If you want a slim Glock for everyday carry, it almost always comes down to two guns: the Glock 43X and the Glock 48. They look nearly the same in the case, and that’s not an accident. Glock 43X vs 48 is one of the most common questions we get across the counter.
Here’s the quick version. Both pistols use the exact same frame, grip and magazines. The only real difference is the slide and barrel. Buy the 43X if you want the shortest, easiest-to-hide gun. Buy the 48 if you want a little more barrel and sight radius for easier shooting, in a gun that’s about the size of a Glock 19 but noticeably thinner.
We keep the Glock 43X on the shelf in our Benton store, including the 43X MOS. See what’s in stock.
Glock 43X vs 48 Specs, Side by Side
| Glock 43X | Glock 48 | |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm Luger | 9mm Luger |
| Capacity | 10+1 or 15+1 (see below) | 10+1 or 15+1 (see below) |
| Barrel length | 3.41″ | 4.17″ |
| Overall length | 6.50″ | 7.28″ |
| Slide length | 6.06″ | 6.85″ |
| Height (with magazine) | 5.04″ | 5.04″ |
| Width | 1.10″ | 1.10″ |
| Sight radius (polymer sights) | 5.24″ | 5.98″ |
| Weight, empty magazine | 18.70 oz | 20.74 oz |
| Trigger distance | 2.64″ | 2.64″ |
| Trigger pull | 24 N (about 5.4 lb) | 24 N (about 5.4 lb) |
Specs are for the standard models and come from Glock’s spec sheets. MOS versions run a fraction of an ounce lighter.
Same Frame, Longer Slide
This is what most people don’t realize until they hold both. The 43X and 48 share the same Slimline frame. Same grip length, same beavertail, same 2.64″ trigger reach, same 5.04″ height and 1.10″ width. The magazines are interchangeable.
The 43X uses the same short slide as the original Glock 43. The 48 gets a longer slide and a 4.17″ barrel, which puts it at about the length and height of a Glock 19. Glock calls the 48 a slimmer alternative to the 19, and that’s a fair way to think about it.
Both pistols include Glock’s Gen5-style features: the match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel, front slide serrations, a reversible magazine catch and no finger grooves.
Concealment: Smaller Than You’d Think
The 43X is about 0.78″ shorter overall. Carried appendix, that shorter slide and barrel can be a little more comfortable, especially when you sit down.
But here’s the catch. The part of a carry gun that prints most is usually the bottom of the grip, and on these two guns the grip is identical. So the 48 hides almost as well as the 43X for most people and most holsters. If you carry strong-side at 3 or 4 o’clock, the extra slide length is mostly tucked into your waistband anyway.
If you want the smallest possible package, the 43X wins. If you were worried the 48 is “too big,” hold one before you rule it out.
Shooting: The 48 Is Easier to Shoot Well
The 48’s longer slide gives you about 0.74″ more sight radius (5.98″ vs 5.24″) and two more ounces of weight up front. Most shooters find it a little softer and easier to keep on target, especially on follow-up shots and past 10 yards. The longer barrel also gives you a bit more velocity out of the same ammo.
The 43X is still very shootable for its size. That’s because the grip is the same full-hand grip as the 48. If you’ve shot an original Glock 43 and didn’t like how little gun there was to hold, the 43X feels like a big step up.
If you plan to run a red dot, the longer sight radius matters less, and the 43X closes the gap.
Capacity: 10 or 15 Rounds
Both guns launched with a 10-round Slimline magazine. For years, people bought aftermarket 15-round steel magazines from Shield Arms, which usually needed a matching Shield Arms magazine catch to run reliably.
In April 2026, Glock announced its own factory 15-round metal Slimline magazine. New 43X and 48 pistols now ship with 15-round magazines, and Glock says the design works with the standard magazine catch. That makes a 15+1 slim Glock easier than ever. Some of the guns you’ll still see on shelves are 10-round versions, so check the box. Have an older 43X or 48? Ask us about running the new magazines in it before you buy a stack of them.
Rails, Optics and Versions
You’ll see three basic versions of each gun:
- Standard: plain frame, no rail, no optic cut.
- Rail: adds Glock’s slim accessory rail for a compact weapon light.
- MOS: rail plus a factory optic cut on the slide.
One thing to know on the MOS models: the Slimline optic cut is not the same footprint as the full-size Glock MOS. It takes micro red dots made for slim pistols, like the Shield RMSc footprint. Glock and Aimpoint also offer factory combos with the Aimpoint COA mounted directly on the slide, for both the 43X and the 48.
Both guns also come in a long list of Cerakote and distributor-exclusive colors, so if you want something other than black, there’s a good chance we can get it.
Glock 43X vs 48: Which Should You Buy?
Choose the Glock 43X if you:
- Carry appendix and want the shortest gun that still has a full grip
- Want the lightest option for all-day carry
- Plan to put a red dot on it, so sight radius matters less
- Dress light or carry in places where every bit of length counts
Choose the Glock 48 if you:
- Want a slim gun that shoots more like a Glock 19
- Carry strong-side, where the extra slide length barely shows
- Shoot iron sights and want the longer sight radius
- Want one gun for both carry and regular range time
Still torn? Since the grips are the same, the real question is slide length. Come by our store in Benton, pick up both, and try them in the holster you plan to use.
In-Store Slimline Glock Lineup
These slimline Glocks are on our shelves now, ready to handle in person or pick up.
| Model | Capacity | Barrel | Finish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glock 43X MOS – UX4350203FRMOS | 15+1 | 3.41″ | Black, optic-ready, rail | $499.99 |
| Glock 43X – 80’s Night Cerakote | 15+1 | 3.41″ | 80’s Night Cerakote | $649.99 |
Want a 48? We can order the Glock 48 Rail in 15+1 and the Glock 48 MOS in 15+1, plus a wide range of colored 43X models. Order online and pick up in Benton, or ask us at the counter.
Comparing other carry guns? Read our Shield Plus vs P365XL comparison, or find out whether the Sig P365 X-Macro has a safety.
FAQ
Do the Glock 43X and Glock 48 use the same magazines?
Yes. Both use Glock’s Slimline magazines, in 10-round and the newer factory 15-round versions. A magazine from one fits the other.
Is the Glock 48 the same frame as the 43X?
Yes. The frame, grip, height and width are the same. The 48 has a longer slide and barrel: 6.85″ and 4.17″, vs 6.06″ and 3.41″ on the 43X.
Is the Glock 48 the same size as a Glock 19?
Close in length and height, but slimmer. The 48 is 7.28″ long and 1.10″ wide. With the new factory 15-round magazine, it matches the G19’s standard 15-round capacity in a thinner gun.
Which is better for concealed carry, the 43X or the 48?
The 43X is easier to hide because it’s shorter, especially carried appendix. Since the grips are identical, the 48 hides almost as well for most people and is easier to shoot. Fit and holster choice matter more than the spec sheet.
Do the 43X and 48 come with 15-round magazines?
New production models do. Glock announced factory 15-round Slimline magazines in April 2026, and new 43X and 48 pistols now ship with them. Older and some in-stock guns come with 10-round magazines, so check the listing or ask us.
Can you put a red dot on a Glock 43X or 48?
Yes, on the MOS models. The Slimline MOS cut takes micro red dots made for slim pistols, like the Shield RMSc footprint, not full-size MOS plates. Factory Aimpoint COA combos are also available.
Why Buy from Black Bayou Armory?
We’re a local gun shop at 5604 Hwy 3, Suite O, in Benton, Louisiana, serving Bossier City, Shreveport and the surrounding area. Come hold the 43X and 48 side by side, and we’ll help you pick the one that carries and shoots best for you. You can also shop online and pick up in store.
