Due to the uncharacteristically wet season, the range was a mess. I was able to do accuracy work with the little GLOCK Slimline pistols. I limited the initial exam to two loads per gun as I was rushed.
Shooting from the bench at 25 yards, I found that the guns will, at their best, shoot into around two inches at 25 yards. This assumes a properly secured machine rest. In human hands, expect 3 – 4 inch groups at the same distance.
The following results were recorded:
G43X
|
Federal “Micro” 150 gr. HST |
5” |
3 1/3” |
Vertical stringing (grip) |
|
Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr. |
5” |
2 ¼” |
Strike 4 ¾” low at 25 yards |
G48
|
Super Vel 115 gr. Solid Copper HP +P |
4” |
3 ½” |
|
American Gunner 115 gr. |
3” |
1 ¾” |
Vertical stringing tells me that my grip is inconsistent. I don’t see that as a regular issue with either gun, but happened intermittently for me. I’m thinking I need more friction -- perhaps Talon Grip will release a G43x-G48 version of their carry-appropriate grip “tape.”
As to the low point of impact, it’s apparent that both guns shoot to the “dot,” not to the top edge of the front sight. Holding intentionally high gave a good elevation but I was tending left at least some of the time. Add the inconsistency of my grip to my natural tendency to push left and we have the windage issue. Legendary Lawman “Marshal” Chuck Haggard has since tried to coach me on this issue and we’ll see how that plays out in future range trips.
As to the ammunition, the Hornady American Gunner load continues to surprise me. It’s very consistent and very accurate as well as being a ‘value priced’ offering.
During a morning when the range deck was frozen, keeping me from having to trudge through a bog, I shot the comparative standards with each gun as well as the ‘abbreviated Feeb’ (my fifty-round version of the current FBI qual) and practice drills with the guns. I found I did “okay” with the GLOCK 48 using Federal “Aluminum” practice ammo. It was a complete BOLO with the G43X and the aforementioned Hornady American Gunner load. I could cry about the cold temps, digging the gun out from under layers of clothing, the eight weeks since I’d fired that course, or any number of other issues, but these are the things one should expect when facing the event you least want to face.
That makes it a good test.
The G48 was at least under 40 seconds cumulatively – only slightly. Only two guns were slower for me before this experience. With the GLOCK 43X, the time was bad enough before the five seconds added for penalties – a real record for me on this course of fire.
Aside from the layers of clothing – something that would affect any gun on this kind of evaluation – the thinner frames of these samples were harder for me to index than the typical ‘fat’ frame of the standard GLOCK 9mm pistol. That’s not something I expected, as the non-double stack guns were always better for me before I went with G19 as the regular carry piece in 2001. I found I needed more ‘grip’ on the guns too.
Doing the abbreviated Feeb on the QIT-99 target with the G43X ended with two down, on the left. That wasn’t terrible, but it’s a course I normally clean with about anything. I used 124 grain FMJ loads from Black Hills Ammunition for this course.
Using Winchester “White Box” 115 grain FMJ and the IALEFI-Q target with the GLOCK 48, I shot singles, pairs, singles from guard, a pair of five-shot strings at 25 yards and the ‘one-hole’ drill from five yards. There were three hits outside the ‘rings’ at 7 o’clock, and all but two in the rings were in the “x.” I felt a little better.
While the “one-hole” at five yards wasn’t, both five-round strings were tight.
These are new guns, a new form-factor for GLOCK. I didn’t expect sterling results from the start – but it’s nice when that happens. I’ll continue my work with them and keep you posted.
- - Rich Grassi