I played with one of these yesterday, as my lady friend is smitten with her Glock 19, and was curious to see how it compared.

Am I correct in stating that it only hold 6 rds in the mag? That is the number of windows on the back of the mad, and I couldn't get a 7th in there. I only ask because of the size of the pistol. It's hard to imagine that it's capacity is the same as my P-3AT.

It certainly is easier to shoot than my Kel-Tec, with much better sights and more to hold on to, but for it's intended purpose, it seems they coulda stuffed at least 8 in there.

It's a nice pistol (I've only shot a few Glocks, but thought that the 42's trigger was the best of them), but I think we'll wait for the single-stack 9 version, which can't be far behind. Other than the brand-name, i can't imagine why someone would pick this over a Kahr CM9, or something of that sort.

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Because of the metric system?

What does your owner's manual say?

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Yes only 6 rounds in the factory mag. Mag guts sell a spring and follower that allows 7. I suspect after market mags will be offered. But I love my 42. I have retired my 442.

He doesn't own one, he was looking one over. Reading is fundamental...especially if you're snarky.

I've had mine now for several weeks and shot several hundred rounds through it. Aside from two malfunctions in the first hundred rounds that I am certain were caused by the ammo, it has run perfectly. I think this pistol is a great size/weight for the .380ACP. The LCP and P3AT are easier to conceal but much harder to shoot well, for me anyway. I would not carry one because I don’t think I would shoot it well under pressure. My primary CCW pistols are a Kahr K9 and SIG P239 and the same goes for those with the 9mm. Anything lighter/smaller and I don’t shoot them well, the exception being my SIG P938 SAS but I don’t want to carry a SAO. That’s not to say that if Glock does release a 9mm pistol of a similar size I would not try it. I would. But I would definitely want to shoot one before I bought it. The ability to rent a 42 is what sold me on it. Well that and the LEO/military price I got ($360 new after tax).

I know people want the smallest package possible but in my experience there is such a thing as too small. I shoot the 42 well and I can conceal it in anything I wear. In fact, I just started carrying the 42 while running. I never carried a pistol while running until now. I will say that I recently ditched all my polymer pistols (Glocks and HKs) in favor of metal frames and I liked the 42 enough to introduce one back into my safe.

Also, everyone is different. Some guns just work for people while others don't. My wife has owned her SIG P238 Equinox for over a year and can't shoot it to save her life, literally. I mean she's often not hitting the paper at self defense distances. It's very frustrating for her and she usually just grabs her Buck Mark instead. I finally got her to shoot my 42 (she hates Glocks and plastic guns of all types) and she was keeping most of the rounds within the black after two magazines. Now she is planning to sell the P238 and buy a 42. She has a permit to carry but until the 42 she had not found anything that she could shoot well and realistically carry in most situations. She hasn't carried yet at all. And she's more likely to practice with a gun she can naturally shoot well.

I can recommend some upgrades:

New Sights
I shot fine with the factory sights but I wanted something that was quicker to get on target. For me that is the XS Big Dot. They are easy to install and work great for their intended purpose. I had them on my Glock 26 and really liked them. I intend to get them installed on my Kahr K9 but never seem to get around to it. I installed them on the Glocks myself. They are super easy to install on a Glock for even the most technically challenged.

Traction Grip Overlays by Galloway Precision
This rubber grip is easy to install. It sticks to the frame with adhesive and so far I don’t see any signs of it coming off. I’ve shot a hundred rounds since installing it, carried it quite a bit including while running, and worked it around in my hand just to see if it would start peeling off. Only time will tell with that. However, it makes a great improvement in the pistol's grip. It adds almost no bulk and just the right amount of traction. It’s not too sticky as Hogue grips can sometimes be.

Amazon.com : Traction Grip Overlays in Black for Glock G42 Pistols : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sFu6g8qJL.@@AMEPARAM@@51sFu6g8qJL

Custom Slide Cover
I like getting these from RockYourGlock.com for my Glocks, though I only own the 42 now. It’s certainly not a necessity but it’s a fun option to customize your gun that is not available on most other pistols. I'm not fond of the Punisher logos and such but if you have a logo that is significant to you it's nice. But maybe the Punisher is significant to you, I don't know. I went with the logo that keeps me out of the homeless shelter.

Pearce Magazine Extension
This I could take or leave. I shoot the pistol equally well without it. If pressed I would say I even prefer to shoot without the extension. I may end up removing it.

Slingernator Waist Pack - If you need an option to carry while running.
I looked for a good while for an option to carry the 42 while running and didn’t come across much. None of the waist packs or vests I found had pockets big enough for the pistol. I stumbled on this on Amazon not expecting a lot but I really like it. The slightly larger pocket fits the 42 perfectly leaving just enough room to grip the pistol for extraction. Yes, it’s a fanny pack. It is a pack that rests over my fanny. Normally I would be opposed to this on a few levels. To me it screams either nerd or gun or maybe both. But options for running are limited and a lot of runners wear stuff like this so it’s not terribly out of place. I still feel like I live with my mother when I strap it on though. The pack is a little bulky but it is comfortable and stays in place well with little bouncing. The smaller packs I use when gun-less that are made by brand names big with runners are less comfortable and bounce more. I will probably color in the red Slingernator thread black to make it a little more subtle.

Amazon.com : Running-Walking-Workout Belt With Separate Pouch For Phone or Valuables--And Another For Gel Packs, Energy Bars Etc. Very High Quality. Will Even Fit A Samsung Note 2, s5 or Iphone In With Its Case--Non Bounce, Adjustable Belt--Money Back Guarantee : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519vaAUBkHL.@@AMEPARAM@@519vaAUBkHL

Fotoman,

Thanks for the great post. Very informative.

I certainly wasn't knocking the pistol, other than my surprise at the capacity vs. the size. I carry a Kel-tec when running, but not many other places, unless nothing else will hide well.

I've said a few times on this forum that while Glocks aren't my cup of tea, I shoot them better than most of the autos I do own, and I absolutely understand why people own and use them. The ones I've played with are extremely reliable and accurate, and I don't find the triggers to be difficult at all. If I had to take one belt gun to a fight, I'd be hard-pressed not to reach past all those good looking Smiths and Colts and grab my GF's Glock 19.

I guess my point was (and I'm sure I'm not alone in this)- why not just make it a 9mm if you're going to start with a frame that size?

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Because of the metric system?

Here are the official specs from Glock's web site:

Glock 42 | G42 | 380 Pistol | GLOCK USA

You mentioned that you have a P3AT. I do as well, and I love mine. I have the 42 as well, but I'm not sold on it as a pocket pistol yet. The two Kel Tec pistols (.380 and .32) are perfect for pocket carry, especially with the clip. I also formerly owned the Kel Tec 9mm,, which is a compact single stack design, and it is significantly larger than the P3AT. Given Gaston's tendency to overbuild, I suspect the single stack 9 mm Glock will be a big 'un.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I purchased a 42 when they first hit the market, big mistake. It suffered from every known malfunction bar none. It went back to Glock twice and while it got a little better it continued to suffer stove pipe problems. I even had others at the range/store where I got it and they had the same experience. Eventually it went down the road.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I guess Glock designed a frame for a 9mm pistol, and then chambered it in .380 first, because they didn't have a .380 pistol for the US market.

If somebody walks into a USA gun store and says "I want a .380", Glock now offers something in that caliber.

I handled a Glock 42 when they first came out and compared it to the S&W Shield. There is very little difference in size between the two, and the Shield is available in larger, more potent calibers. I had filled out the 4473, and changed my mind. A friend who was with me bought it instead. He kept it two weeks, then traded it for a Shield and some cash. The Glock costs about $50.00 or so more than the S&W Shield in my area. LE prices are very close.

I am going out on a limb here. I believe the .380 is the old 9x19. I think that it will be the pocket pistol. This will drive ammo development and innovation. There was a reason John Browning chambered his 1903 pocket auto in this caliber. A good combination of size and effectiveness.

As footman shows in his post it can be very accurate.

Excellent point.

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Because of the metric system?

It's claimed that Glock made some design changes.

Glock Appears To Have Made Changes To The G42 | LooseRounds.com

I made sure the one I got had the design changes and it has been good.

Very true.

I bought the G42 for my wife but she didn't care for it. She's on to a M&P Compact now. I kept the G42 for myself and have tried to like it but I can conceal the Shield just as easy and...the Shield is 9mm with more capacity and I shoot it better.

So, I thought the G42 could be my pocket gun but it's really too big for that. Last week, I bought a 738 TCP for pocket carry and I like it much better.

I'm gonna hang onto the G42 for a while and see if it grows on me while I test the reliability of the TCP. Right now, I have no need for the G42 so it will likely be traded toward a SR1911.

I would like to shoot a Shield. When I handled one it didn't really speak to me but everyone says good things about them.

I bought a 9mm shield and wanted it to work as a pocket carry but I couldn't. It only fit in loose fitting slacks or cargo shorts for me. Had 0 issues with it.

I do pocket carry the G42 with ease most days unless I'm going in the woods or fields, then its a 640 with snake shot.

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Isaiah 41:10