Overall reception: Owners rate it highly. Bud’s Gun Shop shows 4.9 out of 5 from 78 reviews and Sportsman’s Warehouse shows 4.7 out of 5 from 63, and Glock’s reputation for reliability is a big part of that.

Where owners agree: It’s small, slim and easy to carry, and 6 rounds is limiting. Many add a +2 magazine extension or move to the 43X.

Where owners disagree: Grip fit and stovepipes. One Bud’s buyer says his pinky hangs off the bottom, while another with large hands calls it more comfortable than some full-size pistols. When small Glocks stovepipe, owners are usually told it’s limp-wristing or ammo (a Glock warranty rep said the same in one Reddit thread), though one r/Glocks owner says his 43 keeps doing it while his 43X never has.

Our take: Andrea’s 43 runs against the reputation: repeated stovepipes across ammo types and uses, and a gunsmith found nothing obviously wrong. We couldn’t fully rule out grip, but we don’t have the problem with other Glocks or pistols. For a carry gun, that unreliability is the deal-breaker. It suits smaller hands, but she still didn’t like the grip.

Sources (checked Oct 18, 2026): Bud’s Gun Shop ratings and reviews · Sportsman’s Warehouse ratings · r/Glocks stovepipe thread · Glock 43 product page