G42 Glock Review - In the right hands, the Glock 42 pistol could be just as deadly as its bigger brothers. As the smallest Glock, it is also suitable for those for whom concealment is an important purchase criterion. While not for everyone, the combination of the Glock pistol platform and John Browning's small automatic caliber is a compelling choice for users who combine skill and discretion.
A combination of the successful Glock pistol design and a caliber invented by gunsmith John Moses Browning, the Glock 42 is certainly worth a look.
G42 Glock Review
The pistol combines the Austrian gun manufacturer's weapon control system with the .380 ACP pistol cartridge. The result is both a pistol for concealed carriers who want a low-recoil pistol and the smallest pistol in the Glock lineup.
Review: Glock's Model 42 And Crimson Trace's Lg 443
Austrian gunmaker Glock has taken a tree-like approach to its pistol lineup, with the original Glock 17 9mm pistol clipping the trunk of each major caliber into a branch. The company will typically introduce the full-size Glock in a new caliber, followed by compact, subcompact and competition-sized pistols to round out the caliber offerings.
Unlike other branches, such as the .45 ACP and .40 Smith & Wesson, the .380 ACP branch of the Glock tree is the smallest of all and consists of one pistol: the Glock 42. The smallest and weakest of all calibers recommended by the company, the type .380 ACP cartridge is only suitable for a modern small car design.
The .380 ACP cartridge was invented by inventor John Moses Browning in 1908. The early 1900s was perhaps Browning's most productive and influential period, with the invention of firearms such as the M1911 handgun, the .50 caliber M2 machine gun, and the .380 ACP and .45 ACP calibers. While the cartridge had brief success as a pistol cartridge in European armies before World War II, the post-war standardization of the larger, more powerful 9 millimeter Parabellum replaced the smaller cartridge in military service and became a civilian caliber.
With few exceptions, the .380 ACP is a subsonic cartridge. Most iterations are between 75 and 95 grains. The Federal .380 ACP full metal jacket cartridge weighs 95 grains, hits the muzzle with a force of 203 foot-pounds and travels at 980 feet per second. In comparison, the 9-millimeter (.350) Federal FMJ cartridge is about the same size, has more than sixty percent more energy at 364 foot-pounds, and travels at 1,150 feet per second.
Gun Review: Glock 42
The advantage of .380 ACP is not power or speed, it is easier recoil. A .380 pistol should be easier to aim than a 9mm pistol, all other things being equal. So a compromise between the two calibers: accuracy versus damage. Accuracy, placing rounds where you want them, gets you damage, but damage doesn't get you accuracy.
Hence the case for a pistol like the Glock 42. Although not as powerful as its cousin, the sub-compact 9mm Glock 26, the Glock 42 is more controllable. While relatively underperforming, the .380 caliber also has more than a century of charge history behind it and can reach up to 294 foot-pounds with Buffalo Bore + P cartridges.
At 5.94 inches overall, the Glock 42 is the smallest pistol in the Glock lineup. The G.42 also has the shortest barrel length of any pistol at just 3.25 inches. It is the only Glock to break the one-inch width barrier, as it is only 0.98 inches wide.
Glock's .380 offering is also by far the company's lightest pistol. It weighs just 13.76 ounces unloaded and competes with lightweight revolvers like the Ruger LCR. The next heavier pistol in the Glock lineup is the 9mm single-stack Glock 43, which weighs 17 ounces unloaded. Even with six rounds of .380 ammo, the Glock 42 is still two ounces lighter than the Glock 43.
Magazine Extension For Glock 42
, War is Boring and The Daily Beast. In 2009, he co-founded the defense and security blog Japan Security Watch. While not your average CCW pistol, the .380 ACP Glock 42 is a very sleek option for the small car. While some argue that .380 ACP is not an ideal carry caliber, that does not mean that it cannot be effective. Many people will balk at this option simply because the caliber is "wrong", and that's okay. It's not for everyone, but it certainly plays a role. There are unique environments and situations where an extremely compact "pocket" pistol like the G42 shines. Hopefully this Glock 42 review will help you in your decision to buy one or not.
Built in the USA and released in 2014, the G42 is Glock's smallest pistol to date. This firing pin-triggered, sub-compact pistol is truly the "baby" of all Glocks. With a curb weight of less than 14 ounces and an ultra-compact frame size, the G42 is truly a unique carry option. However, the small frame size comes at a price - the pistol's standard capacity is only 6+1. For those environments or occasions where absolute concealment is essential, the G42 steps in.
I recently spent an afternoon at the shooting range with the Glock 42 and fed it several hundred rounds of various ammo types. I added self defense ammo like the Hornady Critical Defense and Speer Gold Dot 90 GR cartridges. As expected, the Toyota Camry of Guns (Glock) handled everything I loaded with no problems.
Overall, I was pleased with the G42's performance - especially when compared to similar options on the market. Shooting the G42 was a relatively "smooth" experience with no major muzzle flip. Firing the G42 one-handed was easy, especially for someone used to carrying a 9mm cannon. The frame is compact, but not too much, and I think that really plays a role in recoil management. Even with relatively tame .380 ACP ammo, some "pocket" pistols (Look at that Ruger LCP) on the market are not that easy to shoot.
Custom Glock 42 .380 Acp
Usually people are concerned about pistols that are too big to conceal when looking at CCW options. That is definitely not the case here with the G42. The smallest Glock made is something I'm sure just about anyone out there could carry concealed with no problem.
Most people considering this pistol are probably concerned that it is too small to shoot effectively.
The G42 is obviously extremely small with a frame size smaller than even your typical "compact" pistol. Other than that, shooting the G42 wasn't that difficult. The mild .380 ACP cartridge helped in this aspect, I think. Controlling this pistol and shooting accurately at a typical self-defense range of 7 meters was manageable.
Compared to other 380 ACP sub-compact pistols I've fired, this was really handy. Follow-up shots also seemed easier than I expected with the G42. Even after a few hundred rounds, many hands did not cry for mercy. In other words, the G42 was still quite comfortable to shoot.
Review: Glock G42 .380
Although it is quite short with the larger magazine at only 4.13 inches, I was able to get enough grip to feel secure.
At 14 oz, the G42 is absolutely a lightweight pistol. This may be a factor for some, and if so, you will be satisfied.
These days most of us won't be too impressed with the 6+1's capacity. To be honest, it's not really impressive. Especially when you consider newer pistols like the Sig P365 or Glock 43X that offer 10+1 in 9mm.
If you want the slightly more concealable Glock 42, you can get some help for that lack of capacity. For those who want the extra capacity of 2 extra rounds, aftermarket magazine extensions such as the HYVE Technologies variant are available.
Glock G43 Vs Glock G42 Size Comparison
When I took this pistol to the range and fired several hundred rounds, I could feel the trigger. For a stock Glock trigger, it was decent. I wouldn't say it was good...but decent. The pistol I tested had a fairly predictable break and a sharp reset. I did 10 pull tests and the average was just under 5 pounds. for the pistol I tested.
Other critics of the G42 have expressed dissatisfaction with the G42 trigger. What I can say is that this trigger is amazing compared to options like the Ruger LCP and LCP 2. I noticed a short pickup and a clean break that just doesn't exist on other "pocket pistols".
When it comes to sights, we are used to getting multiple options and that is also the case with the G42. The pistol I tested was equipped with Ameriglow Bold Sights. Target contrast and follow-up shots were easy - especially when combined with the mild caliber.
I will start by saying that I am already quite familiar with the ergonomics and layout of the functions of the Glock.
Glock 42 Review: A Good Self Defense Pistol?
Being such a compact pistol, the magazine release and bolt release felt both accessible and easy to use. I often have problems with the controls of ultra-compact pistols, so I was glad I didn't have that problem with the G42. I'm going on
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