Yesterday I stopped by Sparks Firearms to confirm my schedule for the upcoming week (I work there part time for fun) and found a new Glock 42 had just come in. I was amazed to see one so soon since it was just being announced at SHOT Show this week. I played with it for a while and did some size comparisons. Here is a quick overview of the new gun.
The sight and trigger felt and looked like any other Glock. No surprise there since Glock probably used parts they where already manufacturing to build this gun. The grip looks more like a Gen 4 then a Gen 3 Glock, but not quite. It doesn’t have an interchangeable back strap (no surprise as that would probably make the gun bigger) and only comes with 2 magazines.
This gun was designed to conceal carry and is a single stack and only holds 6 rounds of .380 ACP in the magazine. The mag has the normal looking witness holes to see how many are in it. I just expected them to be one on top of the other like the Glock 36.
The gun feels really slim in my hand but not too small to shoot. It wasn’t big enough to get a full grip on but it was comfortable to hold.
Guns the size of the Ruger LCP is they are too small to really shoot. This one is more the size of an LC380 but reels better. It doesn’t have the normal Glock square feel to it but feels more like a Kahr with nice rounded edges on the grip. The stippling looks and feels like it’s there for looks more then anything else.
I think this gun is going to be a big hit and can’t wait to get one on the range to shoot. This gun seems to be the right size to do deep concealment but big enough that you can still shoot. It is even (has to be) made in the USA.
I don’t mind the .380 ACP round as it makes the gun more controllable. Things this size with a 9mm round start to get hard to hang on to when shooting.
Stay Safe,
Ben
PS Thanks to Steve Sparks at Sparks Firearms for letting me take the pictures and handle the guns.
PSS Here are some more pics:
Great post. For an IWB Holster for this type of gun, what kind of material is best?
I did a search for side by side size comparisons of the Glock 42 and found it and more here. Thanks
Because it’s a Glock it gets automatic applause. If it earns it by being as reliable as its big brothers it will sell quite well. I may even get one to compliment my DB9 which to tell the truth is great for its size but painful to shoot so I only shoot it enough to stay proficient with it and make sure it’s in good working order. If this little .380 can be shot 200 times in one day without being painful or like it’s wearing out fast; it will be a winner.
Guns this small are only good for close up self defense. To ask more of them isn’t being fair to the gun or the manufacturer in my humble opinion. I look forward to comparing it to my DB9 even though the caliber size is different. If I can be more accurate at, say 25 yards, with the Glock I may make it a primary shooter. I look forward to the reviews done by everyday shooters on YouTube who don’t have a dog in the hunt.
I agree about the hype. Hopefully it will live up to the other Glocks, but Glock did have a couple issues with the Gen 4s when they came out.
I’m also with you on the gun reviews. It’s awesome to have reviews by people in the world that don’t get paid or have anything to gain by giving a good review. I read gun magazines for years and can’t remember a single bad review.
I can put rounds in an IDPAa zone every time with a g42 at 10 yards. Head box or center mass. Not sure how much more accuracy/distance you need for a defensive firearm. That is definitely more than a “up close self defense” gun in my opinion.
How’s that compare to the bigger guns you have? Can you do about the same size group with the 42 as a full size gun or is there a big difference?
I’m in! I’m glad to see there are no finger grooves on the grip, but they still retain the Gen 4 style grip texture. A lot of gun cognoscenti want to hate on this weapon because it’s not in an “acceptable” caliber. I’d like to get my hands on one and fire it before I pass judgement.
I like the 380 and don’t mind shooting something with a little less recoil. I know I give up some downrange but gain a nicer to train with gun that I’ll shoot better. I think this is the smallest sized gun that you can shoot enjoyably with a lot of control. Anything else is pushing what most shooters can or want to handle.