The discussion focuses on the Glock 43X COA, which applies the COA optic system to one of Glock’s most popular concealed carry pistols. The pistol ships with two 10-round magazines in the box, which is noted as a limitation, but additional higher-capacity magazines are expected soon. The 43X COA essentially takes the original Glock 43 concept, extends the grip and capacity, and integrates the COA-style optic system into that platform. With the extended grip and upcoming magazines that increase capacity without major modifications, the 43X COA is presented as a potentially significant 9mm concealed carry option this year.
The Glock 43X COA uses Glock’s safe action trigger system and is chambered in 9x19mm (9mm). Standard capacity is 10 rounds with the included magazines, with new magazines available to increase capacity while keeping the pistol compact. Barrel length is 3.41 inches, and the unloaded weight is about 16 ounces without a magazine and 18.55 ounces with a magazine, not including the optic. With the optic installed, overall weight is around 20 ounces. Overall length is 6.5 inches, slide width is approximately 0.87 inches, and height with a magazine is 5.4 inches, increasing to roughly 6 inches with the optic. MSRP is around $1,000, though actual pricing may be lower depending on the retailer and listing under MOS cut terminology.
The pistol features an A-cut style optic interface that Glock introduced on earlier COA models. The slide has a triangular cutout at the front of the optic pocket, allowing the optic to seat down into the slide. Two screws secure the optic directly to the slide, creating a robust mounting system. The design allows the shooter to retain the factory iron sights and co-witness them through the pistol-mounted dot. This integration keeps the profile slim while providing a secure, low-mounted optic that aligns well with the existing sight picture.
The included dot optic is rated for up to 50,000 hours of runtime before needing a battery change. The battery is accessed by unscrewing and pulling it out from the side, avoiding the need to remove the optic from the slide. The dot size is 3.5 MOA, with four night settings and eight daylight settings to match different lighting conditions. Windage and elevation adjustments are made using small Allen key points on the sides, and brightness is controlled with plus and minus buttons on the left side. The optic is submersible to approximately 82 feet, adding a measure of durability if the pistol is exposed to water.
The optic weighs about 1.7 ounces by itself. Its overall length is 1.8 inches, height is 1.2 inches, and width is 1.1 inches. On the Glock 43X COA, the optic is only slightly wider than the slide, so it does not feel bulky. The way the COA cut is machined allows the optic body to taper down close to the slide’s width, keeping the overall profile slim. Although the optic is marginally larger than the slide, the difference is minimal in hand and maintains a compact footprint suitable for concealed carry.
The 43X COA builds on the original Glock 43 by addressing the earlier model’s short grip and magazine pinch issues. The extended, full-size style grip reduces the chance of hand pinching from the magazine base and improves comfort. With new 15-round magazines available in addition to the two included 10-round magazines, the pistol offers competitive capacity for its size. The combination of Glock’s reputation for reliability, the integrated dot’s reliability, and the ability to co-witness iron sights makes the package appealing for concealed carry. The thin profile is compared favorably to other Glock models such as the Glock 45, highlighting how slim the 43X COA remains with the optic installed.
The presenter notes that the Glock 43X COA, with its integrated optic and improved grip, is compelling enough to consider over other carry options such as a Sig P365 or a CZ Shadow 2 carry model. The pistol’s balance of capacity, ergonomics, and optic integration is described as a strong overall package for concealed carry use. Viewers are encouraged to share their experiences with Glock COA models and to provide feedback on the new higher-capacity magazines for the 43X platform. The video closes with the suggestion that this setup may become the presenter’s next concealed carry pistol, emphasizing how well the configuration suits everyday carry needs.
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