My G21

[JonInWA]

I've had my G21 for a bit over a year. I also have a G17 (which I really enjoy as well). I wanted a .45 caliber Glock-and was pretty open-minded regarding .45ACP and .45GAP. Friends in my steel plate league had each, so I was fortunate to be able to shoot both a G21 and a G37 in comparison before making my decision. If anything, I probably was slightly prejudiced in favor of the G37 due to the frame size being identical to the G17s. When fired in comparison, I personally found that the G21 was more accurate and had softer recoil characteristics. It's increased grip girth was of no operational consequence to me in the least-so my decision was pretty easy; I went with a new G21, with an EYN serial number (and yes, I checked with Glock, and no, it wasn't affected by or part of the frame recall due to improperly emplaced frame rails that applied to some of the E-series serial numbered guns). The only changes that I've done to mine were to replace the front sight with the screw-in steel sight made by Trijicon for Glock (the NON-tritium one-it looks EXACTLY like the stock polymer front sight; and it's available directly from Glock's Parts Department) and the rear sight with the Glock steel sight-both sight pieces cost a massive $10.00 each. Glenn Wisser, the local Glock District Manager/local GSSF Armorer/all-around good guy thoroughly went through my G21 (and G17) during the 2005 Shelton GSSF match, and replaced the extracter bearing piece with the newer updated part, and at the Roseburg Oregon match this June also replaced my trigger bar with the new updated "LAPD" piece to prevent firing pin safety peening and to provide slightly more firing pin force to cartridge primers (although I'd had zero problems with the previous set-up, I thought it might be a prudent thing to do-Glenn was happy to do it for everyone else who wanted theirs changed out as well at no charge-one of the really spiffy features of GSSF matches is such Armorer support). For holsters, I prefer to use a Blade-Tech IWB kydex holster, for outside the pants I've found Glock's own Sport-Combat belt slide holster to be both excellent and dirt-cheap. Off-body carry is acomplished with a The Wilderness Safepacker bag. For my carry load, I prefer Federal's standard pressure 230gr HydraShok(and I usually download the magazine by one round to make things easier for magazine spring longevity for and ease in reloading, carrying 12 rounds in each magazine and 1 in the chamber); for competition I almost invariably use Winchester 230gr ball in the WalMart 100rd ValuePack.

Best to all in our new club, Jon

[paper killer]

Glad you are enjoying your 21. I have had mine for about the same amount of time. I really like it. I also have a SA 1911 and an H&K USP compact in .45. My favorite is also the G21.

[GIXXER PILOT]

I have a KEX serial number prefix.does this gun fall into the recall catagory.

[JonInWA]

Nope-Only E-prefixed serials were affected (and not all E-prefixed-my understanding is that it was a relatively small number in various calibers that were produced in a short, defined timeframe). What you might want to do is to call Glock directly-they'll verify on the spot whether or not yours is affected.

Best, Jon

[Arc Angel]

:) Jon,

Just so you know: Those changes Glenn made to your G-21 are certainly worthwhile. The new (shorter) spring-loaded bearing improves reliability, and the new #4256-1 trigger bar is about a lot more than just peening or primer ignition. On both of my 'F' series, Model G-21's the new #4256-1 trigger bar completely eliminated a tendency for the slides not to go, fully, into battery.

If you own a G-21 a new SLB and #4256-1 bar may be just what you need to both improve ignition and guarantee battery. I'm certainly glad that I made these changes to my pistols.

By the way, with the exception of using Hydra-Shok ammo, it sounds like you certainly know what you're doing with your G-21. I'm doing many of the same things, myself.

I use a left-hand Blade-Tech Kydex holster with a Tek-Lok clasp inside my belt on the right-hand side. This setup conceals beautifully and has worked very well for me over the past 3 years. The only thing I can't do with it is repeatedly draw from it at the range without, eventually, catching my shirt on reholstering; but, that's what a standard right-hand holster is for - anyway! ;)

[JonInWA]

Good to hear from you, Arc! As I recall, we were both pretty prominent in the LAPD G21 discussion thread earlier this year...Ok, I'll bite-what ammunition do you prefer for your G21 (Winchester Ranger or Remington Golden Saber I'll bet!).

Best, Jon

[Smithy]

I recently bought my 2nd G-21, a third Gen. with NS. I second Jon's idea of The Wilderness Safepacker for off-body carry or just toting it to and from my truck and/ or boat. It doesn't "yell" gun, even to my "gun" buddies. I carry the 21 in my Govt. size and have an Offciers size Safepacker for smaller frame Glocks, like my G-30. My G-21 is loaded now with Gold Dot 230 gr HP. Bought a Surefire X-200A for the 21 and love it.

[Arc Angel]

Originally posted by JonInWA
Good to hear from you, Arc! As I recall, we were both pretty prominent in the LAPD G21 discussion thread earlier this year...Ok, I'll bite-what ammunition do you prefer for your G21 (Winchester Ranger or Remington Golden Saber I'll bet!).

Best, Jon

:) Hello Jon! Yeah, I remember you, too. When I bought my first Glock G-21 back in early 2003, I also picked up a couple of boxes of Federal Hydra-Shoks. While I was shooting them, a gunman in an adjacent firing port came up behind me, tapped me on the shoulder, and handed me several of my expended cases with the comment, 'If I were you I'd stop shooting that stuff!'

He was right! The cases were badly bulged, some of the heads were, 'ringed' and the primers were partially backed out of their pockets. :shocked: At about the same time I discovered, both, Glock Talk and The Gun Zone on the internet. I started reading about various Glock, 'kaBoom! events'. One glaring fact stood out: A majority of these events occured with Glock 40 and 45 (acp) pistols while shooting Federal Hydra-Shok ammunition.

These episodes did it for me - No more Hydra-Shok ammunition in MY Glock G-21's. To be entirely fair to Federal, my G-21's did have other problems at the time; and I do believe that the old trigger bars were a contributing factor; however, I suspected, then, and continue to be suspicious, now, that there's just too much peak ignition pressure in several different types of Federal ammunition for me to use this ammo in a polymer frame pistol.

The principal exception has been Federal's, 'American Eagle' brand of which I've shot many thousands without any problem - whatsoever. Personally, I think you'd be a lot better off using Gold Dot's or Golden Sabre's in your Model G-21. (Winchester Ranger SXT's too, if you can get them - I can't.)

Luck to you! ;)

[JonInWA]

Hmmm-apprecate the info, Arc. While I've never personally experienced any problems with Federal, I've got my eye out for some Winchester Ranger...(and I carry Remington Golden Saber 185gr+P in my Colt Combat Cdr and my SIG GSR XO, but prefer to stay with a standard pressure round in my G21).

Best, Jon

[J. Parker]

I've got an APZxxx serial numbered G21. I love this thing...it works perfect and still looks good. Born on date is 11/94. It doesn't matter what I run through this piece...it eats everything. Presently, it's stoked with standard velocity 230gr GoldDots.

Hi! from a fellow Washingtonian! :supergrin:

[Hondaman]

Hey neighbors, Oly Wa here. Had to jump on the G21 bandwagon. I picked up an OD green G21 last year to go along with my 3rd gen G20, G35 + 357sig barrel (WOW), 2nd gen G27, G22 and gen 1 G17 I bought new in 1987. The G21 is down at ARS getting a grip reduction and chop to G30 length and a nose job just for the hell of it. Glockaholic? hell yes. I wont even go into the 1911 habit I have.
ps. the G22 has been reduced to a G23 grip frame. I love the "long slide" conversions.