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35 Comments

  1. I have owned multiple Glock 21’s. I think it is one of the best, affordable,reliable, and powerful hand guns available. But it is not a good concealed carry. You can buy it in a single stack (thus giving up capacity for a thinner grip), but I would not make that trade. Nor do I feel the shorter barrel as in the Glock 30 is a good trade either, because it sacrifices some accuracy (which I also own).

  4. I own both the Glock 30 and 41. The 30 is my normarl carry gun. I use a Crossbreed super tuck IWB holster for the 30, and as I don’t have a bulging waistline, it conceals very well. An advantage to this holster is the G41 also fits, and with the right summer clothing, it does not print (on me). Between the two, the full-size grip of the 41 is more comfortable, even in my somewhat smaller than average hands, but the shorter grip of the 30 provides enough area to shoot accurately. Since my hand size makes it impossible to press the magazine release with my right thumb without shifting the gun in my hand, I have installed oversize mag releases in both guns. Needless to say, both Glocks have been 100% reliable.

  5. Would like to have seen a review on a Gen 5 Glock 21 SF, the gun you reviewed has been out for several years. The main complaints you stated in your review about grip size have been addressed in the newer models.

    1. Glock currently does not offer the model 21 in the new gen 5 configuration. The gen 5 is only available in the 9 mm models 17 and 19.

      Hopefully, some time in the future, Glock will offer the gen 5 in .the 45 ACP models.

  6. Merry Christmas!
    The G21 was the first gun I bought when I got into shooting about 10 years ago. At the time I didn’t know much about guns so I wanted a name known for reliability and a model with stopping power.
    I have extra-large hands. The G21 felt perfect in my hands from the get-go. I love the amount of recoil this .45 gives: once a round is fired and the gun kicks, my G21 comes down almost exactly on target. I love the 13+1.
    For me this is definitely not a CCW gun – too big and heavy. it’s more of a gun I’d take to a fight that might become close-quarter. I have carried it as a backup weapon while hog-hunting in case I got chased up a tree by an angry boar.
    My CCW is a G42 (.380), 6+1. It fits nicely in my pocket and is plenty light enough. I originally had a Ruger LCP (.380) but I didn’t like Ruger’s double-action trigger and the magazine springs were weak, causing more than a few misfires. I should have just stuck with Glock to begin with.
    Lesson learned.

      2. I honestly didn’t mean to imply that I don’t like Ruger. I do and I own a Ruger – the Charger.
        The Charger is a .22 LR pistol with the chamber/trigger mechanism of the Ruger 10/22. It’s a take-down; you could actually substitute a 10/22 barrel for the Charger barrel.
        The Charger has –
        Bipod
        Picatinny rail (I have a red dot scope on mine)
        15-rd magazine
        I really love my Charger. In my opinion it’s a true survivalist gun – it’s deadly accurate and while it *might* not bring down a man, it’s perfect for squirrel/rabbit. Meat on the table!
        Based on the Charger alone, I’d definitely love to have a 10/22.

  7. For those that want a big .45 matching Glock quality and reliability, but can’t quite get their hands around the 21, I recommend the Walter PPQ 45. The grip is easier to adapt to, and the trigger is great right out of the box.

  8. I have two G21s and one G20. They are big guns, but you don’t need extra large hands to use them. Right now you can find police trade in Glock 21s as low as $330, most of these will have finish wear, but have been shot little.

  11. Having had a good number of years’ experience with the 1911, I became a convert to the ugly plastic guns the first time I fired a 21. Now own a variety of Gaston’s products in a variety of calibers and if necessary, would bet my life on any of them. I do favor the Ruger LC9s pro for CC tho. Semper Fi and Merry Christmas! Hallelujah to Emmanuel!!

  12. I have a Glock 20. Carry it in the car. I really hate the Glock platform, the 1911 feels better, points better, is easier to manipulate and, in my opinion, is a far, far better combat handgun than a Glock. I bought the 20 because it is a 10mm and, being a Glock, I don’t care if it gets dropped or dinged.
    All this being said, it will be a winner. Itg is a better platform for most. As much as I love the 1911 it is NOT a gun for anyone who is not very familiar with it. Many proclivities. HOwever, I have two who have over 30K rounds through them with absolutely zero malfunctions. NOt so the 20, which I have for the above reasons but do not trust it completely.

  13. When the Glock 21 was first offered in the early 1990s, a group of associates and I, had been considering switching to double stack .45 pistols.

    A relative, attending a social event, talked to a Navy SEAL, who said he had carried at Glock 21 during the First Gulf War (1991) and recommended it.

    So, now I have had Glock 21s for decades and fired tens of thousands of rounds through them.

    The Gen I had a problem with the pins, which would drift out while firing, and Glock had a free replacement upgrade for that issue.

    I had the locking block pin drift out, so I pushed it back in, using all my might, only to break the slide stop lever spring, which a local gunsmith repaired for $100.

    After that, I bought a Glock Disassembly Tool, and a DVD, Complete Glock Disassembly & Reassembly Glock Models 17, 17L, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23, Lenny Magill.

    I have had three trigger springs break, which takes the whole firearm down, so I would buy 5 spares.

    At one point, a round would fire normally when the trigger was pulled, but then fire again when the trigger was released, a new Connector fixed that problem, I always use the 3.5#.

    After tens of thousands of rounds, some being Chinese ammo (1990s), and others IMI surplus ammo (2000s) that smoked a lot, I started getting lite primer strikes. After a detailed disassembling of the slide, I found powder and debris fouling up the firing pin function. A good cleaning solved that problem.

    If you fire a hundred rounds of factory carry ammo a year, you probably won’t run into this problem for decades.

    Being a wide frame, for years there were problems finding holsters and mag pouches, initially, I had some custom made, but when buying, you need to make sure it fits.

    The rear sight tool needs to be wider as well, and is expensive, so if you need one, try to rent one from a gun shop. I always use the Trijicon night sights.

    Near the end of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban (1994 to 2004), some of my mags were wearing, and used ones were $200 each on the Internet. So, when they go on sale for less than $20, I get all excited…

    After trying many mag extensions, I only use the KRISS or OEM 13 rounders.

    Competitions, penalize double stack .45s, trying to equalize the competitors, by making you load 8 or 10, instead of 13. 🙁

    For concealed carry, I use a Glock 30 when it is cold, and Glock 36 when it is hot, but always have a Glock 21 nearby with a clip on holster or belt.

    I’ve been satisfied with the Glock 21, after going through numerous iterations of pistols, to the point that I don’t even look at others.

    https://us.glock.com/products/model/g21gen4

  14. I carried the Glock 30 for years in a Fobus holster with Glock 21 mags. Several years ago I upgraded to the Gen 4 21 with a TLR-1 in a First Spear light bearing holster. My job requires that I carry concealed 8 hours a day. I also carry 2 extra mags, fixed blade knife, Surefire light, and handcuffs all under an untucked shirt–no issues with printing or weight. Get good holster gear and then shoot as many rounds as you can. Recoil for me actually seems less of an issue with the 21 than some 9mms I’ve shot. Thanks for the review!

  15. I have owned multiple Glocks since they came to this country. They all cause several problems for me. They all come to hand with a normal combat grip with the front sight high (Grip Angle), the trigger is poor in my mind, the sights are like lining up three refrigerators and everyone bites the web of my right hand (I now have a permanent scar). I carry the Gen. 4 for work and can complete the qualification course with a 300 everytime, but I really hate Glocks!!! I had hope for the replacement backstraps but the largest still doesn’t protect the web of my hand and makes the trigger reach unacceptable.

    The Springfield Armory XD series is a much better system, better grip angle, cicumfrance of the grip, trigger reach, trigger is good, sights are good and my personal XD .45 compact is really accurate with its four inch barrell.

    I just picked up a S&W Shield 9 and it fits my hand perfectly! one range session and Im hooked. Just need to put another hundred rounds through it before it rides my hip daily.

    Semper Fi and Merry Christmas, Pray for our President that he can start to bring this country out of its slide into mediocrocy.

  18. Glock 21 with night sites has been my nightstand gun for years, I don’t even know how many rounds have been put through it without 1 single hiccup. Is it big and chunky? Yup, but when I’m reaching for it in the pitch dark of my bedroom because of some bump in the night, I want something big and solid that I know is there. Not some slippery single stack in 380. Just my opinion.

  19. I carry a Ruger LCP II .380 everywhere I go. The newer trigger design is MUCH better than the previous one. Everyone who own owns the first version and has tried dry firing this newer version is amazed by the new trigger. They say, “I’ve got to get one of these!”, My comment is that it is as smooth as warm butter.

  20. Please take warnings about concealment limitations with a grain of salt. There are some great holster systems out these days that really hug the contours of your hip or waist. After a lot of trial and dollars spent I can conceal a full size .45 for at least 6 months of the year until I get into hot humid southern summers. That said we’ve planned to switch everything over to one manufacturer (Glock) and caliber (9mm) for ease of maintenance, repair and ammo inventory. Our game plan calls for both full size G17s and more compact versions. However for whatever the reason I am very accurate with the 1911 .45 even while moving and shooting. I am going to need to give the G21 a try based on this review. While I truly enjoy shooting the 1911 I would prefer Glock simplicity if we are going to keep .45s in inventory.

    1. Chris, if you are test driving be sure to test drive the Glock 41 too. It gives you a longer barrel (same as your 1911) (nobody here has mentioned the greatly reduced velocity and muzzle energy from short barreled pistols), narrower slide, and longer sight radius. I also add a 3.5lb trigger connector to my Glocks, extended slide release,extended slide lock, Trijicon night sights, titanium nitride coated safety plunger, and tungsten guide rod. The connector and plunger make a spectacular difference in the crispness of the trigger break and trigger reset. The tungsten guide rod will never fail and helps to reduce muzzle flip.

  21. Tisk, tisk, tisk. Your all wrong. you need to drive a glock 22! it fits the hand better, fantastic ballistics, and all the man stopping you want. Plus it conceals better and is lighter and more rounds available without and extended mag.

    1. Re: 40 sw. Those fantastic ballistics have failed to materialize from paper to reality. Advancements in propellants and bullet construction have made 9mm King. I enjoy my customized 1911, and shoot it well. My primary is now a Steyr L9-A1. Glock fans, give them a look. I do like the large size of the G20/21, and they are reliable. Awful trigger and sights, though.

        1. Exactly right. The area of the entry wound of the .45 bullet is a whopping 60% larger in area than the entry wound of a 9mm. The rate of hydraulic flow through a 60% large pipe is MUCH larger. You also have a nominal 230gr bullet vs a nominal 115gr bullet. The primary advantage of a 9mm is recoil… something nobody notices in a gun fight.

          My uncle Lyle was a member of the original UTD 1 during WW2. He continued as UDT and then later as a “Frogman” through the Korean War until he went reserve in 1956. He told me that they had .38 special revolvers or the 1911 as side arms. In describing the difference in effect he said the following. “If a man is running and you hit him in the arm with a .38 round it will make a hole through his arm and he keeps running. If you hit him in the arm with the .45 round while running it will usually knock him down”.

          At Front Sight one of the things they are good about teaching is the “All handgun rounds are deficient in comparison to a rifle or a shotgun… which is true. A single round of 00 buckshot is the equivalent of a full magazine of 9mm rounds… and it arrives all at the same time. Nobody should ever purposefully take a handgun of any kind to a known gun fight. As another wise instructor said years ago “Your handgun is used to fight your way back to your rifle which you should not have left behind in the first place”.

          1. That ceases to be the defining data point when advanced hollowpoints supplanted .mil FMJ’s, rendering WW2-era terminal ballistics from pistols obsolete.

            I agree that a rifle or shotgun outclasses a pistol by a country mile regarding ballistics. That being said, those 9mm ‘equivalent’ shotgun pellets bear no resemblance to a Golden Saber or Hydrashok bullet. Velocity, Expansion and penetration data is far more relevant than entry wound diameter.

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