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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.