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SHOP NOWThis video examines the new Glock 43X FDE MOS and how it builds on the original 43X concept. It covers capacity upgrades, concealment, handling, and live-fire drills.
The video opens at Take Aim Training Range in South Carolina with a look at the new Glock 43X FDE MOS. The pistol is shown alongside the original black Glock 43X and a Glock 19X to highlight the difference in slide colors. The 43X FDE slide has a more bronze or coyote brown tone compared to the 19X’s FDE shade. The host notes that all pistols are clear and emphasizes that this is the MOS version of the 43X. The focus is on how this new finish and configuration update the already familiar 43X platform while keeping its slim, carry-oriented profile.
The discussion shifts to the background of the Glock 43X, first unveiled at SHOT Show 2019. It was recognized as one of the slimmest carry pistols available and quickly gained a reputation for reliability. However, capacity was a major drawback. The earlier Glock 43 used a shorter grip and a 6-round magazine, while the 43X increased capacity to 10 rounds. In an era where many concealed carry pistols offer higher capacity, this was seen as a limitation. Shield Arms magazines are mentioned as a solution, boosting the 43 from 6 to 9 rounds and the 43X from 10 to 15 rounds while maintaining reliable function for those who want more rounds in the same platform.
The host compares the 43X to earlier compact Glocks such as the Glock 26 in 9mm and the Glock 27 in .40 caliber. Those models offered double-stack capacity but were thick and difficult to run effectively, especially the 27, which was described as a handful. The industry’s move toward slimmer micro-compacts, like the original Glock 43, improved concealment but often made the guns harder to control, particularly for shooters with larger hands. Short grips complicated magazine changes and could induce malfunctions or slide bite. This led to designs like the Glock 43X, which kept a slim profile but extended the grip, and to competitors such as the Hellcat Pro and SIG Sauer P365 variants like the X-Macro with 17-round capacity. The current trend is a slim pistol with a longer grip, moderate barrel length around 3.5 inches, and practical capacity for concealed carry.
On the range, the 43X is carried in a Safariland and Haley Strategic combo holster. A target is set at roughly 15 yards, and the host draws and fires several strings. The FDE color is noted as purely cosmetic, not affecting how the pistol shoots, though it changes the overall look. The shooter reports consistent hits and shows the target, commenting that the pistol shoots very well and feels comfortable in the hand. The segment emphasizes that the 43X maintains good control and accuracy at typical defensive distances while remaining easy to conceal.
The video then moves into timed drills using a shot timer. Starting from concealment, the host practices drawing and firing multiple rounds at the 15-yard target. Initial times are around three seconds, with subsequent runs dropping to roughly two seconds and then under two seconds, including a 1.99-second run. The shooter notes a 1.4-second draw and hit from concealment during one string. There are a few high shots and reloads as magazines are emptied, but overall performance is described as solid for a concealed carry pistol. The drills highlight how the 43X’s grip length and slim frame support fast, repeatable draws and controlled follow-up shots.
In closing, the host focuses on the specific features of the Glock 43X FDE MOS. The slide uses a MOS cut that accepts optics with a Holosun K footprint rather than the earlier Shield-specific cut. Compatible options mentioned include the Holosun 407, Holosun 507, and Holosun EPS Carry, giving users several compact red dot choices. The pistol retains standard Glock sights and a typical Glock trigger feel. A light can be mounted on the accessory rail to complete a carry setup. Pricing is discussed, with the black 43X around $450 and the FDE version just under $500, reflecting a modest premium for the FDE finish and MOS configuration.
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