Anybody go from G19 to G43 or similar size guns? Regret it? Glad you did?

[68ar15]

43 is way easier to carry. It’s the weight as much as the size.

[gillian_seed]

G26 might be a decent way to go. It’s smaller than your 19 and you can use the same 15 round magazines for a reload if you want.

I love carrying mine.

[MountainRaven]

I've tried going to small guns like J-frames and G43s a couple of times. I keep coming back to fighting-size handguns every time, though.

[lee1000]

I had a G22, realized it was huge for concealed carry and bought a G26 and I shoot it better than any other 9mm pistol. I carry it with a plus 2 extension and a 17 round reload for a total of 30 rounds, no small number.

For places where carry is severely discouraged I carry a PM9 or S&W Bodyguard (pocket). I've gotten to where I can shoot that Bodyguard very well and fast.

[1168]

With G43 sized guns, my marksmanship is rather...mediocre. They carry well enough that I keep one around, though (Kahr CW9). My Beretta 85 conceals just as well, and holds an extra round or two, albeit a .380. I shoot it a bit better. I typically carry a full size PX4 strongside IWB, and thats what I practice with the most. I’m still looking for a Goldilocks gun, which would be just slightly smaller than a G19, particularly in thickness. Double stack guns smaller than a G19 seem to offer no concealment advantage on my frame because thickness counts, too. I have a Sig 225a1 on order, so maybe it will fit the bill for “summer carry”.

Tl;dr: I don’t “regret” my G43 sized gun, its just that I would prefer larger guns most of the time.

[grizzlyblake]

My wife has a G43 and sometimes I'll carry it as a lazy carry when we're together. It's extremely comfortable but as everyone says it's much harder to shoot as fast and accurate as the G19. I still consider it a 10yd and in gun, but I know other folks train further.

Normally I carry a G19 AIWB (5'6", 150lb). I had a G26 for years but the G19 allows such a better grip for drawing quickly and shooting one handed that I eventually let the 26 go. Carrying appendix the G19 is plenty small for me.

In reality a 43 with a spare mag is probably more than plenty unless you're doing LE work, but it's still not in the same league of user friendliness as the 19.

[Biggy]

Here is a review by LAV of the G43 and Shield compared to the G19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdYH2M7CJN4&t=2s

[ramairthree]

By 1994 I went from a 92FS to a G19.
Same firepower, smaller package.
It really was groundbreaking to me to have service pistol capability in that compact package.

I got a G26 when they first came out a few years later.
I hated the flush 10 mag. At the time I did not like it with a plus zero mag extension, or with a G19 mag and spacer.

I re-visited it with the plus basepad more recently. I am a fan.

I played with the 43. Just not enough reduction for me to go with it. Will I change my mind in a decade?

[Damn_yankee]

I still carry my M&P 2.0C but I also have an M&P Shield that I carry frequently as well. I carry AIWB with both and both conceal very well. The Shield is definitely easier to carry though. I also hate the thinness of the grip on the Shield so I got a Hogue beaver tail grip sleeve. This one will not shift while firing. It was a bitch to install because it is so tight. I had to put the sleeve in boiling water for a minute to help it go over the Shield grip.

[RHINOWSO]

I also hate the thinness of the grip on the Shield so I got a Hogue beaver tail grip sleeve. This one will not shift while firing. It was a bitch to install because it is so tight. I had to put the sleeve in boiling water for a minute to help it go over the Shield grip.

Very common with these small pistols. I have done the same on everyone one I have / currently own (LCP, PPS, G42, G43).