Glock 42 Range Report

[kokapelli]

Thanks

 

[sirgilligan]

Having put many different calibers and types of Buffalo Bore ammo over my chronograph, it has proven to be very consistent and always even with, or slightly above, Buffalo Bore's claimed velocities per barrel length. And their velocities are almost always higher than similar big name factory ammo.

As for the .380 in particular, I like FMJ flat nose or hard cast for maximum straight line penetration from the little cartridge, and I prefer standard pressure over their +P (as artificial as .380 +P is) in a tiny gun. So I settled on their 95-grain standard pressure FMJ flat nose bullet. It feeds well in the G42 so far.

Great information. I hadn't thought about using a flat nose round. Any one know of any reports on penetration with a flat nose? If I recall correctly MAC did some videos of 380 penetration but I don't recall if he shot any flat nose.

 

[kokapelli]

Great information. I hadn't thought about using a flat nose round. Any one know of any reports on penetration with a flat nose? If I recall correctly MAC did some videos of 380 penetration but I don't recall if he shot any flat nose.

Yes here are some tests with the Winchester FMJ/FP at the bottom of the list.

http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP/380%20ACP%2010%25%20gelatin%20results.pdf

The Winchester FMJ/FP is what I carry in my 380 because the 21" + penetration seems about as good as it gets and the round has been flawless in all my 380 pistols.

 

[sirgilligan]

Yes here are some tests with the Winchester FMJ/FP at the bottom of the list.

http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP/380%20ACP%2010%25%20gelatin%20results.pdf

The Winchester FMJ/FP is what I carry in my 380 because the 21" + penetration seems about as good as it gets and the round has been flawless in all my 380 pistols.

Thanks. That pdf file is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[kokapelli]

Thank John Ervin at
http://www.brassfetcher.com/About/About.htm

And all the good work he does.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Brassfetcher's ballistics are a breath of fresh air for those of us who like facts about .32 and .380. His data fills a niche' that is hard to come by - factual real life stuff about .380 and .32 performance.

Good read.

VooDoo

 

[golden]

Warning--do not limp wrist

All,

I bought a GLOCK 42 last week and took it to the range the next day. I put 60 rounds through it.

The first round misfed, then the forth and seventh. On the first round, I suspected it was the WINCHESTER White Box ammo. They have flat tips on their bullets in .32ACP and .380ACP.

Then I thought, WHAT CAUSES A GLOCK TO JAM, LIMP WRISTING OF COURSE and the next 53 rounds went flawlessly. I intend to put 300 rounds though it before I pronounce it fit for carry.

So far, accuracy is good and the 60 rounds did not numb my hand. The rumors that this is a mild shooting pistol are true as far as I am concerned. I shot a RUGER LC9 and stopped after 15 rounds to never be repeated. I also shoot a NAA Guardian in .32ACP and this is much milder, even though it is a .380ACP.

Some more testing is needed, but so far I am impressed with this gun.

Oh, one negative, it shoots to the left for me. Still, on the second qualification, I shot 150 out of 150.

Jim

 

[kokapelli]

All,

I bought a GLOCK 42 last week and took it to the range the next day. I put 60 rounds through it.

The first round misfed, then the forth and seventh. On the first round, I suspected it was the WINCHESTER White Box ammo. They have flat tips on their bullets in .32ACP and .380ACP.

Then I thought, WHAT CAUSES A GLOCK TO JAM, LIMP WRISTING OF COURSE and the next 53 rounds went flawlessly. I intend to put 300 rounds though it before I pronounce it fit for carry.

So far, accuracy is good and the 60 rounds did not numb my hand. The rumors that this is a mild shooting pistol are true as far as I am concerned. I shot a RUGER LC9 and stopped after 15 rounds to never be repeated. I also shoot a NAA Guardian in .32ACP and this is much milder, even though it is a .380ACP.

Some more testing is needed, but so far I am impressed with this gun.

Oh, one negative, it shoots to the left for me. Still, on the second qualification, I shot 150 out of 150.

Jim

I suspect your pulling it to the left rather the gun shooting to the left. Hicock45 in his video test of the G42 had the shooting to the left problem too, but found it was him not the pistol.

As for the Winchester FMJ/TC I have ten 380 pistols and have never had a malfunction in any of them including my G42 with the Winchester round.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

The first few mags of ammo in our G42 my Wife had several FTF's and just some weird functionality. I shot the same gun with same ammo without a glitch for 3 mags...she picked it up, more problems. About one out of every mag or so.

She's also the only one who *ever* had a malfunction with my G26 or Beretta Px4 SC - her hands are small and she is "wimping" the pistol. I told her "There is nothing wrong with the gun - get ahold of it and shoot it like you mean business!"

She has never had a problem since. I think she rotates her hand/wrist position to try and get more finger on the trigger than she really needs and gets some *really* wild problems that I simply cannot duplicate. If she grips the gun properly and makes a conscious effort to shoot she's fine - if she is intimidated ("it's a new gun...is this OK?" kind of thing) and wimps the gun she has problems. I think some folks with very large or very small hands may have issues with the G42. In fact I wonder of all the problems reported have been user error with the exception of the premature slide lock.


VooDoo

 

[george burns]

Here is what my assessment is, just based on what I read here and having never fired the gun. Take it for what it's worth. If any pistol doesn't fire every time you pull the trigger, "even if it has a reason why it's not doing so", then I would not have her carry that gun for self defense.
You can be "trained" to hold the gun tighter and not allow the wrist to break, BUT, under pressure, "God forbid", during the time that you may need it most, the last thing you need to worry about is that you forgot to do something that you were doing unconsciously.
She may be able to overcome the limp wristing when concentrating on doing so, but what if she forgets for a split second that she needs to tighten her grip on the gun like she has been practicing.
I would go for a gun that doesn't require any thought in order to fire every time.
Just my 2 cents, of course it's your decision to make and your wife's. I have just found that you want to eliminate any and all things that you are aware are a problem prior to the time when you may need that gun that 1 time. I hope you will give that some serious consideration , it's with the best of intentions I pass it on to you.

 

[lauderdale]

G.Burns that's something to think about. I sent my 42 back a few days ago for that reason and have shot numerous times w/it. Almost always way, way left! Plus when I shoot a snappy round ive been getting would you say double primer strikes or just another pin hole, not all the way threw indentation mark? They said they will check out. My XDS45 for now!

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I appreciate your advice but she's in love with the G42, George. With almost 1500 rounds downrange now with not one single failure she's not gonna give it up...she has progressed to "move/draw/shoot" with it now (it's the way we train) and she is comfortable with and accurate with the gun now. She is more confident with her G42 than any other gun we own.

Seriously, we train like we intend to fight here and I'd be more worried about the BG at this point if it ever comes to that.

VooDoo