Table of Contents
Glock and SIG Sauer are two of the most respected names in the firearms industry, each with decades of performance and reliability behind them. In the compact/concealed-carry arena, two standout models are the Glock 43 and the SIG P365. At first glance, they serve similar roles — but dig deeper and their design philosophies, trade-offs, and optimal use cases differ substantially.
This head-to-head comparison will examine how the Glock 43 and SIG P365 stack up in size, performance, ergonomics, modularity, carry potential, and finally answer: Is Glock better than SIG — or is it simply a matter of choosing the right tool for your mission?
Glock 43: Slimline Concealed Carry
The Glock 43 is a slimline, single-stack 9mm pistol designed specifically for discreet concealed carry. With a 6-round magazine capacity and an overall length of approximately 6.26 inches, the Glock 43 offers a compact, lightweight profile that makes it easy to carry in nearly any position. Its narrow 1.06-inch frame and low unloaded weight of just over 16 ounces allow it to be comfortably worn throughout the day without printing under clothing, making it one of the most practical Glocks for deep concealment.
Despite its small size, the Glock 43 maintains the brand’s core reliability and functionality.
SIG P365: Capacity Meets Concealability
The SIG P365 is a landmark micro-compact 9mm pistol built to maximize capacity in a pocket-friendly package. With a standard flush-fit capacity of 10+1 rounds (and readily available extended magazines up to 12–15+ rounds), the P365 delivers double-stack performance in a frame that measures roughly 5.8–6.3 inches overall and stays near 1.0 inch in width, making it exceptionally carryable. Lightweight and balanced, the SIG P365 offers a secure grip surface and a short barrel (around 3.1 inches) that provides solid defensive accuracy while keeping the pistol highly concealable.
Designed with everyday carry in mind, the SIG P365 blends ergonomics and practicality: it has a comfortable grip profile for a micro pistol, manageable recoil for rapid follow-ups, and factory sights tuned for fast target acquisition. SIG’s focus on packing more rounds into a small footprint gives the P365 real-world advantages over many single-stack alternatives, making it a top choice for carriers who want a compact pistol that doesn’t compromise capacity or shootability.
Glock 43 vs SIG P365 Size Comparison
The Glock 43 is a slim single-stack 9mm built for deepest concealment — about 6.3" long, ~1.06" wide, and very light, making it ideal for tight IWB or pocket carry but at the cost of low capacity and snappier recoil.
The SIG P365 packs a 10+1 flush capacity into a slightly thicker, similarly short frame (≈3.1" barrel), giving a fuller grip and better control for follow-ups while remaining highly concealable — the P365 trades a hair more bulk for significantly more firepower and shootability.
| Spec | Glock 43 | SIG P365 |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm | 9mm |
| Action | Striker-fired | Striker-fired |
| Weight (unloaded) | ~16.2 oz | ~17.8 oz |
| Height (with mag) | ~4.25 inches | ~4.3 inches |
| Overall Length | ~6.26 inches | ~5.8 inches |
| Barrel Length | ~3.41 inches | ~3.1 inches |
| Width | ~1.06 inches | ~1.0 inch |
| Magazine | Flush-fit single-stack magazine | Flush-fit double-stack magazine |
| Mag Capacity | 6+1 rounds | 10+1 rounds (standard) |
| Trigger Pull | Approximately 5.5 lbs (factory) | Approximately 5–5.5 lbs (factory) |
| Sights | Fixed low-profile sights | Fixed 3-dot sights |
| Grip Material | Textured polymer | Textured polymer |
| Manufacturer | Glock | SIG Sauer |
| MSRP | Approximately $400–$500 | Approximately $450–$650 |
Glock 43 vs SIG P365: Enhancements, Accessories & Range Performance
The Glock 43 and the SIG P365 are both purpose-built for concealed carry, but they approach the job from different engineering trade-offs that affect upgrades and range use.
The Glock 43 is a very slim, single-stack subcompact with a short grip and ~3.4-inch barrel, built first and foremost for deep concealment and simple reliability. Its slim profile makes it ideal for minimalist carry setups; on the range you’ll notice it’s best suited to short-range defensive drills and precision out to typical self-defense distances. Aftermarket support focuses on sights, magazine extensions, slimmer holster options, and light trigger work; optical upgrades exist through slide conversions and dedicated optic-cut slides sold by third-party vendors, but the platform isn’t as naturally optic-forward as some modern micro-compacts without those slide changes.
The SIG P365 was designed to push capacity and shootability into a micro-compact footprint. With a slightly shorter barrel (around 3.1") but a taller, double-stack grip, the P365 delivers more rounds in a package only a little larger than the G43. SIG and third-party makers offer a wide array of holsters, sights, extended magazines, and several factory or aftermarket optics-ready variants (and optics-cut slide kits), so it’s easier to build a P365 for both everyday carry and more demanding dry-fire / live-fire practice. On the range the P365’s additional grip area and capacity make it friendlier for higher-volume drills and faster reloads compared with the G43.
SIG P365 vs Glock 43: Weight and Comfort
Both pistols are light and easy to carry, but their shapes produce different comfort profiles depending on body type and carry style.
The Glock 43’s standout feature is its narrow, low-profile slide and frame. That thinness makes it extremely comfortable for deep concealment, pocket carry, or very tight clothing — it disappears under a shirt more readily and prints less. For smaller hands the G43 can feel very natural, though the short grip limits purchase for shooters with larger hands and can force a higher grip or use of extensions to improve control.
The P365, while still compact and carry-friendly, has a taller, slightly thicker grip to house its double-stack magazines. That extra girth can be more comfortable for many shooters (especially those with medium to large hands) because it provides more surface area and leverage, which translates to better control and a more secure carry feel. It’s only marginally heavier than the G43 in everyday use, but the trade-off is extra rounds and improved ergonomics for follow-up shots — a win for most users who want more capacity without sacrificing concealability.
SIG P365 vs Glock 43: Accuracy and Recoil
Both pistols are capable defensive performers, but their handling differences show up under fire.
The Glock 43’s shorter, slimmer frame and lighter overall feel give it a quick, snappy recoil impulse — you’ll likely see slightly more muzzle rise in fast strings. Its sight radius and long trigger pull on stock models make precise hits at longer distances a bit more demanding; with good fundamentals and an upgraded sight or trigger, the G43 can be very accurate inside typical defensive ranges, but it rewards deliberate shots rather than rapid strings.
The P365 tends to feel more controllable for most shooters. The taller grip and slightly greater mass help tame recoil and muzzle flip, enabling faster, more consistent follow-up shots and tighter groups during high-tempo drills. While the P365’s barrel is marginally shorter, the practical difference at defensive ranges is small — what matters is the platform’s better natural purchase and capacity, which together give shooters an edge in sustained, accurate defensive shooting.
SIG P365 vs Glock 43: Carry & Holsters
The Glock 43 and SIG P365 are both micro-compacts designed for concealed carry, but their dimensions affect holster options and how they ride during everyday use.
The Glock 43, at 6.26 inches overall length and roughly 17.95 ounces unloaded, is incredibly slim and optimized for discreet carry. Its single-stack design makes it perfect for ultra-low-profile IWB holsters, pocket rigs, or appendix carry setups where printing must be minimal. The best Glock 43 holster choices emphasize slimness, deep concealment, and comfort under lighter clothing, making the pistol an excellent match for minimalist kydex or hybrid designs.
The SIG P365, with a 5.8-inch overall length and about 17.8 ounces unloaded, brings more capacity in nearly the same footprint. Its slightly taller double-stack grip supports a wider variety of holsters, including IWB, appendix, and even OWB rigs. Many holsters for the P365 are designed with optic-ready compatibility, given how common red-dot-ready slides are in the P365 lineup. The best SIG P365 holster options balance concealment with fast access, making it easy to carry comfortably all day while benefiting from the pistol’s higher round count.
Whether you value the Glock 43’s extreme slimness for deep concealment or the P365’s blend of concealability and higher capacity, both pistols are supported by extensive holster aftermarket options — ensuring you’ll find a solution that matches your carry style and lifestyle.
Glock 43 vs SIG P365: Why Were They Made?
The Glock 43 and SIG P365 were both born from the rising demand for pistols that balance concealability with reliable defensive firepower — but each came at a slightly different stage of the concealed carry market.
The Glock 43, introduced in 2015, was Glock’s direct response to the surge in popularity of slim, single-stack 9mm pistols. At the time, shooters wanted something slimmer than the Glock 26 but still chambered in a service-caliber round. The G43 was designed to be ultra-concealable, lightweight, and simple — ideal for deep carry or backup roles. Its focus was on reliability and discretion, even if that meant sacrificing magazine capacity.
The SIG P365, released in 2018, was a game-changer because it solved the very limitation the Glock 43 embodied: capacity. SIG engineered a staggered double-stack magazine that fit into a micro-compact frame, effectively offering 10+1 rounds (and later 12 or 15 with extensions) in a gun nearly as small as the Glock 43. The P365 was made to push the boundaries of what a concealed carry pistol could be — compact enough to disappear under clothing but with the capacity and ergonomics of a larger handgun.
In short, the Glock 43 was made to give carriers a simple, no-frills, ultra-slim 9mm option, while the SIG P365 was made to redefine the category by packing more rounds and shootability into the same space.
SIG P365 vs Glock 43: Potential Issues
The SIG P365’s most-cited issues historically revolve around striker/striker-tip wear and occasional light-strike reports on early production runs, plus some variant-specific fitment quirks for holsters and optics; many of these were addressed in later revisions. To mitigate: inspect and keep the striker channel clean and lightly lubricated, use a proper dry-fire tool, run a thorough break-in with quality ammo, and match holsters/plates to your exact P365 variant. Occasional extraction or cycling oddities can usually be fixed with cleaning, proper springs, or swapping in upgraded replacement parts from reputable vendors.
The Glock 43’s concerns are mostly the usual micro-compact tradeoffs — tighter tolerances can make it choosier about ammo and magazines, leading to occasional feeding, ejection, or magazine-drop issues if neglected. Regular maintenance, using quality magazines and factory ammo, and small, careful feed-ramp or magazine-lip smoothing (or replacing worn springs) will resolve most problems. In short: the P365’s early striker/fitment quirks and the G43’s ammo/magazine sensitivity are the main differences—both become very reliable with correct parts selection, good magazines, and consistent maintenance.
Glock 43 vs SIG P365: The Verdict
n a head-to-head between the Glock 43 and the SIG P365, much of the decision comes down to tradeoffs between ultimate concealability versus carry capacity and shootability. The G43 excels at being as slim and easily hidden as possible — minimal printing, easy carry in tight outfits, and very lightweight holster options. But those benefits come with limitations: fewer rounds, more sensitivity to ammo and magazine quality, and a snappier recoil impulse in fast strings.
The P365, meanwhile, offers what many consider the best balance in the modern micro-compact class: it’s still very concealable, yet delivers substantially more capacity, better ergonomics for follow-up shots, and a more robust optics and holster ecosystem. While early models had some quirks (striker issues, variant-fit compatibility), SIG has largely addressed those in later versions, and the platform generally performs better under sustained use.
If your top priorities are disappearing the gun entirely under clothing, maximizing minimalism, or carrying in very restrictive carry slots, the Glock 43 remains a compelling option. But for most carriers who want everyday concealability and practical performance (capacity, quicker reloads, better control for repeated shots), the SIG P365 is harder to beat. If you like, I can also tailor a verdict specifically for your carry style (appendix, IWB, minimal clothing) — which carry setup do you favor?
