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?

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Congrats on your newest!

I had a G42 and it was a great .380 for shooting and carrying, just wasn't for me.

For ammo I'd suggest FMJ as JHP in .380 tend to not penetrate deep enough but if you have to have a HP Gold Dot's seem to be one of the better ones.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I just got one today. Guy I work with had it and needed some cash. I stole it. $200. Had 30 rounds through it. Never owned an auto. Let alone a plastic gun. I go shoot it tomorrow. It may be my new boot gun.

 

[SC_Mike]

I won one at a DU banquet one evening. Shot it and carried it for a while, no complaints, then sold it. Although I do like Glocks, I'm not a fan of .380 for SD.

 

[Watchdog]

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?

Uh...no.

Think about it!

I did. My answer is still no.

The 42 is a nice little pistol. I have one and usually pocket carry it in a nylon pocket holster I bought off the rack at an LGS...can't even remember who makes it, cause I cut the tag off. Unlike others, I think the G42 is perfect for pocket carry.

I also have the Pearce extensions on the mags, and they work very well for adding room for my little finger.

I'm completely satisfied with the pistol's accuracy at the distances it's intended for, with both FMJ and JHP ammo.

The pistol does what it's supposed to do, what it was designed to do...and does it at a reasonable price.

 

[durango]

For the record, I don't like Glocks, but the 42 fit my hand unlike any other Glock I've tried so I decided to give it a go.

I bought one for concealed carry, and am very pleased with the pistol. It has been very reliable with ball ammo and have not had any issues with Hornady brand XTP and Critical Defense ammo.

The downside has been figuring out how to dress around the gun, due to the required professional attire at work. Unfortunately it is difficult to not print while pocket carrying in an Uncle Mikes holster in dress slacks. That same holster works fine in relaxed fit cargo shorts/pants.

The G42 trigger is a little heavy, bit of a change from my CZ clones. That's fine by me as it makes it a necessarily determined effort to engage the firing pin.

My accuracy improved when I changed out the sights for the Truglo fiber optic/night sights, I guess because I'm used to 3 dot sights.

It's very light weight. I loved the grip on it, much nice with recoil than the Bersa Thunder, but did not like the slickness. I bought some Galloway traction grips from Amazon, they were easy to install and look/feel great. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Traction-Overlays-Black-Glock-Pistols/dp/B00IZ5BG2I/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1435955228&sr=1-2&keywords=glock+42+grip"]Amazon.com : Traction Grip Overlays in Black for Glock G42 Pistols : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sFu6g8qJL.@@AMEPARAM@@51sFu6g8qJL[/ame]

 

[Muss Muggins]

I carry my 42 in a Fobus paddleback. Invisible with shorts and a t-shirt . . .

 

[BearBio]

I am most definitely not a Glock lover. That being said, I am slowly converting. We recently upgraded the good woman to a 9mm "pocket rocket". She had her choice of anything up to $1000 (it was her purse, 24/7 piece). After examining several, including Glocks, she chose the Taurus Millennium (no problems, ~700 rounds so far). I was so impressed, I decided on one for me. When the time came, I chose the "baby Glock". Excellent for pocket carry. One thing: IWB means a sweat guard if, like I do, you wear it against bare skin. I liked that one so much, I wanted another. I found a used Gen 3 Model 27 (40 S & W "baby" Glock in brown) and picked it up. While there, I noticed they had Model 22 (full size 40 S & W) for a little over $300 (police trade-ins). I'll take them to the range tomorrow. If it works out as I expect, I'll start carrying the Model 27.

Regarding holsters: I have a Blackhawk IWB for all three (The 26 and 27 use the same holster). It has a sweat shield, is leather (I REFUSE to accept plastic holsters) and a strong belt clip.

I won't ever marry her and take her to BBQs but I'm not ashamed to be seen in public with her, either!

 

[ThunderGuy]

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?

Congratulations on your new purchase, and getting such a great price, too. I cannot advise on the holster, since I just backyard plink, a cheap canvas type works for most of my needs. Glock pistols are the ones everyone hates to love or loves to hate, but with few exceptions have the advantage of firing any brand you care to try. So if this gun is for carry purposes, I'd just research current available ammo and find the one that suits your anticipated needs. The Winchester Train & Defend line was well reviewed in a recent magazine.

Just FYI, there are those who reason that a high-powered round nose might be better for extreme winter temps, due to theoretical better penetration, something to consider for the formidable, but still lower-powered .380.

While Glocks are not usual of the "need to break in" category, it's never a bad idea to be sure to send a couple hundred rounds downrange, rotating magazines to be sure all is functional, as well as a few magazines of your chosen SD round to minimize future surprises.

As a final note, you might look into the Maguts magazine conversion kit for the G42. It's a replacement spring and follower you install in one of your existing G42 magazines, which increases the capacity to 7 rounds. I keep a Pearce extension on that mag so I know which is the 7 round. I've fired 100's of rounds through it with zero malfunctions.

I'm not loyal to any one brand of firearm, I enjoy the attributes of many. I have an M&P .22 LR (all mags hacked to 12 rounds, it's legal in my state) and an M&P Shield. Both are fun and well made. But I just don't see how anyone can claim to be a gun enthusiast without at least one Glock. And the G42 is a pretty nice one to have.

 

[Irn-Bru]

Go with the Lehigh Defense Extreme Penetrator. I watched it being tested in ballistic gel and it looks superior to any other round in .380.

 

[otis24]

Today, I received both my Pearce Grip Extensions and my IWB Outbags holster from Amazon. I put avfew rounds through it yesterday (Reminton fmj's). The first shot failed to eject, but the followinf 23 rounds were flawless. I will go out again this week to see how it performs with the grip extensions installed.