New Nightstand/truck gun. Glock 17 or 21

G17 or G21 for new truck gun

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marksman13

marksman13

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There it is. Please don't say neither or both. I've narrowed it down to one or the other. The price will be the same. The G21 is a new gun that has been in the case for a while, OD green frame which I really like. The G17 is a 3rd generation gun and is standard black frame. Either way I go it's getting some night sights and spare mags. I'm leaning towards the G21 because I really prefer the .45ACP when the stuff hits the fan, but I see some advantages for the G17, namely ammo capacity and cheaper ammo. How much those factors really matter I'm not sure. I've got large hands so grip size is not an issue, the 21 might actually feel a little better than the 17. So what say ye, THR? Any pros or cons for either I'm not thinking of? Personal opinions? Is trigger bite a problem with the 21? Recoil any worse than my Kimber TLE/RL II? Thanks in advance.
 
All I can vouch for is the G17. Wonderful pistola. Light recoiling. Cheap ammo and very available. Can get 17 round mags or 33 rounders. Love mine. Smart thinking for wanting a Glock. Stick to Gen3 and you will be happy. No malfunctions in over 500 rounds. It is my "never sell gun"
Use what you can shoot and handle the most comfortably and most accurately.
 
G17 would be my choice, .45ACP could be more effective at close range, but it will probably take more than one round to finish it anyway. Rate of accurate fire is faster with a G17 than a G21, at least it is for me. If you're not intending to carry it, a G34 is even better IMO, it's balance is amazing, and shooting 9mm from a 5 3/8" barrel raises the bar even more. Whatever you get put tritium night sights on it.
 
G21. The handgun is weak compared to the rifle. So, in a life or death situation, you will need the most power you can muster from a handgun without having it sting your hand. If you can handle shooting the 45acp with your weak hand and one handed; then get the G21.

Most gun fights end before 5 shots are fired between both sides. So, you will not need 17 rounds, or have time to pump them full of lead. You will need one-two shots and you want those shots to:
1. hit their intended target
2. stop the threat

If the 45 is too much recoil then, use the 9mm because see #1. If you can handle the 45? use the 45.
 
I have owned both, both great picks.

IF you truly have large hands, the G21 is a wonderful choice. For what it is worth. The .45 ACP Glocks I have owned were far more accurate than the 9 mm.

IF you like the way a Glock feels, either would be a good choice. IF I ever buy another Glock it would be a G21.
 
I have both. The G17 with a TLR-2 light/laser is the bedside handgun. The G21 with a TLR-1 is the handgun in the truck. :)
 
G17 w/night sights for me since I own an early Gen2 that I would trust my life to more than any other gun I own. I have simply shot it enough to have complete confidence in it. It resides on my bed frame in one of my handgun safes http://www.fas1safe.com. I load my own ammo for range practice so it's pretty cheap to shoot. I also keep stashed another 17 round and two 19 round magazines. I don't have any experience with the G21.
 
Today's ammunition has narrowed the performance gap greatly between 9 and .45. A .45 will still outperform, but with some of the better 9's expanding to .75+ caliber, while still penetrating well, it's not the night and day comparison it used to be.

Pick whichever one you shoot best, load it with one of the major ammo company's LE loads, and you'll be fine with either one.
 
I thought about the G21 SF but the standard model just feels better plus he made me a little better deal on the standard today. It's been in the show case for a while. I also really like the OD frame on it. It's unique in a Glock kind of way. I'm really leaning hard towards the 21. Can you tell?
 
Dude, it's your choice here. Do you want the 9mm or the .45 ACP. Both guns are well respected and reliable.

I don't own either of the choices but...

I do own a 19 and a 30. Between those two, I really don't find much difference in recoil or accuracy. The 17 will have a smaller grip than the 21--a definite consideration to take if you have small hands. I have large hands but, after shooting it for a few months, I couldn't tolerate the finger grooves on the 30. The grooves are okay on the 19. No problem, I just Dremelled the finger grooves off the 30. I actually found no difference in the grip between the SF and the standard 30 or 21 when I was checking them out at the store. At the time, the SF was having issues so I went with the standard model.

The .45 will be thicker than the 9mm, if that is an issue to you for carrying concealed. 'Course, both are full-sized service pistols and not the best choice for concealed carry.

In practical use, there's not enough difference between the 9mm and .45 to choose one over the other for self defense as long as you're using modern HP ammo. The .45 will have a slight edge but only marginally so. If the bigger hole makes you feel more comfortable, that's a good enough reason to go with the .45 ACP. If you feel better having more magazine capacity, that's a good enough reason to choose the 9mm.

You're gonna be a winner no matter what your decision. Both are excellent choices.
 
shootem first

I have shot both and own a g19 and g22. I really wanted a g21 but when i shot one i realized that my hands didn't wrap completely around the gun. I still have not shot a g21sf. I would say shoot them first
 
I would get the 21 from the stand point of a bigger hole is better. ( no pun intended ) If your really going to use it as a truck gun you will have better penetration. Car doors etc. With ball ammo.
 
I voted G21 because that's what you asked for. But IMHO a rifle makes a better truck gun.
 
Not really a place in the truck for a rifle. I'm in sales so there's always a ton of stuff in the truck. I think I'm gonna go with the 21. I've always been a bit of a .45ACP guy and I do subscribe to the bigger is better theory as long as it is controllable. The dealer is loaning me his 21 to shoot before I make the trade.
 
I have both but I voted G21. Glock's 45s are especially accurate. If something goes bump in the night, I have to admit I'm really going to feel more comfortable with a 45 caliber pistol.
 
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21sf is both my bedside gun, and my truck gun. I just take the light off before I put it in the truck. Bedside gets two hands and tactical light. Truck gets one hand, and the other takes a stainless steel 3D maglite. If you like the 21, I would take that and not look back. Only time I put a 9mm in the car is when there isn't really room for a .45 (read, not my truck).

13 rounds of .45 is plenty. 26 with a spare mag.
 
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