First Look at the 2014 Glocks: G41 in .45ACP and G42 in .380
Major Pandemic 01.23.14
Ahhh I love the smell of new Tupperware in the morning. As a huge fan of Glocks and one who carries one on a constant basis, I look forward to the introduction of new models. What baffles me is that newGlock introductions are usually met with about as much skepticism from Glock shooters as the Glock 17 was when it first came out. The SHOT 2014 introduction of the Glock 41 and Glock 42 was no exception. Already I have heard an ear full from friends: “WTF was Glock thinking?” “I wanted a single stack [insert favorite caliber here].” “I wanted a competition tuned Glock.” “I want…”I want…” “I want…”
Here’s the deal folks. Apparently Glock is smarter than all the loud screamers, because the new for 2013 G30S sub-compact .45ACP 10-round pistol was hugely successful over the last year. It was initially received by the “already got a Glock” ownership crowd about as well as a gut punch. For that same crowd, expect a hit a bit lower this year because you hardened G17 and G19 shooters are going to again start poking fingers in chests over the new giant mega capacity .45 ACP and small single stack .380 ACP. I always find it funny that the more I initially loathe or attempt to find fault with a new Glock model, the more I want one.
The G42 is one of Glock’s exclusively USA made pistols manufactured in Smyrna, Georgia. Since late 2012, Glock has been working on moving US-sold Glock manufacturing to its Georgia facility.
A deep review of both guns is coming, but this is a quick peek.
Glock 41 – .45 ACP Longslide
I am sure some will gush that Glock finally built a better competition gun that’s .45ACP powered and based on the proven, competition winning G34 (9mm) or G35 (.40S&W) platforms. But that is a mighty dubious reason to own one because if we compare it to the competition major power factor reigning G35 Glock, you just dropped to a 13-round .45 ACP mag from a 15-rounder without gaining anything in the competition. Holes in paper and dropped steel plates don’t know the difference.
So why the G41? Let’s face it, some folks love, love, love the .45ACP round, and up until now they would rather go at it with a long sight radius 1911 framed gun and reload a lot than to move over to that puny little .40 S&W round. In the G41. The .45’ers get a competent, high capacity competition gun with a sight radius roughly 1” longer than they had in the G21 but with less muzzle flip, a bit more velocity, and probably more accurate shot placement in a .45ACP model. If we are all being honest with ourselves, the G41 is the pistol that lets chest thumping .45 ACP shooters go toe-to-toe equipment-wise with the G35 guys who are kicking their asses each competition. Fire lit. I welcome comments. 
The G41 is basically for all dimensional and spec purposes a G21 with a long slide. The end result is what I term a “Giant’s Gun.” The gun itself is too big for my hand. I have small-to-medium sized hands with shorter fingers, and the G41 feels huge. In other words I have an average hand size. This was one reason I went with the G20SF (short frame) version of my Glock 10mm. I wanted to make the gun actually comfortable in my hands. To me the G41 needs a G41SF counterpart model for mere mortals. If you have giant monkey paws, then hey, this is your gun; buy one and enjoy. Personally I love the idea of a high capacity .45 ACP competition long slide pistol, so chances are high that I will never own one. At least I won’t until they offer a G41SF model as they did in the G21 model.
G41 Specs
- Dimensions
- Length (overall): 226 mm / 8.90 in.
- Length (slide): 211 mm / 8.31 in.
- Width: 32.5 mm / 1.28 in.
- Height (with magazine): 139 mm / 5.47 in.
- Barrel length: 135 mm / 5.31 in.
- Length of twist: 400 mm / 15.75 in.
- Trigger distance: 72.5 mm / 2.85 in.
- Trigger travel: 12.5 mm / .49 in.
- Barrel distance: 20 mm / 0.79 in.
- Line of sight (polymer): 192 mm / 7.56 in.
- Weight – Pistol without magazine: 690 g / 24 oz.
- Weight – Magazine std. empty: 85 g / 3 oz.
- Weight – Magazine std. full: 340 g / 12 oz.
- Magazine Capacity (rounds): 13
- Barrel Profile: right hand twist; octagonal
- Standard Trigger Pull: ~5.62 lbs.
- Muzzle Velocity*: 853 fps
- Muzzle Energy*: 347 fps
Glock 42
“I will never own a puny little .380,” said the guy who now owns a Ruger LCP .380 because it is so convenient to carry.
The Glock 42 is a gun that will have blood squirting out of people’s eyes screaming, “Why? Why? Why not in 9mm?” Yeah okay, put me in that column, but you know it’s bound to happen at some point. It is a Browning 9mm Short (aka .380 ACP) — does that count?
Honestly, i was so pissed off it was not a 9mm that i artificially hated the G42 initially. Then I shot it, and holy crap I am in love.
If you want a single stack 9mm, the Kahr CM9 and Walther PPS beat Glock to the slightly larger 6” long by 4” tall single stack pistol party, but recoil in those dinky little 9mm guns can be ugly with hot loads. A similar recoil beating occurs with hot loads in the diminutively smaller Ruger .380 chambered LCP.
So where does that put the new Glock G42? Squarely in the middle. It’s a pistol with enough size and weight to make even hotter .380 rounds easy to shoot, all in a size that still enables a decent grip and can be stunninly easy to conceal. If it sounds like I am saying the G42 is today’s equivilant of the .38 Special revolver or Glock’s version of a Walther PPK, then you are absolutely correct. It has a decent grip to hold onto with just enough mass to make shooting with the thing pleasant and accurate, all in a size that can be tucked and hidden anywhere.
The G42 delivers a solid platform in a caliber which, in this format, feels awesome to shoot and even train with. With that said, the G42 doesn’t seem to be initially targeted to the Glock’iphile. This is a gun targeted directly toward all new (initially recoil sensitive) ladies out there that are now hitting gun shops in a barrage that is terrifying the left-wing wackos. Sure, it could be a good back up gun, but where I see 99% of the sales going in 2014 are to new female shooters whose significant others own Glocks. They’ll march out and buy the smallest Glock made to conceal in their purse, pocket, or waist.
Men will be buying them for their wives in droves just like we did with the LCR, the LCP, and now the G42. In late 2014, we men will buy another for ourselves because we find out that all that macho bullshit goes out the window when you are wearing a khakis at work and you need a tiny little gun to stay armed. Me? I am already over the macho BS and love the format. Well done Glock. Check’s in the mail.
G42 SPECS
- Dimensions
- Length (overall): 151 mm / 5.94 in.
- Length (slide cpl.): 146 mm / 5.75 in.
- Width: 24 mm / 0.94 in.
- Height (with magazine): 105 mm / 4.13 in.
- Barrel length: 82.5 mm / 3.25 in.
- Length of twist: 250 mm / 9.84 in.
- Trigger distance: 61 mm / 2.40 in.
- Trigger travel: 12.5 mm / .49 in.
- Barrel distance: 18 mm / 0.71 in.
- Line of sight (polymer): 125 mm / 4.92 in.
- Weight – Pistol without magazine: 350 g / 12.35 oz.
- Weight – Magazine std. empty: 40 g / 1.41 oz.
- Weight – Magazine std. full: 57 g / 2.01 oz.
- Magazine Capacity (rounds): 6
- Barrel Profile: right hand twist; hexagonal
- Standard Trigger Pull: ~5.62 lbs.
- Muzzle Velocity*: 886 fps
- Muzzle Energy*: 162 fps
