Did you know that Ruger in 2011 manufactured over 170,000 LCPs? That’s more than 20,000 pistols more than the entire pistol output of Colt, ParaUSA, and Kel-Tec in the same calendar year.
Why bring this up? Because of the Glock 42, the new .380 Glock. This gun will be manufactured in the US, and has been the topic of much debate on whether or not it will sell. I am of the opinion that it will sell decently, but not in numbers that even approach Ruger’s astonishing LCP production. It’s big for a .380, but that means it will also be quite pleasant to shoot, which isn’t something you can say about the LCP. In fact, it will be much closer to the LC380 in terms of its market, and to be honest I quite like the LC380.
I think there’s a market for a reasonably sized .380 pistol for new shooters and CCW holders. It won’t have sharp recoil like some of the itty-bitty .380s and single stack 9mm pistols, which means that someone who’s new/recoil sensitive will probably be willing to shoot it enough to get good with it.
Ultimately, I’m on the fence about the new 42. I personally am interested in the Glock 41, because .45 ACP. However, I am somewhat interested in the .380, because I’ve always had a soft spot for overgrown sub-caliber guns. One of my favorite guns to shoot was my Taurus PT58, a doublestack .380 that looked like a stunted 92FS.
What do you think? Is Glock going to sell a ton of Glock 42s or none?
Glock won’t sell a 42 to me because (1) an oversized .380 is not something that fulfills an unmet need for me, and (2) I live in Massachusetts.
But I can see where there might well be a lot of smaller, older (and we’re ALL getting older) folks for whom a soft-shooting .380 that’s comfortable enough to practice to proficiency and to carry that it can prove a practical CCW. On that basis they just might sell a ton of them.
A similarly sized Glock single-stack in 9mm would have been of considerable interest, as would a G17/19-sized single-stack in 45ACP, but that’s Glock for you.
–Andrew, @LawSelfDefense
Glock 19:
Length:
187 mm / 7.36 in.
Width:
30.00 mm / 1.18 in.
Length Between Sights:
153 mm / 6.02 in.
Height:
127 mm / 4.99 in.
Barrel Height:
32 mm / 1.26 in.
Barrel Length:
102 mm / 4.01 in.
Glock 36:
Length:
177 mm / 6.96 in.
Width:
28.00 mm / 1.10 in.
Length Between Sights:
150 mm / 5.91 in.
Height:
121 mm / 4.76 in.
Barrel Height:
32 mm / 1.26 in.
Barrel Length:
96 mm / 3.77 in.
A Glock 36 (.45 single stack) is about the same size as a Glock 19….
Glock is ho hum. It will sell because it is Glock.
But for no other reason.
The Remington racks like the suspension on a 54 Dodge.
A dealer at the hicks Show called it a turd.
It will sell just because it says Glock on it. Not because it is great or better than the other makes. Just because of good marketing and hard core Glock enthusiasts..
I carry 9mm Kahrs. Small, accurate, and always work. I just bought my wife a 9mm Shield. Last year at SHOT, it was about the only compact 9mm that she could rack the slide on. She doesn’t have much hand/arm strength. And she liked it best. She has shown she can shoot it quite well also.
.380 ammo is about like trying to find .22 LR. Very scarce and pricey when you do find it. I can reload 9mm so practice is never a problem. And factory 9mm is available again, just expensive.
Glock must have some evidence that their new .380 will sell. I’ll not buy one but would have if they came out with a single stack and thin 9mm
Have an LCP w/Hogue Tamer grip, a BD380 and a P232 w/Hogue Tamer Grip; don’t need a Glock.
I think it will sell due to have the word GLOCK on it but I was personally disappointed I was hoping for a single stack 9mm. If you want a 380 get a really small LCP etc. I also load 9mm so ammo would not be as big of a problem as 380 would.
I have a Taurus PT58HC and it is my favorite to shoot also. 19 rounds of 380 per mag. Very accurate and great fun! Also my wife has an lc380 she is waiting to shoot. Glock 26 was too big for her hand.