Self-Defense Ammo for Glock 42

[Gun-Reck]

+1. For wife's Taurus 738 TCP, Winchester PDX-1 Defender fed reliably.

And I believe it's similar thick plated construction as Speer Gold Dot HP so no concern for jacket separation (I like Gold Dot/Golden Saber for 9mm/40S&W).

Yep, they are an energy transfer round with adequate penetration.

​

 

[Balrog]

Yep, they are an energy transfer round with adequate penetration.

​

The tests I have seen show less than 10" penetration in gel.

 

[Pistolay]

The tests I have seen show less than 10" penetration in gel.

8.5" in the Ammo Quest test. Some of the prettiest expanded bullets you'll ever see, though.

 

[TTv2]

The FBI uses wallboard, plywood, sheet metal and windshield glass in its testing, in addition to the bare ballistic gel and cloth covered ballistic gel. So, I just tried to come up with something rather rigorous. Bad guys frequently hold weapons with their hands and arms extended in front of their chest, so a bullet may have to break through bones before it even gets to a their torso. The .380 is a sub-optimal caliber, and it needs all the help it can get. I would not feel comfortable carrying one if not for specialty ammo.

What test do you use?

I don't have a test, but if I did wood and sheet metal are poor substitutes for bone and they would not be used. My point is if I'm using a short barrel .380 I prefer consistency without the danger of overpenetration and the Inceptor bullets give me that.

 

[WYO]

Hopefully, nobody posting on this thread will have to test their chosen ammo for real. Stay safe everybody.

 

[tercel89]

FMJ works good and with it being so low penetration I'd use that instead of hollow points.

 

[Barmcd]

I tried out a few of the recommendations to see if they'd function in my gun and chronographed them to see what kind of velocities I'd get out of the Glock 42.

The Federal American Eagle had the highest velocity of the FMJ rounds and 50 cycled without a malfunction. I chronographed 12 of each round.

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Federal American Eagle	1	916	69F	30 in Hg	95	176.98	87	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	2	932	69F	30 in Hg	95	183.22	88	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	3	919	69F	30 in Hg	95	178.14	87	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	4	943	69F	30 in Hg	95	187.57	89	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	5	951	69F	30 in Hg	95	190.76	90	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	6	930	69F	30 in Hg	95	182.43	88	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	7	942	69F	30 in Hg	95	187.17	89	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	8	922	69F	30 in Hg	95	179.3	87	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	9	933	69F	30 in Hg	95	183.61	88	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	10	932	69F	30 in Hg	95	183.22	88	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	11	932	69F	30 in Hg	95	183.22	88	4/30/2024 9:38
Average Velocity	932
Extreme Spread	35
Standard Deviation	11
Averate ft/lbs	183
Average Power Fadtor	88

Winchester Target and Monarch FMJ were very close in velocity. I shot 150 of Monarch and 100 Winchester Target through the gun and neither one had a malfunction.

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Winchester target	1	854	69F	30 in Hg	90	145.74	76	4/30/2024 9:12
Winchester target	2	860	69F	30 in Hg	90	147.79	77	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	3	864	69F	30 in Hg	90	149.17	77	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	4	839	69F	30 in Hg	90	140.66	75	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	5	878	69F	30 in Hg	90	154.04	79	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	6	824	69F	30 in Hg	90	135.68	74	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	7	844	69F	30 in Hg	90	142.34	75	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	8	861	69F	30 in Hg	90	148.13	77	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	9	835	69F	30 in Hg	90	139.32	75	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	10	858	69F	30 in Hg	90	147.1	77	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	11	863	69F	30 in Hg	90	148.82	77	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	12	859	69F	30 in Hg	90	147.45	77	4/30/2024 9:14
Average Velocity	853
Extreme Spread	54
Standard Deviation	15
Averate ft/lbs	146
Average Power Fadtor	76

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Monarch FMJ	1	807	69F	30 in Hg	90	130.14	72	4/30/2024 9:19
Monarch FMJ	2	859	69F	30 in Hg	90	147.45	77	4/30/2024 9:19
Monarch FMJ	3	834	69F	30 in Hg	90	138.99	75	4/30/2024 9:19
Monarch FMJ	4	857	69F	30 in Hg	90	146.76	77	4/30/2024 9:19
Monarch FMJ	5	836	69F	30 in Hg	90	139.66	75	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	6	866	69F	30 in Hg	90	149.86	77	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	7	825	69F	30 in Hg	90	136.01	74	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	8	868	69F	30 in Hg	90	150.55	78	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	9	869	69F	30 in Hg	90	150.9	78	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	10	891	69F	30 in Hg	90	158.64	80	4/30/2024 9:24
Average Velocity	851
Extreme Spread	84
Standard Deviation	25
Averate ft/lbs	145
Average Power Fadtor	76

Hornady Critical Defense was the only hollow point I had to shoot. I only had a box of 25 and all of them shot with no problem.

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Hornady Critical Defense	1	896	69F	30 in Hg	90	160.42	80	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	2	880	69F	30 in Hg	90	154.74	79	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	3	871	69F	30 in Hg	90	151.6	78	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	4	888	69F	30 in Hg	90	157.57	79	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	5	897	69F	30 in Hg	90	160.78	80	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	6	856	69F	30 in Hg	90	146.42	77	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	7	890	69F	30 in Hg	90	158.28	80	4/30/2024 9:26
Hornady Critical Defense	8	874	69F	30 in Hg	90	152.64	78	4/30/2024 9:26
Hornady Critical Defense	9	886	69F	30 in Hg	90	156.86	79	4/30/2024 9:26
Hornady Critical Defense	10	890	69F	30 in Hg	90	158.28	80	4/30/2024 9:29
Hornady Critical Defense	11	865	69F	30 in Hg	90	149.51	77	4/30/2024 9:29
Hornady Critical Defense	12	906	69F	30 in Hg	90	164.02	81	4/30/2024 9:29
Average Velocity	883
Extreme Spread	50
Standard Deviation	14
Averate ft/lbs	156
Average Power Factor	79

I received the Winchester ammo today, I actually ordered Winchester Defender Elite not the Silver Tip I thought I ordered. I've still got Underwood and Buffalo Bore, both +P on the way. So far, I'm leaning toward the Federal American Eagle since it has the most impact energy.

 

[Barmcd]

The Underwood ammo is supposed to be delivered today. If it gets here soon enough, I’ll head to the range and see how the Winchester and Underwood ammo works. I’m going to take the Sig ammo with me to see if it cycles any better after I’ve put a few hundred more rounds through the Glock.

 

[CurlyThomas]

I carry these from Precision One. The ones I carry are +P loaded 90gr XTP and designed for pistols with double recoil springs like the Glock 42 not the blowback type like Bersa Thunder. They expand a bit better than shown here. I've actually shot them though denim as well.

Glock 42 G42 ammo test: Precision One .380 ACP review in ClearBallistics gelatin

I had the opportunity to use a Glock 42 for a little while, and conducted some terminal ballistics ammo tests using it.I previously have conduced extensive t...

www.youtube.com

 

[tactikel]

My LCP loves Hornady Critical Defense, 100% reliable, very accurate. I also have used, and currently carry Ruger ARX. Again 100% reliable ( the most important aspect), barrier blind, good penetration. I’d rather carry ball ammunition that’s 100% reliable than a questionable jhp.

 

[Pistolay]

I tried out a few of the recommendations to see if they'd function in my gun and chronographed them to see what kind of velocities I'd get out of the Glock 42.

The Federal American Eagle had the highest velocity of the FMJ rounds and 50 cycled without a malfunction. I chronographed 12 of each round.

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Federal American Eagle	1	916	69F	30 in Hg	95	176.98	87	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	2	932	69F	30 in Hg	95	183.22	88	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	3	919	69F	30 in Hg	95	178.14	87	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	4	943	69F	30 in Hg	95	187.57	89	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	5	951	69F	30 in Hg	95	190.76	90	4/30/2024 9:37
Federal American Eagle	6	930	69F	30 in Hg	95	182.43	88	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	7	942	69F	30 in Hg	95	187.17	89	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	8	922	69F	30 in Hg	95	179.3	87	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	9	933	69F	30 in Hg	95	183.61	88	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	10	932	69F	30 in Hg	95	183.22	88	4/30/2024 9:38
Federal American Eagle	11	932	69F	30 in Hg	95	183.22	88	4/30/2024 9:38
Average Velocity	932
Extreme Spread	35
Standard Deviation	11
Averate ft/lbs	183
Average Power Fadtor	88

Winchester Target and Monarch FMJ were very close in velocity. I shot 150 of Monarch and 100 Winchester Target through the gun and neither one had a malfunction.

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Winchester target	1	854	69F	30 in Hg	90	145.74	76	4/30/2024 9:12
Winchester target	2	860	69F	30 in Hg	90	147.79	77	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	3	864	69F	30 in Hg	90	149.17	77	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	4	839	69F	30 in Hg	90	140.66	75	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	5	878	69F	30 in Hg	90	154.04	79	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	6	824	69F	30 in Hg	90	135.68	74	4/30/2024 9:13
Winchester target	7	844	69F	30 in Hg	90	142.34	75	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	8	861	69F	30 in Hg	90	148.13	77	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	9	835	69F	30 in Hg	90	139.32	75	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	10	858	69F	30 in Hg	90	147.1	77	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	11	863	69F	30 in Hg	90	148.82	77	4/30/2024 9:14
Winchester target	12	859	69F	30 in Hg	90	147.45	77	4/30/2024 9:14
Average Velocity	853
Extreme Spread	54
Standard Deviation	15
Averate ft/lbs	146
Average Power Fadtor	76

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Monarch FMJ	1	807	69F	30 in Hg	90	130.14	72	4/30/2024 9:19
Monarch FMJ	2	859	69F	30 in Hg	90	147.45	77	4/30/2024 9:19
Monarch FMJ	3	834	69F	30 in Hg	90	138.99	75	4/30/2024 9:19
Monarch FMJ	4	857	69F	30 in Hg	90	146.76	77	4/30/2024 9:19
Monarch FMJ	5	836	69F	30 in Hg	90	139.66	75	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	6	866	69F	30 in Hg	90	149.86	77	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	7	825	69F	30 in Hg	90	136.01	74	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	8	868	69F	30 in Hg	90	150.55	78	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	9	869	69F	30 in Hg	90	150.9	78	4/30/2024 9:20
Monarch FMJ	10	891	69F	30 in Hg	90	158.64	80	4/30/2024 9:24
Average Velocity	851
Extreme Spread	84
Standard Deviation	25
Averate ft/lbs	145
Average Power Fadtor	76

Hornady Critical Defense was the only hollow point I had to shoot. I only had a box of 25 and all of them shot with no problem.

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Hornady Critical Defense	1	896	69F	30 in Hg	90	160.42	80	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	2	880	69F	30 in Hg	90	154.74	79	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	3	871	69F	30 in Hg	90	151.6	78	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	4	888	69F	30 in Hg	90	157.57	79	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	5	897	69F	30 in Hg	90	160.78	80	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	6	856	69F	30 in Hg	90	146.42	77	4/30/2024 9:25
Hornady Critical Defense	7	890	69F	30 in Hg	90	158.28	80	4/30/2024 9:26
Hornady Critical Defense	8	874	69F	30 in Hg	90	152.64	78	4/30/2024 9:26
Hornady Critical Defense	9	886	69F	30 in Hg	90	156.86	79	4/30/2024 9:26
Hornady Critical Defense	10	890	69F	30 in Hg	90	158.28	80	4/30/2024 9:29
Hornady Critical Defense	11	865	69F	30 in Hg	90	149.51	77	4/30/2024 9:29
Hornady Critical Defense	12	906	69F	30 in Hg	90	164.02	81	4/30/2024 9:29
Average Velocity	883
Extreme Spread	50
Standard Deviation	14
Averate ft/lbs	156
Average Power Factor	79

I received the Winchester ammo today, I actually ordered Winchester Defender Elite not the Silver Tip I thought I ordered. I've still got Underwood and Buffalo Bore, both +P on the way. So far, I'm leaning toward the Federal American Eagle since it has the most impact energy.

Thanks for this information. I'm currently carrying a Walther PPK which had almost the same barrel length (PPK: 3.3", G42: 3.25"), so this is very useful to me. If you ever have the opportunity, I'd love to see a test of the Hornady XTP, American Gunner or Custom.

 

[Gun-Reck]

The tests I have seen show less than 10" penetration in gel.

The .380 ACP, especially from a short barrel, is an inadequate compromise round.

Winchester truncated ball is probably best.

From a > 3.5" barrel though, this PDX1 round works.

Also, the FBI gel penetration is an LEO spec.

!0" of penetration is plenty for defensive shooting.

 

[CurlyThomas]

This is what I carry in mine. Sorry the image is a bit blurry. The one on the right is the 90 XTP Precision One loading, and the left is the 95gr Northeast Reloading JHP offering. The powder charge for that one is 4.0 WST. They both penetrated 4 layers of denim and 2 water jugs.

 

[Barmcd]

I’ve got Buffalo Bore FMJ, Underwood XTP, Precision One XTP and Winchester Defender Elite to shoot next week. The Winchester looks like the Sig V-Crown my gun didn’t like so I don’t have high hopes for it.

 

[psyopspec]

When I carry a .380, it's loaded with Precision One's XTP. Lots of crummy rounds out there in this caliber. The tests by ShootingTheBull410 and LuckyGunner do a good job of separating the wheat from the chafe.

 

[Pistolay]

When I carry a .380, it's loaded with Precision One's XTP. Lots of crummy rounds out there in this caliber. The tests by ShootingTheBull410 and LuckyGunner do a good job of separating the wheat from the chafe.

The XTP bullet (I prefer Hornady American Gunner) is the only JHP I trust to penetrate adequately in .380. Unfortunately, while it runs great in my PPK and P238, it will not feed reliably in either of my P365s due to my grip issues.

 

[Barmcd]

Here's the latest results. The Underwood, Winchester and Buffalo Bore cycled without issue. The Underwood and Buffalo Bore have similar energy, but what I've seen on-line, the Underwood actually gets some expansion from the 380 and enough penetration to be an effective self defense round. I can't help but think that Buffalo Bore might be susceptible to over penetration. None of them really felt different from the other or seemed like they'd be hard to shoot. I ran out of time and didn't get to shoot the Precision One so I'll have to do that later.

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Underwood XTP JHP	1	1077	69F	30 in Hg	90	231.78	96	5/6/2024 9:53
Underwood XTP JHP	2	1064	69F	30 in Hg	90	226.22	95	5/6/2024 9:53
Underwood XTP JHP	3	1062	69F	30 in Hg	90	225.37	95	5/6/2024 9:53
Underwood XTP JHP	4	1048	69F	30 in Hg	90	219.47	94	5/6/2024 9:53
Underwood XTP JHP	5	1064	69F	30 in Hg	90	226.22	95	5/6/2024 9:53
Underwood XTP JHP	6	1072	69F	30 in Hg	90	229.64	96	5/6/2024 9:53
Underwood XTP JHP	7	1057	69F	30 in Hg	90	223.25	95	5/6/2024 9:54
Underwood XTP JHP	8	1050	69F	30 in Hg	90	220.31	94	5/6/2024 9:54
Underwood XTP JHP	9	1068	69F	30 in Hg	90	227.92	96	5/6/2024 9:54
Underwood XTP JHP	10	1068	69F	30 in Hg	90	227.92	96	5/6/2024 9:54
Underwood XTP JHP	11	1061	69F	30 in Hg	90	224.95	95	5/6/2024 9:54
Underwood XTP JHP	12	1083	69F	30 in Hg	90	234.37	97	5/6/2024 9:54
Average Velocity	1065
Extreme Spread	35
Standard Deviation	10
Averate ft/lbs	226
Average Power Factor	95

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	1	939	84F	29 in Hg	95	185.98	89	5/6/2024 9:58
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	2	932	84F	29 in Hg	95	183.22	88	5/6/2024 9:58
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	3	915	84F	29 in Hg	95	176.59	86	5/6/2024 9:58
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	4	921	84F	29 in Hg	95	178.92	87	5/6/2024 9:58
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	5	942	84F	29 in Hg	95	187.17	89	5/6/2024 9:58
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	6	949	84F	29 in Hg	95	189.96	90	5/6/2024 9:59
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	7	908	84F	29 in Hg	95	173.9	86	5/6/2024 9:59
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	8	945	84F	29 in Hg	95	188.36	89	5/6/2024 9:59
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	9	927	84F	29 in Hg	95	181.25	88	5/6/2024 9:59
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	10	895	84F	29 in Hg	95	168.96	85	5/6/2024 9:59
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 JHP	11	931	84F	29 in Hg	95	182.82	88	5/6/2024 9:59
Average Velocity	928
Extreme Spread	18
Standard Deviation	17
Average ft/lbs	182
Average Power Factor	88

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	1​	1064​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	238.79​	101​	5/6/2024 10:02​
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	2​	1059​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	236.55​	100​	5/6/2024 10:02​
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	3​	1053​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	233.88​	100​	5/6/2024 10:02​
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	4​	1066​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	239.69​	101​	5/6/2024 10:02​
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	5​	1069​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	241.04​	101​	5/6/2024 10:02​
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	6​	1040​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	228.14​	98​	5/6/2024 10:06​
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	7​	1069​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	241.04​	101​	5/6/2024 10:07​
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	8​	1060​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	237​	100​	5/6/2024 10:07​
Buffalo Bore FMJ-FN	10​	1075​	73F	29 in Hg	95​	243.75​	102​	5/6/2024 10:07​
Average Velocity	1062
Extreme Spread	35
Standard Deviation	10
Average ft/lbs	238

I gave the V-Crown another shot since I've run over 500 rounds through the gun now. I had a little trouble feeding the first round, but after I just let the slide go and slammed the first round home, the gun cycled all the rest of the rounds without issue. I found out you can't be gentle with the hollow points. I was surprised how slow the Sig V-Crown was compared to other JHP brands. I won't be carrying these rounds in the gun.

Shot List	Index	Velocity	Temperature	Barometric Pressure	Bullet Weight	Ft/lbs	Power Factor	Date
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	1	804	73F	29 in Hg	90	129.17	72	5/6/2024 10:11
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	3	814	73F	29 in Hg	90	132.4	73	5/6/2024 10:11
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	4	783	73F	29 in Hg	90	122.51	70	5/6/2024 10:12
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	5	771	73F	29 in Hg	90	118.78	69	5/6/2024 10:12
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	6	792	73F	29 in Hg	90	125.34	71	5/6/2024 10:13
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	7	798	73F	29 in Hg	90	127.25	71	5/6/2024 10:13
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	8	757	73F	29 in Hg	90	114.51	68	5/6/2024 10:13
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	9	794	73F	29 in Hg	90	125.98	71	5/6/2024 10:13
Sig Sauer Elite Defense JHP	10	794	73F	29 in Hg	90	125.98	71	5/6/2024 10:13
Average Velocity	790
Extreme Spread	57
Standard Deviation	17
Average ft/lbs	125