Questions 'bout G20/21 (first Glock)

[WaltWhite]

Hey all. Don't own a Glock (yet). The only Glock I've ever shot was a G21 with the OD frame. Did pretty well with it. Outshot the owner with my m9 and he said lets trade and I subsequently outshot him with his own gun. Quite liked it. Thought I wouldn't warm up to it as I have medium hands but I noticed no problem.

Fast forward a couple years to today...I'm trying to round out my collection and want a "big bore" double stack to compliment my 1911. Immediatly I thought of the G21. Do the gen4 come in the SF frame? Didn't have a problem shooting the non-sf 21 but I'll take whatever advantage I can get.

Also saw big G offers the large size in 10mm. Buddy of mine had a Witness in 10mm. I took a real shine to that caliber having shot it a few times but the gun was a dog...jam-o-matic. Is the G20 with factory barrel accurate enough for hunting? I'd go 10mm if it'd be practical to use in the field out of the box (maybe with a sight upgrade).

Thanks for your time.

 

[Jlr2267]

Gen4's have 3 backstraps to adjust grip size. Leaving the grip bare (ie, with no back strap at all) makes the grip about as thin as the older Gen 3 SF models (maybe a little smaller).

The Gen4 G20 is just as accurate as the shooter. You can buy longer aftermarket barrels for better velocity, and Underwood Ammo makes some very warm 10mm ammo, suitable for hunting. There is also a long slide Glock 10mm now with an optic attachment milled into the slide...forgot the model # . I have a Gen4 20 in FDE and really like it.

 

[Zerodefect]

Do yourself a favor and also look into the Glock 41. About the same grip as a 21sf. But with a thinner, slightly longer slide. Conceals on me as well as a 5" 1911.

The gen4's have nice adjustable backstraps. I like the thickest beavertail. (long hands) Real nice because it's cake to try differnt frame shapes. I never thought I'd use the largest one. You'll likely outgrow the SF size when you get used to the Glock. Medium would be the thinner back straps. No back strap at all seems a hair thinner than the SF frames.

I also recommend Warren Sevigny comp sights and a little trigger work.

 

[MoreIsLess]

I also wanted a big bore double stack and was considering the glock 21. I ended up getting a full-size Sig 320 45acp and like it really well.

 

[torchroadster]

If you're buying new, I'd suggest checking out the Glock 40 MOS for your hunting application. I have a Glock 20SF but am seriously considering moving to the Glock 40 MOS.

 

[stchman]

CDNN has the Glock 21 Gen3 for $500 + $2 s/h. The Glock 21 Gen4 is $585. I don't think the replaceable backstraps are worth $85, but to each his/her own.

I cannot speak from experience, but I hear a lot of people bagging on the Gen4 Glocks and never heard anyone talk bad about the Gen3.

I have a Glock 34 Gen3 and it is a great pistol.

 

[Jlr2267]

CDNN has the Glock 21 Gen3 for $500 + $2 s/h. The Glock 21 Gen4 is $585. I don't think the replaceable backstraps are worth $85, but to each his/her own.

I don't either...if you can get the Gen3 SF for that price. OP said he needed (wanted) the thinner grip.

With Gen4, you also get a more aggressive grip texture, reversible and larger mag release, upgraded recoil spring assy (Not sure about this one for the G20 or G21).

edit: you also get a 3rd magazine with Gen4

 

[chris in va]

I was at an outdoor range a long time ago and a guy showed up with a longslide 10mm with extended, ported barrel that stuck out past the slide. I don't know what model it was but he had NO problems hitting a hanging bowling pin at 120 yards. I was in shock.

Now here's the deal...if you can get a 41, and possibly get a Lone Wolf 10mm barrel, you get two calibers in one gun. Pretty slick. I was going to do that with my 21sf but couldn't warm up to it.

 

[PabloJ]

CDNN has the Glock 21 Gen3 for $500 + $2 s/h. The Glock 21 Gen4 is $585. I don't think the replaceable backstraps are worth $85, but to each his/her own.

I cannot speak from experience, but I hear a lot of people bagging on the Gen4 Glocks and never heard anyone talk bad about the Gen3.

I have a Glock 34 Gen3 and it is a great pistol.

You also get 3rd magazine and dual recoil system not present in full size Gen 3 Glocks. Buying new Gen 3 makes zero sense to me. If one is good enough shot to use handgun for hunting I would buy G40. Since I can't take advantage of longer barrel/slide or electro-optical sight I stayed with my proven G20. If one does not plan to hunt with a handgun the .45ACP Glock is better overall choice than 10mm one. What does 10mm offer as defensive handgun that .45ACP doesn't? Absolutely nothing and octagonal barrel of .45 is at least theoretically more accurate than hexagonal one of the 10mm/.40S&W series.

 

[mdThanatos]

I have had zero issues with my Gen 4 21. I hate to admit it but I am faster and more accurate with it than my 1911. I ended up having to add the large backstrap with the beavertail.

 

[tercel89]

The Glock 21 and 20 are fine for shooting deer at around 150 away , at least for me it has been. I use the Glock 21. Some may shoot deer farther with it but on the land I hunt I have limited distance . My farthest shot is around 150 feet .

 

[meatballs]

I have a gen3 Glock 21 and its my favorite handgun. It's been a gem since day one and I won't part with it. Good luck! Glock 20/21 are great pistols.

 

[JohnKSa]

If you're buying new, I'd suggest checking out the Glock 40 MOS for your hunting application.

Agree, especially if you're looking at hunting. The pistol is already set up to take a range of optical sights.

https://us.glock.com/products/model/g40gen4mos

 

[mokin]

Is the G20 with factory barrel accurate enough for hunting? I'd go 10mm if it'd be practical to use in the field out of the box (maybe with a sight upgrade).

Short answer, yes, although you may want to change the sights.

I have a G29 and would like a 20 to take better advantage of the 10 mm Auto round. I'm not sure what sort of aftermarket goodies are available for other makes of pistols but there are all sorts of stuff for Glocks. One thing I was made aware of by other Glock owners and 10 mm Auto shooters is that regular maintenance is a must. Springs wear out and pins break. Depending on what loads you shoot a different recoil spring may be required to prevent damage to other parts of the pistol. Good news is that you can do just about all the work yourself.

Have fun.

 

[slugchucker]

G40 mos

The downside to the G40 MOS are the optic adaptor plates and screws included with the firearm. There have been instances of "flying optics" because of the limited thread purchase provided by the screws for these plates. The G40 MOS comes with screws that are too long to use with my Trijicon RMR. An additional kit, Trijicon AC32064, had to be purchased to get the correct length screws and a spring plate. Still, the adaptor plate offers only maybe two or three threads for the screw to secure into. Backing out happens no matter the torque or type of "Loctite" used. I index mine lightly with a marker to observe if any backing out of the mounting screws occurs. This doesn't seem to happen with the FNH-FNX Tactical or the S&W M&P C.O.R.E. Maybe a thicker mounting plate that offers more threads, without adding too much weight to the slide, would be a solution. Anybody else with a G40 run into this?

 

[DownInTheDark]

Glock 20

I was carrying a 44 magnum for a sidearm and it was too much of a work out. So I started carrying a 357 magnum, and noticed instead of 6 rounds, I can carry 15+1 in 10mm which is more or less as powerful as a 357 magnum, argue all you want.

So I ended up with a Glock 20 gen 3. I didn't bother looking at the Gen 4 or the SF. Im missing half the bicept in my right arm, and my shoulder is held together by duct tape and my right pinky kinda dangles and I shoot right handed, so ergonomics aren't all that important. Im used to revolvers anyway. And no you don't want to see me try to attempt to go bowling or throw a football.

Am I as accurate with it as a 6 inch 357 magnum? No. Is it accurate enough? Yes. And for the recoil, its no worse than a 357, 40 cal, 45 acp.Ive got a decent load Ive tested out. 180 gr gold dot going about 1300 fps. Id have to look at the numbers but I think it averaged 1304 or 1309. Gonna have to come up with a soft point or hard cast load for 4 legged creatures. also Glock barrels don't like lead, you can argue about that all you want also

For humans: 38 special, 9mm, 40 cal, 45 acp
For cougars, wolves, black bears: 357 mag, 44 mag, 10mm.
For grizzly bears: pray.

 

[JDR]

I don't think the replaceable backstraps are worth $85, but to each his/her own.

I cannot speak from experience, but I hear a lot of people bagging on the Gen4 Glocks and never heard anyone talk bad about the Gen3.

Well I can speak from experience, I have many thousands of rounds of brass, steel, and aluminum cased ammo through my Gen4 Glock 21 and I can honestly say I have never had any problems with this pistol, even shooting that cheap TulAmmo steel cased ammo, it is very reliable and accurate.

I think the Gen4 system is worth the extra money, especially on the G-21. I have the large beavertail backstrap on mine which lets me hold as high as possible on the grip without getting Glock bite. I have big hands and this setup works great for me. I will probably trade my Gen3 G-17 for a Gen4 17 or 34, and I will only buy Gen4 Glocks in the future.