glock 42 question

[jonc]

a great SHOOTER but---

i say high 5's MAX!!!!

[Killer Bee]

Big difference in size. Apples to oranges. The glock is simple, SMALL and it works. The trigger and manual of arms is familiar. The shield has all kinds of extras attached that aren't necessary IMO.

uhm, no, it is not small in the category of .380's.. the g42 is only marginally smaller than several higher caliber choices.. in the .380 line up, it's one of the larger, hence defeating the primary purpose most folks compromise caliber size for..

and you're comparing a non-ca compliant g42 to a ca compliant shield.. my shield only has a safety that the g42 doesn't have and even that can be removed or ignored..

this is a comparison between a g42 .380 and an xds .45, that's forty five..



if I have room for a g42, I'll bear the extra weight and carry my xds .45 every day of the week and twice on sunday.. and for those bikini days where I need a real compact carry gun, the bodyguard fits the bill..



here is my in house comparison between a real 'small' .380, the bodyguard, and an xds .45 and shield .40



I chose my p226 .40 for my third gun on my permit for easy qualification.. but just as soon as OC opens it up to 5, I'm going to add the shield .40 as a slightly more slender option to the xds while still maintaining a larger caliber..

I chose the bodyguard for my .380, it was like $320.. some like the LCP and there are others that fit the similar envelope..

so like I said, there are soooo many better choices for more reasons than just the price..

[tonyxcom]

I've got a non-CA Shield and a G42. Even if my G42 ran 100% I wouldn't trade them out.

[AreWeFree]

To address the people discussing size, specifically the post above by Killer Bee, there are many good options in today's market and some firearms fit specific people or tasks better than others.

Weight, dimensions, caliber, round count, manual of arms, familiarity of operation, and features/design; these are all things you should evaluate for yourself and only considering dimensions would be doing yourself a disservice.

In all of the arguments about which is best it is often ignored that nearly all of today's firearms are just outstanding and there isn't a "bad" choice. Whatever you buy you must test and verify that it is mechanically sound, otherwise it doesn't matter what it says on the slide since you don't know if it's truly good or not.

[skullguy1003]

Killer bee thanks a lot man that really puts it in perspective. That xds is awesome I can't belive the g42 is almost the same size.

[ElDub1950]

Big difference in size. Apples to oranges. The glock is simple, SMALL and it works. The trigger and manual of arms is familiar. The shield has all kinds of extras attached that aren't necessary IMO.

There is some difference in size but if you look at the comparison pictures and charts above .. or better yet, work with, and shoot both of them for awhile and the size difference is minimal. That's obviously up to each if it's enough to make a difference.

As far as "all kinds of extras attached" I assume you mean the LCI and safety. I agree both are totally unnecessary. But the safety is so small and unobtrusive it's really a non issue. I think people whining about the LCI have possibly never shot a Shield that has it. You can not see it if you have any reasonable sight picture .. you actually have to try to see it. So, as unnecessary as those things are, they do not negatively affect shooting it.

As far as the trigger goes, perhaps I just got a good one but my Shield trigger is almost identical to my well used Glock 23 & 27 with the exception that the Shields reset isn't as crisps as my old Glocks. (Not saying any of these class of guns has have Great triggers, just comparing triggers within the class.)

As far as the manual of arms, ignore the Shield safety and the Glock and Shield are essentially identical. Now, one feature that's negatively affects the Shields function is the mag disconnect. I hate it and it's not a safety enhancement by any stretch of my imagination. I'll remove mine sometime soon.

IMHO if anyone shoots both for a couple hundred rounds they'd have a difficult time justifying paying almost double the the Glock 42.

Now, with all that .. I still prefer my XDS 9 over my Shield, but I paid a LOT more for the Bi-Tone XDs.

[CSTactical]

Killer bee thanks a lot man that really puts it in perspective. That xds is awesome I can't belive the g42 is almost the same size.

1. I wouldn't pay more than $600.
2. If it's a consideration for pocket carry, it's no comparison on size and weight between the XDs and Glock 42 owning both IMHO.
3. If you're carrying on your belt than I'd choose a bigger gun.
4. The XDs .45 sucks too shoot at speed while the G42 is extremely soft shooting.

-Richard@CST

[Killer Bee]

To address the people discussing size, specifically the post above by Killer Bee, there are many good options in today's market and some firearms fit specific people or tasks better than others.

Weight, dimensions, caliber, round count, manual of arms, familiarity of operation, and features/design; these are all things you should evaluate for yourself and only considering dimensions would be doing yourself a disservice.

In all of the arguments about which is best it is often ignored that nearly all of today's firearms are just outstanding and there isn't a "bad" choice. Whatever you buy you must test and verify that it is mechanically sound, otherwise it doesn't matter what it says on the slide since you don't know if it's truly good or not.

I do agree with this 100%.. I run copious amounts of ball ammo and generous amounts of duty ammo through every gun I own before I commit it to the duty roster.. safe and comfortable operation without stoppages is a must..

however, I just don't feel enough drivability differences between 90% of these smaller polymer guns to be concerned.. I think a lot folks go way too deep in the weeds about grip angles and trigger texture, etc.. these are carry guns not custom target pistols.. I have picked up multiple different guns of my own and friends and shot more than acceptable groups for the ranges the guns are intended to be used.. I practice as often as possible with my two primary carry guns and I feel proficient and confident with both in any order of carrying of either..

and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying to just randomly pick up anything and commit it to your primary carry gun with considering all aspects of the guns features and performance.. but what I am saying is that I, and probably lots of folks out there, could be equally as proficient with a wide range of these guns if they dedicated the equal amount of time getting familiar with it.. I could take a g42 I'm sure and get just as cozy with it as my xds.. but due to the substantial size / stopping power aspects, I made my choices..

some folks can drive a honda to work, drive a 10 wheel dump to the jobsite, operate a backhoe for 6 hours and reverse to go home without skipping a beat.. other folks can't handle driving a pickup truck after getting out of a car.. some folks can play 20 instruments and switch easily between them where I can barely get media player to work properly.. different folks have different aptitudes.. but the most discrete difference in choosing a carry gun for me is where I can conceal a dump truck vs a honda

Killer bee thanks a lot man that really puts it in perspective. That xds is awesome I can't belive the g42 is almost the same size.

you're welcome.. keep looking around and researching and you'll find lots of options that should suit your price range, caliber choice, concealment options, etc.. and if you're have a tough time finding an economical pistol right now due to the limited roster options and recent sse closure, maybe take a look at some of the revolvers on the roster.. maybe hold you over until the market settles on the compact pistols.. - good luck!

[Killer Bee]

1. I wouldn't pay more than $600.
2. If it's a consideration for pocket carry, it's no comparison on size and weight between the XDs and Glock 42 owning both IMHO.
3. If you're carrying on your belt than I'd choose a bigger gun.
4. The XDs .45 sucks too shoot at speed while the G42 is extremely soft shooting.

-Richard@CST

but you're comparing a light .45 to a heavy .380.. don't forget the stopping power advantage that comes with the heavier recoil [as long as the shooter can handle it]

better comparison would be the difference between something like an LC380 and the g42..

and long session comfort isn't really a big factor for me either.. I chose it for a working gun, not a plinker, range queen, target toy..

I have no trouble shooting hst+p comfortably through a sustainment session at the range.. it lets you know you're shooting something but I don't find the recoil prohibitive

[CSTactical]

but you're comparing a light .45 to a heavy .380.. don't forget the stopping power advantage that comes with the heavier recoil [as long as the shooter can handle it]

better comparison would be the difference between something like an LC380 and the g42..

and long session comfort isn't really a big factor for me either.. I chose it for a working gun, not a plinker, range queen, target toy..

I have no trouble shooting hst+p comfortably through a sustainment session at the range.. it lets you know you're shooting something but I don't find the recoil prohibitive

Heavier recoil doesn't translate into more "Stopping power" as you can have two guns of the same caliber that have different recoil properties like the XDs 9mm vs .45 or Glock 42 vs. an LCP.

My Glock 42 is for occasional Pocket Carry, a BUG or if I'm wearing basketball shorts or whatever doesn't have a belt which is rare, the rest of the time I'm carrying a Glock 17 or 19 and none of my carry handguns is a safe queen so I have no idea what made you think that was the case. Shooting 500-700 rounds in a day during practice or training is not a problem for me regardless of caliber.


-Richard

[AreWeFree]

@Killer Bee:

I fully agree with your overview, but everyone must consider their own unique needs and find what's best for them.

Your preference is for a 21.5oz 5rd subcompact .45, but for me that same size package I want a 21.5oz 10rd subcompact 9mm or a 14oz 6rd .380.

[YCBAPAYL]

wife loves hers, they are fun to shoot.

[ElDub1950]

....

better comparison would be the difference between something like an LC380 and the g42..

and long session comfort isn't really a big factor for me either.. I chose it for a working gun, not a plinker, range queen, target toy..

I have no trouble shooting hst+p comfortably through a sustainment session....

Exactly that. I shoot 1 or 2 of my carry guns every range trip but also take range toys. Shooting little guns ALL day is simply no fun after 150-200 rnds. Not a comfort issue, just no reason to continually attempt making small groups at 15-20 yards with a little gun.

[Steve G]

uhm, no, it is not small in the category of .380's.. the g42 is only marginally smaller than several higher caliber choices.. in the .380 line up, it's one of the larger, hence defeating the primary purpose most folks compromise caliber size for..

and you're comparing a non-ca compliant g42 to a ca compliant shield.. my shield only has a safety that the g42 doesn't have and even that can be removed or ignored..

this is a comparison between a g42 .380 and an xds .45, that's forty five..


if I have room for a g42, I'll bear the extra weight and carry my xds .45 every day of the week and twice on sunday.. and for those bikini days where I need a real compact carry gun, the bodyguard fits the bill..

I don't care about higher caliber choices, I care about comfort! The G42 is the RIGHT SIZE with the features I want. If I wanted to carry a .45 I would, but I don't. I hated the shield when I got one.

Comparing a G42 to a xds is again an apples to oranges comparison.

[CSTactical]

@Killer Bee:

I fully agree with your overview, but everyone must consider their own unique needs and find what's best for them.

Your preference is for a 21.5oz 5rd subcompact .45, but for me that same size package I want a 21.5oz 10rd subcompact 9mm or a 14oz 6rd .380.

Exactly! There's no right answer that fits everyone and I've been carrying off and on for over 10 years and my perspective has evolved from when I first began.

-Richard