2019’s SHOT Show got an early start as Glock announced a pair of new 9mm compact pistols that are headed to U.S. shooters in late January. These new single-stack offerings are targeted squarely at concealed carry enthusiasts who requested increased capacity for their Slimline pistols. The G43X and G48 both boast 10+1 round capacities in their familiar single-stack Glock magazines.
As you might’ve noticed, both pistols have a nPVD silver slide. This gives them a two-toned appearance and sets them apart visually from the core line-up. Both slides feature front and rear serrations as well as the Glock “made in Austria” designation.
The Glock 43X and Glock 48 may look familiar to you. They both feature popular design characteristics of the previously launched Slimline series. Glock is hoping these tweaks to the original Glock 43 pistol frame will make these new guns the ideal option for concealed carry. It seems apparent more American shooters are comfortable with 9mm ammo as their carry round of choice as we continue to see more and more pistols coming into the market.
A Glock With Options
If the Glock 42 was an answer to Ruger’s popular .380 LCP pocket pistol, the new G43X is a bold statement to other 9mm single-stack pistol manufacturers. They didn’t re-invent the wheel, but they did seem to listen to their core users feedback on the Slimline pistol design. Glock wisely included elements of the Slimline series like a shorter trigger distance as well as a built-in beavertail and reversible magazine catch. Dissasemble either handgun and you’ll find a match-grade GLOCK Marksman Barrel nestled inside the slide. Glock plans to release both pistols with three configurations for sights: standard, Glock Night Sights and Ameriglo BOLD.
So, how exactly do the new Glock pistols compare in terms of the size? We analyzed the new Glock 43X vs. the Glock 43, and the new G48 to the G19 Gen 5. Take a look at the charts below.
Glock 43 vs. Glock 43X
Glock 48 vs. Glock 19
Both the 43X and G48 have a grip that’s slightly larger than the original G43. Comparing the Glock 43X vs. Glock 43, they have the same frame, the slide is slightly longer (6.85″) on the G48 than the 43X. (The G43X has the same slide length as the original G43 of 6.06″.)
Glock 43 vs. Glock 43X Size Comparison
Glock 48 vs. Glock 19 Size Comparison
Looking from straight-on, the G43X and G43 have the same slide width. The G43X has a slightly wider in body at 1.10″. The G48 looks like a skinny version of the G19. It features a slightly longer barrel length (4.17″) and thinner frame.
Glock continues to be dedicated to its legendary form, function, and durability with new products that can still be identified as a “Glock” from across a room. Make no mistake, Glock is serious about innovation, the improvements to these new guns show that. Expect to see these new G43X and G48 Silver Slimline models filling up the counter space at a gun store near you in the very near future.