The Glock 42 - Dead before arrival?

Note: Glock - please pay someone to help with your videos. Please.

So, the Glock 42 that folks were all excited about turns out to be a six shot 380 ACP that no one is excited about and nobody really wanted. People have been asking, hoping for a Glock single stack 9mm for years. This ain't it.

Maybe in 2005, this woulda been exciting. Really, we've had pocket 380s for a looong while now, and most folks who wanted one have bought a Kel Tec P3AT, LCP, Sig 238, Kahr 380 or any of the many, many other 380s out there.

Ok, it's a Glock, so you've got the reputation for reliability. But, let's just look at the dimensions of the Glock 42 (via Guns & Ammo):

• Length (overall): 5.94 in.
• Width: 0.94 in.
• Height (with magazine): 4.13 in.

And then, for context, compare those dimensions to what is probably the most popular 6+1 380 ACP out there today, the Ruger LCP:

• Length: 5.16 in.
• Width: 0.82 in.
• Height: 3.60 in.

So the Glock is longer, fatter and taller for the same amount of horsepower in the mag.

The new 380 Glock is actually closer in comparison to the 9mm LC9, which has the following dimensions:

• Overall Length: 6"
• Width: .9"
• Height: 4.5"

And carries 7+1 rounds of 9mm. Overall length and width are essentially identical between the two, and the LC9 is just a smidgen taller.

What people wanted to see was Glock's version of the S&W Shield, which is again just a tad bigger than the new 380 Glock 42. Here's the dimensions of the Shield:

• Overall Length: 6.1" / 15.5 cm
  
• Frame Width: .95" / 2.413 cm
  
• Overall Height: 4.6" / 11.684 cm

Maybe - probably - Glock is coming to market with the 380 ACP, and will follow up with a 9mm on the same or a very similar frame. But, the I don't see a ton of demand for the 380 6+1 pistol. The 42 will be more shootable than an LCP or equivalent size pocket pistol, and it has a longer barrel, so you'll get a bit higher velocity. But overall, not much to peak the interest.

What is mind boggling is that Glock expected a different reaction from the gun community. They coulda asked any of dozens of gun bloggers, YouTubers, firearms trainers, etc. how exciting a big 6+1 380 would be, and they'd have got the same vibe.

Gun companies: it pays to do market research.