The internet has been abuzz lately with plenty of rumors regarding Glock’s recently posted teaser image (above). The trust-worthy rumblings that I have been able to gather point to the Glock 42 being a compact .380ACP pistol that would be manufactured here in the US since Glock’s current .380 chambered pistol, the G25, is blocked for importation.
I went all CSI on the teaser photo and adjusted the brightness and contrast of the image (below). You can see that the entire outline of a pistol is visible and, if it is to scale with the Zippo lighter shown, it would be roughly the size of other compact, polymer frames .380s on the market like the Ruger LCP and S&W Bodyguard.
There are also some reliable rumors that a .45ACP chambered “Practical Tactical”, like the G34/35, will be released at the same time. Hopefully that means a 10mm will follow behind. This is likely aimed at the competition market and may carry a markedly higher price tag (expected street price is over $700).
This news has many who were hopeful for a single stack 9mm disappointed but I think there may actually be some hope in this for those who want such a gun. A single stack 9mm the size of a G26 would have extremely limited capacity and a single stack 9mm the size of a G19 would probably be slightly larger than what most would want. A single stack 9mm would really need to split the difference in terms of size, like the S&W Shield, in order to make sense but Glock has shown an unwillingness to explore designs too far outside of their already established sizing conventions. However, if the G42 is significantly smaller than other currently available Glocks, it may signal a willingness to break those conventions and explore new designs like a single stack 9mm.
9mm Makarov Glock (via conversion barrel) here we come!
Right on! That certainly would match Glock’s unrivaled track record of not giving people what they want.
I mean I’d rather have a 9mm Mak than .380, always wanted a Glockarov just for shits. Duracoat the frame Russian Plum and it’d be pretty cool.
I hear you. 9mm Mak is an under appreciated cartridge.
I’m not so sure a single stack G19 type gun wouldn’t hit the mark? A Shield’s grip with the extended mag is about the same length as a G19. Seems more people are going appendix carry and a slimmer 19 would fit that bill nicely. Not to mention more states going after 10rnd limits. Problem is, Glock would just slim the frame and not the slide. Will be interesting to see what the 42 rolls out as but the .380 thing is a dead horse in my opinion.
Good points. I would be happier with a single stack 9mm that was similar in size to the 19 over one similar to a 26.
I’d be fine with a single-stack 9mm with 7rds–the capacity of a KT PF9 or Kahr P9 (7rds, with 8rds using an aftermarket follower, OR 8-9rds with an extended mag).
Either way, I’ll be getting it if it’s PF9/P9/PM9 size…as long as it’s smaller than the Shield and thin, very thin.
I want sub-16 ounces empty, and sub-0.94″ grip width. I love the Shield, but it’s a bit too heavy and thick–the Kahr P9 is almost perfect for EDC, but I hope the G42 is just a hair bigger than a PF9.
Yeah, the SLIDE has to be thinner than all the bricks (and I say that as someone who LOVES his gen3 G19). For EDC, I want P9/PF9 thin.
Glock giving S&W the Shield market has to be one of the biggest marketing blunders in firearms history. I’ve carried and used Glocks exclusively since the early 90s and have bought two Shields in the last 6 months because I got sick of waiting on Glock to get their act together. If this is anything but a single-stack 9mm ala the Shield, I’ll just have to shake my head in disappointment as Glock continues to bleed market share out of their own stupidity.
single stack this, single stack that? how about a double stack 22lr? glock has a pistol in all the popular calibers already…. except for 22lr!
Let me get this, the 42 is only a hair shorter than the 26 and longer in the grip than the 26. The 42 is chambered in a smaller caliber (substandard in my opinion). Where is the advantage? This new offering from Glock is not a pocket pistol at least not for most, not by a long shot. Because it is a .380 it should have a double stack magazine. Glock has missed the mark on this one. If they make a single stack 9mm with the same length and height as the 26 and they may have something.