I have a 43x also and I too find the recoil to be more "snappy". A longer slide does help, but really just because of the added weight. The slide reciprocation (distance the slide reciprocates) is pretty close to the same distance in my 43x, 19, and 34, but the longer slide length allows for a longer recoil spring for a smoother cycle. I too experimented with heavier grain bullets and the 147gr did have a slight improvement in recoil. I eventually bought a threaded barrel and a two chamber compensator, which to be honest, had a noticeable improvement in cycling and certainly shot a lot flatter (sights didn't rise up as much after the shot). I even splurged and bought the Shield Arms 15 round magazines which works just fine. What I have now is a 43x that is just about as long as a 19, holds as many rounds as a 19. The weight difference is negligible now, but it is a slimmer pistol if that is important to you. After having shot both the compensated 43x and the 19 (both with rds), I find I still prefer the 19. The slim 43x is nice but my thumb rests on the slide release and it often does not slide lock on an empty magazine. I don't have that problem with the 19. More training can resolve this but in the end, I really just spent a bunch of money on a 43x, but still prefer my 19. I do like that I can have a mini weapon light on it and it all fits nicely in a Crossbreed IWB. ymmv
