Apples and Oranges decision

Which glock?

  • G21 gen 4

    Votes: 35 64.8%

  • G23 gen 4

    Votes: 19 35.2%
  • Total voters
    54
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Carter

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
1,438
Location
North Carolina
I know this is a decision of two totally different size guns, but its one I'm trying to make. I'm trying to decide between a glock 21 gen 4 or 23 gen 4. It would be for EDC (mostly open carry, but concealed as well), woods gun, range gun, and 3 gun (last and least important).

Currently, I don't own a .40, but carry one at work and am aware of the snappy recoil. I like that I can use a conversion barrel and shoot 9mm. The size of the 23 is more ideal for concealed carry and ammo is a little cheaper.

I shoot .45 and its what I currently have the most ammo in. I like that I can swap the barrel for 10mm (getting in to reloading so that would be a fun experiment). Good caliber for woods gun, can conceal it with baggy clothes and I have faith in my crossbreed supertuck if I reshape the kydex, and 13 rounds of .45 is hard to beat. I originally wasn't a fan of the 21 but the small backstraps of the gen 4 are winning me over.

What do you guys think?
 
If my choice I'd go with the 21 b/c I already own a 22.

If I didn't already have a G22, I'd go with the G23. I owned a .40 before any other semi-auto.

I own a .45ACP pistol for HD, but I don't typically carry it. If I had a .40, but not a .45, I'd choose the G21. Sounds to me like you already have something in .45 ACP as well.

I really like the .40S&W round for a lot of reasons. If I were making this choice having neither a .40 or a .45 in my safe, I'd probably go with the G22 vice G23, but only because it would not be for carry.
 
I have owned a couple of G21's and think it is an excellent platform. I also think the Glocks in .45 are the most accurate of all the Glocks.
 
You should pick the one that you're most comfortable and confident with, but I'll be the odd man out and suggest the 23. My opinion is that the compact Glock models are about the perfect size for EDC. Small and light enough for comfortable carry and concealment, but with the shoot-ability and capacity of a duty gun. Not that the 21 wouldn't be very capable of these roles, but for me it doesn't offer enough of an advantage for the size increase and capacity decrease. I subscribe to the "comforting not comfortable" theory, but hey, if your gun can do both that's just a win-win.
 
I own both and like both equally. I voted 45 because it's the quintessential handgun round for hand loaders. An absolute joy to both build the ammunition and shoot it.
 
More like Red delicious vs Honeycrisp...


I shoot .45 and its what I currently have the most ammo in. I like that I can swap the barrel for 10mm (getting in to reloading so that would be a fun experiment).
Click to expand...

You'd also need to swap extractor and guiderod/springs.
 
Between the two I would probably go with the smaller and lighter Model 23. Same number of rounds (plus extra capacity mags are available) as the Model 21, and its compact size makes it easier to carry concealed.
 
I don't understand why you would want a G21 for EDC. A G30 would just make more sense and be comparable to the G23 in size.
 
Apples...

Seriously though, JohnBiltz brings up an excellent point:
JohnBiltz said:
I don't understand why you would want a G21 for EDC. A G30 would just make more sense and be comparable to the G23 in size.
Click to expand...

If it was my decision between G21 and G23 for EDC, my answer is already posted. But between the 30 and 23 that would become a much better debate IMO. I would still probably go 23, but in your case with the most ammo and experience with .45 I would vote G30. I actually love that platform and would probably still own one, but I sold my Glock 30 at a loss to a family member that needed it. Despite it's width, and my smaller hand size, the model 30 had an extremely natural pointability and comfort. If you haven't checked one out already, give it a look.

ETA: Re-read your OP, saw that you use .40 at work. Do you reload, and could you scrounge brass? That may factor into the decision if finances are a big issue.
 
Last edited:
I prefer the .45 over the .40 when it comes to caliber.
But the G21 is just too darn fat for my hands.

So, if you have big gorilla hands then go with the G21.
Otherwise go with the G23.
 
I went with the 21 over the 30 because I think the 30 is too small for my personal preference. Right now I carry a fullsize 1911 and a CZ75 phantom for my edc. I bounce back and forth between open and concealed carry, and don't really have a personal preference between the too. I'm younger and wear baggier clothes when off duty so concealing a big pistol isn't a problem.

Out of the two rounds I shoot them both equally out of the M&P series, but I've only shot 9mm glocks.

I am not reloading currently, but am saving up the money to buy the supplies and get in to it. Already started saving up brass. I have a nice stock of 9mm and .40, but the .45 guys tend to pick up their brass at the ranges I go to.

Another thing is I plan to possibly suppress and sbr the glock after awhile. I think the 21 and 23 are better suited to that than say the glock 30.
 
The 21 is a much sweeter shooter than the 23. And for the same capacity, I'd prefer .45.
 
Apples or oranges?????

More like vanilla or French vanilla.
Click to expand...

I was referring more towards size and caliber than type of gun.
I'm actually pretty surprised the glock 21 is getting so much love in this thread.
 
I have shot both the G21 and G23 (both Gen3 though). I would suggest the G21 personally for the caliber. I'm not a fan of 40S&W although I owned 2 pistols in that caliber before--M&P40 and XD40. Currently I own a Glock19 which is the same size as 23. I'm just not fond of the .40cal. Either 9mm or 45acp for me.
 
Given the parameters, I'd get a G-35

Between the two listed choices, I'd get a 21-SF
 
I would get the 23. It is IMO the perfect size/power combination. Very concealable and easy to shoot, not sure why others have trouble with the round.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Glock 35, 27 -buy now or wait for gen 4?
Replies
5
Views
2K
REAPER4206969
R
Z
  • Locked
Help Me Choose My 1st .40 Pistol
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
1max2nv
1
T
  • Locked
  • Poll
Glock Gen 4 "carry-all do-all" ?
Replies
15
Views
1K
SDGlock23
SDGlock23
N
  • Locked
First gun purchase: Glock 26 gen 4?
Replies
2
Views
491
stonecutter2
stonecutter2
JR24
  • Locked
Never thought I'd see the day
Replies
7
Views
631
Hometeached1
H
Back
Top