GLOCK G43X & G48: GLOCK’s Newest 9mm Carry Guns Drop Before SHOT Show

The GLOCK G43X and G48 slimline carry pistols are here and they look to take the EDC market by storm.

A small arms race is heating up and 2019 is shaping up to be the year of the carry gun. In 2018 we saw the introduction of many new firearms that were aiming to become your new EDC. Most notably, the Sig Sauer P365 took the market by storm with an incredibly small size that miraculously packed 10 rounds into it’s tiny frame +1 in the chamber. While the P365 was a great new addition to the market, we knew it would not be long before other’s threw their hat in the ring with a slimline pistol offering a 10 round capacity.

Here enters GLOCK with their newest pistols, the G43X and G48. Building on the success of the G43, which sold over one million pistols in just 3 years, GLOCK is aiming to take their slimline offering to the next level. Not only do these guns present direct and very real competition to the P365’s of the world, they also present a new concealed carry option for the diehard GLOCK fans out there.

First, let’s address the most drastic design change introduced with these pistols. GLOCK has departed from their traditional black on black look and  introduced a two tone design. The pistol frame features the standard black polymer look, as well as Gen5 design enhancements. What is new and to be honest, very nice looking in person, is the silver slide. The slide features an nPVD coating which is also utilized by the G19x. nPVD, which was exclusive to the G19X, is GLOCK’s coating process which prevents corrosion, resists chemicals, and helps the firearm stand up against the elements.

Beyond the color change, GLOCK has designed these pistols to be closer in height to the G19 while keeping the slide width to just 1.1 inch, identical to the G43. The result of this design is an extremely slim firearm that has great balance and feel in the palm of your hand. While your typical sub-compact carry gun will generally leave your pinky hanging and in search of purchase, these frames are more in line with a compact and give you a very comfortable piece of real estate for your large and plus sized meat hooks.

The frames themselves are identical in size for both of these pistols, what really differentiates them is the slide length. The GLOCK G43X features a slide length of 154 mm vs. the G48’s 174mm. To give you a good idea of how these stack up against the closest members of the GLOCK family, we’ve put together a quick table for you:

Outside of all of the external design features sits something new. These little beasts are fed with a magazine that is not quite a standard G19 or G43 mag . While these magazines will not be compatible with other models, they will work with both the GLOCK G43X and G48. Each of these pistols will ship with two 10 round magazines, neither of which will feature an extension for enhanced grip. Also absent from the box will be additional grip options as GLOCK has made a beaver tail grip standard on both.

Building on the slimline seres, these pistols will be incorporating design elements such as the short trigger distance, a reversible magazine catch and the match grade GLOCK Marksman Barrel (GMB). Also, the G43X and G48 will both feature precision milled front serrations, 4 in the front and 5 in the back. In terms of sights, you will be able to select from standard, GLOCK Night Sights (GNS), and Ameriglo BOLD.

Below we have included specific specs for both the G43X and G48 for your viewing pleasure:

Accessories and Launch

As you would expect, many of the biggest names in holsters have partnered with GLOCK prior to this release so that they can drop their specific offerings at the same time as the firearms. A representative from GLOCK has confirmed that the following manufacturers will have products available at the time of the pistols’ launch .

• Milt Sparks
• Safariland
• Blade-Tech
• Desantis Holsters
• Galco
• Vista/Blackhawk
• Raven Concealment
• Comp-tac
• Keepers Concealment
• Diamond custom leather
• Crossbreed

We’ve been told that the G43X and G48 will be hitting dealer shelves on January 21st, 2019. The firearms, holsters, and I am sure many other accessories will be on display during the 2019 SHOT Show. Check back to OutdoorHub for our exclusive show coverage from range day and the show floor beginning on January 20th, 2019.

For more information about the new Slimline series GLOCK G43X and G48, contact GLOCK, Inc. or go to https://us.glock.com/a-perfect-fit.

Ben Ryder

Ben currently leads the editorial staff for Outdoorhub, Alloutdoor, and The Firearm Blog. He is an avid outdoorsman and has hunted for large game across the United States including Alaska, Texas and his home state of Michigan. Ben also has a deep knowledge and passion for firearms and has participated in various civilian courses focusing on precision rifle shooting, carbine, pistol, ammunition reloading, and hunting focused firearm applications. Outside of work, Ben pursues a number of water based activities spending his free time in Northern Michigan boating and fishing on Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan.