Glock 21 or ?

The Glock 21 is a great pistol, but its also a great big pistol. I have one myself I carry as a sidearm in black bear territory. The G21 has a pretty chunky slide, and the grip goes around a magazine double stacked with 13 rounds of 45. Its not really meant to be hidden or even carried discreetly. its meant to be in a duty holster on the belt of a police officer or a military service member, along with all the other stuff these people carry on a duty/war belt. Also, 14 rounds of 45 weighs exactly twice as much as 7 rounds of 45- considerable gross weight in ammo when you consider they are usually 230 grains of projectile (exactly twice the dead weight if they were 9mm rounds- typically 115 grain projectiles). If you are wanting a Glock 45 for concealed carry, the G36 (single stack 45) is actually meant for this task, but you get no increased rounds from your 1911. The Glock 30 is 10 rounds (I think) but has the fatter grip, just not as "long" as a 21.

I like the big Glocks well enough, prefer the 20 over the 21 but they aren't bad. I would also look at FN's .45, may be to your liking also.

I am a fan of the 30S.

The narrower type 36 slide on an SF frame and 10rds in the standard magazine.

Get one, you'll like it. Got mine last year, a Gen 2 on the used rack for $399, it sits in the handgun safe next to my bed for HD. The thing is a brute, 14 rounds of 45 ACP, recoil is nothing, and yes the grip is substantial.

It's too big for me to carry, but that is my current night stand gun. If you're gonna stick with Glocks to carry the G30 makes more sense. I shoot the smaller gun just as well and can also use the larger capacity mags in the G30 if I want to.

Another option that I like is the M&P compact. Carry with 8 round mags with 10 or 14 round mags as spares.

I carry a Glock 21 in a fanny pack (carried in front) or OWB holster. A fully loaded G21 weighs 4-6 oz less than a loaded steel frame full-size 1911, but it certainly is thicker.

I prefer the fanny pack because it centralizes the weight better than having the gun riding on one hip.

If I can’t carry a gun the size of a G21, I’ll probably be pocket carrying only. I don’t find a G30 to be adequately smaller and lighter as to be worth the effort to downsize.

My Gen4 Glock 21 keeps good company with my 1911’s and I often shoot it alongside my Dan Wesson Valor 1911. The Glock 21 is a great range gun, it reliably and accurately shoots every brass, aluminum, and steel cased factory round that I load into it. I also have an HK45 which is just a little bit more accurate than the Glock 21, in my hands anyway.

You should check out an HK45 Compact or an HK USP45 Compact if you are looking for something a little lighter & smaller than a full size 1911, so it’s a little easier to carry. But these HK compacts can shoot just about as well as a 1911, there’s no doubt in my mind about that.

The G21 really isn’t that much bigger, it’s just the blocky shape that makes it seem big. If you’re a 1911 guy at heart, maybe get some 10-round mags and call it a day.

Or look for a used G21 - good deals are out there.

From personal experience let me share that a Galco paddle holster with a thumb snap allows the G21 to be carried discretely under a sweatshirt. The gun goes in the holster big and comes out really big. Its one of my favorite guns.

For a carry gun I would opt for the G30 or 30s. The G36 is only slightly slimmer with less capacity and you can only use G36 mags.

Carry my G21 reasonably often in the winter. Its like a really fat commander 1911, but lighter and a smidge shorter.

It honestly carries a lot like a widebody commander 1911, sure the slide is thicker but with the big ol grip I don't find the slide is the part that disrupts concealment.

Then again, a good holster and my winter flannels I can conceal a .44 mag with little trouble so the Glock 21 or a full size widebody 1911 carry fine.

I honestly have more difficulty concealing my spare mags over the gun, they are quite big.

I wanted an OWB for the woods and as a range gun and actually went with the GLOCK 41 instead of the 21. Concealment was not a factor for me and I really like the longer barrel and longer sight radius. Also, the 41 is actually 2.3 oz lighter than the 21.

I got an XDm over G21 because its grip is easier to grasp. Very mild recoil, very accurate gun. But the rounds rattling in the magazines drive me nuts. I wish I manned up and got the G21 back then.

I have a Gen 3 G21 that used to belong to my wife. At first she couldn't miss with it, then she couldn't hit with it, she couldn't work it out so I bought it from her. I don't carry that gun on a daily basis but it's on the list if I ever need it. It shoots good enough for me it will always be in the family.

As others have mentioned, the G21 is not an easily concealed gun. I had one, and the only reason I still don't is mine wasn't reliable enough with my handloads. I ran the same loads in a Hi-point JHP, and RIA 1911, and a friends Remington 1911 without a hitch. G21's, like all Glocks, are accurate, easy to shoot, and easy to care for. (and ugly) I will second that the G30 and 36 are far better candidates for concealed carry than the G21.

I use the Glock 41 instead. Same frame, slimmer slide. Same size as my 1911's.

LUCKYDAWG13 said:

Anyone carry a Glock 21 do you like it I'm starting to think that i need one uses would be for Winter
cool weather OWB carry H/D and range toy now I'm a 1911 guy so this would be a big switch
for me now I love my 1911 but thinking a few extra rounds would be a good thing or skip the hull new gun and just buy more Ammo and magazines now I'm open too other suggestions as well
thanks

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Probably this is heresy to you but what about a .40 S&W? They are less expensive now. They're not going anywhere. You can do big & heavy with the 180's and you get more capacity without increased size. Personally, I have S&W 4006 (CHP and non-CHP), CZ-95, Sig p226, p229 and S&W M&P all in .40. Switch from 1911's through Glocks through Sigs over the last few decades. I run Federal HST 165 gr. at 1100 fps (a little higher in my long slides) which makes major power. I run +3 mags in my M&P's. My EDC's are Sig p229's which have their triggers broken in perfectly. Another one to look at would be a CZ-type (E.G. EAA Witness) in .40 S&W.

I own the Glock 21 and 41 and love shooting them both. I have carried the 21 on occasion in the winter.

Another gun that I recently got is the S&W M&P45 2.0. This gun is a very pleasant surprise as it is accurate, low in recoil and has been very reliable for me. Check it out!

I've carried a Glock 20/21SF concealed many times, appendix IWB (12:30) loose untucked button up shirt (plaid is good).
Strong side IWB was less tolerable.