(Left) The front sight is a small vertical blade with a single white dot on its rear face. (Right) The test Glock 38 came equipped with the synthetic blade rear sight that has the white outline surrounding the square-cut U-notch.

As far as accuracy was concerned, the Glock 38 performed as expected. All Glocks are reasonably accurate pistols, but due to their unique trigger mechanism, they are not known as superb known-distance target guns. Overall, the accuracy for the sample Glock 38 was slightly above average for a gun of this size and type.

The Model 38 comes with a magazine possessing an eight-round capacity. This translates into a medium-size pistol with the same capacity as the traditional full-size 1911 pistol, but it is also lighter in weight because of its polymer construction. Although all Glock designs are slightly thicker than corresponding 1911-style pistols, the overall size of the Glock Model 38 lends itself easily to concealed carry purposes, and its lighter weight makes a much easier burden to transport for long hours.

CONCLUSION
The best way to evaluate whether the Glock 38 fits your particular needs is to first examine the Glock system of operation. Some people plainly don't like the trigger pull one experiences with a Glock design. The sample Glock 38, while equipped with a 5.5-pound trigger (as stated on the end of the shipping box), actually measured closer to 7.5 pounds in pull weight, but it is so hard to judge because it is simply so different from that experienced with any other design. The Glock trigger takes experience to become comfortable with it.

As for the caliber and magazine capacity of the Glock 38 when compared to guns like the Glock 19, the Glock 23 or the Glock 32, the best way to assess the Glock 38 is to determine what means more to you: a whole bunch of smaller bullets or a gun offering true bigbore performance. As an old revolver shooter who is quite comfortable with six big bullets, my answer to that question is obvious.

CHRONOGRAPH AND ACCURACY TEST -- GLOCK 38, .45 GAP
AMMUNITION	BULLET WEIGHT & TYPE	NUMBER OF ROUNDS TESTED	AVERAGE VELOCITY (fps)	EXTREME SPREAD (in.)	BEST 5-ROUND GROUP @ 50 FEET
Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok	185-gr. JHP	8	1,068	31	3.25 in.
Lawman	200-gr. TMJ-FMJ	8	980	35	5.25 in.
Speer Gold Dot	185-gr. JHP	8	1,075	34	3.25 in.
Winchester Ranger "T"	230-gr. JHP	8	870	28	2 in.
Winchester WinClean	230-gr. BEB-FMJ	7	821	40	4.25 in.

The Glock Model 38 is among the first to solve the size-vs.-power dilemma that has historically plagued all concealed carry operators since armed self-defense began. Many will find this new pistol is well worth their time and money.