Glock 43 & 43X Slide Upgrade Options — Complete and Stripped

Desert Cat slides for the Glock 43 and 43X are available in both complete slide assemblies and stripped slides. Complete slides ship fully assembled — all internal parts, barrel, recoil spring, polymer sights, and RMSC cover plate come installed. Just drop it on your frame and run. Stripped slides give you the platform — you choose the barrel, internals, and optic. Both configurations feature an RMSC/407K optic cut milled directly into the slide, compatible with Holosun 407K, Holosun 507K, Holosun EPS Carry, and Shield RMSc — no adapter plates required.

Choosing Between a Complete Slide or Stripped G43/43X Slide

If you want the fastest upgrade with no parts hunting — go complete. Drop it on the frame, function-check, and carry. If you're an experienced builder who wants to select every component — go stripped. Source your own barrel, recoil spring assembly, and internals, and build exactly the setup you want. Both options give you the same Desert Cat slide body, same USA-made quality, same optic-ready cut.

Glock 43 & 43X Barrel Upgrades

Our G43/43X stainless steel barrels are CNC-machined to standard Glock 43/43X dimensions (3.31 inch, 9mm) with a flush cut for a direct drop-in fit in both OEM and Desert Cat slides. The same barrel that ships in our complete slides is available here separately. Available in multiple Cerakote finishes to match your build.

Glock 43 & 43X Parts Kits

The Desert Cat G43/43X parts kit includes the components needed to complete a stripped slide build — firing pin assembly, recoil spring assembly, extractor components, and slide cover plate. Everything is dimensioned for the G43/43X platform. Individual replacement components are also available separately for targeted upgrades or replacements.

Optics & Accessories for the Glock 43/43X

Every Desert Cat G43/43X slide uses the RMSC/407K optic footprint — factory-milled directly into the slide at the correct depth. Compatible optics: Holosun 407K, Holosun 507K, Holosun EPS Carry, and Shield RMSc. No adapter plate required. Note: the RMSC/407K footprint is a smaller, carry-specific cut — full-size optics designed for the G19/G17/G26 (Trijicon RMR, Holosun 507C, 508T, etc.) are not compatible with this platform.

Frame Compatibility

All Desert Cat G43/43X products are built for Glock 43 and Glock 43X OEM frames and aftermarket frames built to standard G43/43X dimensions. The G43 and G43X share the same slide and barrel profile (3.31 inch barrel length). If you're unsure whether a product fits your specific frame, contact us before ordering.

We do not ship to California. All other states are eligible. Free shipping on orders over $500.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Glock 43 and 43X?

The G43 is a single-stack subcompact (6+1 capacity). The G43X uses the same slim frame but with a longer grip (10+1 capacity). Both share the same slide and barrel dimensions — Desert Cat products labeled for G43/43X fit both models.

What optic footprint does the Glock 43/43X use?

The G43/43X uses the RMSC/407K footprint — a smaller, carry-specific optic cut. Compatible optics: Holosun 407K, Holosun 507K, Holosun EPS Carry, and Shield RMSc. No adapter plate required. This is a different footprint than the RMR cut used on Glock 17/19/26 slides — full-size optics like the Trijicon RMR and Holosun 507C are not compatible.

Do Desert Cat G43/43X slides work with OEM internals?

Yes. All Desert Cat slides are designed as drop-in replacements using standard Glock dimensions. They accept OEM Glock 43/43X internal components including barrels, recoil spring assemblies, and trigger mechanisms. Complete slides ship fully assembled and ready to drop onto your OEM frame.

Are these made in the USA?

Yes. Every Desert Cat slide is CNC-machined in Arizona from domestic stainless steel billet. Cerakote finish is applied in-house.

What Cerakote colors are available?

Available finishes vary by SKU. Check individual product pages for current finish availability.

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