Looking at a lot of ballistics tests on the .380 out of a G42 and the .38 out of a 1.875 barrel it appears the .380 Gold Dot and Hornady XTP are close in performance to the best .38 loads.
Being I recently bought a G42 and have vetted it with Gold Dots, XTP, and various ball rounds. I love that little pistol.
Light, slim, accurate (very), good trigger, no recoil, and easy to shoot fast.
I have carried J's off side front pocket for decades as a bug or second pistol. Shot thousands of rounds weak hand only over those years.
I am seriously considering replacing the J with the 42 as my bug. Main carry is G17 aiwb.
Criticisms? Comments?