herkyguy
Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2009
- Messages
- 1,409
Out of curiosity I ran my P238 alongside the new G42. In the past I had an LCP but disliked how snappy it was and traded it. I picked up the P238 some time ago and have really enjoyed its mild shooting qualities. The G42 gives it a run for its money.
First off, I shot 150 rounds in total between both of them. 50 rounds of Winchester 95 grain white box, 50 rounds of 100 grain plated Berrys sitting on top of 2.7 grains of 700x, and lastly Berrys 100 grain plated atop 2.9 grains of 700x (max load per Hornady).
The P238 has never run Winchester Ammo reliably and this outing was no different. Through my chrono, they ran at 750 fps. The 2.7 grain load also ran at 750 fps. The 2.9 grain load topped off at about 850 fps. Both hand loads cycled reliably and accurate enough to hit a 10" steel plate at ten yards.
The G42 cycled the Winchester ammo with no problems. It would not fully cycle the 2.7 grain load. More than half had insufficient power to eject the case after firing. Many stovepipes. Some brass never even made it out of the cylinder. The 2.9 grain load cycled with 100% reliability. Velocities were the same, 750 fps for both the Winchester and 2.7 grain load and 850 fps for the 2.9 grain load.
I found accuracy to be just as good with the G42, although I'm re-acquainting myself with the Glock sights. Regarding recoil, both absorb the recoil well and are far better than the LCP. I prefer the longer grip of the G42 and the simplicity of the Glock design, but it's hard to dislike the aesthetics of the P238.
The downsides of both:
The P238 is picky about ammo. I've tried quite a bit and it will only reliably cycle round nose bullets. Not a problem for me since I like fmj for .380. It's nice that it will cycle a lower load, but that doesn't do me much good as a CCW.
The G42 needs a more stout load to reliably cycle. My next test will likely be some hollow point bullets.... Perhaps with some more velocity behind them.
First off, I shot 150 rounds in total between both of them. 50 rounds of Winchester 95 grain white box, 50 rounds of 100 grain plated Berrys sitting on top of 2.7 grains of 700x, and lastly Berrys 100 grain plated atop 2.9 grains of 700x (max load per Hornady).
The P238 has never run Winchester Ammo reliably and this outing was no different. Through my chrono, they ran at 750 fps. The 2.7 grain load also ran at 750 fps. The 2.9 grain load topped off at about 850 fps. Both hand loads cycled reliably and accurate enough to hit a 10" steel plate at ten yards.
The G42 cycled the Winchester ammo with no problems. It would not fully cycle the 2.7 grain load. More than half had insufficient power to eject the case after firing. Many stovepipes. Some brass never even made it out of the cylinder. The 2.9 grain load cycled with 100% reliability. Velocities were the same, 750 fps for both the Winchester and 2.7 grain load and 850 fps for the 2.9 grain load.
I found accuracy to be just as good with the G42, although I'm re-acquainting myself with the Glock sights. Regarding recoil, both absorb the recoil well and are far better than the LCP. I prefer the longer grip of the G42 and the simplicity of the Glock design, but it's hard to dislike the aesthetics of the P238.
The downsides of both:
The P238 is picky about ammo. I've tried quite a bit and it will only reliably cycle round nose bullets. Not a problem for me since I like fmj for .380. It's nice that it will cycle a lower load, but that doesn't do me much good as a CCW.
The G42 needs a more stout load to reliably cycle. My next test will likely be some hollow point bullets.... Perhaps with some more velocity behind them.