[buckshotshorty2]

Comparing my G42 to the Ruger LCR they are nearly the same loaded weight; with the G42 being .3 oz heavier, and they are quite almost the same length. In spite of those dimensions, the Glock seems better balanced and actually feels lighter than the Ruger.

G42 = 6+ 1 Snubbie = 5 rounds. Snubbie reload slow auto reload much quicker .
I guess it all comes down to caliber 380 vs 38 spec.

I really like carrying the G42 but I wonder what most would do in my place?

One more thing : I have arthritis in my hands; I’m 77 years old and the 42 is a pleasure, non irritating gun to shoot. I’d like to hear from those of you who may have crossed that bridge.

 

[poodleplumber]

I don't see anything in your post that you see as a positive of the revolver. Maybe you answered your own question just by writing it out.

 

[desertfox7266]

Fan of the 6 round snub for 20% more loaded firepower. Colt Detective Special or Taurus 865 come to mind. 9 out of 10 dentists prefer 38 Special over 380 Auto...

 

[jte3470]

I have a Ruger LCP that i pocket carry once in a blue moon. If I had a S&W 642 airweight I would carry it more than the ruger I suppose. Between the two that you mentioned, I would carry the 38. I carry a G29 G4 EDC and having the extra power is more comforting to me than having more rounds.

 

[SDGlock23]

Glock 42. Probably the best shooting 380 out there. I've had the LCP MAX as well, twice the capacity of the G42 but it does recoil more although it shot well.

 

[AL Bundy's Dodge]

I just gave up on the snubs for a g42. I love how snubs look and their ability for contact shots or to be fired in a pocket if necessary. Not that long ago, i looked at my 43c and noticed the screw that holds down the cylinder release latch was backed out. That was kind of the last straw.

For me, pros of the snub:
-Contact shots
-fire in a pocket
-great looks
-draws easily from pocket

Cons:
-recoil sucks
-I’m not that accurate with them
-ammo is expensive and hard to find
-many small parts, need more maintenance
-isn’t built to fire thousands of practice rounds, even though people with post that they’ve fired a million rounds thru theirs
-slow reload

Pros of g42:
-draws almost as easy as a snub
-whatever sights you want
-easy reload
-ammo is easier to find and a bit cheaper than .38
-recoil is minimal
-easier to shoot, more accurate for me
-sleek, utilitarian design
-minimal moving parts that are easily replaced
-can probably handle many, many rounds of practice

Cons of g42:
-slightly more snag potential than a snub
-can fire in pocket but would have to be manually cycled to reload the next round


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[VASCAR2]

I have a 3” S&W model 36 with Pachmayr grips that I bought from a Friend a couple years ago. I haven’t carried the S&W model 36 but I bought the Glock 42 when they were released. I’ve carried the Glock 42 quite a bit and it is a dandy pistol.

I’m retired LEO and carried a lot of different firearms. I had a model 60 but switched to semi autos in the late 70’s. I carried a PPKs and later a stainless steel PPK. I switched from the PPK to a S&W 3913 for off duty. I’ve shot many 380 semi auto pistols over the years and for it’s size and shoot-ability I think the Glock 42 is great. I carry mine 6+1 with two spare seven round mags. I figure 21 rounds is enough in my low threat environment.

I can shoot the Glock 42 more accurately than a J frame or Ruger LCR and being flat the G-42 is easy to conceal. The Glock 42 is faster on a reload and mine has night sights. I carry Hornady 90 grain XTP American Shooter ammo. I also bought a box of Underwood 90 grain Xtreme Penetrator to test.

I’ve carried revolvers and DA/SA pistols on/off duty but I’ve carried Glock pistols since 1999. A revolver can suffer failures and be rendered inoperable which can be difficult to get back into action. Many people find compact revolvers difficult to shoot and reload quickly.

The first rule of a gun fight is to have a gun. I put more faith in shot placement and tactics than the particular cartridge. I’ve seen people shot with the 380 and it worked but had good shot placement.

Get proficient with what you carry and hopefully you never have to use it in self defense.

 

[PTSdog]

I don't see anything in your post that you see as a positive of the revolver. Maybe you answered your own question just by writing it out.

Spot On! I’m all for Snubbies in the pocket, but it’s hard to tell the OP that when everything he likes About the G42 is the same things that would make me choose it over a snubbie. If you can’t shoot it, then it’s not worth it.

 

[MGGLOCK9]

Well...I carried snubbies for almost every summer day since 1988.
This year I switched to a Glock42.
It carries easily shoots well and reliably (after 250 rounds) and a reload is much faster and easier.
Plus you can choose the sights you want.
Just ordered night sights...
I carry a spare magazine in a multi tool leather pouch.. Fits great the mag comes out easily and no one has figured out it’s gun related.

 

[Orive 8]

I really like carrying the G42 but I wonder what most would do in my place?

A snubby was always my BUG while on duty; different versions of the S&W J frame over the years (but I have owned different versions of Colt snubbies, a Ruger LCR, a Taurus model 85 and a couple of Charter Arms too, over the years).

After leaving LE work, I continued to keep a snubby around for what I call my "I'm not carrying a gun" gun. It can also fill in for BUG duty if needed. A few years back I tried out the Glock 42 for that role, seeing if it would replace my snubby.

First I will say that I REALLY like the Glock 42 (owned 4 of them). I consider the 42 the best shooting .380 that I have owned or shot. REALLY like it. In fact, the 42 is my second favorite Glock after the Glock 19.

But for me, the J frame was just a more versatile firearm choice for my needs. So the last of my 42s was sold off, along with my extra mags and holsters.

Currently, my snubby is a 2" S&W Model 38 Bodyguard (original bodyguard) in blue. I am always on the look for one in stainless, but it must be a NO-LOCK model. They made some, and I know a certain GF poster that has one and hopefully one day decides to sell it to me (one can dream, can't they...).

 

[Rocks]

Glock 42. Probably the best shooting 380 out there. I've had the LCP MAX as well, twice the capacity of the G42 but it does recoil more although it shot well.

Try the P365 380. You'll be quite impressed. Soft shooter and 4-6 more rounds.

 

[DoctorStrange]

Comparing my G42 to the Ruger LCR they are nearly the same loaded weight; with the G42 being .3 oz heavier, and they are quite almost the same length. In spite of those dimensions, the Glock seems better balanced and actually feels lighter than the Ruger.

G42 = 6+ 1 Snubbie = 5 rounds. Snubbie reload slow auto reload much quicker .
I guess it all comes down to caliber 380 vs 38 spec.

I really like carrying the G42 but I wonder what most would do in my place?

One more thing : I have arthritis in my hands; I’m 77 years old and the 42 is a pleasure, non irritating gun to shoot. I’d like to hear from those of you who may have crossed that bridge.

I like both. .38 has more power but less rounds and more recoil, with the arthritis. I really like revolvers including snubbies, but I think a g42 will be better handled and tolerated by most people. Hell, it’s even easier to shoot my smaller Bodyguard 380 than my 642 .38 special. It would be even easier to shoot a Glock 42. Also, if the choice you gave us was between a Bodyguard/Lcp and a snubbie, id say snubbie. That’s partly because the recoil gets closer to parity and the micro pistols aren’t easy to shoot well either. But g42 I think is a more practical choice today. Or as someone else said, something similar like the 365 .380. With 10 rounds that’s a no brainer.

 

[John_AZ]

I don’t get why you need to come here for us to tell you your choice is good or needs to change. You have a gun you can shoot and carry well and a caliber you’re comfortable with. That should be all that matters

 

[italianstallion]

Comparing my G42 to the Ruger LCR they are nearly the same loaded weight; with the G42 being .3 oz heavier, and they are quite almost the same length. In spite of those dimensions, the Glock seems better balanced and actually feels lighter than the Ruger.

G42 = 6+ 1 Snubbie = 5 rounds. Snubbie reload slow auto reload much quicker .
I guess it all comes down to caliber 380 vs 38 spec.

I really like carrying the G42 but I wonder what most would do in my place?

One more thing : I have arthritis in my hands; I’m 77 years old and the 42 is a pleasure, non irritating gun to shoot. I’d like to hear from those of you who may have crossed that bridge.

Sig P365? it's right the same size as a 42/43. And you have almost double the capacity with it.

 

[LocoGlockO]

Currently, my snubby is a 2" S&W Model 38 Bodyguard (original bodyguard) in blue. I am always on the look for one in stainless, but it must be a NO-LOCK model. They made some, and I know a certain GF poster that has one and hopefully one day decides to sell it to me (one can dream, can't they...).

not to derail the thread but it seems the OP has answered his own question. With respect to no-lock snubbies why is there such hate for the lock? My 642 CT has the lock but has never caused issues. Neither has the lock failed on my Taurus 605 357 magnum and i have shot cyclinders full of Underwood ammo that has 1700 fps. Do the lock models really have issues? just curious…

 

[buckshotshorty2]

Here is a history of the Smith lock you might find interesting

 

[G2670Boss30A]

I carried 38 snubs daily for years and would take the G42. The 42 isn't perfect to me but it shoots nice compared to the Lcp380. I still always carry the LCP because it's so small.

 

[mj9mm]

i have a j-frame, i don't carry it often. you can count ounces and fractions of an inch, but what you carry, how you carry, means everything. if at all possible, gather up as many options as you can. i have smaller handguns but my sig365 carry's nearly as easily as anything else i have. if it really needs to be small, i have a BG380. of course little guns hurt the hands but if you need to defend your life you won't be firing 50 rounds.
get the Glock 42 if it suits you, you know what you like, start with that. if you can afford to, get another option or two. variety is great thing...

 

[Orive 8]

Do the lock models really have issues? just curious…

Yes they have, some here on this forum have detailed their personal experiences with them. People on other forums have also written about their experiences with the lock failing. While not really very common, they can fail.

For me:
A J frame with a lock, may never fail. But a J frame without a lock, will never fail.

 

[weisse52]

I have carried one J frame or another for years. Way before it was even legal. I have a real trust in the platform.
But as I get older 2 things stand in my way. First is defensive ammo in a lightweight snub is just not fun anymore. Second is as my eyes have started to age I can no longer see the sights on my J frames. Baring the ones that have an XS front sight.
Now at bad breath distance I doubt either is really a factor.
I owned a G42 and it was not bad to shoot at all. Some XS Big Dots solved the issue with my eyesight. I personally feel the J frame is a better pocket pistol than a G42. The shape of the cylinder just seems to work well in a pocket.
The pros and cons of both have been shared.
But one is not a clear winner over the other. But I will admit to be looking at picking up another G42.