S&W Shield Plus vs Glock 43X: Which Slimline Carries Better?

Same width, different philosophies

Smith & Wesson and Glock took the same brief and drew two different guns. The brief: keep the gun as slim as a single-stack carry pistol, but hold more rounds.

Smith & Wesson's original M&P Shield, introduced in 2012, was a true slim single-stack. The 2021 Shield Plus kept that idea but switched to what American Rifleman called a stack-and-a-half magazine, 0.15 inch wider than the original, taking capacity from 7 and 8 rounds to 10 and 13. Width at its widest grew from 0.95 to 1.1 inches.

Glock's 43X, from 2019, followed the same logic from the other direction. Gun Digest described it as a G43 upper on a taller frame with a wider 10-round magazine. Overall width: 1.10 inches.

So both guns end up at 1.1 inches wide. Where they differ is how much each one fits into that width, what controls they put on it, and how long the grip is.

The numbers

Shield Plus figures come from Shooting Illustrated's first look; Glock figures come from Glock's spec page. Smith & Wesson sells many Shield Plus variants, including Performance Center and optic-ready models, so confirm specs for the exact model number.

Capacity: a clean factory win for the Shield Plus

This is the biggest difference, and it's not close. The Shield Plus ships with a 10-round flush magazine and a 13-round extended magazine, per Shooting Illustrated. The 43X ships with 10-round magazines.

Yes, the 43X can reach 15 with aftermarket magazines like the Shield Arms S15. That's a popular route and many people trust it. But factory magazines are the default for most buyers, and on that basis the Shield Plus holds three more rounds in its extended magazine.

The Shield Plus's magazine also has witness holes and a bright orange follower, according to American Rifleman, which makes it easy to confirm how many rounds are loaded or that the magazine is empty.

Grip: the 43X's advantage

The 43X's grip is longer. With its standard 10-round magazine, Glock lists the height at 5.04 inches. That's long enough for most people to get all fingers on the grip without any extension.

The Shield Plus with its flush 10-round magazine is the shorter, more concealable configuration; add the 13-round magazine and the grip lengthens. In practice, many Shield Plus owners carry the 13-rounder for a full grip and accept a slightly longer butt, or carry the 10 for concealment and the 13 as a spare.

Grip texture and angle differ too. The 43X uses the familiar Glock grip angle. The Shield Plus has M&P-style texture and angle. Neither is objectively better; it depends on what points naturally for you.

Controls and the thumb safety

Here's a choice the 43X doesn't offer at all. The Shield Plus is sold in versions with a manual thumb safety and versions without one, Shooting Illustrated and American Rifleman both reported.

A thumb safety appeals to people who carry appendix, who are newer to carrying, or who simply prefer an extra mechanical step when holstering. It also requires training until you sweep it off every time you draw. If you want one, the Shield Plus is the only one of these two that gives you the option.

The Shield Plus also introduced a flat-face trigger with a bladed safety, which American Rifleman called a first for the M&P line, and described the pull as consistent with a short, clean reset. The 43X has a Glock trigger with a 24 N rated pull. Trigger preference is personal; try both.

Concealment: where each one gives itself away

Since width is a tie, concealment comes down to length and shape.

Grip length is usually what prints, because the butt of the gun pokes out against a shirt when you bend or reach. With its flush 10-round magazine, the Shield Plus has the shorter grip of the two. That's its concealment advantage. Switch to the 13-round magazine and the grip lengthens, and the advantage shrinks.

The 43X's grip is the same length every day, because Glock only makes the one 10-round magazine for it. You get a full grip, and the same printing profile, no matter what.

Slide length matters mostly for appendix carriers. The 43X's slide and barrel are longer (6.50 inches overall versus 6.1 for the Shield Plus), so there's more muzzle below the belt. Some people find that more comfortable, because a longer gun is less likely to tip outward; others find it digs in when seated. Try both in a holster if you can.

Shape varies more than spec sheets show. The M&P grip and the Glock grip have different contours and angles, so the same nominal size can conceal differently on different bodies. A quality holster with a claw or wedge often matters more than the gun.

Optics and upgrades

The 43X MOS is optic-ready from the factory with Glock's Modular Optic System. Shield Plus optic options depend on the model; when it launched, Shooting Illustrated and American Rifleman both reported that optic-ready slides would come through Performance Center and later variants. Not every Shield Plus has an optic cut, so check the exact model number if you plan to run a dot.

Upgrades follow a similar pattern. The 43X has a huge aftermarket: sights, triggers, slides, magazines, magazine extensions. The Shield Plus has strong but smaller support. If you like to tinker, the Glock is the easier platform. If you want to buy a gun and leave it alone, both are fine.

Weight

The 43X is lighter on paper: 18.55 ounces with an empty magazine versus a published 20.2 ounces for the Shield Plus. Under two ounces apart, but you'll notice it on a thin belt after a long day. A good gun belt matters more than the gun's weight here.

Holsters, spares and support

Both guns have broad holster support, but holsters are model-specific. A holster for the original Shield may not be listed for the Shield Plus, so check fit carefully. For the 43X MOS, DeSantis makes a Mean Streak Kydex IWB. For a spare 43X magazine, 1791 Gunleather's SnagMag for Glock 43X/48 clips in the waistband or a pocket.

Spare factory magazines for both are in Ammunition Depot's handgun magazine section, which has S&W M&P and Glock 43/43X subcategories. Confirm you're buying Shield Plus magazines, not original Shield magazines.

Who shouldn't buy either

If you have large hands and want a full grip with real capacity, both of these will feel small. A compact like the Glock 19 or a longer-gripped micro like the P365-XMACRO may suit you better; see our P365-XMACRO review.

If you have limited hand strength, test the slide on both. Neither was designed as an easy-rack gun, and our easy-rack carry guns guide covers models that were.

Which one carries better?

Pick the Shield Plus if:

• You want 13 rounds from the factory without aftermarket magazines.
• You want a thumb-safety option.
• You like the M&P grip angle and the flat-face trigger.
• You want a short flush-magazine grip for concealment with a 13-rounder as the spare.

Pick the Glock 43X if:

• You want a full grip with the standard magazine.
• You prefer Glock simplicity: no levers, deep parts support.
• You care about weight.
• You're fine at 10 rounds, or plan to proof 15-round aftermarket magazines.

Final setup notes

Proof your defensive ammunition through the gun and every magazine you'll carry. A widely used load is Speer Gold Dot 9mm 124-grain +P. Our 200-round checklist lays out a proofing plan.

When either gun is off your body, keep it locked in a safe or lockbox, especially with children or visitors at home.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and published sources. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and the law where you live.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.