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Posted: 2/20/2017 8:41:36 PM EDT
I've always been a full size pistol guy.
Prior to my G43, the only small pistol I owned was my SW 642. My thoughts were always: Grip. I'm not a big guy, but I hate not being able to get a full grip. Solved with Taran +2 extensions. Capacity. G17 holds 17+1. G43 6+1. Can't do it. Oh wait, 9? Okay... I have the TLR6 on it too. Even with the Streamlight and the extension, it's so light it truly isn't noticed. I still get my full grip though. I think this gun will get some carry time. I'm shocked. Normally 1911/G17 guy. Still don't like my G19. I always viewed these small autoloaders as gimmicks. I still think this gun would suck stock, but with those two additions it's a nice package. Got a Rigid Edge and a DeSantis ankle holster for it. |
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The G43, a fucking disaster of capacity to size ratio which brings into question what intern designed it, considering they had the opportunity to blueprint an entirely new magazine.
"Buh buh mah baseplates" Gun of metrosexual Rambo, takes a hit in capacity without equivalent bonuses, but Rambo rationalizes it's okay because it's a Tactical Glack #1. Turns being armed into a fashion statement over functionality. Let me shit away valuable barrel length that takes nothing it conceal, and add back to grip length due to shit design. Fucking failboat. |
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Quoted:
The G43, a fucking disaster of capacity to size ratio which brings into question what intern designed it, considering they had the opportunity to blueprint an entirely new magazine. "Buh buh mah baseplates" Gun of metrosexual Rambo, takes a hit in capacity without equivalent bonuses, but Rambo rationalizes it's okay because it's a Tactical Glack #1. Turns being armed into a fashion statement over functionality. Let me shit away valuable barrel length that takes nothing it conceal, and add back to grip length due to shit design. Fucking failboat. View Quote It's trying out for my 642s spot. 9 beats 5, and the light is nice. I'm still going to carry a 1911 or G17 for the most part. I'm just surprised it's better than I thought it would be. If I'm going with a small pistol, this may overtake the snub. Maybe. I'm shocked I like it. |
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If you can carry the g43, try a g26. It's been my edc for a while with a tlr6.
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I've always been a full size pistol guy. Prior to my G43, the only small pistol I owned was my SW 642. My thoughts were always: Grip. I'm not a big guy, but I hate not being able to get a full grip. Solved with Taran +2 extensions. Capacity. G17 holds 17+1. G43 6+1. Can't do it. Oh wait, 9? Okay... I have the TLR6 on it too. Even with the Streamlight and the extension, it's so light it truly isn't noticed. I still get my full grip though. I think this gun will get some carry time. I'm shocked. Normally 1911/G17 guy. Still don't like my G19. I always viewed these small autoloaders as gimmicks. I still think this gun would suck stock, but with those two additions it's a nice package. Got a Rigid Edge and a DeSantis ankle holster for it. View Quote |
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Kahr PM9 > 43 View Quote Maybe I'll get one down the road. I don't get a ton of use out of small pistols, but they certainly have a role. I was kind of skeptical about the autoloaders in general. I use them for my dog needing to go out in the middle of the night (no fenced yard), quick trips to get food or go to 7-11, and carrying when I'm not supposed to be carrying. Meaning socially/corporately inappropriate. I still think this gun would suck stock, but with the two changes I made, I like it. |
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How is it valuable? HSTs expand just fine out of those barrels. Sight radius I could maybe see. View Quote That's what I'm using, currently. HST micros. I sighted the laser at 7yds. Should be fine. Never owned a gun with a laser before, but since battery life is the same with light and with light+laser, I figured what the heck. |
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The G43, a fucking disaster of capacity to size ratio which brings into question what intern designed it, considering they had the opportunity to blueprint an entirely new magazine. "Buh buh mah baseplates" Gun of metrosexual Rambo, takes a hit in capacity without equivalent bonuses, but Rambo rationalizes it's okay because it's a Tactical Glack #1. Turns being armed into a fashion statement over functionality. Let me shit away valuable barrel length that takes nothing it conceal, and add back to grip length due to shit design. Fucking failboat. View Quote Did you have a stroke? |
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Quoted:
The G43, a fucking disaster of capacity to size ratio which brings into question what intern designed it, considering they had the opportunity to blueprint an entirely new magazine. "Buh buh mah baseplates" Gun of metrosexual Rambo, takes a hit in capacity without equivalent bonuses, but Rambo rationalizes it's okay because it's a Tactical Glack #1. Turns being armed into a fashion statement over functionality. Let me shit away valuable barrel length that takes nothing it conceal, and add back to grip length due to shit design. Fucking failboat. View Quote And what would you recommend I pocket carry instead? |
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Eh, it's my first one. Sure, you gain 2 rounds, but the single stack is very easy to conceal. Honest question, is your G26 your normal carry gun? View Quote It is now that I have a good holster for it. If I'm wearing a polo or rarely a jacket, I'll carry the G19. It also depends on where I'm going that day too. The G26 is very easy to conceal for me, and more comfortable at work. |
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Smith and Wesson shield is the best subcompact for easy concealment, but still has a higher capacity than your average 1911. 8+1 with factory "extended" mags. Carry a reload and practice your mag changes. You will be alright. Really worried about ammo? Carry a third mag. The hyve baseplates look cool but at that point you may as well get the next size up m&p or a 19.
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It is now that I have a good holster for it. If I'm wearing a polo or rarely a jacket, I'll carry the G19. It also depends on where I'm going that day too. The G26 is very easy to conceal for me, and more comfortable at work. View Quote Maybe I just hate the middle. I don't like my G19 for carry, I prefer the G17. I'm normally a full size guy, so when I wanted small, I wanted the thinnest semi auto available. I'm shocked I don't hate it. I think we're coming from different angles. G19 and G26 are great compromises, but I'd prefer the opposite spectrum. Give me the most capacity (flush), or the most concealable gun platform. I see where you're coming from, you can stick a G18 mag in yours. Just not what I'm trying to accomplish, I guess. I'd rather have a full size pistol, with all the benefits, or the smallest version of a platform I'm comfortable with. I know I'm in the minority for not liking the G19, but I just don't. |
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I have a G43, and like it................I will probably get a G26 when my next coupon comes in the mail
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I like my G43 a lot. I still carry my 19 most of the time though. The 43 is still waiting on sights and a TLR-6.
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And what would you recommend I pocket carry instead? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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The G43, a fucking disaster of capacity to size ratio which brings into question what intern designed it, considering they had the opportunity to blueprint an entirely new magazine. "Buh buh mah baseplates" Gun of metrosexual Rambo, takes a hit in capacity without equivalent bonuses, but Rambo rationalizes it's okay because it's a Tactical Glack #1. Turns being armed into a fashion statement over functionality. Let me shit away valuable barrel length that takes nothing it conceal, and add back to grip length due to shit design. Fucking failboat. And what would you recommend I pocket carry instead? Tell you what. Post pictures of you pocket carrying a G43 from multiple angles and I'll give you advice. Nobody has stepped up yet, we'll see. |
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That's what I'm using, currently. HST micros. I sighted the laser at 7yds. Should be fine. Never owned a gun with a laser before, but since battery life is the same with light and with light+laser, I figured what the heck. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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How is it valuable? HSTs expand just fine out of those barrels. Sight radius I could maybe see. That's what I'm using, currently. HST micros. I sighted the laser at 7yds. Should be fine. Never owned a gun with a laser before, but since battery life is the same with light and with light+laser, I figured what the heck. Don't use the HST 150grn Micros, use the regular 147s, the 147s actually still perform better terminal ballistics wise in short barrels. And FlatDarkEarf is right, with some self defense ammo the extra barrel length is negligible for terminal ballistics, especially 147 HST. However between the added sight radiu, easy to conceal barrel length, and most other highly length/velocity temperamental SD ammo, its useless to carry short barrel long gripped guns. |
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The G43, a fucking disaster of capacity to size ratio which brings into question what intern designed it, considering they had the opportunity to blueprint an entirely new magazine. "Buh buh mah baseplates" Gun of metrosexual Rambo, takes a hit in capacity without equivalent bonuses, but Rambo rationalizes it's okay because it's a Tactical Glack #1. Turns being armed into a fashion statement over functionality. Let me shit away valuable barrel length that takes nothing it conceal, and add back to grip length due to shit design. Fucking failboat. Did you have a stroke? |
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I like the G43 well enough, but like the Shield (feels better) and Beretta Nano (shoots better) over the baby Glock.
Whatever works for you |
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Eh...if i have a double stack on me its my G19...
single,e stacks i love the 43, sheild and the LC9S pro... someone on here swears they can do 11+1 in a 43 with the TTI base plate and a different follower i think. |
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If you can carry the g43, try a g26. It's been my edc for a while with a tlr6. View Quote If you carry the G26, try a G19 G43 is slimmer than the G26, and disappears on me. I'm 5'9", 170 lbs and will be 160 by the summer. For me the G43 replaces my j-frame, similar I believe to OP. The G43 is as concealable, maybe more than my airweight j-frame. The G43 shoots better, carries more and is easier to reload |
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Is a 9mm capable of being a "pocket" gun? I guess so, some do.
Kahr SIG P938 In older pistols there is the Detonics Pocket 9, Star (Firestar) and others. Something like this in a search engine will deliver some interesting and different views: https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=pocket+9mm&ei=UTF-8&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-002 For the most part it's about the trigger. Pocket pistols are not duty guns and don't get used at those ranges. What does need to be done is explore - as the example above - what ammo works best from the typically shorter barrels. All too often 9mm is tested and the specs published with 4" barrels, shorten them to 3" and the best ammo made will resort into a completely different order of performance. And because of the typical engagement range of less than 21 feet some of the trusted accessories used on larger guns become unnecessary. Tactics are different, too, and detection of the firearm may become more important. As in, is that a mouse in your pocket or . . . whatever. Pocket guns are meant to be concealed. Duty guns are Open Carry. A small gun kitted put as an Open Carry duty gun with all the bells and whistles is working at cross purposes. But, some do. There are no hard and fast rules. |
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Don't use the HST 150grn Micros, use the regular 147s, the 147s actually still perform better terminal ballistics wise in short barrels. And FlatDarkEarf is right, with some self defense ammo the extra barrel length is negligible for terminal ballistics, especially 147 HST. However between the added sight radiu, easy to conceal barrel length, and most other highly length/velocity temperamental SD ammo, its useless to carry short barrel long gripped guns. View Quote That's why I don't like shorter guns in general. Barrel length, and grip. But, it's longer than my 642 bbl, and I can get a grip on it. Still not my go to...just shocked I don't hate it. I kind of like it, actually. I'll do more research on the loads. I prefer heavier bullets on general, so combined with the fact the HST Micro was designed for smaller guns...I bit. I definitely have some 147 HSTs and GDs around. I'll check into it. Thanks. |
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I'm a 5'9" manlet and cycle between 175 and 190 depending on the season. I've never had any trouble concealing my G17.
Tiny pistols are good to keep in a backpack, but are shit for "I need it now" defensive use. |
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If you carry the G26, try a G19 G43 is slimmer than the G26, and disappears on me. I'm 5'9", 170 lbs and will be 160 by the summer. For me the G43 replaces my j-frame, similar I believe to OP. The G43 is as concealable, maybe more than my airweight j-frame. The G43 shoots better, carries more and is easier to reload View Quote You get why I bought this pistol. Still love my 642, but I may have started an affair... |
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As much as I dearly love my 1911, my CZ P09 .40 and my G17, none of them conceal as well as my LC9s.
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I'm a 5'9" manlet and cycle between 175 and 190 depending on the season. I've never had any trouble concealing my G17. Tiny pistols are good to keep in a backpack, but are shit for "I need it now" defensive use. View Quote 5'11 here, and I agree. No issues with a G17. It's a secondary gun, or a throw in the hoodie pocket gun. Also works nice in an ankle holster, or in my IWB if it's socially unacceptable to carry. |
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My G43 was my "summer carry" gun a couple years ago, but it's turned into the only gun I carry. There isn't a better balance of easy concealing, easy to shoot, and reliability out there. My 1911s have a thick layer of dust on them.
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Screw that. It's like the Sig239. It's got 80% of the size of the 229, with half the mag capacity. Not worth it IMHO. Then again I can conceal a 1911 w/ x300u without problems so whatever floats your boat.
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That's why I don't like shorter guns in general. Barrel length, and grip. But, it's longer than my 642 bbl, and I can get a grip on it. Still not my go to...just shocked I don't hate it. I kind of like it, actually. I'll do more research on the loads. I prefer heavier bullets on general, so combined with the fact the HST Micro was designed for smaller guns...I bit. I definitely have some 147 HSTs and GDs around. I'll check into it. Thanks. View Quote I like you. You're logical. The 150 is lower recoil, but that's what it should have been marketed as, not "Micro". ShootingTheBull has the test. It's nice to hear some people see there's little difference between CCW a G17 and 19. |
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The G43 is pocket carryable for me, personally, and that's all I really use it for. The TLR-6, like most micro weapon lights aren't really there yet in terms of reliability. I only trust the TLR-1 and X300, "fullsized" weapon lights since i've been able to kill my micro lights with relatively moderate usage at the range
If I'm putting any effort into carrying at all, a Glock 19 with VG2 Advanced minimalist holster gets it done easy, quickly, and comfortably (i'm 6'1) Main thing I've found with the G43 is you gotta, gotta use heavier grain ammo with it. 115 plinker ammo is punishing with it, but 147 gr self defense ammo and equivalent makes it shoot like a 19. |
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My G43 was my "summer carry" gun a couple years ago, but it's turned into the only gun I carry. There isn't a better balance of easy concealing, easy to shoot, and reliability out there. My 1911s have a thick layer of dust on them. View Quote We'll see how it goes. I thought subcompact autoloaders were for fags a matter of weeks ago. I still think without the mag increase (and grip) I'd hate it. I don't see it replacing my 1911 or G17, but time will tell. I didn't think I'd even like the damn thing, but I gave it a shot and was surprised. It's really light, and it gives "disappears" a new meaning for my carry needs. With the Streamlight, I kind of like it versus my 642, but again with time... (I also like a spare mag versus a speed loader) It's a strange experience for me. I never thought I'd like subcompact semi autos, and I sure as shit didn't think I'd love a small gun like I love my 642. |
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I thought OP was Cormac McCarthy for a moment. View Quote Old timers always said it was the perfect size, but to tell you the truth it seemed a tad big to me. Always loved listening to them old timers. Now I also had myself a J-frame, the one without the lock, but the way things are going today I felt overmatched with five rounds. Bought myself a Glock 26. Now some people will tell you that you can't get a proper grip on that gun, but I never really believed it. Who knows what to believe now. I surely don't. They come out with a model 43. Single stack. Started to buy one, but I felt my soul being torn by what that really got me over the J frame. Well, I suppose a Glock 26 it is then. For me at least. While I'm still here on this earth. |
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