I know that here on iKnifeCollector.com we are all expecting a plethora of new knife reviews from Shot Show 2014 but I have to admit that one of the announcements that piqued my interest was the announcement of the new Glock Model 42 in .380ACP.  In my humble opinion, Glock has spent too much time resting on its laurels and not competing in the fast growing semi-auto handgun market.  Consumers are still begging Glock for a slim single-stack 9mm and .40S&W and it appears as though Glock has once again let consumers down in that very market.

I can recall, as an NRA Certified Instructor, discussing the option of a Glock in .380ACP as far back as the mid-1980’s.  Glock did not meet the requirements for importing their .380ACP all those years ago and it was only available to the Law Enforcement market.  However, Glock has been ramping up production of USA made pistols in Smyrna, Georgia beginning in around 2007.  With the change from “Made in Austria” to “Made in USA” on the slide stamp it was only a matter of time before we saw the newly announced “Made in USA” Glock Model 42 in .380ACP.

I am not going to compare this new Glock to the vast supply of micro pocket .380’s such as the Ruger LCP, KelTec P3AT, Kahr P-380 and the like.  This is a somewhat larger pistol and compares more fairly to the Bersa Thunder, Ruger LC380, or the legendary Walther PPK (it was good enough for “Bond . . . James Bond” wasn’t it?).  Personally, I consider that to be a good thing.  I own the much respected Ruger LCP (“Elsie Pea”) and I cannot say it is one of my favorites.  I find it to be too small, difficult to control, and downright painful to practice with at the range.

Of the mid-sized .380’s, one of my favorites is the Ruger LC380, announced at the 2013 Shot Show.  There are many things about the Ruger LC380 that I like and a few things that I don’t like.  With weaker-handed ladies in mind the Ruger LC380 features an easy to rack slide, good ergonomics, and the recoil feels more like a .22LR or maybe a .22 Magnum.  Still, it has a gritty, long trigger pull which one can get used to with practice and which gets better as the pistol gets broken in, but cannot compare to a Glock trigger pull in my opinion.  It also has had issues with the slide not locking open after the last shot.  For me this has seemed to be dependent upon what ammunition I am using.  There are many blogs out there analyzing the extractor, springs, etc. but whatever the problem, I am not the only one who has noticed it.  Target audience, I would say, are the growing number of women who are getting interested in handguns and in concealed carry and I personally have recommended this .380 to many women as a really respectable concealed carry option.

Enter the new Glock Model 42.  The specifications compare closely to that of the Ruger LC380.  Let’s take a look:

G42 Specifications                    Ruger LC380 Specifications:

Length: 5.94 in.                         Length: 6.00 in.

Width: 0.94 in.                          Width: 0.90 in.

Height: 4.13 in.                          Height: 4.50 in.

Barrel length: 3.25 in.                 Barrel Length: 3.12 in.

Length of twist: 1:9.84 in.            Twist: 1:10 in.

Weight: 13.76 oz.                       Weight: 17.20 oz.

Capacity: 6+1                            Capacity: 7+1

Let me back up just a bit to where I said the specifications compare closely, they do, except in weight.  A full 3.44 ounces lighter than the Ruger LC380 is a big difference in concealed carry weight.  I found myself checking and rechecking all over the interweb to make sure that was accurate.  The capacity difference of 1 round is a matter of personal preference.  We all want to carry as many rounds as we can but is 1 round really going to make a difference?  Where the specs are all similar are in the size.  The differences between the size of the Glock 26 and the RugerLC380 are small and it clearly puts the Glock 42 in the medium sized .380 ACP category.

I am, admittedly, a fan of my Glocks and I cannot wait to get my hands on one of the new Glock 42’s.  I have been carrying a Glock 26 for more years than I can remember and I have gotten used to, and even feel comforted by, its blocky size and weight.  Whether or not the Glock 42 will replace the Glock 26 as my every day carry remains to be seen.  The G42 has many advantages in size and weight over the G26 but gives up some fire power and capacity.

Having been waiting for the Glock 42 for about 30 years, I am very excited to see its arrival.  For all of you disappointed that it is not that small single stack 9mm or .40S&W that you have been waiting for, look on the bright side.  The frame is there.  The tool and die work is there.  Can it really be too long before Glock uses this frame size to release the much anticipated single-stack 9mm and .40S&W that we have all been waiting for?  If they still want to compete in the fastest growing area of the concealed carry market they will have to consider it.  They cannot rest on their laurels forever.

Glock released photo of Glock 42:

Ruger released photo of Ruger LC380:

My Ruger LC380 in my small to medium sized hand:

Extended magazine floor plate installed

Crimson Trace LG-412 Laserguard

Hogue slip-on rubber grip sleeve

My Ruger LCP in my small to medium sized hand:

Extended magazine floor plate installed

Crimson Trace LG-431 Laserguard

Hogue slip-on rubber grip sleeve