First Glock...20 or 21

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BTR11584

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I have decided to break down and buy a Glock. While I do like the 17 and 34 I have decided on a big bore model. However I cannot decide on the 45 or the 10mm. Other than 45 ammo being cheaper, what are some major factors in choosing in between these two calibers...And recoil is not a factor either, big bore revolver guy here.
 
If you are not a handloader, then the 45acp would be the better of the two, IMO, as far as availability and selection. Online anything is available, but that doesnt mean it will be when you want to buy a box of ammo somewhere, and that does happen even if you order in bulk.

If you area handloader the 10mm really is a beautey queen of a round. It can be loaded particularly warm and be quite a handful, or it can be loaded down to 40S&W target levels. That being said, the 45acp is still one of my favorite rounds to reload. Its a very easy cartridge to reload and is pretty forgiving in its results, which is to say its easy to get an accurate 45acp load.

All that being said, I have a G21 and consider it a fantastic gun. I bought it in 2008 for just under retail. It was technically used, because it had been bought, then traded in, but it was still unfired. The orginal owner had installed a Lasermax in it, and the dealer didnt even know. When I got it home and found a 300 dollar laser in it, I was thrilled. I also added Mepro adjustable night sights to mine.
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I do not handload, but love the power levels of the 10mm. But I do worry about ammo supply in a "civic unrest" situation. I cannot afford both so this is a hard decision !
 
I have a 21 and love it. Although I, at times wish I had gone with the 17 just for the smaller grip size. I don't have a problem with the size but I wish my fiancee could shoot it comfortably.
 
I have a 20 and a 21. I bought the 20 first, then purchased a LWD 10-40 conversion barrel for it. I use it as a 10mm when I feel like shooting the ultimate blaster (IMO) and the 40 barrel for the local action shoots and practice using cheaper 40 S&W ammo. Great combo and great gun.

I liked it so much I bought a G21. It has been a very reliable and accurate shooter for me as well.

Those are the only Glocks I have ever owned, and probably the only ones I ever will. I am glad I bought them and enjoy owning them, but I too am a wheel gun guy at heart.
 
I would go with a 20. Then get a 357Sig 6" conversion barrel. You can use the same magazines for all (and .40S&W if you get that barrel) . So you will have a big blaster and a blaster with some serious FPS out of a 6" barrel.

Nothing wrong with .45ACP either. But I like my Glock 20 in 10.
 
Since you don't reload I'd go with the 21, I really like the 10mm and the fact that it can be loaded pretty stout but it seems to me that most if not all factory 10mm ammo is loaded just slightly hotter than .40 S&W. You really have to reload to experience the full potential of the 10mm. I had a g21 for a couple of month and ran approximately 1500 rds of my reloads through it, I never had a single malfunction and I could shoot it quite well once I got used to the trigger. The grip is a bit on the large side though, unless you have hands to match.
 
I own a 20 and a model 30SF, but you can't go wrong with either a 20 or 21. 10mm ammo is somewhat less available but since I handload that's a moot point for me. Factory 45 ACP ammo is plentiful and varied. Both are excellent self defense cartridges. The 10mm at full house power is a bit of a handful.

You will be well served by either, but base your decision on what seems most appropriate for you.
 
I do not handload, but love the power levels of the 10mm. But I do worry about ammo supply in a "civic unrest" situation. I cannot afford both so this is a hard decision !

So get a g21 and then buy a 10mm conversion barrel and some 10mm mags for it.
 
I own a G21 and a G20, as well as a G17. I find myself spending more time at the range with the G17 than with the other two combined, and I do reload.
 
I carry a Glock 26 on a daily basis, and I love the little bugger. That said, if the SHTF or there is a bump in the night, I defer to my G21.

I don't reload, either. I found the 21 to be an accurate, comfortable, and affordable hi-cap .45. It's a handful, but really it's not that bad. I don't have huge mitts at all, and I can shoot the 21 all day accurately.
 
If you like the 10mm get the 20 and a .40 s&w conversion barrel. I've had .40 barrels for both a 20 and a 29 and both (KKM) worked flawlessly and shot every bit as well as the 10mm barrels.
.40 seems to be as common as 9mm and more common that .45 these days.

Just between you and me, in an emergency the Glock 20 will shoot .40 ammo with the stock 10mm barrel. It's supposed to be hard on the extractors, but it does work in a pinch. I tried it a couple times at my own risk and it worked well, but then I bought a conversion barrel to do it right. All you need is the proper conversion barrel. The 10mm mags and stock recoil spring work fine.
 
The Glock 20 can be a 357 Sig or a 40 S&W with just a barrel swap. But if you're only buying and shooting factory ammo then you might find the .45 version a lot more economical. It all boils down to why you want them. People buy the 20 because they want a 10mm. People buy the 21 because they want a Glock.

If you plan to ever reload 10mm then you need to budget $100 for an aftermarket barrel with a supported feed ramp.
 
If you are set on a G20 or a G21...make sure you grip one 1st. They have the ergos of a 2x4. I purchased a G20SF and it made just enough difference in my hands to be able to shoot it comfortably.

From a practical standpoint .45 ACP makes the most sense. If you go 10mm...treat yourself to some Underwood ammo. Fun stuff.
 
G20 and G29 here. G20 has a 6" Jarvis National Match barrel on it most of the time. G29 is a tight little package with a light trigger that shoots wonderfully with G20 magazines for a more full grip. I'm a reloader and 10mm aficionado (read: nut) so they work into my program quite well.

Ammo availability is far better with .45ACP so if you aren't reloading, I'd go G21.
 
I'm going to say that I think, with the exception of a 10mm, revolvers definitely have the power over an autoloader. If you want something with similar power levels to your revolvers, but with higher capacity/easier reloads, I'd go 10mm. If you want something that makes a bigger hole, go .45. Overall, unless you need the extra penetration that the energy of the 10mm provides, I'd say they'll both do the same thing fairly well.
 
I have both. The 45 is more useful. I love the 10mm, but it is a specific purpose gun. It is my trail gun for hiking and camping where I want hot 357 capabilities in a smaller lighter gun with more capacity than available in revolver. It serves that role very well and if you need a gun for that purpose I'd highly recommend the G-20. If SD from humans and punching paper is your goal the 45 is more than adequate and ammo is a little cheaper and a lot easier to find. If you already own big bore revolvers you have a lot of the 10mm's usefulness already covered, just with heavier guns with less capacity.
 
I bought a model 21 back in 1993 and have loved it so much when a friend was selling his gen 2 Glock 21 I bought it also. I ordered the 20 last year and really haven't had a chance to shoot it much.
 
I've owned both and the 20 is my favorite but even if you handload, that 10mm brass will drive you crazy trying to find every last piece before you leave the range.
Do yourself a favor and get the 21, then you can leave your brass lay or pick it up without feeling too bad about it.
 
I love my G21. It's got great capacity (X2 that of a 1911), its rugged and EXTREMELY reliable. Roger that on the storm lake barrel, in case you get an itch for some "Magnum Force"
;)
 
The orginal owner had installed a Lasermax in it, and the dealer didnt even know. When I got it home and found a 300 dollar laser in it, I was thrilled.

Just a warning, my Glock 19 also has (soon to be had) a Lasermax guide rod laser in it. After less than 2,000 rounds, the endcap of the assembly broke and completely jammed up the gun. The usual Glock disassembly did not work, and I had to take it to a gunsmith to get it apart...
 
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You don't need to handload BUY UNDERWOOD AMMO! I've heard great stuff about them.

They dont sell that at Wally world or at any of my local gunshops. In fact, out of the 7 or 8 gunshops within a 20 mile radius of me, there are exactly two kinds of 10mm ammo available. I handload for everything I shoot, but if I didnt I sure wouldnt buy a 10mm.

Just a warning, my Glock 19 also has (soon to be had) a Lasermax guide rod laser in it. After less than 2,000 rounds, the endcap of the assembly broke and completely jammed up the gun. The usual Glock disassembly did not work, and I had to take it to a gunsmith to get it apart...

Well over 5k rounds in 5 years. I'm not too worried about that.
 
Besides the possibility of a mechanical failure, I'd also not buy a guide rod laser, due to their unadjustability. (is that a word?)
 
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