Thoughts on the Glock 42 the New "Baby Glock" ?

[debfischer]

Hello all,
Now that the Shot Show is behind us and the dust has settled, what are some of your thoughts on the newest darling on the concealed carry favorites list, the .380 cal Glock 42?
I have held the Glock 42 and compared it to the other Glock babies but did not get to shoot it, how does it feel and shoot in the real world?

Wouldn't it have been easier to just get the Glock 25 on the import list?

Thanks for your input.
Dfischer

 

[ventman]

Will Glock come out with a single-stack 9mm?

Would be more interesting to me.

I carry a 26.

 

[FL180]

My buddy got one. I've held his but haven't fired it either.

I didn't like the fit to my hand. The grip was too small front strap to back strap for my hands. If it were in 9mm it would be slightly longer front to back and would fit me better. I also didn't like the Glock serrations at the rear of the slide. They aren't as deep as all the other Glocks, they are maybe 1/3 to 1/2 as deep as normal ones which makes it harder to get a good grip on the slide. It could use some front slide serrations for its small size as well. It's also not small enough for me to call it a true "pocket gun". It's basically a thin subcompact similar to an XDs. I would rather have 5+1 .45 or 7+1 9mm in the XDs which is basically the same size, than the 6+1 of .380 in the G42.

Personally, I think there are better options if you are looking for a pocket gun or even a slim subcompact. This gun is for the Glock fanboys and those with severe recoil issues. If you can't control or handle a small 9mm then this might be for you. .380 is better than nothing at all.

It's not for me. Make it in 9mm and I might be interested. Until then I will stick with my XDs .45 for my carry weapon.

 

[r1derbike]

Glock 42?

A face only a mother would love.

 

[wolf_fire]

Hello all,
Now that the Shot Show is behind us and the dust has settled, what are some of your thoughts on the newest darling on the concealed carry favorites list, the .380 cal Glock 42?
I have held the Glock 42 and compared it to the other Glock babies but did not get to shoot it, how does it feel and shoot in the real world?

Wouldn't it have been easier to just get the Glock 25 on the import list?

Thanks for your input.
Dfischer

Dfischer,

I actually have one and have fired it. Why did I buy it? I have a Sig P238 that I carry as a BUG and loved it. It fired incredibly well. My concern is that I normally carry and train with a firearm that has no external safety. A few times I have practiced with the Sig and neglected to release the safety rendering my gun ineffective until I realized what happened. When I carry this firearm, I now know I have doubts as to my ability to use it correctly under pressure. So I searched for a .380 that did not have an external safety. I was all set to get the Ruger LCP when my dealer told me to wait because the G42 was coming out. I waited, and I'm soooo glad I did.

I've fired the Ruger and now I've fired this. I love the G42. It fits my hand better. It fires just like every other Glock I've had, but fits much smaller in your hand. If you don't like the way a Glock fires, you won't like how this fires either. They have basically the same trigger mechanism. It was accurate right out of the gate. I was surprised there wasn't much recoil. I figured, compared to the Sig, I would notice a lot more. I did not. Make sure you do not limp wrist this model though. I had the slide not lock back once after I fired the last shot. I'm sure it was due to my anticipation of the last shot and limp wristing it. Other than that, it cycles phenomenly. I used two types of ammunition through it and it handled both without a hiccup.

If you've ever taken a Glock apart you will notice a few minor differences. There are only two pins that hold the G42 together versus three. The Slide Lock Lever now is held in by the one pin toward the middle of the gun rather than its own separate pin. Also, the spring mechanism on the Slide Lock Lever is different. Other than that, the internals are basically the same as every other Glock I have worked on.

Concerning the G25, that's a double stack, 15 round firearm. I believe Glock was trying to get into the market of the pocket pistol. The G42 has a 6 round magazine.

I hope this helps you out.

Wolf.

Here's a post I started about it. Link Removed

 

[Roscoe P Coletrain]

I have fired a Glock but not the 42. I don't mind Glock as a firearm, but I am not a Glock Nut. I am anxious to feel one of these and take to the range. I am sure Glock guys will pick these up as a subcompact carry gun. I have heard several different price ranges. Just not sure if they will be geared towards a Ruger LCP price or a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard price? I don't get the impression that they are as nice as a Sig P238. Hopeing to see these in the gun shops soon.

 

[wolf_fire]

I have fired a Glock but not the 42. I don't mind Glock as a firearm, but I am not a Glock Nut. I am anxious to feel one of these and take to the range. I am sure Glock guys will pick these up as a subcompact carry gun. I have heard several different price ranges. Just not sure if they will be geared towards a Ruger LCP price or a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard price? I don't get the impression that they are as nice as a Sig P238. Hopeing to see these in the gun shops soon.

The MSRP is $459. I picked mine up for $319.

It is not considered to be in the same price point as the Sig. If I were to evaluate only these two guns side by side, I would say the Sig is a nicer firearm. It's heavier (not a plus for pocket carry but a plus for recoil... but that's pretty much a non-issue with a .380, and a plus in just how it feels in your hand), the Sig is more aesthetically appealing, and it has a nicer trigger pull. The Sig also has standard very nice night sights. Take all things into consideration (excluding my training without an external safety) I would get the G42 to carry, but I would get the Sig for a nice firearm to have. The one outward feature that Glock beats the Sig on is the larger trigger guard. One can shoot the Glock with gloves on very easily. This can't be done with the Sig, at least not with my big hands. I can't justify spending twice as much for a carry gun (whether its an EDC or a BUG) for something that is just as reliable but looks nicer.

For comparison, the Sig is about double in price to the G42. I spent $600 on mine and $650 for my wife's. I have the "Nitron" model and she has the "Lady" model.

If you want to see mine, click the link I provided in post #5. I have pics.

 

[Stengun]

Howdy wolf,

Concerning the G25, that's a double stack, 15 round firearm. I believe Glock was trying to get into the market of the pocket pistol. The G42 has a 6 round magazine.

Wolf.

Actually the G25 and G28 were introduced for countries that do NOT allow civilians to own a firearm chambered in a "military" caliber. Countries like Italy, Brazil and Mexico, to name a few, do not allow civilians to own a handgun chambered in 9mmX19, .45ACP, and a few other calibers but since the .380acp/9mmKurz wasn't on the list, PRESTO!! Glock made the G25 and G28 for their market.

Several of the European handgun makers, like EAA, chamber their handguns in the 9mmx21 cartridge, which in Italy isn't considered a military cartridge while the 9mmx19 is.

More than one way to skin a cat or to find a loophole in the law.

At the same time the G25 and G28 were never imported to the USA because they didn't qualify under the "Saturday Night Special" clause of the GCA '68. Another gun that didn't qualify was James Bond's favorite handgun the Walther PPK. Walther had to make the PPK/S for importation into the USA. The PPK/S used the short slide of the PPK and the full size frame of the PP.

HTH

Paul

P.S. My Wife says I'm an encyclopedia of useless knownledge.

 

[CDW4ME]

For pocket carry a P3AT or LCP is smaller with the same capacity.
If carried on a belt, many larger caliber options are available.
I see no point in it.