Glock G43X 9mm vs Glock G45 Gen5 9mm

Both are fixed-sight Glocks without a factory optic cut, but they are in different weight classes. The Glock G45 Gen5 9mm holds 17+1 to the Glock G43X 9mm's 10+1 and is bigger in every direction: 0.24" wider (1.34" vs 1.1"), 0.43" taller (5.47" vs 5.04"), 0.94" longer (7.44" vs 6.5") and 5.78 oz heavier (24.48 oz vs 18.7 oz). It also runs a longer 4.02" barrel against 3.41" and a 6.02" sight radius against 5.24". The G43X's trigger is listed 0.4 lb lighter at 5.4 lb vs 5.8 lb. MSRP is $538 for the G43X and $647 for the G45, which includes a third magazine.

Pick the Glock G43X if:

• Printing is the constraint: 1.1" wide vs 1.34" is the number that decides that
• You want 5.78 oz off the belt (18.7 oz vs 24.48 oz)
• You want the lower $538 MSRP and a lighter listed trigger at 5.4 lb

Pick the Glock G45 Gen5 if:

• You want seven more rounds on board (17+1 vs 10+1)
• You want the full 5.47" grip height in your hand rather than 5.04" on a slim frame
• You want the longer 4.02" barrel and 6.02" sight radius, plus a third magazine

Neither is cut for an optic, so this is capacity and bulk against concealment. Seven rounds and a full grip cost 0.24" of width and 5.78 oz.