GLock 42

[MoreIsLess]

I am thinking of selling my Kahr PM9 and getting a .380, mainly for pocket carry-ability. How does the Glock 42 compare with the SW Bodyguard, LCP, Kel-Tec P3-AT as far as size and weight. I handled the BG and LCP but that was before the Glock 42 came out. I sometimes pocket carry my PM9 but am thinking of something lighter, smaller, even if I had to sacrifice power.

 

[WestKentucky]

I love my wife's g42. It's light recoil is a huge plus for guns of similar size. Being a locking breach as opposed to blowback like most 380s really seems to help minimize the recoil. I also like that it's slightly larger than a lot of guns it competes with, gives enough room to get a good hold and aim it properly, even for my big paws.

 

[MoreIsLess]

I love my wife's g42. It's light recoil is a huge plus for guns of similar size. Being a locking breach as opposed to blowback like most 380s really seems to help minimize the recoil. I also like that it's slightly larger than a lot of guns it competes with, gives enough room to get a good hold and aim it properly, even for my big paws.

If it's not smaller than my Kahr PM9, there woudn't be any advantage for me to switch from the PM9 to the G42. I need something smaller and lighter than the PM9

 

[kokapelli]

Being a locking breach as opposed to blowback like most 380s really seems to help minimize the recoil.

Not really true! Most of the micro 380 pistols today are locked breach. Example would be the

Kahr P380,

LCP,

Diamondback 380,

Kel Tec P3AT,

Taurus TCP,

Smith And Wesson Bodyguard,

LC380,

Sig P238,

Rohrbaugh R380 and the

Barretta Pico, all like the G42 all are locked breach but the G42 in my opinion is one of the best, but pretty darn close in size to the PM9.

 

[Tallball]

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the post. My P3AT is locked breech. Isn't the LCP pretty much a copy of it? I thought that the big breakthrough that allowed the actual "micro" 380's was using a locked breech instead of blowback.

I have handled a G42. It is significantly larger than the P3AT and LCP. I wouldn't put them in the same size category.

 

[kokapelli]

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the post. My P3AT is locked breech. Isn't the LCP pretty much a copy of it? I thought that the big breakthrough that allowed the actual "micro" 380's was using a locked breech instead of blowback.

I have handled a G42. It is significantly larger than the P3AT and LCP. I wouldn't put them in the same size category.

Oops! Thanks for pointing that out. I really need to proof read my posts before I post them.

 

[Ibmikey]

The G 42 may be slightly larger than a P 3AT and it's counterparts but it shoots as smooth as a P 238 (which is smaller) and handles and points effortlessly. I have P 3AT, P 238, Rm 380, G42, PPK, Kimber Micro, Colt Mustang and a bunch of Star DK and FI Mod D pistols however the Glock, Sig and Kimber are the three with the best sights, smoothest recoil and best handling. If you can handle single action pistols and will carry cocked and locked my opinion is the Sig P238 (and big brother P 938) is the best of the micro pistols.

 

[Browning]

Now that the Glock 42 is out more you might want to try renting one at a range.

It's pretty small and easy to carry, but hard to draw.

I traded mine for something else.

 

[kdunn]

Go with the G42. It is slightly bigger and (negligently) heavier than the BG and LCP, but its reliability and lack of recoil easily beat out the other options. I have shot all 3 and pocket carried the LCP and G42 and the G42 wins hands down.

 

[CougarRed]

Go with the G42. It is slightly bigger and (negligently) heavier than the BG and LCP, but its reliability and lack of recoil easily beat out the other options. I have shot all 3 and pocket carried the LCP and G42 and the G42 wins hands down.

The G42 is significantly bigger and more expensive than the LCP. Of course it will recoil less and feel nicer.

Glock 42 is 5.94" x 4.13" weighing at 13.76 oz
Ruger LCP is 5.2" x 3.6" weighing at 9.7 oz

The Glock 42 is bigger than a PM9 and almost as heavy, and the PM9 shoots 9mm! The Glock 42 is nearly as big as the Ruger LC380/LC9.

Bottom line, if you can conceal a Glock 42, then why aren't you carrying a 9mm? The only reason to carry a 380 is if the pocket 9s are too big.

 

[C0untZer0]

The LCP keeps dropping in price, they were going for $189.99 + 10.00 S&H a little while ago.

 

[rskent]

If you are a Kahr guy, Their 380 is a sweet little gun.

 

[MoreIsLess]

Bottom line, if you can conceal a Glock 42, then why aren't you carrying a 9mm? The only reason to carry a 380 is if the pocket 9s are too big.

My thoughts exactly, in reverse. If the G42 is no smaller than a PM9, why carry a .380 when you can carry a 9mm, which I do.

 

[Tallball]

I can understand the point of the P3AT/LCP. There is no way to make a 9mm that small. They are tiny little lightweight pistols so small that I have concealed mine in the breast pocket of a shirt. The drawback is that they are so small and light that, at least in my XL hands, they can be unpleasant to shoot and possibly not too accurate past 20 feet or so.

I have several 380's more like the G42 in size. They are more accurate at longer ranges and more pleasant to shoot. However, they are nowhere near as easy to conceal.

Whichever kind of 380 a person prefers is totally up to them. There are good choices in both the "micro" size and the "compact" size. They are both good tools. They are just different kinds of tools.

 

[MoreIsLess]

OK, so that rules out the G42. I may as well keep my PM9, since they are about the same size.

So, I guess that leaves the P3AT, LCP or Bodyguard. I don't want to carry "cocked and locked" so that rules out the Sig 238, et al. Also, I don't want to spend $600 on a mouse gun

 

[CougarRed]

OK, so that rules out the G42. I may as well keep my PM9, since they are about the same size.

So, I guess that leaves the P3AT, LCP or Bodyguard. I don't want to carry "cocked and locked" so that rules out the Sig 238, et al. Also, I don't want to spend $600 on a mouse gun

When I was in your shoes about 3 years ago, I chose a Gen 2 LCP with the shorter trigger pull and better sights. There are so many options now (including the LCP custom) I frankly don't know whether I would make the same choice today.

In particular, the Kahr CW380 came out later at a price point closer to the LCP. I'm still not sold about the reliability of the little Kahrs even though my P9 Covert has been a great gun. You might ask your gun range about their experience with rental P380s and CW380s - there's just a lot of horror stories on the web when the P380 was first introduced. Maybe because it was a new model. Maybe because they occurred in the 200-round "break in" period. But if you find a reliable CW380, it would be a great choice.

The Taurus TCP has proven reliable. It has a great trigger, and locks open on the last round. I chose to pass because of the false trigger reset potential issue. If you train on the gun, I am sure it won't be a problem. Plus, there may be a potential fix using a Keltec part.

I have been pleased with the LCP. I wish the LCP locked back after the last round was fired and came with more than one magazine, but those are the only negatives for me. It's so small and light, and I am accurate with it.

Here's a range report.

 

[FL-NC]

I would take a look at the Glock 43- still small, still a Glock, 9mm.