed carrier looking for Glock reliability, G19 control, and appendix carry.
Both are great guns, and I’m happy to interchange slides to turn the gun into what I need it to be. Sometimes it’s a deep carry gun as the G43X. Other times it’s the larger, somewhat more capable G48.
Having both almost makes more sense than having one, but if that’s not practical, weigh your needs, your recoil sensitivity, and your method of carry to make the best choice for you.
