Glock 43
The Glock 43 is Glock’s smallest 9mm pistol—a single-stack subcompact that puts Glock’s Safe Action reliability and build quality into a package slim enough for pocket carry and light enough to forget you’re wearing it. With a 3.39-inch barrel, 6+1 capacity, and a width of just 1.06 inches, the G43 was Glock’s answer to the growing demand for a slim, pocketable 9mm. For shooters who need the absolute smallest Glock in 9mm, or who want a dedicated deep-concealment backup gun, the G43 remains a capable and proven option.
Read our full Glock 43 Buying Guide ↓
G43 in the Glock Slim Lineup
The G43 was Glock’s first single-stack 9mm, introduced in 2015 to address demand for a slim carry pistol in the most popular defensive caliber. Subsequent additions—the G43X with its 10-round magazine and the G48 with a longer barrel—have largely superseded the G43 for primary carry use by offering more capacity with minimal size increase. The G43 retains its place as the absolute smallest Glock 9mm, the thinnest option in the lineup, and the natural choice for pocket carry applications where the G43X’s slightly longer grip becomes a constraint.
6+1 Capacity—Is It Enough?
Six rounds is on the lower end of carry capacity, and most defensive firearms trainers recommend at least 10 rounds for a primary carry gun. The G43 is best understood as a deep-concealment backup gun or a pistol for situations where nothing larger can be carried, rather than a primary defensive firearm for most shooters. Extended 8-round magazines from Glock and aftermarket sources add two rounds with a slight grip extension. For primary carry use, the G43X’s 10-round flush magazine makes it a meaningfully more capable choice at only a modest size increase. For pocket carry and backup use, 6+1 rounds of 9mm is legitimate defensive capability.
Pocket Carry Suitability
The G43’s short 6.26-inch overall length and slim 1.06-inch width make it one of the most pocketable 9mm pistols available. In a front pants pocket with a dedicated pocket holster, the G43 carries comfortably in most clothing without obvious printing. The short grip is the key dimension for pocket carry—longer-gripped pistols like the G43X create a more obvious outline in a pocket. For shooters whose primary concealment method is pocket carry, the G43 is more practical than the G43X in that specific application. In all other carry positions the G43X is generally the better choice.
Backup Gun Use
The G43 has become a popular backup gun for law enforcement officers and armed professionals who carry a primary full-size pistol and want a secondary arm that’s genuinely pocketable during off-duty hours. The Glock manual of arms is identical to any other Glock, meaning no training adjustment between primary and backup. Ankle carry is practical given the G43’s 18.7-ounce loaded weight. For concealed carry permit holders who carry a G19 or similar as their primary and want a deep-concealment backup that shares 9mm ammu