Glock 42: what's shipping and a range report Part:1

As written by "Skintop1911" at Pistol-Forum

Manufacturer: Glock, Inc 

Model: G42 

Serial Number: AAPG### 

Production (Test Fire) Date: 12/20/2013

On the web

Source

This G42 was obtained from a Glock LE distributor at LE pricing of 

~$320.00.  All costs associated with this review were paid by me. 

Unboxing 

The Glock 42 ships in the same hard plastic Glock branded box other 

models ship in.  Included in the case are the gun itself, two 

magazines, promotional and safety literature, a trigger lock, and 

fired casing(s).  The overall appearance of the gun is like its other 

Glock siblings.  Its diminutive size is its greatest distinction from 

the rest of the line and there is little else noteworthy about it 

externally.  Unloaded, the G42 with empty magazine inserted weighs 

13.9oz on my postal scale.  Field stripping is accomplished in the same 

manner as other Glocks. 

Comparison to a Glock gen4 Glock 17 

Comparison to a S&W M&P Shield:

The upper is detail stripped in the same manner as other Glocks.  The 

serrations on the slide are shallower and have less bite when 

grasping.  The sights are a downsized version of the plastic 

ball-and-bucket type most Glocks ship with.  The rear sight is 6.1mm in 

height, and the front is the standard OEM front.  The firing pin safety 

and corresponding machining in the slide is unique to the G42.  The 

balance of the slide internals are mostly just miniaturizations of 

larger Glocks. 

Detail stripping the G42 lower shows some noteworthy differences from 

other Glocks.  There is only the single trigger pin (?first pin?) to 

remove above the trigger, along with the trigger mechanism housing pin 

at the rear.  The locking block must be removed to remove the slide 

stop lever.  The slide stop lever has a captured coil spring attached 

to it.  The slide lock lever receives its tension from a coil spring 

beneath it, rather than the leaf spring of the larger Glocks.  The 

trigger spring is a combination of a captured coil spring and leaf bar 

on top.  A small pin/rod runs through both, and then attaches to the 

interior of the trigger mechanism housing.  Disassembly of the trigger 

mechanism housing is unique to the G42.  The grip texture of the lower 

receiver is the same raised polygonal surface as found on other Gen4 

models, but less pronounced.  It's not particularly grabby, but there 

is palpable resistance to slip.  The magazine catch is the standard 

Gen4 size and type, and is reversible.  The trigger face is smooth. 

The barrel is marked for caliber, and has the Georgia and other Glock 

proof marks. The RSA is the same type of captive dual spring assembly 

found on other gen4 Glocks. 

The magazine is a single stack. It does appear that there is at least 

a slight stagger of the cartridges in the magazine. The capacity is 

six rounds, and seven can?t be inserted even with deliberate effort. 

The witness holes are correct to the number remaining. The spring has 

11 coils. 

Only .380 Auto cartridges can be loaded into the magazine. Each of 

more than two dozen 9mm Luger/Parabellum/NATO length cartridges extend 

beyond the front wall of the magazine. The 9mm cartridges that came 

closest to full insertion on the magazine were several Corbon loads, 

particularly the 95 and 115gr FMJ, 115gr JHP, and 100gr Pow?RBall. 

Further, the internal dimensions of the magazine well do not allow 

sufficient clearance for a typical 9mm cartridge to be placed within 

it, while allowing for a magazine body around it. Photos are of the 

115gr Corbon, Federal 147gr HST, and Black Hills Ammunition 115gr 

Barnes TAC-XP. 

Dry Fire

Initial take up of the trigger is very similar in weight and quality 

to Glocks equipped with NY1 trigger springs. The break is distinct but 

travel through it is smooth and improved with work through the 

session. Over-travel is typical of other Glocks. Trigger reset was 

distinct, palpable, and audible. The trigger reset felt like something 

between the reset of a NY1 and NY2 trigger spring. 

I conducted a number of different dry-fire handling drills to 

familiarize myself with the gun. The biggest hurdle in the process was 

finding an optimal hand placement that was not wholly divergent from 

my aggressive, high, thumbs-forward grip. I often found my middle 

finger over the magazine release, ejecting the magazine when squeezing 

with the support hand. My thumbs tended to rest against the slide, and 

blocked movement of the slide stop. While gripping the gun, it sat 

low, disappeared in the hand, and felt like I was holding a gun shaped 

cell phone instead of a handgun. Dry reloading drills were difficult. 

The bottom of my hand prevented the magazine from dropping free unless 

I completely broke my firing grip. Inserting a replacement magazine 

required the same repositioning. A failure to keep that reposition 

during insertion painfully pinched my hand between the magwell and 

magazine floor plate, failed to seat the magazine, and created 

significant time delays. 

When running the slide at speed I found that my hands sometimes 

slipped on the slide. The thin slide didn't have enough surface area 

for my hand, and the shallow serrations just didn't have the bite I 

needed. 

The balance of other dry exercises were quite satisfactory. Once I 

found a good firing grip I was able to press the trigger through 

without disrupting the sights, and work the reset. My existing 

familiarity and proficiency with Glocks and the NY1 trigger was 

undoubtedly helpful. 

Live Fire

The G42 was fired through a series of drills and standards that I 

commonly use with other guns. As I had no holsters or support 

equipment, all were fired from a compressed high ready position. Most 

shooting was not quantified, but I did capture several scores and 

times. Those are listed here. 

10rds @ 25yds, B8 target, standing unsupported

77-0X, ~5 group, close for windage, low for elevation. Fired with a 

center-hold. 

A second group fired holding at the top of the 9-ring held all within 

the 8-ring, most within the 9-ring. 

One 12:00 ejection hit the slide on its way back down. 

F2 to 3x5 index card, 7yds 

Low clean, 1.54 

High clean, 1.80 

Average (all), 1.69 

F5 to A-zone

3yd, 2.27 C, 1.59 C 

5yd, 2.04 C 

7yd, 1.99 -1, 2.00 C 

10yd, 2.71 C 

After several more repetitions, times for this drill from the ready 

stayed at or below ~2sec regardless of distance (3-10). 

50rd LE POST qual course

50/50 

47/50 (run at 3sec par) 

Summary

Ammunition run-down

107rds PMC 90gr FMJ (380A) 

50rds Federal RTP 95gr FMJ (RT38095) 

30rds Winchester FMJ 

24rds misc u/k 

12rds CCI Blazer FMJ 

8rds Hornady JHP-XTP 

7rds Federal Hydra-Shok 

6rds Hornady Critical Defense 

6rds Winchester Silvertips 

6rds Remington Golden Sabre 

6rds Winchester Ranger 

This G42 had the best fighting potential of any compact or subcompact 

.380 I've fired. It demonstrated as much potential for accurate hits 

at speed or in slow fire as larger Glocks in the line, and much more 

flexibility than the .380 competitors of its type. The G42 shot flat, 

and stayed on target with little perceptible muzzle rise or recoil. I 

was able to maintain low-splits (~.25), consistent six to seven round 

cadences, and stay on -0 or A-zone sized targets after some 

familiarization. Farther above, I noted that the grip texturing on the 

G42 was less pronounced than on other gen4 guns. It was more than 

sufficient for the amount of recoil control needed for this gun. 

Reloading and stoppage clearance procedures may be more difficult for 

those with large hands or other unique grip issues. 

The bulk of shooting was done with Federal and PMC training 

ammunition. At least one magazine load of several commonly available 

carry loads were also fired. Most consumers will buy a quantity of 

ammunition to practice with, but only a single 20rd box or two of a 

carry load. Often content to shoot one magazine of that carry 

ammunition, the remaining rounds are loaded in to the gun and the gun 

is relied upon thereafter. The number of rounds fired prevents a real 

reliability measure, but is reflective of what will actually be found 

on the street. 

The G42 would not reliably feed several rounds of the aluminum cased 

Blazer. The first Blazer round inserted in the gun would not chamber 

from slide lock. There was one stovepipe. There were no other 

ammunition-related malfunctions, but several that were shooter 

induced. When my thumb was placed against the slide, intentionally or 

otherwise, stovepipes followed. There was also a single failure to 

unlock the gun after firing due to my thumb. This occurred only with 

the lighter impulsed rounds. 

Except for an early 12:00 ejection that struck the slide, ejection was 

brisk and consistent with a solid grip. When deliberately reducing 

grip pressure or shooting WHO, it was more erratic but still to the 

right 1-3 feet. 

I found the G42 ideally suited to roles in which deepest concealment 

is critical and/or as a secondary/back-up gun.  Its quirks in 

reloading and functioning make it a compromise solution for a 

primary gun.  Those carrying it as such must understood and practice 

for its limitations.  The G42 also appears to be another viable 

50-state CCW solution for those who travel. 

I would like to see an extended length magazine made available for the 

G42.  Not for the additional capacity, but for the added area to locate 

and index a reload, as well as reduce the amount of repositioning 

needed during a reload.  I would recommend that such an extended 

magazine not include a spacer sleeve of any kind. 

Total rounds this session: 262

Cumulative total: 262