I picked one up to handle. Like you said, quite a bit larger than expected. My kahr pm9 is considerably smaller, and equally as reliable, so I just couldn't see the point of buying the g43.
I haven't really been impressed with Glock nearly as much the past, well....decade or two. They used to easily be the leader in handgun reliability and innovation, but now everybody has a "glock clone". Now they seem to think innovation consists of a single stack magazine?! I'm sure they're taking the viewpoint of "don't fix what isn't broken", but with the trend in micro concealed carry 9mm and .380ACP handguns, I think they could have brought more to the table.
Outside of the larger-than-expected size, the magazine specific platform was also a negative. I like the option of running G-17 mags in my 19. It also really had no size advantages over my wifes LC9s. Guess a G-43 is not in my near future.
To me it's a over priced, late to the dance offering. The Glock name is all it has going for it, if you are a kool-aid drinker. My shield has been 100 % reliable with well over 1500 rounds through for less money.
