With their oh-so-sly teaser ad campaign and the fact that it seemed like Glock hadn’t introduced a new gun since late in the first Clinton administration, the company did a marvelous job of whipping up loads of interest and anticipation for their new gun . . .
Firearms folk had been hankering for a slim, single-stack, Tenifer-coated, easily-concealable nine since, well, late in the first Clinton administration. But Smyrna and their Teutonic overlords had other plans. In their judgement, what America really needed was a slim, single-stack, Tenifer-coated, easily-concealable .380. So when word broke that Gaston’s new gun was chambered in something less than full-blown 9mm . . .
the cries of shock and horror that rose from almost every corner of the gunosphere rivaled what you’d expect to get after a Miley Cyrus twerk-off. We’re talking wailing, gnashing of teeth, rending of clothing, predictions of dogs and cats living together, real wrath of God type stuff.
But despite all of the sturm und drang, this is, after all, a Glock we’re talking about, right? Perfection. As the teaser ad claimed, the only other thing smaller than the G42 that fires every time is a freaking Zippo lighter. Only that’s not quite true. But more on reliability later.
A funny thing happened on the way to the clearance bin. When people actually got their hands on the new packable pistol, most were seriously impressed. Yes, it’s a little bigger than a P3AT or LCP, but it’s remarkably comfortable to hold and won’t bruise your palm at the range.
Sure, it’s a little longer than most .380 carry guns, but it has real, useable sights. People (like me) with small hands loved the feel of the gun. And – whaddaya know? – Glock has been selling truckloads of the things since they first hit the stores. Maybe not everyone was as disappointed as it seemed.
So in evaluating the Glock 42, talking about it being “only” a .380 – and the fact that it’s not made in the caliber “everyone” really wanted – is pretty much beside the point. You don’t buy a 42 to begin with if you’re not already OK with carrying a .380.
You buy one because it is, in fact, a slim, easily-concealed, relatively light weight pistol that you’re likely to pack every day. And unlike some of its similarly-chambered competitors, being a Glock, it ships from the factory with a reputation for quality and reliability. Two rather important features everyone wants in their carry gun, no matter the caliber.
Make no mistake, the G42 is every inch a Glock pistol. It looks kinda like they tossed a G19 in a dryer, turned it up to eleven and shrunk the hell out of it. While the 42 isn’t listed as a Gen4 gun, you’d expect it to borrow heavily from Glock’s latest design features and it does. No, there aren’t any interchangeable backstraps here. If your paw is too big to wrap around a 42, you’ll probably be happier with a 26, which is about the same size but significantly wider.
The US-made .380 is a hair under six inches from stem to stern, a little over four inches high and .94 inches wide, but that’s at the slide stop. By my caliper, the slide measures a fairly svelte .83 inches. All the early gnashing of teeth that went on about the HUGE new .380 that Glock was foisting on the American market, it seems, was mostly over-hyped bleating by people who hadn’t even seen the gun yet.
That’s not to say that the 42 isn’t bigger than, say, a P3AT…it is. I own a P3AT (I’m lucky to have one of the good ones) and I carry it a lot. Particularly in the summer, or when I need to pocket carry. Can you tote the G42 in a pocket? Absolutely, and I have. But it’s not as small or concealable as the little Kel Tec (or an LCP), particularly in jeans.
While the 42’s length and width (G42 = .94″ wide, P3AT = .77″) are only marginally bigger, those extra millimeters do make a difference. At least they do to me.
A good illustration of the size difference is that I can only get 1 1/2 fingers on the P3AT (non-extended) grip, but can easily fit two on the 42’s.
As far as the pistol’s controls go, everything is Glock as usual. Safe Action trigger – check. Slide lock – check. Mag release – check. Takedown lever – check. It’s all right where it should be. And the field stripping process is exactly the same as it is on every other G-something you’ve ever seen.
That’s not to say there aren’t a few differences. One is the grip.
The 42 has Gen4-ish texturing, but it’s not nearly as rough as the bumps found on its bigger brothers. Unlike the big boys (but similar to the 26) the 42’s backstrap extends down almost flush with the bottom of the magazine. This gives you a little more palm room to hold the smaller gun and still ensures that the mag will drop free when your press the release.
Another difference is in the trigger, though it’s minor. I side-by-sided the 42 with Dirk Diggler’s similarly-sized (but much wider) G26, the pistol that a lot of gunfolk will use as a comparison. The G42 is missing the 26’s vertical ridges on the trigger blade, probably because the blade is narrower on the .380. The 42 also has a slightly shorter re-set distance, too.
While we didn’t have a pull-weight scale, both triggers were close enough that any difference was negligible. And the G42 has the same characteristic feel – for better or worse – that Glock owners have come to know and love in their bangswitches.
So with a few relatively minor differences, the Glock 42 is basically a shrunken head version of every other Glock you’ve ever seen or shot. And that’s a good thing. No matter what you think of their guns, if you pick up any Glock in the dark, you know exactly where everything is and how to use the gun. No fumbling, no feeling around – they all work the same. The 42 is no exception.
Which brings us to shooting this baby. Let’s get one thing out of the way first – the G42 is easily the most comfortably-shooting .380 I’ve ever tried. And it’s not hard to see why. The Glock is a little larger and slightly heavier than most other .380s. Two similar guns that I’ve compared with the G42 – the P3AT and Dirk Diggler’s P238 – were noticeably snappier (though the P238 was only slightly so) when using the same ammo.
I’m not sure if Sheldon Cooper said it, but physics is physics. You can’t fool mother nature…or Sir Isaac Newton. A gun that weighs more and fills your hand more fully will yield less felt recoil.
That means no problems at the range, right? Well, not exactly. While Glocks have the well-earned reputation for being able to shoot virtually anything you can cram in a magazine, that’s decidedly not the case with the G42. The babiest Glock has some very specific ideas about what it will and won’t eat.
As some other shooters have already found, the vast majority of rounds work just fine. But heavier, higher pressure rounds and even some lighter stuff might as well be steamed brussels sprouts as far as the G42 is concerned.
I’ve put over 500 rounds of various brands, weights and types through the gun so far, most of them, flawlessly. Everything from gun show bagged reloads to Russian cheap stuff up to Hornady’s best. But not everything works.
Hickok45 found that super-snappy, 100gr. Buffalo Bore +P rounds tend to lock the Glock’s slide back with rounds still in the mag. Repeating the experiment, Dirk and I confirmed that for ourselves.
And if Buffalo Bore makes the 42 nauseous, Freedom Munitions 100 grainers makes it puke all over its shoes. On the other end of the spectrum, a relatively lighter shooting round like the Barnes XPD doesn’t seem to cycle the gun at all.
So it would seem that the 42’s recoil spring is rather tightly wound, so to speak. Meaning as long as your ammo of choice would please Goldilocks – not too hot and not too cold – you’ll have no problems at all. While Glock has had, well, difficulties with new springs in the past, the G42’s finicky nature doesn’t seem to be nearly as problematic.
The takeaway here is that the Glock 42 won’t shoot just anything you cram into it. The petite pistol will happily touch off most commercially available range and self defense rounds out there, but if you select something that’s too far out there on either end of the weight/pressure spectrum, you may very well have problems.
Is that a deal-breaker? Hardly. Most guns favor certain ammo over others. While it’s not what we’ve come to expect from Glocks, I don’t have a problem putting in a little range time to make sure my carry gun reliably runs the ammo I’m putting into it. Hell, I’m going to do that anyway. And for reference sake, two of the .380 loads we tested that ShootingTheBull410 put in his top five – Hornady Custom and the champ, Precision One – worked flawlessly.
As for accuracy…please. This is a soft-shooting pistol with excellent (for its caliber) sights. You won’t have any difficulty hitting anything toward which you point a 42 at a legally explainable personal defense distance.
I’ve never owned a Glock before because my hands are just too small. I wanted a G19, but I couldn’t shoot the damned thing as accurately or comfortably as I can my very Glock-ish single stack Kahr CW9.
The G42 changes all that (and saves me more than a quarter pound of ballast on my hip). I’ve been packing the 42 religiously since I got it, either in a pocket or, most often, very comfortably in a SHTF Gear IWB holster. It’s light and wonderfully unobtrusive and (loaded with seven rounds of Precision One ammo) it’s going to be my go-to carry gun.
Caliber carping aside, some will quibble that it’s on the large side for a 6+1 .380. Others will look at the the mags and wonder why they couldn’t have crammed at least one more round in there somehow. And plenty have already pointed out that there are other smaller options out there that pack the same number of rounds.
The fact is, for the vast majority of gun buyers out there, the G42 comes with instant credibility because it’s a Glock. The 42 will be one of the first guns most gun store proprietors plop on the counter when a customer strolls up asking for something affordable that they can comfortably pack every day. And for just about all of them, the G42 will be an excellent choice.
The G42 for this review was provided by The Kentucky Gun Company.
Specifications:
Length: 5.94”
Height: 4.13”
Barrel Length: 3.25”
Width: 0.94”
Weight: 13.8 ozs. (including unloaded mag)
Trigger pull: 5.5 lbs.
Capacity: 6+1
Caliber: .380 ACP
MSRP: $480, $430 via Cabela’s
Ratings (out of five stars):
Reliability: * * * *
Unlike almost every other Glock, you can’t just feed the G42 anything your LGS has for sale and know it will go bang. There are some rounds that this pistol definitely doesn’t like. But those loads are a minority and once you determine that your carry round makes your G42 happy, you can be confident in typical Glock perf– reliability.
Ergonomics (carry): * * * *
This is a small, eminently concealable pistol that’s meant to be carried. It’s pocketable, though tends to print. Holster carry is a dream, though. That said, it’s also a little larger than a lot of other .380 options out there (i.e., Kel Tec, Ruger, Taurus, Kahr). Whether that difference is important will be up to the individual shooter.
Ergonomics (shooting): * * * * *
For small-mitted shooters like me, the G42 feels ideal in the hand and having real, useable sights on a .380 is a nice novelty. Shooting typical range FMJ and JHP rounds is smooth and results in only moderate recoil. If it isn’t the best-shooting .380 out there, it’s amongst ’em.
Customise this: * * * *
While there aren’t a lot of options on the market yet (maybe a dozen holsters so far), it’s a Glock for God’s sake. You have to know people like Crimson Trace, Hi Viz, Lone Wolf and scores of others out there beavering away to fill the inevitable demand for sights, trigger kits, lasers…you name it. Patience.
Overall: * * * *
Again, don’t talk to me about the G42 not being a nine. That’s beside the point. As a concealable, personal defense .380 that you’re likely to carry every day, the 42 is a strong addition to the Glock pantheon. No, it’s not as small as some other .380s out there, but it also won’t beat your hand to a pulp when you shoot it. It will be interesting to see what the gun does with the inevitable replacement recoil springs and maybe a grip extension to let you get another finger into the fight. Still, if you’re like me and deluded enough to be comfortable packing a .380 (with good defensive rounds) as your carry gun, the Glock 42 won’t disappoint you.
Some of the comments made me go and look………………
Still have 10 of the 2880 rd IMI SPAM cans of SS109 (M855 green tip) that I paid $208 each DELIVERED via drop ship in late 2004…
Wwwwooooo! Now all I gotta do is get something that fires 5.56. X3
Mark my words. Glock will be doing a Ruger and we’ll be seeing this in 9mm next year.
It looks like Glock learned from Ruger’s experience. After Ruger released the LCP, they came out with the bigger LC9, and then offered the bigger gun in .380 to satisfy the people who wanted something with real sights and big enough to comfortable hold and shoot. Glock jumped to the bigger .380 from the start.
Nice to see that the gun-grabbers’ line of thinking hasn’t changed in 35 years. At least our defense has changed from communist invasion to civil liberty.
The problem now is that if you reload, brass 5.56 is cheaper than .22L R in quantity.
Sure, I can sometimes find .22 LR as low as 10 Cents a round for one 50 round box. I got three boxes at Walmart one day at 6 cents a round, but I’m used to buying 500+ rounds at a time.
150 rounds isn’t even a day at the range, and it’s rare I’m finding .22 LR even in that quantity at an acceptable price.
Paying 29 cents per round for .22 LR is simply crazy.
Just what was wanted/needed a 380 with sights, size and mass equal to the tasks required in MOUT situations (but too heavy to carry in a pocket)
Wow. If only the R51 had gotten as much deference in the “customize this” category. “People will make stuff for it, so it counts, trust me”. As opposed to “Only one holster available? 1 month after it was announced? 1 star!”
Yeah it’s kinda funny how one gun will get a pass over another because apparently people still want a glock that doesn’t eat all ammo even though that’s one of the things glock is supposed to do…
“…predictions of dogs and cats living together, real wrath of God type stuff.”
Nice Ghost Busters reference!
If someone asks if you want a Glock, SAY YES!
If the G42 isn’t cycling all ammo properly, the problem might be the recoil springs — again. You’d think that “Perfection” might actually mean being perfect, but apparently it means something different in Austria. And Georgia.
Easy fix, though.
if you don’t want to keep it Dan, holla. I will buy it.
I was young and stupid once too, but never anti-gun, just not proactive like now. Never had that kind of hoplophobic family influence
Experience IS the mother of all teachers.
more junk from Glock,and more R&D research done by the John Q public as usual. whatever happened to Glock perfection that Gaston Glock started in 1984. a military designed self defense pistol that’s finicky on ammunition that is absolutely ridiculous! Glock is just making money off their name now, their product has dropped in quality tenfold since 1984! and no most guns today will shoot just about any ammunition you want, its the older guns that have issues with hollow point ammunition in various load weights and pressure levels! most new guns Wolfire anything you put in the magazine. I own 7 blocks dating from 1985 all the way up till current and I’ve had a serious issue with my 19 as everyone else did with the request spring. I owned a 36 that the magazine delaminated in the mag well so bad I had to take the slide of impound the magazine out with a wooden doll and a hammer! more junk for the unsuspecting new gun owner that doesn’t know the difference between quality made firearms and crap! they’re just living off the name that guest on block made for them over years of producing high quality high functioning combat-ready firearms not the junk there making today!
But… But.. it doesn’t have a rail, or threaded barrel or a bayonet lug. How am I gonna look tacticool with this (just kidding!) I’m thinking that this might be good for the Mrs. to carry. Reliable, simple to use, manageable recoil and decent sights pretty much checks off all the stuff on my list for a gun for her to carry.
Gigantic YAWN…. love my Glock 26 Gen4, but my other gun is a Kahr CM9, chambered in a “full-blown” 9mm +P round; the CM9 is smaller in every aspect than the new Glock 42. I carry the Glock 26 most of the time when I can conceal under a coat. Sometimes the Kahr CM9 fills the bill, being smaller I can pocket carry if I have to or holster it. I have the best of both worlds and can carry +P self defense 9mm HP rounds. Screw .380, ammo cost more and it is weaker, no doubt. If I got a 380 (and don’t ever plan on it) my choice would be a super small frame model not a G42. I already have a 9mm smaller than the G42. BTW I reload my 9mm for about 15 cents a round…. You all have a good day.
A warning shot is the same as a miss.
While I think it’s interesting to compare this every so often with the Glock 26… how does it compare with the G36? Same capacity, bigger bullets… the difference must be in size, right? But where?
The video shows the popular thumbs-forward grip technique being used. Do you think that the thumbs-down grip familiar to Walther PP/PPK-series (and double-action revolver) shooters would alleviate the slide-bite issue? This does the trick for me when shooting a pistol with an unusually low slide.
I Lol’d at the guy holding a BB pistol.
That’s pretty badass.
I’ve dated pro-gun and anti-gun girls. Though the anti-gunners result in shorter relationships by far, I can say there is no difference in sexual activity in either group. That is until the inevitable disagreements begin with the few girls that didn’t change their minds after they actually tried shooting.
Insanely crazy sex before kids. Afters kids…hahaha.
I’ve found that to be untrue. What surprised me is the level of good sex we continue to have even though we’re grandparents. Not as frequent as in our youth, but good quality.
What is it with Jews and always referring to the Holocaust. Yes, I know 6 million Jews were killed, but in a society were men are created equal…you are forgetting about the other 6 million that were killed in the camps. As RF pointed out, his father survived the war in camps. Well guess what, so did my grandmother and grandfather….they were not Jewish, but did experience the same torture that everyone else did.. You do not see me bringing it all the time nor did they ask for reparations like the Jews have received from the German Government.
Always raising the level of discourse…
Jews raise the specter of the Holocaust because it is a personal, generational, ethnic touchstone for them, and provides a justification for how they feel and how they act. In some ways it’s no different than other people saying “because I was mugged” or “because my friend was killed.” When asked “Why do you feel that way?” their answer will always include the attempted extermination of their entire people.
If I might ask, if they were not Jewish, why were your parents in the camps? What caused them to be selected? I realize some people were sent for “no reason,” but the vast majority were sent because they belonged to some population that had been selected for segregation. What population did they belong to, and do you not feel any solidarity with that population? Would they (your grandparents) have?
The gun grabbers are so unhinged that when you cite the numerous historical cases where registration was used to confiscate firearms, their only response is to accuse you of being paranoid.
The gun control crowd has to be the most deceptive political movements in American history. They engage in deceit when it comes to their end game. Not one of their leaders or their organizations will go on the record as to what measures they would support if there was massive defiance of gun bans (as in Connecticut, New York and throw in California too). Not Shannon Watts, Moms Demand Action, Mark Kelly, Brady, not even Center To Support Government Violence. My gut feeling is that they would be endorsing the use of deadly force and mass arrests in such cases, never mind their claims of wanting to stop gun violence.
“I have to give the Scott County Sheriff’s Department good marks for their efforts to make the permit process easier for everyone.”
I s’pose, but it doesn’t make it any less un-Constitutional.
My girlfriend carries infrequently, is very good with most guns, and has become quite good at locating and safely removing my holster without looking at it.
She’s an only child, so if for no other reason, I should lock her down for her father’s 50+ guns…
So, does this make you want to go back in time to kick your own ass?
If not, it should.
Iowans are so lucky to have such beneficent rulers that allow the masses the convenience of online management of their 2nd Amendment rights.
I could never shoot a dog,never, never, never. I just wouldnt have the heart to do it. I’d rather not kill anything if I could help it.
Liberal women are far easier to Boink so my batting average is over 100-1
Monday morning quarterbacking: Cop didn’t need to shoot that dog.
That said, No way should a dog that behaves like that (barking/defending its territory) be allowed to run loose in the city. It is behaving like a lot of dogs do which is okay…..on a leash. Some dogs are not territorial at all and make better “free ranging” dogs.
Stupid cop and stupid dog owner. More like Idiot Social Interaction Of The Day.
Clearly you have no clue about Filer, ID. calling it a city. By your reasoning all the dogs that wander the farm land there should be put to death. You need to turn in your keyboard.
I really wouldn’t expect much difference from the GLOCK over, well, virtually any other .380 pistol.
Another reason why I would rather the Texas National Guard over any other. TNG isn’t targeting Pro-2a citizens as terrorists. Appears that most of these pro-liberal states are so far lost to reason that the best thing for our country is either then mass purge of the lunatic fringe or the formation of a new, more responsible country, amid the ashes of the old one.
Old America has been killed off by the worthless, lazy, indifferent, compassionateless sheep of intolerence, hate, and bullying.
I handled both the G42 and the R51 extensively at SHOT, And considering the OVERLY critical R51 review, and the overly generous G42 review, I don’t think I can comfortably trust TTAG’s firearm reviews anymore.
Or I suppose it could just be that our hands and aesthetic appreciation are so different as to denote us as different SPECIES. But really I get the feel by what you’ve written that it’s a matter of Bias. just comes off that way.
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. If we cannot carry, neither can they. I’m tired of this crap whew cops are entitled to all kinds of special perks and not held to the same standards as everyone else.
spoke with Rossi customer support again and they now say 44 special is fine to use.
I don’t see what the big deal is, other than knee-jerk (guns and alcohol don’t mix!) hysteria, with serving alcohol adjacent the gun range. They swipe the I.D. so you’re on the no-entry list if you’ve been served alcohol. What’s the problem?
If anything, it funnels guys’ shooting activities to this range where they can shoot, then drink in the same general environment, as opposed to going off into the woods drinking and shooting together.
Revisiting this post: My wife’s G42 has the same problems w/the slide locking back on some JHP’s & the Freedom Munitions RNFP’s. And… as your photos above show, the 42 you tested apparently has the “early” slide lock vs. the newer “rounded” slide lock mentioned on a GlockTalk thread here:
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21163932&postcount=2603
Seems that Glock changed out the parts sometime between first runs & present mfg. – So, TTAG, how do we get Glock to send us the NEW part?
And, FYI: The wife is now really liking the Glock 19 or my 30S; the 42 may be retired early!
Looks pretty cool. Love my Glock 23, best handgun I’ve ever owned. Like the small form-factor, might get one.
Sorry, have to laugh at people bitching about .380. Trust me, its perfectly fine for what you want to do…..put some lead in the attacker, and the .380 is basically a 9MM short.
Arguing about lethality for a small CCW is really a moot point when you practice and become proficient in firing the weapon.
For instance, my favorite carry is my Beretta .22lr loaded with CCI Stingers…a true pocket-rocket. There is no urban thug or attacker that is going to keep coming at me when I start pumping the rounds into him. The loud pop will be the first clue, then the intense pain and blood loss, then more pain. Guarantee they either run or die on the spot. A .380 is worlds more powerful than the eminently effective .22LR and more than enough for the average CCW.
I see a lot of people griping about BS non-issues. This is a smaller-than-a-G27 pistol that shoots smooth, like my G35. Sounds like a solid answer for non-permissive environs. I plan to make this the family’s issued carry gun, who can give me bulk pricing?
The reason the other sub-compact Glock models use the trigger that has the “vertical ridges on the trigger blade” is that the competition-style trigger used on the other models is needed to score enough import points. This new Glock is made in their USA facility, so the specialty trigger is not needed for import purposes. This is also the reason that Glock is releasing a .380 model in the US for the first time. The G25 & G28 models do not score enough import points and cannot be brought into our country.
Stupid? Yes, it is! You can thank the 1968 gun control act! A semi-automatic handgun must score at least 75 points for it to be imported into the United States. A .380 caliber only adds 3 points where a 9mm or higher will add a full 10 points. If you want to see how this is scored, look at this form: http://www.atf.gov/files/forms/download/atf-f-5330-5.pdf. The target trigger scores 2 extra points and was used to allow the importation of models such as the 26, 27, 29, 30(s), & 36.
Last Saturday I saw a Glock 42 at my LGS. Since I was pocket carrying a Kahr P380, I compared the two by laying the Kahr on top of the Glock. The Glock is longer and slightly taller.
I don’t see any reason to get a Glock 42 when the Kahr P380 is available.
Glocks are great guns, and I am not disparaging them, but a gun this size should be a nine. Glock should come out with a smaller .380.
I went to the LGS today and rented a G42 and a box of ammo to try it out, and i have to say i was really impressed.I had been looking for a new carry gun since I got rid of my airweight. It shot pleasantly and fit well in my mannish Hands, So once i was done i went back out to the counter and put $100 down on one to get on the waiting list so I could get one. I am anxious to see how well it does with a few hundred more down the pipe.
The reviewer ends his piece by claiming ShootingTheBull410 puts Hornady’s Critical Defense ammo in his top five. Not so. In fact he puts it in his category of “I never would use this”. Check out the video yourself.
Great review. Love your writing style. Funny that you never mentioned the Walther PK380. It’s also a large 380 with real sights. I’d like to see a direct comparison between the two. But I think I’ll stick with the Walther as it has a nearly full-size grip.
Exactly. Where’s the Walther .380 pp/ ppk
James Bond references or comparisons.
It’s a 9mm Kurtz . I’m pretty sure his smaller caliber never stopped James from getting Pussy Galore. Right?
Just bought one today! I read all your articles and all the links to other articles on the Glock 42. Asked tons of questions on a few of my gun forums. Watched a really good video for women on YouTube by Legally Armed America comparing the Glock 42, Colt Mustang XSP, Ruger LCP, and S&W BodyGuard 380. The Glock won out by a mile. The Colt came in a good second but the stryker-fired system feels much safer to me than carrying in the cock-and-lock position required with SAO guns.
Thanks for your great review!!! It went a long way to helping me choose this CCW.
Thank you Dianna. I have owned over 1000 guns in my lifetime…rifles, shotguns and mostly handguns in all available calibers. I decided to downsize my collection and sold just about everything. I don’t like mixed handguns for defense. For example, I had a Ruger 9mm, several S&Ws, a Glock or two and numerous other. I’ve studied the reaction times with various weapons and found that if you carry or have different guns with different safeties, that you end up with a HUGE problem…one of minor motor skills having to kick in when you are in a life or death situation. I didn’t want that. So I rebuilt my little Glock empire because a Glock is a Glock and firing any one of them is the same…just a pull of the trigger is all with each of them. The other handguns I owned are gone to FFLs for resale or purchase. I’m glad that this information helped you. There are too many wana bees out there that do not fit and function like a Glock. I read a few articles regarding the G42 and it’s ‘supposed’ limited ability to digest heavy or light loads. Just a bunch of bunk probably posted by those selling other guns. My G42 eats everything I feed it…is accurate, recoil is way down from my now gone Ruger LCP. I would say that the trigger pull feels a bit tighter than my other Glocks. However, In actuality it isn’t that way. The sights are great compared to competition. While the .380ACP isn’t a .45ACP…If you are into discrete carry will you take the G21 with you or leave it at home? For me, a .380ACP is well worth carrying anywhere the law permits. PS: Hatcher’s rating on one shot stops with a .380 is around 30….the 9mm with the best +P loadings is in the 40 – 45 range…not much difference. I’ve had both G26 and G27s and find their size to be limiting for long hikes in the woods. So the .380 goes with me everywhere. If my GF is along and she is a ‘bear magnet’…along comes my S&W .44MAG with Federal Castcore 300 grain bullets…great gun and ammo…..
Great luck with your acquisition, Bob
As a woman, I’ve noticed not many here talking about shooters being physically different and have different needs. I, like some women have a really short trigger reach and have difficulty finding a handgun that will fit my small sized hand comfortably. Hubby bought me the Ruger LCP 380 for CCW. Fit was fine, but, I hated it….the slide was difficult for me and recoil was not a happy thing. Tried on the G42 the other day and the fit was perfect, slide, NOT difficult. Range test sold me….the G42 had greatly reduced recoil compared to the Ruger LCP. I so rarely can find something that fits me, feels solid, is comfortable to shoot, and is small and light enough to CC, I am thrilled that Glock developed the G42. Comfort, a lot of times, determines whether you will use it, or, set it aside. Love the way G42 works for me! Glock single stack 9mm would be on my list for future interest.
A very notable gun magazine said that the G42 was finicky about loads…not liking the 100+ grain fodder or the lighter 85 grainers and preferred the 90 grain loads.
THIS IS HOGWASH! I am surprised that the publisher would allow such a review. The G42 has been made and available in Europe for years. It has gone through some fine tweaking but was unavailable in the US due to size limitations imposed on imports.
Now these wonderful CC Glocks are made in the USA in Smyrna, GA. They are wonderful just as the rest of my Glocks are! No FTF or fire, no misfires, no anything but everything in the market functions in this beautifully made creation of Gason’s is just as ammo friendly as any other Glock. I own a lot of them and have sold some and bought more. They are the ultimate defense weapon due to the fact that if you own a number of them….they all are idential in safety, trigger pull and hand fit. When you or your loved ones life are at stake you don’t need to worry about…where’s the safety!? They are all identical.
For me and having owned probably 1000 firearms, I would give the Glock guns a 10+. I’d never carry anything else unless I was in big bad bear country and then I’d move up to a .44mag with Federal’s excellent 300 grain Castcore ammo…the bear won’t know the difference between that and a .500 S&W load….
So, to cut it to the quick if you will, more Glocks are carried by LEAs than any other handgun. It is standard issue with the FBI and a number of other agencies. They’ve been tested competitively against numerous handguns and found to be the most reliable in the world bar none.
Hatcher’s ubiquitous ‘stopping power index’ rates the .380 at roughly 30%, the 9mm at 45%, the .40 at 70% and the .45 at 100% one shot stops. While I have them all, the little G42 will accompany me on hot days like today when otherwise I might not CC…well worth every nickle of the price and hasn’t had to evolve into a reliable handgun like so many others….perfection right out of the box!
Lokking for the stealguide rod and spring also the trigger kit can you help me out
How does the Lehigh Xtreme Penetrator feed in this?
It looks to be a consistent 17″ performer in FBI teats with denim. Only looks weak through auto glass. But that is still a rare occurrence. To justify a self defense use through glass may be sketchy. But no way to tell and would be a case by case basis I suppose.
So anybody try the Lehigh XP 380 in the G42? It looks like the best cartridge for self defense in tests. 1″ permanent wound channel and consistently 17″ penetration? It is back in stock and I am thinking to order it for a LCP, Bersa, and near future G42?
Based on several articles my understanding is the 42 underwent some minor factory revisions to correct the early complaints of FFF and FTF. Does anyone know of a production date or serial number that would ensure a purchaser of getting the most current production model 42?
I went with the 42 after picking it up at my local gun shop. I have a Glock 22 Dragonfly in 40S&W that I absolutely love. And have had just about all the offerings Glock offers except for the 10mm and 357 sig versions.
I went in looking for a single stack 9mm but settled on the 42. None of the others impressed me when I picked them up except for the 42.
I presently carry a Seecamp in 32 auto. I’ve carried every caliber for concealed carry purposes up to 10mm, and have settled on the Seecamp. It is very reliable, (never had a failure to fire or feed) and has never let me down. Only reason I’m looking for something else was to get around the difficulty in finding recommended ammo for the Seecamp. I’ve carried the little Seecamp in my pocket for 10 years and have never been concerned if it would perform when needed.
I have a Berretta 9000S that is not too far away when needed and have the 32 in my pocket all the time. I don’t feel inadequately protected by a 32, or 380. Since I live in a hot climate I have to look for something that is light and reliable. As anyone who carries on a daily basis, we quickly find out what works best for each one of us and what does not. Hence we end up with multiple holsters, and purchases of firearms in quest for what works best for each one of us.
When I’m hunting I carry my 500 S&W mag, Ruger 454 Casull, or my Desert Eagle 50 for dangerous situations, ( I tend to flip a coin). When I’m traveling out of town I carry my Sig 556 pistol loaded with Penetrator ammo in my vehicle, since it is legal, with my Seecamp in my pocket. When around town I carry my Seecamp in my pocket and my 9000S in the vehicle. Which now I will be carrying the Glock 42 since ammo is not as hard to find.
I believe Glock hit the mark with the 380 offering. If and when they come out with the same pistol in 9mm….then I will be making a new purchase once again. Hopefully they do. It will be another pistol to add to the collection.
For those who think that Glock made this G42 for most men looking for a replacement concealment pistol, you are all wrong. You can keep your G36 or commander 1911 or Kahrs. Sure all you brave and macho men CAN carry larger calibers/pistols with no problem. So why go with a G42? Women and smaller men won’t and can’t carry your favorite handguns and then shoot it comfortably much less get used to it. This was mainly made for women. Period.
um, the point about Kahrs isn’t that they are bigger and more “macho”. It is that a Kahr P380 is significantly smaller and lighter than a G42, and a Kahr CM9 is slightly smaller in some dimensions.
I have medium hands that fit a large size glove. I had a Gen 1 Glock 21 and the grip was too large for me to be comfortable. I have a newer G21SF and it fits me just fine as does my G22. The first .380 I owned back in the early 70’s was a Walther PPKS. It was very nicely finished with an included target in the box to demonstrate that it was accurate. This must have been shot off a machine rest because, given the fact that I can keep all rounds with a one hand hold at 25 yards into a 4″ group says something. The PPKS trigger was obnoxious and heavy as was the safety. The weapon overall was heavy. I got rid of it when it blew up using the then available Super-Vel ammunition. I have since owned many .380s made by Beretta, Mauser, Sterling, Glock, Colt, KelTek and many others. The only weapon of choice that offered the best carry for me for the caliber with 100% reliability has been the G42. The rest all had FTFs, etc. I carry my G42 when it is way too hot out to conceal a full sized auto and fannypacking is a sure giveaway….. Someone said they are only made for women and yet if you can manage one accurately and carry a spare mag they have a stopping power with the 102gr BJHP of roughly 30%. That’s not the 40% that a 9mm gets or a 70% that a .40 gets or a close to 100% with a .45ACP, closer to a .38 snub nosed special. Rather it is something that you WILL carry when otherwise you might leave your heavyweight at home. That is my sole purpose for the .380..one that I will carry on hot summer days. Otherwise give me my G21 or G22 for everything else. Am I giving something up…yes, however I am armed and know exact bullet placement and the capability of the cartridge. If you do carry a Glock that is compact like the G27 or G26 just remember that all the high cap mags will fit these compact double stackers. So, I’d skip the G19 and take the G27 in .40 and my extra mag would be a 15+2…my personal preference is all Glock. With over 100,000 rounds fired not a single malfunction and very limited cleaning…and I’ve owned just about every model and configuration Gaston ever made….
I ordered my Glock 42 yesterday. They are still pricey, $405 delivered, but I wanted it now! I carry my 32 year old AMT .380 Backup in my pocket. If I have to draw, it is likely going to be up close and personal. If I shoot you in the face with a .380, 9mm, or .45 I think all are likely to do what I want. My goal is to stop the threat as quickly and efficiently as possible
US made glocks aren’t tenifer treated. I stopped reading your review after I read the first paragraph. Do your research before you type.
Oh and people, come on over an let me double tap you in the chest with .380 and we’ll see if you’re still standing……
Congratulations on necro-posting to a 6 month old post in order to regurgitate the stupidest argument that’s ever been made in the already-stupid caliber war. You’ve made us all dumber for having read it.
I just picked one up today to replace my wife’s P3AT. The Keltec is more concealable, but it ends right there. The “fetus” glock (baby glock already taken) beat the p3at in all other categories (imho and imw’sho). It had a very nice feel for me (larger than av’g hands) and my wife who’s hands could be described as diminutive.
She loved it! I’m a Springfield shooter with an XDs 3.3″ in 45 acp and an XDm 3.8c in 40 s&w. I love those guns. The 40 is my favorite, but the single stack 45 is ALWAYS with me wherever I can legally sport it.
That said, I could be considered a Springfield fanboy by those that like to apply labels. Even if that were so, today I became a fan of Glock (again) and I understand why they did what they did. The gun, while still very concealable, shoots VERY smoothly and accurately. We only ran 150 rounds through it today (all we had), but it ran smooth as silk.
My youngest daughter (18, also very petite) shot it and really liked it. Both my wife and our daughter were ringing steel right off the bat. Neither of them could hit an 8″ steel at 10 yards with the Keltec, but with this 42… Ding! Ding! Ding! All day long:)
just got this handgun. this is one of the best feeling, best shooting handguns I have ever owned. Slips in the front pocket, loaded with some self defense founds and i feel safe. Have a small 9mm but there are times when i just don’t carry it because of the size. This gun is amazingly accurate.
I too just got mine. I took it to the range and was amazed by the accuracy and control-ability of the gun. I have not had a chance to try a variety of ammo in it yet. It fired two brands of FMJ without a problem. I really like the .380 ammo test report done by ShootingTheBull410. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNtPHYwcDts
I have a G 42. Had it about 4 months now.. The first 700 rds. went without a glitch. After that it started acting up.
I cleaned it made sure it was good. Ran 50 rds through it and then half way thru the next 50 it started acting up again. I took it apart and found the spring loose rolling back and forth. I put it back on got off two magazines and it started again. I took it down and the spring was off again. It was on properly but doesn’t isn’t very tight..Called Glock said they’re having no problems but sent me a new spring.. The first guy I talked to said don’t worry the spring won’t fall out,, Really.. said it should not be a problem. I now have 1000 rds through it and even with the new spring when it starts acting up the spring is off. Anybody else seeing this? I have no problems with my G 23 or my G 27.
So I’m guessing your talking about the recoil spring. It slips off of the lug on the barrel? It seems like it should be captive. Unfortunately, my wife has her 42 with her so I can’t look at it right now.
If a new spring didn’t fix it, I’d guess the cut on the barrel is off spec, or maybe something in the receiver isn’t right. That spring shouldn’t be able to slip off in any way. Like I said, it should be captive in the assembled gun. But I am just speculating until I can look at our 42.
Yeah John it is the recoil spring. I took a brand new one apart at the shop last week and I compared it to mine. It was exactly like mine. Even the cut in the barrel where the spring is suppose to be.. I thought maybe the spring was weak after 700 rds. But the new spring they sent is the same. Hardly no compression at all. The spring actually rides straight up before it slips off. I know I don’t trust it any more. We had another guy at the range that had a problem with his right from the start.. I couldn’t believe it because mine never skipped a beat.. Not sure what happened but I don’t carry it anymore. When the spring slips off it’s good for one shot.. You can rack another one in manually and it will fire that one. but then it can’t cycle.. Thanks for getting back to me.
They say this is a good weapon because it’s one you will “carry every day”. I have a Glock 33, a Glock 21, a Bersa .380, and a .357 Magnum revolver as far as handguns. I normally carry the Glock 33, EVERY DAY, which is a .357 SIG subcompact. The 33 is a true man-stopper, is very small, easy to conceal, and is very accurate with distance. I will say it has quite a kick, so for a female or small make it could be a little jarring. For an average male or skilled female it’s a dream. I may get the Glock 42 though, for my wife. It’s a Glock, so what else can you say? They’ll likely be getting my money for it soon.
Despite all the crap this pistol has received online I bought one. The three major arguments I hear about it are:
1. “Its too big for pocket carry.”
Seriously? How small are your pockets? Anyone who claims this is too big for a pocket has never carried a J frame in one. This thing is much easier to conceal than my go to J frame, it prints less, its easier to draw, and frankly its more comfortable.
2. “It should have been a 9mm.”
Ok, yeah I can sort of see where your coming from here but by that notion so should the PPK. The thing about a tiny little 9mm is yes, you have a powerhouse of a round (considering the size of the gun) but what are you giving up? Comfort namely. Certainly thats not the point of a carry gun, but I don’t know about you guys, I like to shoot. I tend to imagine if your on this website you do too. I don’t tend to shoot things that I don’t enjoy shooting. I can bust things with my 3 inch model 63 that I can’t with at 22 rifle because I shoot the 63 ALL THE TIME. Its fun. Any gun your going to stake your life on you should also shoot ALL THE TIME. I enjoy the 42 enough to shoot it as much as finances will allow. To me, thats probably more important. If I am extremely comfortable, confident, and competent with the firearm I think that outweighs a firearm I shoot occasionally that can dole out 100 more ft. lbs. but thats just me.
3. “Its a glock it should eat anything.”
Obviously some people are having different experiences than me, but mine does. I have bought a box of everything I can find and mine chews it right up and politely asks for more. I know glock has made a few changes over the course of production and perhaps me getting a later model made a difference, I don’t know. I do however thinks its a bit ridiculous to expect any semi automatic to fire ANYTHING you put in it glock or not. If you want a firearm that is that apathetic about ammo, buy a revolver. If you carry a gun, you should have at least a few boxes of your carry ammo through it to confirm it will work. If nothing else you get to make sure POA and POI are what your expecting.
I love my little Glock, if you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Seems pretty simple to me?
Just bought the 380 and was very impressed…..easy on the hand, owned a kel tel 9mm and after ten rounds hand hurt and the kick was so bad almost lost it in the air……..also have a Trurus ultra-lite revolver and is short for my hand, will give blisters at about fifty rounds. 38 caliber…..
If it’s not a 1911, I don’t carry it but I’m an athlete of life, a 1911 is what life athletes and those who are good with guns carry. For the rest of you who don’t know much, I suppose these little calibers make you feel better.
I have seen the evolution of the 1911 and it seems to me like a similar evolution to make both the AR15/16 weapons more reliable. I can’t believe all the effort has been put into both. It tells me that they were inadequate from the start and I am certain that many of our infantry were killed during the wars with these guns that didn’t functionally properly…..Now and finally we have good 1911s and good AR15s…lots of modifications to make them work properly after the fact.
I love Glocks…right out of the box they function just as Gaston designed them. There is no reason to “improve” them unless you want a lighter trigger pull or some other minor part.
While the G42 is very handy for hikes in the woods where I wouldn’t necessarily pack my G22 or G21…I have the ability based on terrain, certain critters, etc to pack any of them. They are 100% reliable…ask the FBI…
If I’m in bear country I carry a S&W .44 mag loaded with 300 grain Cast Core bullets…nothing better…
So, If you are on a thing about the G42…it functions flawlessly, has its limitations but is by no means a slouch. Regards….
I tried out a Glock 19 several weeks ago and really, really liked it. I was thoroughly not expecting that, primarily because I have the hands of a second grader and did not expect the Glock to fit comfortably in my hand. It did. I didn’t have much interest in a .380 because I had test-driven a Walther PPK and, much to my surprise, I didn’t like it much. I went to a local gun shop and noticed that the 42’s were on sale … and there was a waiting list for the 43’s. Handling the 42 felt very comfortable. A friend of mine found out about my interest in the 42 and let me test drive his over the weekend. I have to say, it handled beautifully. All of the accuracy of the 19, but a lot more comfortable in my little Hobbit hands. I think it’s going to be my next birthday present to myself.
Thank you D . Diggler for the G42 test regards Tiny Elvis….
Just acquired a Glock G-42 as a replacement for a Walther PPK .380 (the PPK was heavy , hard to shoot, and frankly i could not hit anything with it). I added the Pinky extender on the mags. and that improved the grip factor for my small hands 100%, while adding an additional round to mag. capacity. Any suggestions on where I can see holsters for this weapon?
Glock has a 4th revision mag out now that has completely (in my testing) fixed the slide lock issue that is reported above and elsewhere, and that I was having. The newest mags have a notch on the left side of the follower. The newest mags end in -03.
I simply called Glock customer service, and they told me to send my mags in, with a return shipping address, and the issue I was having. I had my new mags back within 2 weeks.
The take downs are even easier than other glocks.the trigger is smooth faced.it shoots where you point it.i love mine.the 17 is my favorite and yes I have a 19.the 43 is moot to me.heavier, larger and more jumpy.43<42
I only carry 9mm and 45, for self defense. I started in 1973 with a Colt Detective Special, and carried a snubby or PPK’s for 20+ years in NYC. There are so many small guns out now, that it has become overkill as far as what to carry goes.
I believe you should carry what you normally shoot, so I carry a PM9 with a 7+1 mag, sometimes the standard 6+1. I found that if you can conceal a 380, you can conceal a Kahr 9mm. I have done so for 6 yrs now, and the gun shoots everything. As far as wear goes, it has held up well, ” the night sights still function although not as bright”, and I polished off some pitting last year. Other than that, I would replace it with another of the same if I needed to.
I have owned the LCP, shield, XDS, and several other small guns from 22 to 45, over the years, and it’s just not worth getting a gun that is so small that you can’t grip it properly, or so large that you can’t pocket carry it , for me.
The part about the 42 being pleasantly shootable is pretty much right…it STILL has some buck to it, just not as horrendous as some others…I owned an AMT all-stainless .380, and it was absolutely awful to shoot…something like a 16 pound, DA only trigger, sharp edges on the mag with the extension for the little finger, and it was heavy for such a small pistol. Plus, if I remember correctly, it didn’t lock the slide back after the last round…I got rid of it…yeah, I know, don’t remind me…
Am anxiously awaiting for Lone Wolff to do a stainless guide rod assembly for the 42…I put one in my 1st gen Glock 21, and it makes follow-up shots exceptionally quick and accurate…recoil, which was never bad, is now even more mild, plus the straight-back nature of the recoil makes staying on target that much easier…SUPER nice…
I have the Glock 26 and Glock 30 for carry. The Glock 42 is definitely my next purchase. It’s a great summer piece. My daughter loves firing it at the range as well. I can’t wait!
im looking for s small easy to conceal gun to replace my .38 snubby in a small fanny pack.
last week at a local range, i rented a
beretta .380
a kahr p9
a glock 42
these are all rental guns, probably never maintained, all looked very dirty.
the beretta wouldnt even fire at all.
the hammer would cycle when you pulled the trigger, but the gun would not fire,
the Kahr was ok, but the super single action trigger got old in a hurry
but the g42 was sweet,
just perfect in every way for a pocket carry
and the single/double trigger is a glock specialty , very nice for fast follow up shots.
probably going to be purchasing one soon.
Im not concerned about the difference in .380 vs 9mm
the best gun is the one you have on you,
those of us who work everyday around people who would freak out if they see your weapon
absoulty must have something that is perfectly concealable in a pocket or wherever,
a IWB isnt concealed enough, sooner or later someone will see it and freak out and blab to the boss, and you’ll be unemployed.
or you will leave your weapon in your vehicle, while youre on foot in a “gun free zone”
and thats the exact time youre gonna need it.
a friend of mine was at a college sports game recently, and had left his handgun in his vehicle, to comply with the local rules, and during the game, the school went into lockdown because of an active shooter near the campus.
a .22 in your pocket is better than whatever cannon you left in your vehicle.
I have a Ruge mk III .22 and I can hit a pie plate at 60 yards with it,
if it was concealable, Id be comfortable with it as a self defense weapon, because I KNOW i can put the rounds right where I want them.
the issue is that you should be a bit older before you can mow down crowds with a highly efficient killing tool.” …such as a car.
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