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TTI-001

I recently wrote about my first trip to the range with my new GLOCK-brand GLOCK 43. At the time, some characterized my literary investigation into the micro-GLOCK’s advantages and disadvantages as “whining.” A new product from Taran Tactical Innovations has elevated my opinion of the 43’s suitability as an everyday carry pistol, reducing my whining concerns considerably . . .

TTI makes two flavors of baseplate for the G43, a +1 and a +2; I can testify that the latter is roughly the same size as the G43’s OEM ‘pinky-extension’ mag.

TTI-003

Being of the “go big or go home” school of thought when it comes to magazines, I opted for the +2 when ordering back in May. As it happens, TTI’s baseplates were in such high demand — the benefits of being first to market — that they were back-ordered as soon as I clicked the send button. They finally arrived about a month later.

TTI-005

The +2 Baseplate is made of CNC-machined aluminum; it feels like a solid, quality product. While TTI offers a variety of colors for other GLOCK magazines baseplate extensions, for now TTI’s G43 baseplates only come in three colors: black (which more or less matches GLOCK black), titanium gray, and flat black. Given the popularity of these smaller guns with the gentler sex – the G43 features prominently on the “Women” section of the GLOCK website – hopefully you can expect more vibrant colors in the G43 baseplate’s future.

To remove the OEM baseplate, you press the little button at the bottom of the regular magazine with a screwdriver, punch or a GLOCK-brand GLOCK disassembly tool. Then you squeeze the magazine at the bottom to remove the OEM baseplate from out and around the retention tabs of the magazine body. Helpful hint: use a vice or pair of plumber’s pliers to squeeze the magazine enough to get the baseplate past the retaining tabs. Just be careful not to shear off the tabs on the magazine body itself.

TTI-002

If you haven’t done it before, there are lots of videos by “I’m-not-a-GLOCK-Armorer-but-I-play-one-on-YouTube” types to show you how. Once you’ve ditched the old baseplate, installing the Taran Tactical Innovations +2 Baseplate is easy enough  Just slide it on past the retention tabs, and it’s pretty much done. There’s a push-pin at the far end of the TTI baseplate that helps lock things down, perhaps designed for those who sheared off one of the retention tabs.

When seated, the TTI baseplate’s push-pin sticks up into the G43’s grip channel. If you’re one of those fussy GLOCK owners that puts a plug into that channel to keep dirt out – or have one of those unicorn GLOCKS with the internal safety lock – the magazine might not seat properly with the pin fully depressed.

TTI-004

The baseplate works exactly as advertised: it increases the capacity of the standard G43 magazine to 8 rounds (+1 in the chamber). For me, the mod moves the GLOCK 43 from borderline acceptable to the “yeah, that might be enough” capacity rang, and it does so without appreciably increasing the bulk of the magazine versus the OEM ‘pinky extension’ mag. If you could successfully conceal the G43 with the ‘pinky extension’ magazine before, you’ll be able to conceal it with the TTI +2 baseplate.

TTI-006

I ordered two, and immediately installed one, keeping the Glock OEM flat baseplate magazine as-is in case I feel like pocket-carrying. The second TTI baseplate will go on one of the other G43 magazines, which are also currently on backorder (‘natch).

The +2 TTI baseplate adds to the real estate upon which your hand can find purchase during a stressful extraction without reducing concealability. Those are both very good things. I like to stay as concealed as possible while at work. As for reliability, quick test of the new magazine revealed no feeding issues out of the gate.

The only downside to these baseplates: as of this writing, they’re rarer than a Jerry Miculek miss. TTI’s page for this product formerly had a “BACKORDER” button; it’s currently SOLD OUT, and the baseplate is no longer even available for backorder. The smaller (and possibly less-desirable) +1 baseplate is also sold out.

The +2 Baseplates for the Glock 43 ain’t cheap: they’re $34.99 a pop. That’s more or less the sticker price for a new G43 magazine. (If you can find one.)  Buy more than one and the price drops of $30.00/ea. If you carry a G43, though, and find yourself needing two extra rounds in extremis it’s money well spent.

TTI-007

Price: $34.99 from Taran Tactical Innovations.

Effectiveness: * * * * *
The baseplate works exactly as advertised – 33 percent more ammo capacity for your G43 magazines.

Concealability: * * * *
The baseplate is just as concealable as the G43’s pinky-extension baseplate. Maybe not ideal for pocket carry, but just fine for a tuckable IWB holster.

Quality: * * * * *
Taran Tactical assembled this CNC-machined billet aluminum product with care.

Overall: * * * * *
This is one of those modifications that serves a real purpose. The only downsides: price and availability.

DISCLAIMER: The above is an opinion piece; it is not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship in any sense. If you need legal advice in any matter, you are strongly urged to hire and consult your own counsel. This post is entirely my own, and does not represent the positions, opinions, or strategies of my firm or clients. 

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39 COMMENTS

  1. Adding the price of a magazine for a +1 or +2 additional capacity for an already expensive little gun compared to similar guns doesn’t seem like a wise investment to me.

    • I don’t think most folks buy Glocks as an investment. I think they buy them as tools. It’s all about personal preference.

      • I agree. And even if you did buy it as an investment, you could remove the extension and put the stock base plate back on.

    • I think I will just wait for Pearce to come out with their cheaper and lighter weight plastic extension. TT is more of a high end competition accessory supply company to me.

  2. Well, it is hot as hell in Virginia and I may be a bit grumpy as a result. Which is why I am going to tell you that slip-over grip makes your Glock look like a geriatric with a back problem. It also looks like it could slip over the corner of your mag release awfully easy at the wrong time.

    The only slip over I ever tried and liked was the Hogue Handall slip-on for my Ruger LCP , which pins into the frame and is secured to the bottom of the grip also, so it is totally secure and can’t slip at all.

    If yours is there for recoil abatement or abrasion reduction I’ll give it a pass. Glocks aren’t pretty to begin with. If it is there for grip, though, I would pull that tube thing off and get some Talon rubber grip panels on it for $18. It will look better than stock, won’t chew your hand up, and is grippy enough grip to shoot while water-skiing, which is a shooting sport I would like to see, by the way, if anyone is game to start a new league. Coed, of course. Just picture girls in bikinis with guns on skis and you will get the gist of it.

    • Far as I can tell, the niche for the G43 (compared to the G26) is that it’s thinner and lighter and therefore more comfortable in an IWB holster.

      But the grip is also smaller than other Glocks and doesn’t have the backstrap options of the other Gen 4s. So I can understand someone with long fingers wanting a bit more girth in the grip. And it wouldn’t affect the aforementioned comfort issues.

  3. “…rounds in extremes it’s money all spent.” All spent? Maybe should be “well spent.” Other than that, thanks for the info.

  4. TTI makes exceptionally high quality parts, I’m definitely not surprised these are nice.

    I use their standard +6 extensions and the pin is actually very useful, you set it to the “stop” depth you want against your magwell and it helps prevent chewing up your magazine’s catch notch from over-insertion.

    If you had a grip plug on the 43 you’d just adjust the height accordingly, I guess.

  5. It’s a glock and if you are a large to x-large male it will never fit you. I don’t care if it goes bang every time you pull the trigger, it is too small and requires too much modification to make it usable. I’m only 6’2′ and about 225 lbs. and can’t fathom how truly large people are capable of using these pistols effectively.
    My 1911s also go bang every time the trigger is pulled. So do all my revolvers. That’s because they are sized for an adult male and are well maintained.
    The only plastic pistols I’ve ever owned were to Sig Pros. While I no longer have them they at least fit my hand with the large grip adapter installed. The adapter was supplied with the pistol so there was no need to look for an accessory part from another vendor.
    My 5’7″ wife obviously has smaller hands and her preferences are a Walther PPK and a Sig P938. For a revolver she prefers a S&W Model 66.
    And if you are worried about cartridge capacity buy a Para Expert 14.45.

    • Excellent non-contribution, thanks.

      The Glock 43 is also a poor choice for Elk, Moose, Grizzly, Bison, Cape Buffalo, Lion, Tiger, Rhinoceros, Crocodile, Walrus, Leopard Seal. It’s not a good choice for hunting these creatures AND it simply doesn’t fit their “hands” either.

      Also poor for opening oysters.

    • All I hear is “blah blah I’m a big alpha male who needs a big gun”. Give me a break. It’s supposed to be small and therefore easy to carry, and don’t tell me “my 1911 is easily concealable and comfortable to carry all day”.

    • I’m 6’3″ and 220lbs. My hands are large enough to palm a basketball. For its size, it fits amazingly well in my hands and shoots almost as well as my G19.
      With +3 base plates, you could easily run it in an IDPA competition and be pretty dang competitive. Honestly, I wasn’t impressed by the G43 until I got to put a couple hundred rounds down range. Hit the range with one, you might be impressed.

  6. Looks like an accurate assessment of a great product. I’m not sure I want a G43 anymore since a G27 isn’t that hard for me to conceal.

  7. In general I’m skeptical of baseplate extensions because of negative things I’ve heard from firearms trainers about decreased reliability of magazines using baseplate extensions with stock springs never intended to extend so far. Now, for most people who are able to keep their guns clean it may be “reliable enough”, but I refuse to compromise reliability in any gun I stake my life on, as I desire my fighting guns to be reliable wherever I may go. Life-and-death mags should remain reliable in challenging situations with extreme weather and minimal maintenance. I may not be expecting jungle warfare, but I’d prefer to maintain the highest standard of reliability, as reliability is the single most important virtue of any weapon and an unreliable weapon is a bad one that should not be depended on.

  8. Just purchased one for my 9mm M&P. It claims it’ll add an additional 6 rounds. I figure if nothing else it’ll make for something fun to play with on the range.

    • What youre missing is that the Glock with the +1 baseplate is noticeably SHORTER than the shield with the flush mag. The +2 baseplate on the Glock is also noticeably SHORTER that the shield with the extended mag. So with both baseplates, you have a shorter, more concealable package with the SAME capacity. It definitely costs more for the glock with the add-ons, but with them on paper I think it is a better conceal carry piece. Without them, arguably not. And this is from someone that owns a shield and loves it.

  9. Meh, if I had a 43, I’d wait for Strike Industries to roll out their version. I have SI +2 on a 42, and it’s much better fit.

  10. Just an FYI apparently the +2 Taran Tactical glock 43 extensions now come with a new spring. I just received a +1 and a +2 and there was a new spring included in the package.

    • Yes, I have the new spring as well… What did you think of it? I think it’s too much. I have to use a reloader to get the 8th round in because it is so tight. I am thinking about just going back to the stock spring, even if it is a little loose.

  11. I had one of those grip sleeves on a Nano. It moved around so much, I couldn’t throw it in the garbage fast enough. As far as the +2 goes, they look goofy.

  12. I bought 2 +2 mag feet with the plus 10 springs, and I load 1 and carry one in a Snagmag. That’s 16+1 in something that I forget I’m carrying for 8 hours a day. I really don’t think I could hope for much more….I don’t need a 26 to carry, I can plant this 43 under a t-shirt and not worry…

  13. Just got a +2 TTi pads and installed it after watching a few videos. Mine came with +10 spring. When I load my 8th round it’s very, very difficult. When I tried inserting the clip in the gun, the clip would not click in the gun as it should. When I take the 8th round out it goes in fine. Not happy so far, will try the stock spring. Contacted TTi.

  14. Alex take the follower out and round of the back side of it , not shorten it…basically taper it a little and you’ll have to let the spring seat. You should not have a problem… just a though. I did that with my +6s for my 17 mags worked great. also worked for my Glock 29 10mm using a 20 mag and an A&G..cant go wrong with 20 plus rounds of double tap 10mm ammo…

  15. Those that don’t like it because it’s a Glock, usually don’t own a Glock.
    Buy a Glock and you’ll get over that.

    People that say it’s too small have not held it. (unless you have giant hands, then yes, too small for you)

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