Introduction
Let’s talk about the Glock 43X.
It’s not flashy. It’s not tricked out with a compensator the size of a soda can. It’s not covered in Cerakote or riding inside some Gucci holster. But man, it just works. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, both from training and carrying, it’s this: when everything goes sideways, simple and reliable beats fancy every single time.
That’s why Mitch Greenfield—the main character in my upcoming thriller A Debt of Honor—carries the Glock 43X. He’s not picking gear to impress anybody. He’s choosing it because he knows what matters when the pressure’s on. And honestly, I can’t argue with his choice.
The Glock 19 Connection: Stick With What You Know
So let’s back it up for a second. Mitch didn’t just grab the 43X on a whim. Early in the book, you see him competing with a Glock 19. That’s not by accident.
The Glock 19 is basically the workhorse of the professional tactical world. Military units, federal agencies, law enforcement—you name it. Ever since the Global War on Terror, the G19’s been the sidearm of choice for more elite units than I can count.
Why? Reliability. Simplicity. Easy to maintain in the field. And it just runs.
Now here’s the thing—if you’ve trained with a G19 for years, your hands know that gun. Draw stroke, trigger press, mag changes… it’s all baked into your muscle memory. Switching to another platform means rewiring all that under stress. Not ideal. So when Glock rolled out the 43X—basically a slimmed-down G19—it was a no-brainer for guys like Mitch.
Same feel, lighter frame. That’s gold.
Why the 43X and Not Just a G19?
Okay, but if the G19 is so great, why bother with a smaller gun at all?
Two words: everyday carry.
Look, I love the Glock 19. But let’s be honest—it’s a chunky beast when you’re trying to conceal it in street clothes, especially in the summer. Try appendix carrying one for ten hours while running errands or sitting in traffic and see how fast you start adjusting your belt every five minutes.
The Glock 43X changes that. It’s thinner, lighter, and just melts under a shirt or hoodie. No printing, no discomfort, no hassle. That’s the whole point of concealed carry—keeping things quiet and out of sight.
And if you’re worried about capacity, that’s where aftermarket mags come in. The Shield Arms S15 magazines turn the 43X from a 10+1 to a 15+1 without changing the footprint. So now you’re basically carrying Glock 19 firepower in a slimmer, more concealable frame.
I mean, that’s hard to beat.
Comfort and Practicality: Carry What You’ll Actually Carry
Here’s something a lot of new folks miss: the “best” gun is the one you’ll actually carry. That big, full-sized pistol might shoot like a dream at the range—but if it’s a pain to conceal, guess what? You’ll leave it in the glovebox. Or worse, at home.
The Glock 43X hits that sweet spot. Small enough to carry comfortably, big enough to shoot well. I’ve seen plenty of guys shoot tighter groups with a 43X than with their full-size setups just because they train with it. It doesn’t beat you up, and it points naturally—especially if you’re used to the Glock platform.
Mitch gets that. He’s not trying to carry a hand cannon. He wants something that he can draw quickly, shoot accurately, and forget he’s wearing until he needs it.
Reliability and Peace of Mind
We’ve all heard the phrase “Glock reliability.” Yeah, it’s overused. But it’s also earned.
I’ve put thousands of rounds through my Glocks—steel case, brass case, cheap range ammo, hollow points. They don’t care. I’ve run them in pouring rain, in dusty windstorms, and in one sketchy indoor range that honestly smelled like sadness and WD-40. Still no failures.
When your life might depend on that trigger pull? That matters. Mitch isn’t the kind of guy who takes chances on gear. And neither am I.
Final Word: A Carry Gun That Makes Sense
At the end of the day, the Glock 43X isn’t exciting. It’s not going to win any Instagram clout points. But that’s exactly why it works.
It’s reliable. It’s comfortable. It’s familiar. And when you’re out in the world and things go wrong—fast—that’s what counts. Mitch carries the Glock 43X because he trusts it with his life. And if I’m being honest, that’s why I stick to Glock.
I know that any post espousing the virtues of a weapon is bound to cause feelings. Not looking to start a war of words about which EDC gun is the best or hear about why the Glock sucks. The reality is, if the gun performs for you, it’s the right one.
If you have first hand experience dealing with a different weapon system under pressure, drop a message in the comments. I’d love to hear your story.
