Is the model 21 improved yet?

[squaredge]

Gentlemen,

A couple of years ago I owned a Glock model 21. It was the sweetest shooting pistol I've ever shot. I loved the way it kicked straight back with no upward roll experienced with many other semi's. But that thing would jam and jam and jam. I swear it jammed at least one round every other magazine. I traded it in on a H&K USP in 9mm... Which actually is the most perfect handgun I've ever owned. I also read a bunch about various police departments finally coming forward with big complaints about the model 21. I want to get another one because I loved shooting it, but I'm very interested in knowing if Glock has cleaned it up at all. Any comments and insight are appreciated.

Thanks,

Chuck

 

[ASM826]

Jams?

Every model from every maker can have problems, but my Glock 21 has never so much as hiccupped. I don't particularly love it, I am much more a 1911 man. But the 21 is boringly reliable. It goes bang every time. If you liked the way it felt and pointed, I would give another one a try.

Semper Fi,
ASM826

 

[camslam]

I'm shocked you had problems with your Glock 21. I put another 200+ rounds each through my Glock 21 and Glock 30 this weekend and didn't have a single problem.

For a full size .45, the Glock 21 is an awesome gun. Obviously Glocks aren't for everyone, but once again I was shown why I own them.

 

[Onmilo]

Welcome to the High Road.
Experiencing malfunctions with a Glock 21 generally indicates the handguns grip frame is too large for your hand and you cannot maintain an firm enough grip to control the hangun during slide cycle.

I am seriously considering purchasing a Model 20 10mm Glock to go along with the other Glock pistols I now own and my complaint is the grip frame is a bit too bulky for my taste and I have bear paws for hands.

The grip frames on these large guns offer enough additional surface material that reducing the frame to a more managable size is possible and this is the course I may follow.

I have fired Glocks in every caliber except .380, most of them not personally owned by me and cannot remember any of the guns ever jamming unless there was a failure in the firearm that was the cause.
These failures were broken trigger springs, bent and broken slide stop springs, incorrectly installed takedown bar, bent slide at front,incorrectly installed fie pin assembly, chipped and broken extractors and incorrectly assembled trigger groups.
These are the ones I can remember and I should add that it is my opinion that most of the broken and bent parts I have seen while repairing Glock pistols have been attributed to owners messing around with the guns while not having a complete grasp of exactly what they were doing.

 

[Mosey]

My understanding is that the early Glock 21 magazines were not too reliable. If you get another one just make sure you purchase new magazines with it.

 

[CountGlockula]

I guess the only improvement with the Glock model 21 is the new Glock 21SF (slim frame). The reciever is a bit, again a bit smaller with an ambidextrous magazine release button and pica rail.

 

[10-Ring]

JAM? A Glock? I've not seen one that wasn't OE (operator error). As for your question, the new SF version is available if you're LE in CA, or outside the PRK.

Oh, welcome to THR!

 

[plmdrd]

the glock 21 sf (short frame), has a better feel in your hands, somewhere between a regular size frame like a 17 and the regular 21. it also comes with the picatinny rail or the regular glock rail. it is also approved for sale in california, not just for law enforcement anymore. it will be joining my 17 and 22, gotta love the glock!

 

[squaredge]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm pretty sure it wasn't operator error or inability to hold a weapon properly. I'm 6'2", a carpenter by trade and have large strong hands. I've shot many different handguns and I'm a good shot. I hit a rattle snake in the head from 25 feet with my model 21 on the first day I had it out. I routinely use old golf balls as targets scattered on the ground out in front of me. Concerning the Glock 21, I must of had a lemon. I will try another one. (Idaho)

 

[GunNut]

You must have gotten the one bad one to go out that month.

Thus far, i've never had a Glock that had issues at all. Seeing how i've owned 25+ Glocks over the years, you think I would have had problems.

Get another one, if for some reason it has issues send it back to Glock until it works fine.

Steve

 

[TomN]

I've owned 3 Glock 21s since they were first introduced, and none of mine had had any problems. It does sound like you might have had a lemon. If it were me I'd go out and buy another one just to make sure. I think you'll be happy you did.