[Bruce M]

I have not spent much time with the G42 but I do not doubt it is very capable. Maybe it is just me, but usually if I like a gun alot I tend to shoot it better and shoot it more often (perhaps each leads to the other.)

 

[vwaldoguy]

I think a gun you shoot well means you'll shoot it more.

 

[zaitcev]

I like how my G42 shoots too. It could be the best of pocket guns in .380 (*). However, I get better results with the PPK, primarily because of its SA trigger, I suspect. It is, however, larger and heavier than a typical "mousegun". Even larger still is Browning Black Label 380, you might want to try that too.

(*) On second thought, P238 is a better range gun.

 

[vwaldoguy]

I just bought a 43, but am still tempted with a 42 for some reason.

 

[tonyparson]

I love my G43 but for some reason I always grab my G42 and throw it in my pocket everyday.

 

[bac1023]

I wouldn't call the G42 a mouse gun.

 

[JJM]

The G42 is a soft shooting, accurate little gun. I will alternate between it and the G43 once I'm comfortable with the 43.

 

[tager]

I'm not a great shot by any means, very low B class USPSA shooter and got Sharpshooter (that's like a "C" in most sports I think) the one time I did the IDPA classifier. Due to that I won't even use the term "accuracy", as I'm certain I shoot none of my pistols to their mechanical limit of accuracy.

Still dang.. every time I go out with my Glock 42 I'm just amazed at how precise I can be with it at close range, and even what it can do at longer range. I have put a Ghost connector in it to drop the trigger pull down the same as my other Glocks, but other than that totally stock. It basically replaced a Ruger LCR and LCP as my smallest carry guns. Those two basically I had half A zone hits at 25 yards and the rest looked like buckshot pattern. With the 42 it seems on autopilot and unable to break into the B zone accidentally if I wanted it to.

I'm guessing it's just the super low recoil and low blast from the 380 round, and it being on the larger side of it's competitors (long slide target version of a mousegun maybe?), but anybody else impressed in this regard?

Morning Ranger357

I can't say impressed but it is definitely acceptable for a pocketable .380.

My G-42 has slightly better accuracy at 15 yards than either of my LCP's, about on par with my .380 bodyguard, & worse than my Walther PPK.

It takes one heck of small .380 to beat the PPK or PPKS for accuracy as the light short single action PPK trigger & fixed-to-the-frame barrel makes accuracy a thing to behold on the PPK, PPKS.
But the PPK isn't all roses either as the little devil is heavy, the recoil spring is strong (it's a blow back design), & the worst part is that the slide bites the heck out of my hand in recoil.

 

[36Fan]

Mouse gun? no. just small glock,

 

[Valmet]

I wouldn't call any .380s that I've encountered "precision guns" (although I'm sure bac has some rare, match-grade 380 sitting in his collection somewhere) but I do agree that it is very smooth and accurate. I have it and a SIG P232 and will reach for the 42 every time given the choice.

 

[GCBHM]

They really are nice little guns. I think one of the reason for the precision is the soft recoil. I was simply amazed by that.

 

[Valmet]

They really are nice little guns. I think one of the reason for the precision is the soft recoil. I was simply amazed by that.

I agree. The 1st time I fired one I was pleasantly surprised at how soft the recoil was and bought one later that day.

 

[GCBHM]

I agree. The 1st time I fired one I was pleasantly surprised at how soft the recoil was and bought one later that day.

I bought mine a few days later, but pretty much the same scenario for me. My wife took it away from me! She carries it now.

 

[roger123]

I love my G43 but for some reason I always grab my G42 and throw it in my pocket everyday.

That's my experience as well.

I think I shoot the 42 a bit better as well.

 

[AZ Husker]

Hardly accurate with a nine-pound trigger pull each time. Maybe at three yards...

 

[kopchakjason]

I also found the 42 to be very accurate. I was also surprised how well it shot for a smaller gun. I sold mine only to fund my 43 but when i can i will get another.

 

[bac1023]

I wouldn't call any .380s that I've encountered "precision guns" (although I'm sure bac has some rare, match-grade 380 sitting in his collection somewhere) but I do agree that it is very smooth and accurate. I have it and a SIG P232 and will reach for the 42 every time given the choice.

Match grade 380's are not all that common. Match grade 32ACP pistols are around.

Not that "match grade" really means much of anything.

 

[cowboy1964]

How well did you shoot it with the stock parts?

Ever shoot a 3 to 4 lb 1911? You'll be amazed at that too.

 

[G74]

I've been through several .380 pistols (NAA, LCP, etc.), and the only one to shoot as accurately as my G42 is my Russian commercial Makarov, and that's only "after" I get past that bear of a double action first shot. Couple that with the non-pocket friendliness of the Makarov (weight and size), and there's really no other .380 in the same league as the G42.