Picked up a G42

[lpsharp88]

Little back story. Been trying to experiment with "deep" concealment with pocket sized autos. Started out with a G43, sold it because I didn't like shooting it at all. Well, I just came home with a Glock 42 with FDE frame. Trigger seems to be heavier than my other full/compact sized Glocks (which have seen range time, unlike the 42). I also picked up a box of Remington UMC 95gr ball ammo to put through it. Have a couple of questions
1. I have my old pocket holster for the G43, is that ok to use with the G42? It's a Desantis Nemesis
2. Carry ammo. Based on the Lucky Gunner tests, it seems like the 90gr Gold Dots and 90gr Sig V-Crown perform decently for being .380. The edge goes to the Sig ammo for slightly more penetration and expansion. What ammo have you all found the pistol likes?
3. Range ammo. I reload, and intend to reload for this caliber as well. Does it do ok with low to mid range ammo, or does it need to be hotter? I load my other range ammo to literally the middle of the road powder charge wise.

Thanks for the help, and here's a picture

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The 42 is quite a bit smaller than the 43---so I'd have to say no go on the holster---unless you don't care if the little gun is swimming in an oversized holster?

 

[kokapelli]

I really like mine and would suggest you get the Nemesis made for the G42.
As for your Ammo selection I would suggest you look at

http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/#comment-34323

Before you decide which round to carry.

 

[Growlers]

My G42 definitely needs hotter reloads to cycle properly. I have probably 300 rounds through it so far.

Works great with factory loads so far though Even Winchester White Box.

 

[lpsharp88]

Thanks a lot! What about Nemesis vs Sticky? They seem pretty much the same

 

[[email protected]]

Reloads will have to be on the warm to hot side to get 100% reliable function. You can forget about using the old 2.8 grains of bullseye load. I had to use slower powders like unique, AA#5, and Power Pistol under a 100 grain plated bullet to be 100%.
I also noticed that mine is a little picky about how I grip it. A little low on grip and it would jam. Do a search on "warf rat" or something similar on this site. Lots of info.

 

[Armored farmer]

My son carries a g42. He likes it, so do I. A bit bigger than my lcp, but nicer to shoot.

Fwiw....I really liked the sig v-crown ammo....until I had a squib.

 

[lpsharp88]

Thanks for the info! Guess I'll do a little load development once I get dies, brass, and projectiles

 

[mstreddy]

LPSharp, I'll also chime in. It does like slightly warmer loads than other 380s. I also recommend you take the slide apart and clean out the firing pin/striker channel and the extractor plunger really well. My 42 felt gritty when I first got it and after I went through that area with some spray solvent it made a difference.
Some 42s have been pickier about ammo than others. A buddy has one that took some 200 rounds before it was better. Mine worked pretty good out of the box. Again, I bumped up my loads a little. I'm running 2.8-2.9 grains of Promo (red Dot) and no issues. My Win 231 loads at 2.9 were a little weak. These are using Berry's or Xtreme 100 grain RN or FN.

I'll second the holster. I owned both the 42 and 43 for a little while and the 42 will be very loose in a molded holster made for a 43.
A few of us had some threads on loading for the G42 a while ago, there's some good info in them.

 

[powwowell]

The G42 is a fine carry pistol. Very pleasant to shoot, for such a small .380. Not even comparable to the Ruger LCP. Of course, it's a tad heavier and larger than the LCP.

My favorite load for the G42 is: Berry's 100 grain HBRN bullets, over 3.1 grains of HP-38. OAL of .980. Works well for me.

I have used 3 different holsters. My favorite is a Remora Pocket, Black, Non-Slip, Sticky Cloth Size RE-2. Second is a Murph's Belt (Pancake) Leather/Black Model 42 holster and third a
Blackhawk Pocket Black, Sticky Cloth, Size 3. Glock 43 holsters are too big for the G42

 

[Ibmikey]

I love my G 42 as much as I disliked the G 43. The 42 is just the right size, has minimal recoil and decent sights (better if you install night sights). Like my Sig 938 or 238 much better but the G 42 is a keeper also.

 

[98bluewave]

I've had my G 42 for several months and it shoots great! I polished the trigger just using cue tips and metal polish and now after a few hundred rds. the trigger pull is about 5.5# and it has really smoothed out. I've added Pearce + 1 magazine extensions and I like them a lot. I had some failures at first which I think related to my grip. The owner where I bought my G 42 suggested I keep my hand well up on the back of the grip and he also suggested hooking my left index finger around the front of the trigger guard. I now use this grip on my G 42 and other pistols as well.

 

[CZ9shooter]

The 42 is a soft shooting 380, even with full power ammo, which it requires.

I ran some downloaded stuff I had leftover from the Bersa that I sold through the Glock. It cycled but would almost never lock back. This leads me to believe it is on the verge of a real malfunction. Loads at the top of published data charts lock back much more reliably.

And the g42 is STILL softer shooting than that blowback action was with weak ammo.

I like XTPs in the 380 cartridge.

 

[zaitcev]

Thanks a lot! What about Nemesis vs Sticky? They seem pretty much the same

I liked the N38 for G42. That said, it gradually lost retention. I eventually switched to a cheap kydex pocket holster as a more durable option.

Do keep in mind that you aren't supposed to rely on the stickeness in side pockets. Draw it so that the hook catches the edge of the pocket. Sticky holsters such as Remoras only work in pockets that have bottom fixed in place, such as back pockets of jeans. But in most dress pants the side pocket is not fixed at the bottom. A hook holster like N38 works better in such application.

 

[wbbh]

I've had my G42 for a few months now. It's a fun shooter and more pleasant to shoot than my Ruger LCP. I've run several hundred of my 100 grain X-Treme TightGroup reloads. It also digested Hornady and Fiocchi 90 grain XTP HP carry/defense rounds.

When I let my wife try the G42 it failed it jammed every other round. She was shooting her Ruger LC9c with no problems. I suspect the G42 requires a firmer grip and for the shooter to hold it down and not allow it to move upward as you would allow a big magnum pistol. She shoots a Ruger 1911 Commander .45 and a SIG P220 without a problem.

 

[lpsharp88]

Thanks for all of the replies. I was able to shoot it yesterday. I put 50 rounds of Remington UMC through it and a mag of Gold Dots as well. I am amazed at how soft shooting this little thing is! I had a G43 and got rid of it because I didn't like the recoil at all. I wasn't sure how this would do since it's smaller, but it is awesome. The UMC functioned perfectly and got slide lock back 100% of the time. The Gold Dots were also soft shooting and 100% reliable. I picked up a sticky holster for it, and am unimpressed. It fits just fine, but it's made for multiple pistols so it's not as form fitting as the Nemesis for my old G43 was. With a sample size of a little over 50 rounds, I REALLY like this little pistol.