Description
The Glock 43X Orchid Satin Aluminum is a genuine 43X MOS with a Crushed Orchid Cerakote frame and a Satin Aluminum Cerakote slide, a lighter pairing than the black-slide version of the same finish. It ships with two 15-round magazines, giving 15+1 capacity in a pistol no wider than a single-stack, and the MOS cut takes a red dot without milling.
The Two-Tone Finish
The Glock 43X Orchid Satin Aluminum wears Crushed Orchid Cerakote on its polymer frame, a muted lavender rather than a bright purple.
Satin Aluminum Cerakote on the slide, which is what separates the Glock 43X Orchid Satin Aluminum from the black-slide version of the same frame color.
Cerakote is a ceramic-based coating that cures hard and resists solvents, so holster wear develops slowly.
The factory grip texture is preserved under the coating rather than filled in.
Capacity, Barrel and Optic Cut
15+1 capacity with the two supplied magazines, which is double-stack capacity in a slim-frame pistol.
3.41-inch carbon steel barrel with a 1:9.84 twist.
Overall length 6.5 inches, weight 16.4 ounces unloaded.
MOS optic cut in the slide, taking a red dot with the appropriate Glock adapter plate.
White dot front sight and white outline rear.
Glock 43X Orchid Satin Aluminum Specifications
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Capacity: 15+1, two magazines supplied
- Barrel: 3.41 inch carbon steel, 1:9.84 twist
- Overall length: 6.5 inches
- Weight: 16.4 ounces
- Frame finish: Crushed Orchid Cerakote
- Slide finish: Satin Aluminum Cerakote
- Optic cut: MOS
- Sights: white dot front, white outline rear
- Firing system: striker fired, Safe Action safeties
- Frame material: polymer
- UPC: 850059793985
A satin aluminum slide changes the character of a colored frame considerably. Against black, the Crushed Orchid reads as a dark accent; against silver, the whole pistol lightens and the frame color becomes the dominant feature. Mechanically the two are identical, so the choice is purely about which contrast you prefer. Both use the same Cerakote process and the same underlying Glock.
Why it is worth considering
- 15+1 capacity in a slim-frame pistol.
- Two magazines supplied rather than one.
- MOS optic cut from the factory, no milling required.
- Two-tone Cerakote over the factory grip texture.
- Genuine Glock, so every holster, sight and part made for the 43X fits.
Who it suits
Daily carriers who want capacity without width are the natural buyers, and the lighter slide makes this the more visible of the two orchid variants. Because the underlying pistol is a standard 43X MOS, holsters, magazines, sights and adapter plates are all off-the-shelf parts rather than special orders.
Choosing Between the Variants
Apollo Custom offers this pistol in several finish pairings. The Crushed Orchid with a black slide is the same frame color in a 10-round configuration, and the Black Cherry with satin aluminum swaps the frame color while keeping this slide. For a smaller pistol entirely, see the Glock 42 in rainbow PVD. Browse the full Apollo Custom range or the wider handgun catalog. Apollo Custom finishes are documented at Apollo Custom.
For practice, 115-grain full metal jacket is the standard load. For carry, a 124-grain jacketed hollow point performs well from a 3.41-inch barrel. Spare magazines are worth buying early, since a 15-round magazine empties quickly at the range.
On the MOS cut: the plate you need depends on your optic footprint. Most compact red dots in the Shield RMSc pattern sit low enough that the factory sights remain visible underneath, which gives you a backup if the dot fails. All firearm orders ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer, and MAG5 Firearms will coordinate the paperwork with the dealer of your choice.
A note on grip height and concealment: the 43X frame is as tall as a Glock 19, and people often assume that hurts concealment. In practice printing comes mostly from width, not height, and a slim slide hides under a shirt far better than a thick one regardless of grip length. That is the whole argument for this pistol over a double-stack subcompact.
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