gun review: Glock’s New Diminutive 42
The Walther PPK is the closest in size to the G42 (clockwise from upper left). The S&W 2-inch Snubnose revolver, and S&W Bodyguard .380 compare in size to Glock’s new .380 pistol.
About Time!
Glocks are popular because they have a repu- tation for reliability, accuracy, simplicity, and value for your dollar. As other manufacturers have brought forth tiny, polymer-frame .380 pistols, it would seem natural for Glock to bring their own competition to the market. Present- ing a .380 with the same attributes of their larger guns would seem likely to be a winner. T e Walther PPK and S&W J-Frame are the standards by which other off -duty compact pistols are judged when it comes to size. T e Glock 42 compares very closely to the Walther PPK. Overall length is 5.94 to 6.1-inch G42 vs. PPK. Height is 4.13 to 3.8 inches. T e G42 is slightly smaller than the PPK in length and height and its .94-inch width is thinner than the PPK’s 1-inch-thick grip. T e sight radius on the Glock is 4.92 inches, slightly longer than the PPK pistol’s 4.2-inch radius. T e G42 is slightly smaller in all aspects than the classic PPK. T e real diff erence is in weight. T e polymer framed Glock weights just 13.76 ounces vs. the PPK’s 22.4 ounces. T at’s a big diff erence when it comes to pocket carry. T e G42’s magazine capacity is six rounds,
7 The Police Marksman Sep-Oct 2014
the same as the PPK. It’s also the same as the Ruger LCP and the S&W Bodyguard. Both of those pistols are smaller overall in every dimen- sion than the new Glock .380 pistol. However, they’re both double action only, hammer fi red guns. Glock retains their striker-fi red trigger with its relatively short pull in the G42. T e G42 functions just like previous larger iterations in bigger calibers. T is is advanta- geous for those who already carry a Glock pistol. It’s why police offi cers own several. T e training and manual of arms is consistent with the G42. T e rectangular magazine release button is reversible for left-handed shooters. It drops empty magazines free as long as you don’t have large hands that interfere with gravi- ty’s desire to pull the empty mag to the ground. My big hand prevented the magazine from fall- ing free every time, a common problem that exists when I handle smaller handguns. I have to shake the gun to rattle the magazine away from the meat of my palm. T e G42 thankfully did away with front-
strap fi nger grooves. Standard Glock pistol fi nger grooves don’t line up with my big mitts. Instead, they dig into the center of my
The Model 42 fi eld strips just like its larger brethren.
fi ngers during recoil. My personal G23 had them removed by Cold Bore Custom. T e G42 felt just about perfect in my hands. T e Rough Textured Frame (RTF)’s square raised stippling is not overly aggressive.
Standard Glock Features A fellow competitive shooter purchased a G42 and loaned it for testing. He added a set of Tru-Glo TFO green sights. T ese steel sights combine Tritium with fi ber optic tubes for outstanding sight visibility in darkness, low light, or bright light. T e G42 comes with Glock’s standard polymer white outline rear and white-dot front sights. He also added a Pearce Grip polymer extension in place of the factory magazine bottom. T is piece adds a little more grip area to the length of the pistol, a greatly appreciated addition for those with large hands. T e trigger pull on the G42 measured 6 pounds, 3 ounces on a Lyman digital-trigger pull gauge. For an off -duty pocket pistol, this is an ac- ceptable weight and it felt identical to other full- size Glock pistols. T ere is considerable take-up as your index fi nger presses the trigger and dis- engages the Safe-Action tab in the middle. T is
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