I wish I were a fly on the wall – or perhaps a mouse concealed within an especially plush patch of carpet – when one of Glock’s biggest brains came up with the Glock 43X handgun.

“What if … Glock 43 … but … bigger grip?”

What a magical moment that must have been. For what soon followed was the introduction of a perfected G43: one that holds 10 rounds of 9mm standard instead of a pipsqueak six, and which is easier to handle (especially if you’re an oafish galoot with clumsy mitts) thanks to its 0.79” longer grip.

You are a smart and forward thinking individual. You know to invest in a fine firearm when you see one. Of course, you are the proud owner of a G43X, and you want the best G43X ammunition your hard-earned cash can buy.

Or maybe you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, and have never earned cash at all, let alone the hard way. DOESN’T MATTER. This isn’t a classist website. I’ll recommend the best ammo for a G43X to anyone who can bear to listen to me.

Best Cheap Foreign-Made Glock 43X Ammo for Target Shooting:

Magtech 9mm 115 Grain FMJ

• Product No. 9A
• Bullet Weight: 115 Grains
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,135 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 329 ft lbs

Magtech isn’t known for its fancy marketing. But as a subsidiary of CBC Global Ammunition – one of the world’s largest ammo manufacturers – Magtech is known for producing outstandingly consistent ammo.

Magtech Target 9mm Luger Ammunition - 1000 Rounds of 115 Grain FMJ

$239.99

$214.99

This round is loaded with an FMJ: an unfancy bullet, which has a lead core, smooth-feeding and aerodynamic round nose profile, and nonferrous copper-alloy jacket. Magtech’s bullets aren’t as cheaply made as Wolf’s or Tula’s, but they have the advantage of being nonmagnetic. If your range prohibits bullets that can attract a magnet, then Magtech’s reloadable target ammo will satisfy.

Best Cheap American-Made Glock 43X Ammo for Target Shooting

Blazer Brass 9mm 115 Grain FMJ

• Product No. 5200
• Bullet Weight: 115 Grains
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,145 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 335 ft lbs

CCI introduced the Blazer label back during the ‘80s as part of its effort to market affordable aluminum cases. The brand became so popular that it eventually represented brass-cased ammo as well. This is that, and it’s intensely reliable.

Blazer Brass 9mm Luger Ammunition - 1000 Rounds of 115 Grain FMJ

$259.99

$214.99

Blazer Brass 9mm Luger Ammunition - 50 Rounds of 115 Grain FMJ

$15.00

I’ve never encountered any problems with this affordably priced Idaho-made ammo. I felt obliged to include it in this list because our customers consistently rate it very highly. “Ran 1,000 rounds through my Glock. No misfires. No failures to feed or extract. Accurate within the distance I was firing over. What more could you want?” is the common theme of most Blazer Brass reviews.

Best Premium Glock 43X Ammo for Target Shooting:

Speer Lawman 9mm 115 Grain TMJ

• Product No. 53650
• Bullet Weight: 115 Grains
• Bullet Type: Total Metal Jacket (TMJ)
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,200 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 368 ft lbs

Looking for 9mm target ammo with a little more pep in its step? Then you’ll dig Speer Lawman, which is loaded to a hotter 1,200 fps muzzle velocity (which helps the round emulate the recoil and point of aim of Speer Gold Dot 115 grain JHP). You’ll note fiercer recoil out of this round, but it’s nothing unmanageable to the averagely built shooter.

Speer Lawman 9mm Luger Ammunition - 50 Rounds of 115 Grain TMJ

$15.00

Speer Lawman 9mm Luger Ammunition - 1000 Rounds of 115 Grain TMJ

$264.99

This round’s bullet is not a full metal jacket. It is a total metal jacket, with a lead core that is totally surrounded by its copper jacket (as opposed to one with an exposed base). The TMJ’s jacketed base prevents the vaporization of its core under the heat of ignition. The payoffs? A cleaner range, barrel, suppressor and chamber, plus significantly reduced exposure to toxic lead for you. Very nice!

Best Glock 43X Ammo for Self-Defense

Speer Gold Dot 9mm 147 Grain JHP

• Product No. 23619GD
• Bullet Weight: 147 Grains
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Muzzle Velocity: 985 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 317 ft lbs

Speer Gold Dot is a popular choice among law enforcement officers. And if you’re planning on carrying your G43X for defense – or otherwise using it should you ever have to shoot for all the marbles – then it’s hard to do much better.

Speer Gold Dot Law Enforcement 9mm Luger Ammunition - 50 Rounds of 147 Grain JHP

$42.00

Speer Gold Dot Law Enforcement 9mm Luger Ammunition - 1000 Rounds of 147 Grain JHP

$800.00

This round is loaded with a bonded bullet, which has a pressure-formed lead-alloy core that has been electrochemically bonded to its copper jacket. The primary benefit to bonding is durability. Should the Gold Dot have to penetrate a barrier en route to the threat, its bonded jacket will help it conserve most (if not all) of its weight. That enables the bullet to conserve momentum – precisely the form of energy it needs in order to reach the threat’s vitals. Throw in the JHP’s nose cavity, which was formed via a series of die presses to control the rate and width of expansion, and you’ve got yourself a true ally during a life-or-death fracas.

I had a hard time deciding whether to recommend Speer Gold Dot over Federal HST. You really can’t go wrong with either.

What to Look for in G43X Ammo

KISS: keep it simple, friendo. There’s no need to pull your beautiful hair out stressing over Glock ammo. The G43X is not a “picky eater.” It should reliably fire any 9mm ammo so long as it is decently made and in good condition.

If you’re new to 9mm ammo, bear these things in mind:

• All Glock handguns are rated to safely fire 9mm +P ammunition. Overpressure ammo flies flatter and strikes its target harder; on the downside, it accelerates wear and tear on a firearm’s barrel and moving parts, and also generates stronger recoil. (Glock does not recommend +P+ in its handguns.)
• Steel and aluminum cases are features of inexpensive target ammo. Such ammo is fine for the range, but you would ideally utilize more reliable brass-cased ammo for defense (nickel-plated or otherwise).
• Know the two most popular types of handgun bullets: full metal jacket (FMJ) and jacketed hollow point (JHP). The former is cheaper and incapable of terminal expansion, and therefore suited for target practice. The latter is more expensive and designed for terminal expansion, thereby (A) improving the bullet’s potential to neutralize the threat, and (B) reducing (but not eliminating) the bullet’s risk of passing through said threat.
• The 9mm cartridge is commonly available with three different bullet weights: 115, 124, and 147 grains (1 grain = 1/437.5 ounces). The 115 grain bullet is supersonic, and generally preferred for target practice because it is cheaper. Its recoil feels sharper. The 147 grain bullet is subsonic, and generally favored for defense because it penetrates soft tissue more effectively. Its recoil feels duller. The 124 grain bullet offers a balance between the two. The best bullet weight for X, Y and Z ultimately boils down to what you feel most comfortable and accurate firing. It’s a lifestyle choice.
• Does your G43X have a ported barrel or compensator? Do not fire plated bullets, such as those made by Blazer, Speer or Berry’s, through it. A port may shave off a thin sliver of plated jacket and deflect it back at the shooter, which isn’t nice. Choose a true jacketed bullet instead.
• Tons of different types of ammo run through the G43X sans hiccup or hesitation. The specific loads I’ve determined to be reliable through personal experience. There was no systematic testing procedure; only a sawhorse, a whole mess of recyclables, and my brother-in-law Jim who’s a good dude.

The Takeaway

You have a Glock, there are a ton of great options for you out there when it comes to ammo.

I’m in no way being biased when I tell you to buy and try out a bunch of different options. First-hand experience is the best way to discern which ammo you and your pistol both prefer!