[LouisianaGunslinger]

I was considering a Glock 21 .45 ACP. While looking into it, I ran across people who had experienced "kaBOOM's" with them. As in, a catastrophic failure of the gun blowing up. After looking into that, it seems that the culprit may be the partially unsupported case mouth, although this is also up for debate. Supposedly, the Portland PD dropped the G21 because of these kB's.

To be fair, it seems that most of these kB's were with reloads or very overpressure ammo.

My question is, is this something to worry about? Would this be a gun I'd want to stake my life on?




Also, should I get a gen3 or gen4?

[Eric's Big Head]

My question is, is this something to worry about?
No

Would this be a gun I'd want to stake my life on?
Yes

Also, should I get a gen3 or gen4?
Either

[rferizano]

Do you listen to everything you hear? I heard the cow jumped over the moon too! Any generation will be just fine!

[Autolycus]

I would not worry about it. The Glock lineup of handguns is pretty stable and safe.

[beatledog7]

People driving Hondas have had crashes. Should I buy one?

[Loosedhorse]

I ran across people who had experienced "kaBOOM's" with them.How many of those folks were missing their shooting hand? If none, sounds like a great gun to buy.

[HarcyPervin]

How many of those folks were missing their shooting hand? If none, sounds like a great gun to buy.

I could argue with that logic, but for the sake of keeping the thread on task, don't worry about it, unless you make a habit of double+ charging your reloads

[K-Rod]

Popping corn. LOL!!! You answered your own question. I don't know if you were being serious or not by this thread but you couldn't have expected to get serious answers.

I'm not a Glock "Junkie" like a lot of members here but, Glock or not, any firearm has the potential of going "Kaboom" if the operator is not paying attention.

[ClickClickD'oh]

I've heard of G22 and G23 kabooms, but not G21s. The .40 S&w round is a much higher pressure round than .45acp. That said, the kaboom problem was just a Glock issue, there were several designs that had partially unsupported chambers... and even then, the kaboom problem was more associated with bad handloads and bullet set back. If you use factory loaded ammunition and check it for set back, you most likely will never have a problem. (and the chamber support issue has been fixed)


long story short, don't worry about it.


And no, I'm not a Glock guy (CZ forever)

[Fiv3r]

Lots of very, very worn G21's out there that have never had any explosive issues. I would say you are probably in lightning strike territory if you use quality factory ammo or reload your own to reasonable specs.

I love my G21. I'd trust my life to it in a heartbeat.

[LouisianaGunslinger]

(and the chamber support issue has been fixed)



Do you have a source for this?

[jmr40]

This guy can't seem to find a way to break his G-21, and he has tried very hard for about 10 years now.

http://theprepared.com/content/view/90//administrator/

[LouisianaGunslinger]

http://theprepared.com/content/view/90//administrator/



I saw that article years ago. Doesn't really convince me as it is too anecdotal, and no way to really verify it

[ClickClickD'oh]

Do you have a source for this?

Somewhere...

The long and short of it is that somewhere between 2005 and 2010 Glock changed the .40 barrels to provide more chamber support. Right about the same time they changed some other things. Coincidentally, you can tell if you have a barrel with the increase support by looking at the pentagon next to the Glock logo on the chamber. If it's got a dot in the middle of the pentagon, you have the improved barrel.

[hogshead]

The 21 is a 45 . I had one for years and shot ever kind of bullet I came across in it.Never had a jam or any kind of problem. Shot probably 2500 lead bullets through it too. Before I found out you are not supposed to. Great guns I would absolutely trust my life to one.

[VA27]

I've only seen one G21 kaboom. It was caused by the careless user loading a 40 cal round into the mag, with the expected results: Click! Tap, rack, KaBoom! Bulged the barrel and slide, no harm to the frame, magazine or shooter.

Get one...and pay attention to the rounds as you're loading them into the mag.

[trex1310]

Was the "kaboom" fact or fiction? I've heard of 1911's having a
kaboom.





Not really, I just made that up. See how easy it is?

[Ben86]

Don't worry about it. Glock used to have slightly less supported chambers than the norm. They have fixed that a long time ago.

Kabooms most often happen because of an overcharge, structural fault in the cartridge, or a gun firing out of battery. These things can happen to any brand.

Glocks are great guns. Take a look at the S&W M&P45, its a great .45 as well.

[LouisianaGunslinger]

The long and short of it is that somewhere between 2005 and 2010 Glock changed the .40 barrels to provide more chamber support. Right about the same time they changed some other things. Coincidentally, you can tell if you have a barrel with the increase support by looking at the pentagon next to the Glock logo on the chamber. If it's got a dot in the middle of the pentagon, you have the improved barrel.



Really? Dang. Learn something new every day!

[docrimepaythetime]

love my G30! nuf said.... EXCEPT, that i thought i would NEVER own a poly semi-loader. By no means am i Gjunkie tho. Shortly after i brought it home, i think it 99' i field strip, check it out and put it back together. SNAP! The plastic button at the front of the main guide rod/spring assy breaks! Ticked off and disenchanted with this five hundred piece of metal. And i really didnt like the sights all that much either. Why did i let my good shootin bud talk me into this i thought. Did some research! Went with a GLOCKMIESTER guiderod and AshleyExpress big Pro dot. I've never looked back since with any negativity about my G30 I've never felt the need to change out the trigger spring. Thought about gittin the bigger bro G21, No need! At the moment ;) Keep yer powder dry fellas. We might need it :( edited for spelling and to also say, NUF SAID! ;) lol

[jerkface11]

If glocks blowing up was a problem it would be the 10mm or .357's doing it.

[chris in va]

While looking into it, I ran across people who had experienced "kaBOOM's" with them.

Specifics?

The 21 is probably the least likely to 'kaboom' of the Glock lineup.

[dcarch]

I really wouldn't worry about it. If 65% of all LEOs trust it, there obviously can't be too many issues.

[Spammy_H]

Unless you plan on repeatedly re-chambering the same .40S&W round, I wouldn't worry about it.

Having said that, you shouldn't repeatedly re-chamber .40S&W in any gun due to the high-pressure nature of that particular round.

[Demitrios]

Glocks are tried and true, many law enforcement and military trust their lives in those side arms and generally they are well received firearms.

That being said, I've never owned nor shot a Glock.

See how I did that? I just regurgitated what I've read but have had no practical experience on. You still going to trust what I have to say on the subject, me a keyboard warrior?

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Go to glocktalk.com, they have a more focused set of information regarding what you're looking for and you're going to get a lot more people with practical experience on the matter.

[Zerodefect]

No worries, go for it.

-The chamber support on new Glocks appears the same as all my pistols.
-.45 isn't prone to KB'ing. Not even close.
-Use quality ammo. Federal is my favorite.
-Use new Glock mags. Learn the difference between modern Glock mags and old dusty mags.
-Replace your springs regularly.
-Lube properly.

Enjoy.

[GLOOB]

One thing about my G21, I've seen the polygonal barrel get badly fouled shooting factory UMC thinly plated bullets. As long as you shoot good quality ammunition (vs any factory) you should have no problems. My G21 has no problem with Berry's and Rainier's plated bullets.

Oh.. the gun was built to shoot 10mm, and it might be behind the 1006 as the strongest production 10mm handgun ever made, and it's probably the most popular one bar none. So I think it's plenty strong enough to shoot 45ACP.

[JustinJ]

If you're requiremnt for a gun is to have never been a kaboom you are really narrowing your options.

[jackpinesavages]

Yes, I've had 3 of the 21s, kept the Gen 3 21c. Never a problem with any of them.

[greenlion]

.45acp is a REALLY low pressure round compared to others like .40S&W and 9mm. The only way you are likely to have a dangerous round is if someone has double or triple charged it while reloading. I'd say the G21 is one of the LEAST likely guns to Kaboom.

[Zach S]

Glocks aren't my cup of tea, but to be honest, I wouldn't worry about it. I once considered a Glock 20, but only because it was a 10mm and had a grip reduction, it "fit" a lot like a P14 Para. Someone beat me to it.

Make and model aside, most kB!s are due to handloads. If it worries you that much just shoot factory ammo.

People driving Hondas have had crashes. Should I buy one?
I happen to know that you can run over a hood for a road tractor, in a '91 Accord, at highway speeds and still be able to drive to work...

[Fishslayer]

Ummm.... might wanna go have another look. Most KBs in Glocks (and other pistols) usually involve the 10mm Kurz with bonus points for reloads with Titegroup powder.

Very rare to hear of a KB with any make of .45ACP pistol and usually involves firing out of battery or double charged handloads.

I own zero Glocks and zero 10mm Kurz pistols. But I would shoot any .45ACP Glock & not have a worry in the world.

[Inebriated]

I've seen balloons with more pressure than .45 ACP...

But seriously, it's a low pressure cartridge, and the G21 was made to shoot 10mm... it's not going to kB!

[MachIVshooter]

Any gun can KB. Plastic guns generally don't contain it as well, that's just the nature of the beast.

Glocks are good guns. I hate them (I own a G20), but they do work. The .40's seemed to have a higher percentage of KB's than other guns, but it's still pretty rare. I've heard of a couple G21 KB's, never heard of a 9mm or 10mm model incident.

FWIW, if KB's scare you that much, buy a S&W 3rd gen all stainless model. They'll take abuse no other combat auto I can think of will handle.