G42 Glock Review - Prior to 2014, Glock had not released a new pistol design since the turn of the century. A few of the older Glock designs were recombined for new calibers, and we got the updated Gen 4 Glocks, but the last pistol from the Austrian company that could be considered a new design was the .45 ACP Glock 36 single-action pistol that was available. In the year 2000
There were many rumors and wishes about what the next new Glock design would be, but it took 14 years for the company to say anything official. Late last year, Glock ads hinted at a new concealed carry offering that many thought was the long-awaited Glock Single Stack 9mm.
G42 Glock Review
It wasn't. The Glock 42 was instead chambered in .380 ACP and large compared to the competition. The initial reaction was, to be fair, tepid. Before anyone had a chance to test the new pistol, the Glock was already heating up because it came in the wrong caliber.
Ets Glock 42
Here we are, nearly a year later, with every blogger, magazine writer, and YouTube channel in the gun world putting in their two cents on the Glock 42. That initial resistance eventually cooled and the shooting community jumped at the chance. Judge the Glock 42 for what it is rather than what we expect from it.
Since reviewing the technical specifications and features of this pistol is no longer new, I'll save the usual routine review descriptions for last and put the Glock 42 in my own hands.
My first experience with the new Glock was at the SHOT show this past January. I was allowed to fire a full magazine from the demo gun, which doesn't do much at first impression. But the Glock 42 Shot Show mini-review I wrote about was enough to give you a clear idea of what the Glock is for. Instead of making the smallest .380 ACP on the market, it looks like Glock decided to make one that was actually easier to shoot.
I finally picked up a Glock 42 to do a real review in September, and in the 500 or so rounds I've put through it since then, my first impression of the Shot Show hasn't really changed. It is much larger than the ultra-compact .380 pocket pistols that have become so popular in recent years, but I think it is the smallest and lightest centerfire pistol I can comfortably shoot all day.
What's The Best 380 Pocket Pistol?
While there have been some complaints about the G42's size, it is smaller than the vast majority of the next largest category of carry pistols — subcompact single-stack 9x19mm semi-autos like the Beretta Nano or the S&W Shield. During one of our Epic 9mm Carry Gun benchmark sessions, I brought it out to see how the Glock 42 would fare. I'm a big fan of the little nines, but their somewhat snappy recoil takes some effort and practice to master in rapid fire . It's no wonder that shooters who don't hit the range regularly find it difficult to get quick follow-up shots on target with these guns.
After getting one of these little 9mms, switching to a Glock 42 feels like cheating. Without any effort, the front sight returns to the target after each shot. If all centerfire handgun calibers were equally effective for self-defense, the favorable combination of small size and light recoil found in the Glock 42 would immediately render obsolete dozens of other handguns that are harder to shoot or carry.
But not all handgun calibers are equally effective, and the .380 ACP is on the lower end of the curve. Unfortunately, the hypothetical continuum of effectiveness is not something we can quantify. However, by all indications, compared to common service calibers such as 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP, even with multiple hits, the .380 ACP round is less likely to stop an attacker. If you're going to commit your life to something smaller, there has to be a good reason not to choose one of the "real" calibers. That alone is reason enough for many people to reject the Glock 42 as a serious self-defense tool.
I'm always a fan of crimson tracer lasers on any pistol, but they are especially useful when paired with small arms.
Mini Glock Gun: Why The Glock 42 Is One Dangerous Weapon
The .380 ACP caliber has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years, not because it is particularly effective, but because it is the most effective cartridge that can fit into a small carry gun like the popular Ruger LCP. If the only reason to carry a .380 is to carry the smallest gun possible, it's not too hard to see that the first reactions to the Glock 42 were criticisms of its small size.
But at the same time, the entire concealed carry market is starting to realize that a pistol under 10 ounces is really hard to shoot. As I mentioned above, even a 16 ounce single stack 9mm is more than adequate for most casual shooters. Pistols like the Glock 42 fill the gap. Yes, it shoots some small bullets at negligible velocity, but it makes it a gun that most shooters can learn to shoot competently in a pocket 9mm in the short amount of time it takes to teach someone to control recoil and muzzle flip. Or a muzzleloader .38 Special.
Ideally, I wouldn't recommend the Glock 42 (or any other .380 ACP) as a first choice for concealed carry. But the ideal is not the reality.
We all know that most people with a permit to carry don't practice very often and don't do their best to pick a concealment and holster. The strong recoil makes them less eager to train and less likely to carry a large gun. The Glock 42 is a good compromise for someone who has enough shooting experience to carry a gun effectively and safely, but doesn't get to the range very often.*
Clipdraw Belt Clip For Concealed Carry
But I don't want to give the impression that I think the Glock 42 is just a gun for newbies. While I carry a 9mm double magazine most of the time, I find it a hindrance in some situations and carrying a smaller gun makes life a lot easier. For example, when I go jogging around the neighborhood or doing some yard work, I often carry a Ruger LCR with five .38 Special +P hollowpoints.
The Glock 42 is too small to qualify as “pocket carry” but I like to use the same type of holster for every gun I carry. I'm not interested in a Glock in an accessory holster on IWB.
Unfortunately, I haven't had much time with revolvers this year, and the last time I took the LCR to the range, it was clear that my skill with the double-action trigger isn't what it used to be. The Glock 42, on the other hand, is very comfortable to carry, but feels like a junior version of the Stryker Fire pistols I regularly shoot. It doesn't have quite the punch of my other carry weapons, but I'm pretty sure I can group 7 quick rounds into the center mass of anything within spitting range.
Most of the guns we review here at Launch are either borrowed from friends, purchased specifically for review, or sometimes loaned to us by gun companies. They will be sold or returned again after the review is complete, but this time I think I'll be taking money out of my own pocket to keep the Glock 42. At that time, it will serve as a second option. The M&P9c I normally carry is huge. I hate to sound cliche, but the Glock 42 "works".
Glock G42 Subcompact 380 Automatic Colt Pistol (acp) Double 3.25\
* - Note that I am not distinguishing between "beginners, women, seniors and short people", although many of these people will benefit from the uses that the Glock 42 offers. I have also seen 250 pound strong men who are lifelong gun owners and cannot consistently hit an 8 inch paper plate 9mm at 5 yards. shot Even shooting a pistol like the Glock 42 requires some basic training and skill. Usability notes
As I mentioned at the beginning, the details and specifications of the Glock 42 have been reported from many other sources, but here are some of my own observations.
The Glock 42 is supposed to have the same type of trigger as every other pistol that comes out of the Glock factory, but I think that is more of a variable than the company states. The Glock website claims the G42 trigger breaks at 5.5 pounds, which is pretty close to what others have reported. On
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