The results are in! TTAG readers who participated in our Lockerdome poll at the side of our home page favored the GLOCK 43 over the Smith & Wesson 442 by a margin of 58 percent to 42 percent. We rank that as a convincing win – from a self-selecting sample of gun guys and gals who weren’t asked why they preferred one pocket pistol over the other. If I had to guess . . .
the GLOCK 43’s seven-round capacity (6 + 1) is more appealing than the Smith’s five-rounds – not to mention reloading ease. The $529 GLOCK 43 is also a thinner, more easily concealed firearm. Then again, snub-nosed revolvers like the $469 MSRP Smith & Wesson 442 are justifiably valued for their reliability and second strike capability. Having fired both guns thousands of times, I’ll say this: buyers will be nearasdammit 100 percent satisfied with either pistol. Unless they find themselves needing a quick reload . . .
Glocks work. Revolvers work. Can’t we have and use both? Choose a side sucks balls.
Frankly, I was surprised to see the 442 do as well as it did. I voted for the 442, but I love snub nosed revolvers. I really like Glocks as well, and will probably pick up a G43 sometime for pocket carry.
Glocks are great guns, but there is something classy about a J-frame Smith.
Maybe the poll should have been G43 vs Shield, or LCR vs 442.
I agree. I also voted Glock. I own a G42 and was looking ar the G43. I ended up getting an LC9s Pro instead. My duty pistol for most of the last decade was a G21 with a G30 backup, so I’m proficient with their system. I liked the trigger on the Ruger better plus the one extra round. Also Ruger offers the 9-round extended factory mags. So I now have a total of six mags for it. Two are the standard 7-rounders (one I keep the finger-baseplate on, the other is flat), and four 9-rounders. I voted G43 since I can take even their smallest guns out to 25 yards without an issue on IPSC/IDPA/POST courses. I’ve always had a difficult time shooting snub nose revolvers at extended ranges.
If it had been Ruger LCR vs. G43, that would have been an interesting one. The LCR’s uber-smooth trigger cam system really changes the idea of a double-action-only revolver. So, I think that would be a really interesting poll to see.
I chose the Glock because between that and the S&W it was the better gun for carrying, but I would still take a 26 over a 43 everyday.
I think the 43 would make a good pocket gun (and I like pocket guns). I am afraid that the 26 might be a bit big for pocket carry. That said, the 26 is a vastly superior gun with it’s ability to take extended mags.
Well, I actually do have a 442 on my shopping list, specifically to replace my 637.
I’ve owned exactly ONE Glock and have no intention of ever owning another.
If you change out the trigger, sights and grip- Glocks can be decent sidearm. It’s also a great gun for amateurs. But I am with you- glocks aren’t for me.
I don’t like the new poll. I don’t like not wanting to vote for Colion Noire because I really like him. I just find Hickok 45s videos more straight to the point. Had it been Colion Noire versus another wordy youtuber like NutNFancy I would have picked Colion Noire.
Now, if only the opinion poll they take on Election Day had two good choices on it, instead of two crappy ones!
It was an easy choice for me I like Colion alright, but he doesn’t hold a candle to Hickok45. Hickok45 is the cool uncle/grandpa that we all would have loved to spend time with. Hickok45 also just has tons of videos. It seems like he has a video covering nearly all reasonably common guns. Again, I like Colion but Hickok45 is great.
Hickock. Colion may be able to beat him in a 3 gun match with lots of running and stage changes, but I dare say Hickock could probably just shoot all the stages from the starting line and hit them.
Although the videos of what type of people carry what gun are really funny though… “does carrying a 40 make me bi?” I absolutely lost it on that one and just for the record I do carry a 40 lol
ANY GUN + GOOD SHOT PLACEMENT = YOU WIN! But preference polls are fun no matter which one you choose. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ!
It’s a poll about personal preference, which (within broad bounds) really can’t be quarrelled with. (Some guns really do suck, objectively speaking, and should be avoided if at all possible; someone professing to like that gun better than a quality piece of some sort hopefully has a very good argument for it.) Both are good guns with their limitations, but I also know my own tastes, and I know which of the two I’d take. Unless you’re a gun salesman that should be the end of it. Given that a bit over 2 out of 5 people prefer the less popular of the two, a salesman would be well advised to present it as an option to someone looking to get into the “small, concealable” realm (unless he already knows the customer to be a revolver hater or Glock lover), covnersely the more popular Glock should be presented unless he knows the customer is a Glock hater or revolver lover.
Well this is easy. 42% of us make a better choice 😉 *Flame on*
I gave up my pocket pistol (Beretta Nano) for a XD Mod2 because I wantedl my guns to have the same trigger. This is why the poll results don’t surprise me. Glocks are really popular and a Glock guy is going to want a familiar trigger. A revolver guy is going to prefer a revolver. Revolver guys are like guys who still like sticks — a dying breed.
I prefer revolvers but not sticks. I hate to think what that says about me.
Yep. I still carry a .357 revolver as EDC. No plastic, no TapRackBang. Just gun.
Both are great deep concealment options. I like the 442 because when I carry a small gun I like to pocket carry. On paper the G43 and other single-stack 9mms seem surprisingly small, but I find the rounded shape of the revolver works better for pocket carry. For IWB they both disappear and if pocket carry was not a concern I would lean towards the G43. For pocket carry, the snubby is still the king in my experience. The G43 would certainly be an option for anyone with large enough pockets. I think the sales of small revolvers suggest that they are here to stay and certainly not only the choice of a dying breed.
I like pocket carry. DA for me.
Did votes count, even if you didn’t jump through the facebook hoops?
lol
.357 vs 380 auto???
Thats not a choice, thats a stupidity test.
This was more of a test of how many people who come to this sight are glock fans.
Kyle, sorry bro but you failed the test. The G42 is .380, the G43 is 9mm. The 442 is .38 special.
Does the 43 really conceal in the pocket better than a 442?
Most people say no. A lot of people said the g42 was a bit too big for Pocket carry. If looking for 9mm in the pocket maybe a sig 938?
HOME CARRY:
I love my Glocks, and their carry rigs. However, when at home at night, my S&W 442 with the Performance center modified grips has the belt carry option. I keep this with +P ammo right next to my TV stand. Then, even if I’m in my underpants or pajamas, I can easily carry this out to the street to retrieve my garbage can at 3 am.
There’s nothing better than sticking that 38 special loaded with +P inside my under pant or Pajama waistband. I don’t even notice it’s there.
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