SHOT Show 2017: FAB Defense G43 Magazine Extension

posted on January 18, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
glock_43_7.jpg

Already well-entrenched in the personal defense firearm market, Glock turned heads when it introduced its slim, single-stack 9 mm G43. The Glock 43 was an instant success among the company’s clamoring enthusiasts and personal-defense practitioners alike, but as with any gun designed for concealed carry, the G43 was an exercise in compromise. Designers trimmed size and weight to enhance portability, but the cost was ammunition capacity—the G43 magazine holds just six 9 mm Luger cartridges. 

FAB Defense, an Israeli company focused on polymer firearm accessories, and one pillar of The Mako Group, took aim at the Glock 43’s limitation with its G43 Magazine Extension. Introduced at the 2017 SHOT Show, the extension has the capacity to hold four additional rounds—bringing the total payload to 10—and adds more than an inch of textured gripping surface to improve purchase on the little pistol. A magazine baseplate replacement, the product has its own spring and follower that interfaces with the G43’s factory magazine spring, and allows the latter to travel down into the extension under the pressure of loaded cartridges. Though installation is straight forward, company representatives suggest that it’s not necessarily easy; the magazine springs in OEM Glock 43 magazines are under considerable tension and can be difficult to handle, so customers who experience difficulty or who want to avoid the hassle will be able to have the installation done by FAB Defense armorers.  

I was impressed by the look and feel of the magazine extension, and believe it to be a very practical enhancement to an already great personal-defense gun. And for those who worry that adding size to the G43’s grip area will negate the advantages of the sub-compact pistol, I would suggest that users continue loading a shorter six-round magazine for concealment, and carry the extended magazine as a reload. Another exercise in compromise.

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.