Glock 42, impulse buy

[otis24]

Ok, i'm not a fan of plastic guns. Until about 2 years ago, I wouldnt even consider aluminum. I had carried a 640/.357 mag. After handling a 642 and noticing the weight difference, I bought a 642 and loved it! Some financial difficulties last summer forced me to sell the 642. Ive been without a handgun since.
Today, i stopped by my LGS. The Glock 42 was the only handgun he had in stock. I made the mistake of picking it up. It fit my hand like a glove. When he dropped the price to $389, I couldnt say no.

Would appreciate suggestions on ammo and a holster. Leaning towards Gold Dot or Critical Defense ammo. Thinking a Out Bags or Versa Carry holster. Other suggestions? Thoughts on the G42?

 

[USAF385]

A little large for a .380 these days, wouldn't be my first, second, third, or fourth choice, but maybe fifth.

But that's just MY opinion. A .380 for me means pocket carry, the G42 is a tad big for me there.

The important thing is you like it AND you have a handgun again.

Congrats!

 

[otis24]

After reading a review of the Versa Carry on concealedcarrynation, I think the VersaCarry is off the list.

 

[otis24]

The G42 is a good fit for my hands. I have Pearce Grip extensions ordered for the magazines. They will extend the grip and increase the magazine capacity by one round. When finances improve, it will probably belong to the wife. IF, I dont like it to well!

 

[otis24]

Im very surprised that it only comes with a one year warranty though.

 

[Old cop]

Google HPR hollow point .380, pretty good stuff. I picked up a box and it runs fine in my S&W .380.

 

[snafu177]

Good impulse buy and price.
Very accurate.

 

[joe sacco]

Good choice. Never thought I'd own a 380, but I couldn't resist either. Works for me for pocket carry in a DeSantis Nemesis. There are several good aiwb holsters out there for $40 or less. Have fun with your new toy. Best, Joe

 

[otis24]

Thanks, Joe!

 

[ColbyBruce]

Congrats on your purchase. I recently bought my fourteenth Glock, so I am not a hater, but have to ask if you compared the Glock 42 to a S&W Shield? Shields are $330.00 here, basically the same size as the Glock, but hold one more round of a more powerful cartridge.

 

[DocB]

Yup, Gold Dot and Winchester PDX1 are about the only two that will expand out of a 380. My congregation at the church I pastor insisted that I carry during the service. I carried a Glock 40 cal last Sunday and it was just a bit too big. Just brought up my little 380 Smith Bodyguard this evening and will carry it either on belt or in pocket starting next Sunday. I put the PDX1 stuff in it just now. I use a little cheap Tagua paddle for belt carry and an Uncle Mikes pocket holster if I want it concealed.

 

[otis24]

Congrats on your purchase. I recently bought my fourteenth Glock, so I am not a hater, but have to ask if you compared the Glock 42 to a S&W Shield? Shields are $330.00 here, basically the same size as the Glock, but hold one more round of a more powerful cartridge.

No, I never took a second look at Tupperware. This was the only handgun the LGS had on the shelf. Picked it up because it was the only thing there. Felt so good in my hand that I feel in love with it. IMPULSE bug bit me.

 

[colin1230]

Great purchase Otis, congratulations! The Glock 42 is a fine little pistol and a fun shooter. The trigger on mine is a little heavy but if I get enough finger on it I don't pull my shots left. A far as ammo goes, mine has ate everything, including about 3k of my 95g plated handloads. Winchester PDX1 goes in when I carry it. For a good holster, I would recommend a Talon Holster, not the same company as Talon Grips.

The Talon holster is very well made for $50. I have worn it IWB, OWB under the belt and since it is squared at the muzzle it works as a pocket rig also. Hope this helps. Enjoy your 42.

 

[CaptRon956]

I had the chance to shoot a friends G42 and to be honest, I'm not a Glock fan boy, but it sure was a nice shooting gun! Smooth as butter, light recoil and accurate. I would suggest a pearce grip extension for your mag & congrats on your purchase of a fine pistol.

 

[otis24]

I have 2 Pearce grip extensions ordered. The ones that allowcan extra round of ammo.

 

[gen3guy]

I'm going to take a lot of criticism for this, but my personal feeling on low energy ammo like .380 or.32 ACP is FMJ for defense. I feel that penetration is more important when HP expansion is in question. HPR make a good 100 gr. FMJ cartridge. If you insist on HP ammo, go for Winchester Silvertips.

 

[viceunit]

I shot a friend's G42 side-by-side with my Walther PPK (Interarms). I was amazed at how controllable the Glock was compared to the Walther, which weighs several ounces more. I could shoot the Glock faster and with much more accuracy than the Walther. I think it is a great platform for a .380 pistol. Now, I won't be selling the Walther to get one, but the Walther may spend more time in the safe if I get a G42. I have been carrying the Gold Dot in the Walther and would recommend it for any .380 gun that functions reliably with it.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Glock 42, Federal Hydra-Shok, DeSantis Nemesis. Enough said.

 

[AR_Black]

Those are pretty nice guns. The 9MM Glock 43 should cost about $50 - $60 more.

Because the .380 has been out longer, I think there are more aftermarket accessories available.

GHOST INC makes a +2 extension for the .380 magazine: G42 MAGAZINE EXTENSION DEVICE .
Includes a spring and a magazine extension, and then the Glock magazine baseplate is used with this one.

- - - -

I either carry a S&W 642 in .38 Special, or a S&W Bodyguard .380.

The Bodyguard is thinner than the 642. However, I like .38 Special better than .380...but with either round, shot placement is the key.

The S&W Bodyguard .380 I carry in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. Both the gun and holster are broke in real good, 500+ rounds in the .380 over 3-years. After getting some bugs worked out, I now trust my life to this gun. IF I didn't have this, I would probably get the G43.

For .380 Defense Ammo, I have been using

• Hornady Critical Defense 90-grain FTX
• Winchster 95-grain PDX1 Bonded HJP

And for practice ammo:

• Winchester Q4206 95-grain FMJ
• PMC 380A 95-grain FMJ

As with any carry gun, I recommend lots of trigger time with any ammo, AND shooting enough of the expensive hollow points to be confident that particular ammo functions 100% in your pistol.

 

[otis24]

Lying in bed. I just had an observation. In naming this compact, light weight pistol, do you think Glock intended a subliminal connection between the G42 and the 642? Think about it! G looks a lot like a 6. 42? Compact, light weight. See a pattern?