Glock 42 versus S&W Shield in 9mm

[dpr]

I already have a G42 but like both so much I'm going to get a Shield too. The G42 is a really nice to shoot and carry. So get them both if it works for you.

[ronlglock]

I put the Shield on my permit and I'll revisit the 42 at renewal time.


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[funk_drum]

If you can get one the CM9 from Kahr is a nice 'mini' 9 that I use for pocket carry.

[vintagearms]

The .380 ACP (with any load) is barely adequate even with decent placement compared to the 9mm. I'm a Glock fan and chose the Shield over the G42.

[Cal10]

put the shield on and sell me the 938 and the 42!

[kjv146]

imo, g42 is too big if you're going with .380

[Charlie50]

imo, g42 is too big if you're going with .380

I thought that too until I shot one . Originally got one for my wife as her small hands were not working well with most pistols. The 42 although larger than many small .380s has the huge benefit of being big enough to really shoot well. The grip size and barrel length combined with useful sights make this mid sized .380 something different than a .380 "belly gun". Super soft shooting and accuracy inspires confidence. Missing with a .45 or .9mm but hitting consistently with a .380 (bear in mind "9mm short" ) will take the wind out of 99% of aggressors. New ammo out for .380 also make them more viable as a primary carry gun. Many have seen the AmmoQuest utube where Lehigh Extreme Penetator was coming close to 9mm ballistics in terms of depth and size of wound channel. Back to OPs question, two very different pistols the Shield and the 42. I can conceal my G26 (bit fatter than Shield) in almost all situations but the 42 is significant thinner and feels a lot lighter, works in pocket or ankle rig perfect.

[utvtactical]

Buying my wife a 42 today for her birthday. She has a SIG 230, but wants a lighter carry gun. $399 plus tax at Phoenix gun show

[Steve1968LS2]

To me the G42 is an answer in search of a question..

The only reason to carry a 380 is that you want a VERY small gun.. in that case I would get an LCP or Taurus TCP.. or other tiny pocket gun. In comparison the G42 is large.

The G42 in 9mm would have been my choice over the shield.. but in 380 it's doesn't offer enough of a size savings to justify the smaller caliber..

So, too big compared to other 380s and too underpowered compared to the pocket 9s on the market.

[grantar2]

Why the .40? Seems like that round is being discredited for being hard on guns as well as the shooter.

I have never found the .40 hard to shoot. Everyone is different, but there are so many crossovers between bullet weight and velocity that you can make both behave similarly.

The real question is will you buy the right ammo especially for the .380, as was already said the price is higher than 9mm? And will you run a 50 to 100 rounds of this expensive hollow point ammo to assure yourself the gun will function flawlessly with it.

As for round count, I prefer more. If the G42 fits your hand well and you can control it if your in a physical fight at the time of draw, and you don't mind giving up the couple of extra rounds in the Shield your ok.

You know for sure both are well made, and their will be accessories available for each.

[roostersgt]

I'm in the camp that says the gun you can reasonably conceal and shoot well, is better than the bigger and less controllable gun. The G42 isn't perfect, but it is easily concealable for most people and extremely easy to shoot and stay on target. The pocket 9's I've shot are much like my model 36, "too snappy". Many in my agency used to carry the 36, or Sig P230 (380) as a back up and would not consider either round to be inadequate in any way. I've seen far too many real world examples of lesser calibers causing deaths and incapacitation to fall into the belief that a .380 / 9mm kurtz is not a lethal defensive round. That's just hog wash. My G42 now has the Mag Guts 7+1 kit installed.

[XDmax]

I picked up a SHIELD in .40

I fired a g42 and did not like it at all.

I shoot best with a .40. Its easy for me

[CJJohn]

OP I have both, and both are on my permit. The 42 may be a bit big for true pocket carry, but with a clipdraw and carried IWB it's very easy to forget it's there. The 42 has become my "weekend" gun...........

[twinfin]

The thing I like about the Glock 42 is that it's so light and easy to hide. I use it for the times I judge to be very low risk but I don't want to go unarmed. It can be carried in places (on my body) I can't easily conceal my Glock 19 and with greater comfort. It's perfect for jogging in my very safe and rural area where my main concern would be aggressive 4 legged critters.

I'm glad I have the 42 as a carry option.