Glock 43 vs 43X vs 48: the slimline pistols compared

Glock's slimline 9mm pistols share a frame width of about an inch, a single-stack or stack-and-a-half magazine, and a slide narrow enough to vanish under a shirt. They differ in grip length and barrel length, and those two measurements decide almost everything about how each one carries and shoots. This guide compares the 43, 43X and 48 measurement by measurement, then answers the question people actually ask: which one should I carry?

The numbers

• Glock 43: 3.41 inch barrel, 6.26 inches long, 4.25 inches tall, 1.06 inches wide, about 18 ounces unloaded, 6-round magazine.
• Glock 43X: 3.41 inch barrel, 6.5 inches long, 5.04 inches tall, 1.1 inches wide, about 18.7 ounces unloaded, 10-round magazine.
• Glock 48: 4.17 inch barrel, 7.28 inches long, 5.04 inches tall, 1.1 inches wide, about 20.7 ounces unloaded, 10-round magazine.

Read them as a family: the 43 is the small one, the 43X adds three-quarters of an inch of grip and four rounds, the 48 adds three-quarters of an inch of barrel and slide on top of that. All three are 9mm, all three take the same sights, and all three have a slimline trigger that is not interchangeable with the standard-frame pistols.

The grip decides capacity and control

The 43 grip fits two fingers for most hands, with the little finger on the magazine floorplate or an extended one. That is why it is the easiest to conceal and the hardest to shoot well: recoil is not heavy, but there is less to hold. The 43X and 48 share a longer grip that takes a full hand, holds ten rounds in the factory magazine, and turns the pistol from a backup into a primary. In our experience most people who shoot all three pick the longer grip, and then pick between the 43X and 48 on the barrel.

The barrel decides concealment and sight radius

The 43X carries the short 3.41 inch barrel on the long grip: it conceals in an appendix holster as easily as the 43, since the grip is what prints and the grip is the same on both, and the shorter slide tucks in when you sit. The 48 adds three-quarters of an inch of slide, a longer sight radius that makes iron sights easier at 15 and 25 yards, a little more velocity, and a little more weight forward that softens recoil. It carries just as well at three or four o'clock and shows more in appendix when seated. Neither is wrong; the 48 shoots a little better and the 43X sits a little better.

The magazines

The 43 uses its own 6-round magazine, with factory and aftermarket extensions that add a round or two and a finger rest. The 43X and 48 share a 10-round stack-and-a-half magazine, and aftermarket makers sell 15-round steel magazines for both that fit flush; those ship only to states without a 10-round cap. The 43 magazine does not fit the 43X or 48 and the reverse is also true. The magazine guide covers the options.

Sights and optics

All three come with polymer sights on the base model and steel night sights on some packages, in the slimline dovetail. The 43X MOS and 48 MOS have a slide cut for micro red dots on the Shield RMSc footprint, with no plate, and they use a front rail on the frame instead of the plain dust cover. The plain 43 has no MOS version; aftermarket slides and milling are the route to a dot on it. The MOS guide lists the dots that fit.

Shootability

The 48 is the easiest of the three to shoot accurately, with the 43X close behind and the 43 a step back because of the grip. All three have the same trigger, a slimline version of the Glock trigger with a similar pull weight to the standard pistols. Recoil is modest on all three; 147 grain loads soften it further. A new shooter should start with the 48 or the 43X, and a 43 should be the pistol of someone who has already learned to shoot a bigger gun.

The MOS and rail versions

Since 2020 the 43X MOS and 48 MOS have shipped with the optics cut and a front rail sized for the small lights made for slimline pistols. The non-MOS versions keep the plain slide and a smooth dust cover. Buy the MOS if there is any chance you will add a dot; the cut costs nothing in reliability and the pistol keeps its iron sights.

Which one to carry

• Deep concealment, pocket, ankle, or a backup to a bigger pistol: the 43.
• Appendix carry, a full grip, ten rounds, the most popular slimline: the 43X, MOS if you want a dot.
• Belt carry, iron sights at distance, the softest shooting slimline, a first pistol: the 48, MOS if you want a dot.

Holsters and accessories

The 43X and 48 share holsters when the holster is open at the muzzle, and many makers list them together. The 43 needs its own. All three use the same slimline sights, and the MOS versions share optics and lights. A belt that holds the holster up matters as much on a 20-ounce pistol as on a 30-ounce one; the carry setup guide covers holsters and belts.

Whichever you pick, it ships to a licensed FFL dealer in your state, where you complete the federal paperwork; see our city pages for the local rules. Browse Glock 43 and 43X and Glock 48 pistols, or the whole pistol shelf.

General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.