Welcome to a new episode of "I Carry," Shooting Illustrated's weekly video series covering the guns and gear needed to put together a potential everyday-carry kit. Today, we’re carrying the Glock G42 on the ankle and adding a few other EDC essentials for a complete carry kit.
Glock G42 ($480)
For a company that offers a range of different caliber and size options that fit pretty much every conceivable niche in the firearm world, Glock went without a .380 ACP offering for quite some time. That absence was remedied in 2014 when Glock launched the G42, which is officially the smallest handgun offered in the company’s extensive lineup and is also the only .380 ACP Glock offers.
Well, actually, that’s not quite true. Glock actually does make a couple other .380s, the G25 and G28, which are comparable in size to the G19 and G26. However, Glock doesn’t offer these models for sale in the US for a number of reasons, so if you want a Glock .380, the G42 is your option. To comply with U.S. firearm laws, the G42 is actually made right here in America at the company’s Smyrna, Georgia facility.
The gun is a slim, single-stack design, featuring a magazine capacity of six rounds and a width of just under an inch. Fully loaded, the gun weighs just under 16 ounces, making it easy to carry.
Galco Gunleather Ankle Guard ($85)
Though the Glock G42 is a little bigger than some other ankle guns we’ve covered previously on “I Carry,” the pistol still carries easily and can be well-concealed with the right clothing and ankle holster. That’s why we went with the Galco Ankle Guard, which has a few different features than prior ankle holsters we’ve seen.
For starters, this rig doesn’t rely on a retention strap to keep the gun in place. The Ankle Guard is form-fitted to the shape of the G42 through a hybrid holster pocket made from injection-molded polymer and steer hide. The holster includes two adjustable-retention screws, so we can tune the friction-retention level until it’s secured firmly.
While other ankle holsters that rely on retention straps have their benefits, such as being able to fit multiple guns that are similarly sized, the strap can impede draw time, and cutting down draw time is critical for a self-defense rig. With the Ankle Guard, there’s no retention device to deal with. Simply clear cover and draw.
LEDLenser T2 ($44)
For an affordable, no frills illumination tool, we turned to LEDLenser, which offers its T Squared. This light is simple to use, featuring a classic tailcap switch that cycles between two basic modes: high and low. On high, a 240-lumen beam penetrates up to 590 feet into darkness, providing far-reaching illumination when needed. A 25-lumen low setting allows for close-up lighting in tight spots. Best of all, the unit relies on three AAA batteries for power, so spares can be grabbed easily. The light body measures just over 4 and a half inches long and weighs about 3 and a half ounces.
Cold Steel Tuff Lite ($50.99)
Okay, when it comes to daily carry knives, let’s be honest: really, these are glorified box- and letter-openers for most of us. So, why not carry a knife that provides a sharp, durable, precision point that’s perfect for penetrating and slicing anything? That’s what the Cold Steel Tuff Lite is built to do. With a 2 and a half inch blade made from Japanese AUS 8A steel, the knife offers pinpoint cutting capability, and the whole package folds into a compact 3 and a half inches and weighs only two and a half ounces. Perfect for your pocket.
The Ridge Power Bank ($40)
However, there’s something you’ll use even more than an EDC light or carry blade. In fact, it’s the core of pretty much everyone’s EDC kit: a phone. We often talk about how essential it is to have a reload for your carry gun. What about having a recharge or two for your phone? After all, in an emergency, calling 911 is at the top of the priority list. Be sure your phone is topped off by adding a battery pack like The Ridge Power Bank to your kit. Weighing just 8 ounces, the power bank is about the same size as a standard smartphone, so it stashes away easily until needed. Fully charged, this device has enough juice to recharge your phone two or three times and can even fully charge a laptop like a Macbook Pro.
