Glock 42 : hang onto your shield

[mag318]

I've owned a couple of Glocks in the past but never warmed to their ergonomics. My LGS got 2 Glock 42 Blue Label pistols in and as soon as I handled it I decided to buy it. For $350 I figure I couldn't go wrong. First off the 42 feels great in hand and is smaller than my Shield. True it's larger than an LCP or Bodyguard 380 but just enough to be comfortable. My take on this pistol is that it was designed for people who like to shoot their 380s a lot. I've owned LCPs, BG380 and Kahr P380s and the Glock 42 is by far the most comfortable to shoot. I think this will make a good hot weather CCW.
The only down side I see is the fact they 380 ammo has been scarce and when these 42s become widely available the ammunition will become even scarcer.
Of all the small 380s the Bodyguard was my favorite, but shooting it side by side with my new Glock I have to say I now prefer the Glock. My cold weather EDC is my M&P9c which I much prefer to the Shield. Here's what the 42 looks like next to my 9c.
I'm sure Glock has a slightly larger 9mm version waiting in the wings and competition is a good thing.

 

[Foofer23]

22LR

Placement I everything. A 380 will kill you period. Many people cannot hit anything with larger calibers so 380 is the bullet...More people get killed by 22 lr. every year than any other

Everything Glock makes is a hit...Don`t bet against them...

I know some folks won't believe it, but there are some special ops forces who even use the 22LR in covert operations. It's not fiction, but a fact!

I don't doubt the 380 ACP will be a big seller for Glock, but I just don't have the enough interest to acquire one. My little Ruger LCP totally disappears in my clothing and will do the job.

If it gives one peace of mind, just call the 380 ACP a short 9mm. Ahhh... that's better

 

[WilliamG]

Quite frankly I don't see a point to the Glock 42 when the PM9 is as far as I can tell the same size/dimensions/weight, unless you have to have another Glock, of course...

To each his own, of course. It was fun to handle the 42 because it really is a mini Glock (though the trigger is stiiiiiiiiiff!).

 

[pineappleshooter]

American Rifleman did a review. After gushing over it in the first two paragraphs, they went on to say that at 21 feet it's about as accurate as a Taurus 638 or a Ruger LC380, the trigger pull is 2 pounds heavier than advertised and that high performance ammo causes the slide to lock back with a half full magazine!

They blamed Double Tap for the failure:

"The only two events that could be noted as malfunctions occurred when firing a high-velocity, 95-grain bullet load from DoubleTap Ammunition. Operating at velocities over 1,000 fps in pocket .380s, compared to around 880 fps with typical loads, this round caused the slide to lock open twice (as if the magazine was empty) when there were still rounds left to fire. In both cases, the chamber was clear and the next round in the magazine chambered when the slide was retracted and allowed to fall forward. This is the first time I've had a semi-auto pistol go into slide lock during a test fire. But since the G42 did not lock open with any other load, it seems that the increased pressure produced by this particular round was the source of the problem."

So, be warned: "Caution: Do not use ammunition rated over 880 FPS in this firearm otherwise you may experience unexpected lock-up and failure to operate."

hicock45 did a review on youtube and had this problem shooting buffalo bore ammo. I like the idea of a glock 380 but this thing is freakin huge compared to the other 380/small 9mm's on the market. So far I haven't seen anything to make me stray from my PM9 with bigdot sights on the market.

 

[WilliamG]

hicock45 did a review on youtube and had this problem shooting buffalo bore ammo. I like the idea of a glock 380 but this thing is freakin huge compared to the other 380/small 9mm's on the market. So far I haven't seen anything to make me stray from my PM9 with bigdot sights on the market.

Agreed. I got my PM9 with night sights and Crimson Trace laser a couple of years back, and it's just superb, - the complete package.

 

[Jagrmaister]

My LGS had gotten one in and did a raffle to give it away. Pretty cool of them. I didn't win it, so there goes my only method of obtaining one. I have zero interest in a .380 Glock that's not free.

 

[Mall Ninja]

Glock will sell a million just to cops alone (secondary/back-up)...

They WILL be offering a 9mm version and they will do what SIG did. For the same reason I own a 238 AND 938 (see above Cop statement)…

Those who compare it to a Kahr either have not owned a Kahr or have not handled the 42. I own/owned multiple Kahrs (PM40, MK40, CM9) the G42 trigger is 9 times better and the gun is FAR less money…

Anyone willing to trade saving cash against proven reliability for a self defense gun is a fool in my opinion. Same idea as saving money buying a Pep Boys street bike helmet...

 

[blujax01]

There Can Be Only One.

 

[gm272gs]

That Remington mouse gun is funky looking. I agree with the Buck Rogers statement. It looks like a Beretta Neos had a three-way with an LC9 and a Savage .22 rifle.

 

[blujax01]

That Remington mouse gun is funky looking. I agree with the Buck Rogers statement. It looks like a Beretta Neos had a three-way with an LC9 and a Savage .22 rifle.

Okay, that image is something I will never be able to un-see!

Well played.

 

[WilliamG]

Glock will sell a million just to cops alone (secondary/back-up)...

They WILL be offering a 9mm version and they will do what SIG did. For the same reason I own a 238 AND 938 (see above Cop statement)…

Those who compare it to a Kahr either have not owned a Kahr or have not handled the 42. I own/owned multiple Kahrs (PM40, MK40, CM9) the G42 trigger is 9 times better and the gun is FAR less money…

Anyone willing to trade saving cash against proven reliability for a self defense gun is a fool in my opinion. Same idea as saving money buying a Pep Boys street bike helmet...

I've handled the G42 and I own a Kahr. The trigger on the G42 is horrible, very stiff, and the break is horribly harsh. I dry-fired it many time and couldn't prevent the muzzle moving on break.

Yes, the G42 is much cheaper than a PM9, but it's still a like-sized 380. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it's the key factor here.

 

[skip4309]

The .380 cal will lend itself too not much shooting it...ammo is scarce and pricey...especially defensive ammo...I will stick to common calibers when choosing a handgun (9, 40 and 45) you can't go wrong...

 

[skip4309]

Who are we kidding. They'll sell a million of them.

You are correct...Glock would not make the (G42) if their wasn't a market for it...I don't like the caliber but it is a Glock and they will sell...a 9mm version will probably be next IMHO...

 

[Mall Ninja]

a 9mm version will probably be next IMHO...

It is, they confirmed that to me at SHOT…which is why I will carry my P938 until then...

 

[Freeway]

I may be the "odd may out" but the Glock 42 may just be the (almost) perfect situation for me. As I have mentioned, I have some serious nerve damage (neck & back, with a lower back that is basically junk).

My doctor has given me a choice of two calibers... 22 (S, L, & LR) or NONE! This choice is not official, but is on the honor system, which I will abide by. A restriction of 22 rimfire for 1-2 years is better than a permanent one of nothing!

All the reviews I have read\seen on the Glock 42 indicates that is is a very soft shooter, partly because of the additional size compared to the "pocket .380s). Can anyone here confirm that? If so, I'd be very grateful. I would like to acquire a G42 as an upgrade to a 22, and I'm thinking this could be almost perfect.

I have Gen 1 Glock 17, yet I'm leery of using it due to the nerve damage. Tried a 12 gauge and nearly dropped it after the first shot from the pain in my neck, back, and shoulder, so that's out for awhile (.410 a better choice for awhile?)

The Glock and the 1911 platform are my favorites, so I would like to stick with those. The Kimber Rimfire and Browning are amazing, and I can spend a couple hours at the range shooting them without much pain.

Any suggestions, advice, and reviews of the Glock 42 would be a big help, along with recommendations for ammunition. I know something about the debate concerning FMJ or JHP for a .380.

I also know that many people feel that the .380 is not a "real" HD\SD caliber, but in my situation, it's probably better than a rimfire. Perhaps the G42 is not just being marketed as a woman's firearm. I just need to be careful for the next 2-3 years to avoid worsening the nerve damage. If a .380 will reduce the chances of worsening that damage, a .380 could be the best choice for "ME" I hope everyone who replies will take that into consideration along with the fact that I like my Glock 17 Gen 1!

Thanks everyone!

 

[jaymoore]

There Can Be Only One.

And for years it was this little autoloader:

Best pointing, least recoiling, fastest recovery time, and flattest of the "old school" concealed carry pistols.

The Glock 42? Pulled one apart the other day. Not bad. But not all that exciting either.

The R51 is a whole different story! Hoping that Remington made it as useful as it's predecessor. And is contemplating another go at .45 ACP (Last offered in the Pedersen platform to the USN around WWI.)

 

[681ismyfavorite]

the G42 will fit the bill for those who find little 380s unpleasant to shoot because they are too small, yet the 9mms unpleasant to shoot because of the recoil (yes there are some). I don't understand why they made it only a 6 shot instead of 7.

 

[InTheWoods]

My wife is one who might love the new Glock. She presently carries a SW60, but finds the trigger pull hard (even with new springs.) She finds the small .380s too snappy and the slide on 9mm handguns too hard to pull back. The Glock 42 might be a hit with petite or older women.

 

[Fat B]

Glock will sell a lot of those who want that size gun regardless of the caliber or who want their backup gun to have the same name as their primary weapon. Then Glock will come out with a 9mm version of the same gun and people will buy that who want that size gun in a 9mm.

I disagree with those who say Glock screwed this up. Glock will milk this cow for years to come.

 

[highaltitude]

I may be the "odd may out" but the Glock 42 may just be the (almost) perfect situation for me. As I have mentioned, I have some serious nerve damage (neck & back, with a lower back that is basically junk).

My doctor has given me a choice of two calibers... 22 (S, L, & LR) or NONE! This choice is not official, but is on the honor system, which I will abide by. A restriction of 22 rimfire for 1-2 years is better than a permanent one of nothing!

All the reviews I have read\seen on the Glock 42 indicates that is is a very soft shooter, partly because of the additional size compared to the "pocket .380s). Can anyone here confirm that? If so, I'd be very grateful. I would like to acquire a G42 as an upgrade to a 22, and I'm thinking this could be almost perfect.

I have Gen 1 Glock 17, yet I'm leery of using it due to the nerve damage. Tried a 12 gauge and nearly dropped it after the first shot from the pain in my neck, back, and shoulder, so that's out for awhile (.410 a better choice for awhile?)

The Glock and the 1911 platform are my favorites, so I would like to stick with those. The Kimber Rimfire and Browning are amazing, and I can spend a couple hours at the range shooting them without much pain.

Any suggestions, advice, and reviews of the Glock 42 would be a big help, along with recommendations for ammunition. I know something about the debate concerning FMJ or JHP for a .380.

I also know that many people feel that the .380 is not a "real" HD\SD caliber, but in my situation, it's probably better than a rimfire. Perhaps the G42 is not just being marketed as a woman's firearm. I just need to be careful for the next 2-3 years to avoid worsening the nerve damage. If a .380 will reduce the chances of worsening that damage, a .380 could be the best choice for "ME" I hope everyone who replies will take that into consideration along with the fact that I like my Glock 17 Gen 1!

Thanks everyone!

I think that's exactly why Glock released the 42. It's a firearm that allows people a carry option that are recoil sensitive, for whatever reason. Very little recoil and easy to shoot. I handled one up at the LGS the other day and thought it was a pretty neat little gun.

Here's a review on 380 SD ammo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soNdX36P-3E
Here's a review of Glock 42: Glock 42 - YouTube