Manufacturer: Glock, Inc
Model: G42
Serial Number: AAPG###
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
with orange outline front. New 
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(the rubberized grip is comfortable and very grippy). I also impulse bought a nickel boron coated 
