Interesting thread.
I remember the days pre polymer, pre Glock when the smallest gun on my carry permit was a Colt series 70 combat commander worked over by Jim Hoag and blessed as 'good enough' by Jeff Cooper.
.45 ACP was king.
Of course, with the advent of wonder 9s in the late 1980s and Mr. Cooper giving birth to the .40, ammunition has evolved.
I had a neat little Walther PPK back then. Still carried my .45 auto, but as most of you know, being gun collectors, reloaders and shooters, we buy guns......just because.
The fact is ammunition and ballistics have improved.
Today my carry guns are G29, G27, G30, G26. In that order. My BUG is a J frame, hammerless.
As the father of 5 adult kids much of my collection has be pilfered (haha) to them over the years.
Yes, I bought a G42. Still in the 10 day wait here in California. Paid $419 for it.
Yes that's 100 bucks over LEO price and over reported list price, but in my opinion the worse thing that can happen if I don't like it is I sell it and buy something else. I won't be carrying it concealed. I have guns for that job already.
I'll probably have to hide it from my 2 daughters. I know they fought over a Glock 19 and dad had to buy them one each.
I am not much good at picking out shoes for females so this takes me off the hook.
My biggest decision is should I start reloading .380 ? Maybe.
I like the lightness of the 42. Really light. I am also familiar and comfortable with the sight picture. Not like looking down a groove on the top of a slide. More like a mini G17. Easy to palm, would fit in a big pocket (in a proper holster) in a pinch. I wouldn't sweat swimming with it or it being underwater. Since it's a Glock, we know it will run dirty and wet.
Be well
Bob