Glock 42 vs 43 ?

[drjoker]

I had a G43. It was a great concealed carry gun. I bought it because the early G42s jammed a lot per various youtube gun reviewers & the G43 is only 1/3 inch longer than the G42 but shoots 9mm, which is much more powerful. However, my ex sold my G43 behind my back. I heard that the new G42s are now reliable. Is this true? My only complaint for the G43 is that whenever I wore skinny jeans with shallow pockets, the top of the gun stuck out so I cannot conceal it, which forces me to use my Ruger LCP instead. So, if the new G42 is reliable, then I'd like to replace my sold G43 with a G42. Is the G42 reliable? Thanks for your answer

 

[trackskippy]

I had both and both were reliable and good shooters. They also convinced me that the 26 was still the way to go. I no longer have the 42's or 43's.

 

[Shipwreck]

I am considering buying a G42 myself. I rented one last week. I plan to rent it again. It has way less recoil than the 43.

I have watched a lot of reviews. From recent ones, they look more reliable. But, they do seem to be more ammo sensitive. So, it may not like certain brands of JHP from what I can tell

But, my LCP is that way. It is 100% as long as I don't use Golden Sabers.

The Glock grip angle is less noticable on this tiny gun too

 

[barnett]

My 42 is one of the most reliable and shootable, of all the handguns that I own. A very under rated pistol in my opinion.
I run Hornady Critical Defense and Aguila hardball in it mostly and have never had a malfunction.

 

[phlip]

The 2 Glock 42 pistols that I have had for 8-9 years have been 100% reliable, as has been my Glock 43.

 

[halfmoonclip]

The 42 is just that much smaller than a 43, as to make it easier to conceal.
Personal experience; they are entirely reliable, and pleasant to shoot.
Again, personal experience, they are not picky eaters; feed 'em about anything, including that blunt tip FMJ.
Moon

 

[drjoker]

I had both and both were reliable and good shooters. They also convinced me that the 26 was still the way to go. I no longer have the 42's or 43's.

Why? I have a G26 & it doesn't fit in front jeans pockets. It is too wide

 

[drjoker]

My 42 is one of the most reliable and shootable, of all the handguns that I own. A very under rated pistol in my opinion.
I run Hornady Critical Defense and Aguila hardball in it mostly and have never had a malfunction.

what other brands of ammo have you tried? If it is only reliable with critical defense & hardball, it doesn't sound very reliable cuz during ammo shortages, you shoot what you can get. You can't be choosy.

 

[drjoker]

The 2 Glock 42 pistols that I have had for 8-9 years have been 100% reliable, as has been my Glock 43.

How many different brands of ammo have you tried & how many rounds have you shot?

 

[drjoker]

What brands of ammo have you tried & how many rounds have you shot? Thanks.

The 42 is just that much smaller than a 43, as to make it easier to conceal.
Personal experience; they are entirely reliable, and pleasant to shoot.
Again, personal experience, they are not picky eaters; feed 'em about anything, including that blunt tip FMJ.
Moon

 

[SDGlock23]

The G42 is a lot smaller, it may not seem so on paper but in person it's quite a bit smaller than a G43. I've had several and all them have been reliable, don't trust youtube videos because there are a lot of people who can't shoot. Now that said, look at an LCP MAX, it's LCP sized but gives you 11-13rds and it actually has usable sights. I've had several of those too and they were very good....the G42 recoils less but holds much less ammo.

 

[zaitcev]

I heard that the new G42s are now reliable. Is this true?

Always has been.

My only complaint for the G43 is that whenever I wore skinny jeans with shallow pockets, the top of the gun stuck out so I cannot conceal it, which forces me to use my Ruger LCP instead. So, if the new G42 is reliable, then I'd like to replace my sold G43 with a G42. Is the G42 reliable?

I highly doubt it's going to work for you. Yes, G42 is noticeably shorter than G43, but it's not short enough for most normal jeans pockets. I have a couple of wallet holsters for my G42s and I found rather quickly that rear pocket did not work. At first it seems fitting, but once I move around it begins to poke out.

I'd take a good look at Ruger LCP II. Although the same capacity as LCP, at least it has usable sights. The trigger makes it easier to shoot too.

 

[trackskippy]

Why? I have a G26 & it doesn't fit in front jeans pockets. It is too wide

I dont (pants) pocket carry, for a number of reasons. Smart Carry and sometimes ankle carry, and on some occasions, AIWB/IWB belt carry. In all of those cases, the 26 works just as well as the 42/43, and its just more gun with no other effort.

I find the "slightly" larger 26 fills my hand better, which makes shooting it easier, and right off, it's carrying more ammo, and the 26 can use all the larger mags that its bigger siblings use, either as a reload, or as a deliberate upgrade, and because of that, can be much more gun than the others.

I put the 42, 43, and 19 all in the same group. I understand a lot of people like them, but I just dont get their real purpose. The 17 and 26 are the sweet spots for everyday use for me, and I just see the others as a compromise with no real gain or improvement.

But hey, we're all different, and if it works for you, go for it. You wont go wrong with either the 42 or 43, from a reliability, and for the most part, shooting standpoint.

 

[WrongHanded]

My G42 choked on one round of Underwood Xtreme Defender, but I think it was at least partially due to my wife limp wristing the pistol. Otherwise, no complaints.

 

[JeffG]

I got rid of my G42. It was one of two that I and a friend bought at the same time, and they both experience failures to feed with a variety of ammo. (2016) Our G43's have none of those problems. I carry mine IWB in a kydex holster.

 

[tommy.duncan]

Both of mine have been extremely reliable.
I am mostly a hammer fired pistol guy (minus the P365), but I would carry my G42 or G43 without hesitation!!

 

[jmr40]

The G42 is smaller than a G43, but due to import regulations is a lot bigger than it should be for a 380 pistol. I already had a Kel-Tec P3AT in 380 that was a LOT smaller than the G42. I couldn't justify a 380 that big.

For the guys who prefer the G26, I get it. I do understand. But there are times and places where the smaller G43 is a go. A larger G26 would be a no-go. I have a G19 that I cut the frame down to accept G26 magazines. It is a very versatile pistol. Ugly as hell with a non-professional quality modification. But it works perfectly.

 

[Ks5shooter]

No G42 issues here,eats what I feed it.

 

[tommy.duncan]

No G42 issues here,eats what I feed it.

So does mine, FMJ...JHP... No problem

 

[EMC45]

Another vote for the G42. What a neat little gun. It was the cheapest Glock local to me on Blue Label too.

I put some night sights on mine (plain black rear/tritium front) and one mag has the Hyve +1 base. Makes the grip a tad longer and easier to handle.

I was just shooting it the other day with some 120 Lee TC .356 cast bullets. Shot great (accurate/consistent) and it was very soft recoiling.

 

[tarosean]

Another example Glock "late to the party". P365 made both a moot point.

 

[defjon]

The G42 is smaller than a G43, but due to import regulations is a lot bigger than it should be for a 380 pistol. I already had a Kel-Tec P3AT in 380 that was a LOT smaller than the G42. I couldn't justify a 380 that big.

For the guys who prefer the G26, I get it. I do understand. But there are times and places where the smaller G43 is a go. A larger G26 would be a no-go. I have a G19 that I cut the frame down to accept G26 magazines. It is a very versatile pistol. Ugly as hell with a non-professional quality modification. But it works perfectly.

Hey, it was ugly as hell to start with!
My 19 has a place, but prom queen she ain't.

The g42 should be fine. If it isn't, glock will fix it. Get what you want my man.

I got an lcp custom for the pocket and was prepared for it to 1)break 2) have the front site fall off 3)not feed anything etc. That's what the internets told me, anyway.

Glad it I didn't listen. I took it out with mixed mags of doom, bb hardcast, flat point herters, winchester, Hornady xtp, critical defense, aguila jhp everything under the sun. Feeds em all and I was on steel at distances I won't post. You won't believe me. My wife was there so I guess I can pinch myself. I was also prepared for a real wrist cracking experience. I got the factory 7 round mags and even with the flush fit ones it was tame.

Anyway, if a used lcp custom is good to go I reckon a new g42 definitely is.

 

[Captains1911]

The G42 has been reliable for several years. It’s just big enough to shoot well, but still small enough to pocket carry. However, I sold mine for Ruger LCP max, just couldn’t pass up the capacity.

 

[Shipwreck]

Another example Glock "late to the party". P365 made both a moot point.

I think the 365 weighs more, though.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Glock 29.

Excellent stopping power.