Glock 42, first trip to the range.

[otis24]

New Glock 42. I installed Pearce +1 mag extensions. Took it to the range just to put a couple of mags of ammo through it. I didn’t clean and lube prior to first range trip. I had a couple of Failures to Feed and slide did not lock back on the last round. Ammo was Winchester 95 Grain FMJ. Cleaned, lubed, and heading back out to try again. If I have the same problem, I will try loading just 6 rounds and not the +1. Update to follow.

UPDATE: I cleaned and lubed and went back to the range. Ran two different ammo choices. The Winchester 95gr FMJ (somewhat of a blunt nose) and Remington 95gr FMJ, round nose. Ran two mags of Winchester. No FTFs but slide didn’t lock back. Ran two mags of Remington. No FTFs, slide locked back both times. Loaded 5 rounds of Remington and the last two rounds of Winchester in a mag. No FTFs, slide didn’t lock back. Ran one more mag of Remington. No FTFs, slide locked back.

Guessing it was partially a cleaning issue, but mostly an ammo issue. Will have to make one more range trip with the Remington to establish consistency. Will have to do the same with whatever carry ammo I settle on.

 

[LVSteve]

Not surprised by no lock back. Winchester 380 FMJ is notoriously anemic. Fiocchi 95 gr is my favored range fodder. Not getting the storage lube out and getting the proper stuff in there may not help, either.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I bought one of those a few years ago. First trip it didn’t like me at all. I read some stuff and learned the term limp wristing and it worked fine after that. I never warmed up to the gun and sold it, but it worked fine after I paid attention to how I held it.

 

[demkofour]

I’ve been running a G42 for several years now. My last few years I worked a plainclothes unit and the G42 replaced a well worn 342Ti as my BUG.
Mine has run flawlessly with a very assorted variety of standard pressure and +P ammo, both FMJ, hollow point and in between.
The very early G42 was plagued with problems that were due to a magazine design deficiency. The new and newest generation mags fixed that problem. As a GLOCK armorer and someone with a bunch of track time with the GLOCK platform, I would recommend using only factory OEM magazines unless you totally vetted the gun with either aftermarket ones or plus extensions. The guns and magazines work in complete unison with the RSA and the magazine spring and especially in small guns like the 42, changing magazine spring tension can often lead to bad results. Run it the way Gaston and company designed it to be run.
And with regard to limp wristing, a properly cleaned, lubricated and maintained GLOCK should run fine with anything close to an efficient grip on the pistol. YMMV, but this has been my experience with GLOCKs and in particular the G42.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I have an early one that has always worked perfectly. I like it so much that last year I bought a second one based on the old adage "if you find something you really like, buy two, because they'll quit making it".

 

[max503]

Mine is new, too. It works flawlessly with factory loads - Blazer Brass 95 grain FMJ and some Freedom Munitions 100 grain RNFP. Reloads have to be at max level or the slide will not lock back.
Mine shoots powder coated/range scrap loads just fine, which makes me very happy. I'm using the Lee 95 grain RNFP sized to .3565 and loaded with a full charge of Bullseye.
I'm very happy with this gun. It is a very solid, well-balanced design. I think they need some breaking in.

Here's what it did with a box of my cast boolit reloads at 25 yards. (And my hand didn't hurt afterwards, either. )

 

[Doug M.]

I'm sure if one looked with the right search, they could find my write-up of the first 700 or so rounds through mine. It did not run worth a darn with anything but the stoutest possible (Black Hills ball) ammo when I started, but eventually became reliable with Fiocchi 95 grain JHP and then slowly warmed up to the 60 grain Honey Badger.

 

[Valmet]

I had one of the first ones off the line back in 2014 and it always ran 100%. I liked it but ultimately traded it off as I’m not a .380 guy. Folks tend to love or hate the G42.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Nearly all Glock malfunctions are caused by the shooter, and nearly all the shooter induced Glock malfunctions are a function of the grip. Don't underestimate the need for a good strong two handed grip, even with a minor caliber handgun such as your Glock 42. My guess is that the Winchester ammunition did not recoil quite as sharply, thus by the end of the magazine, you had relaxed your grip. But, I wasn't there . . .

 

[alwslate]

My chronograph results with several different types of 95 gr .380 FMJ ammo shows that Winchester flat nose ammo runs about 50 FPS slower than other brands with RN bullets. An occasional round may also fail to feed. A poor choice for SD ammo.

 

[lrrifleman]

A used rental G42 was my first pocket Glock, and it has actually won me a Glock!

I aim for a reload that pushes a 90gr JHP or a 95gr/100gr cast on FMJ pushing at least 950 fps. For factory ammo I've successfully used: Federal, Fiocci, and Blazer.

 

[alwslate]

I’ve been running a G42 for several years now. My last few years I worked a plainclothes unit and the G42 replaced a well worn 342Ti as my BUG.
Mine has run flawlessly with a very assorted variety of standard pressure and +P ammo, both FMJ, hollow point and in between.
The very early G42 was plagued with problems that were due to a magazine design deficiency. The new and newest generation mags fixed that problem. As a GLOCK armorer and someone with a bunch of track time with the GLOCK platform, I would recommend using only factory OEM magazines unless you totally vetted the gun with either aftermarket ones or plus extensions. The guns and magazines work in complete unison with the RSA and the magazine spring and especially in small guns like the 42, changing magazine spring tension can often lead to bad results. Run it the way Gaston and company designed it to be run.
And with regard to limp wristing, a properly cleaned, lubricated and maintained GLOCK should run fine with anything close to an efficient grip on the pistol. YMMV, but this has been my experience with GLOCKs and in particular the G42.

I have a G42 that I have owned for several years. I read that early magazines were a source of trouble. The two mags that came with mine are marked 02 on the back. I'm assuming they are ok but in your opinion do I need to replace them with a newer version or are these the good ones?

 

[demkofour]

I have a G42 that I have owned for several years. I read that early magazines were a source of trouble. The two mags that came with mine are marked 02 on the back. I'm assuming they are ok but in your opinion do I need to replace them with a newer version or are these the good ones?

The latest magazine is marked 03, but you should be GTG with the 02 version. As noted in this thread as well as the thread on defensive ammo for the G42, you must vet your gun(s) ALWAYS with your carry ammunition of choice.

 

[VictorLouis]

I am hoping that the Shield mag folks will do-up a 9rd mag for the 42 as they did for the 43. Even a flush-fit 8rd mag would be neat.

 

[otis24]

Was able to get to the range today. Ran 4 mags (28 rounds) of Fiocchi Target Max 95gr FMJ and 3 mags (21 rounds) of Barnes Tac-XPD 80gr ammo. No failures to feed, no failures to lock back.

Research on the Barnes ammo showed 9 inches of penetration. That’s below the FBI recommended 12 inches of penetration. I will continue to look for a good .380 self-defense round. Most likely the Black Hills Honey Badger or Lehigh Defense Xtreme Defender (if I can find it).

 

[STORMINORMAN]

The Ammo Quest series on 380acp ammo is pretty extensive, even if a bit dated...?

I like and reload that Lehigh 68gr XD bullet: this might be worth considering since one can reload for less than half the co$t of Underwood or Wilson Combat versions.

Shoots great in all my 380s.

Cheers!

 

[Retiredguns]

My Wife has been carrying her 42 for a few years now and has no interest in another pistol. She has also been using Maggguts and a pinky extension giving her 7+1. I bought her updated mags and disconnector when they were available just to keep current and it has always ran fine. My Dad gave me a box of junk ammo he picked up during COVID and they were the only ammo that caused the 42 to have any type of failure. Those rounds were short and wimpy.

I grab her pistol sometimes on the way to church as it disappears nicely in dress clothes.

She carries 95gr XTP

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Be careful with those Makarov rounds in a G42...

Cheers!