Glock 21 problems

[stmadden]

About 20 years ago I purchased a Glock 19 and carried it every day till 07/29/2010 when I traded it for a new Glock 21. The first issue I noticed was that the operating spring and guide would fall out when the weapon was disassembled. I contacted Tech support and they said this was ok and would cause no damage to the pistol. Sounded strange to me but it seemed to shoot properly and that was all that mattered.

Then while cleaning the pistol the magazine would not lock back in place and a small part fell out onto the floor. I contacted Glock in the beginning of August and they sent out a repair kit that they stated would fix the problem. The part was install by a local gunsmith at my expense and seemed to work ok. About two weeks later I tried to release the magazine and found that the newly repaired magazine release had jammed. When I was able to force the release button over it locked in the open position and had to be reset before the magazine could be locked in place.

I attempted to email Glock a letter detailing my ongoing set of problems with this firearm but found to my surprise that they do not have an email address for the general public to use. You must mail or fax all correspondence to them. The letter was faxed to them with confirmed delivery on 9/14/2010. As of this time no one from Glock has contacted me about these issues.

The question I have is, does anyone know of an email address to Glock or the name and phone number of a contact person who can resolve this issue?

 

[and103]

I don't have a number or anything to help you, but if it does help, my 21 has the same problems. The dealer told me they are very common in the new glocks. Don't know if there is any truth to this, but it seems so.

 

[robfromsc]

Call them. Dont email them, call. You dont say where you are, if your close to Smyrna,GA I say go there. Ive taken glocks to them to have them checked out and they always go through the gun, replace anything questionable and return the gun totally freshened up...free! Glocks CS is second to none.

 

[Sapper771]

Is this a standard Glock 21 or a Glock 21SF ? If it is a G21SF, does it have the standard magazine release or does it have the ambi mag release ?

I currently have a G21SF with the ambi mag release. It started locking up on me a few weeks after I got it. I took it to a custom shop where a friend works and he showed me how to modify the magazine release to keep it from sticking. I went home did the modification and it has not caused me any problems since. All you need is a small file.

I have had my recoil spring and guide rod fall out on occaision.

The number I have for Glock is:
770-432-1202. Ask to speak to Rick.

 

[GLOOB]

^ How do you disassemble this mag release? I'm curious how it's done. I'm sure if you posted a video of the process it would be a big hit!

As for guide rod falling out upon fieldstripping, yeppers. I made the exact same observation when I got mine, including going so far as to post my concerns on this very forum. I have yet to have any type of problem with my G21, other than accidentally hitting the slide lock on occasion.

 

[REAPER4206969]

The ambi mag catch is a flawed design. Call GLOCK, USA at the number posted and they will replace your frame with a standard catch.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The ambi mag catch is a flawed design.

Whose idea was that, anyway?

 

[REAPER4206969]

Whose idea was that, anyway?

I don't know. Glock comes up with a lot of half assed features to meet contract requirements.

 

[stmadden]

It is a standard Glock 21 with a ambi magazine release. It has one other interesting problem. Lucky me. I carry the 21 as a boot gun and the weapon clicks or rattles when I walk. I took it out and found that when you shake the pistol in a certain direction it rattles like a can full of rocks. Yes I have large boots.

I should have kept my 20 year old Model 19.

 

[Sapper771]

GLOOB,

I will try to explain how to disassemble it. I could do a video and e-mail it to you if you would like. Or , I can take pictures of the process and post them here.

There are three parts: the magazine button, which is made of polymer. A flat metal leaf spring, and the metal mag catch lug .

Drop mag and show clear, remove slide. The rest can be completed through the top of the magazine well. I take a pair of small forceps and pull the leaf spring out of the frame. The spring lays against the lug and is held in the frame by its own pressure. I tilt the lug forward (toward the trigger guard) and slide the mag release button out of the frame. The lug is now free to be pulled up out of its seat and out of the frame.

I appologize about the terminology, but that is the gist of it. If anyone has any more questions about it, I will be more than glad to answer what I can.

I do believe that the design is a flaw as well. Mine works great, even through some of the torture I have put the gun through, but I feel it is the weak link. I would have Glock replace it, but I already have a grip reduction done on the frame, so I am SOL.

 

[Sapper771]

Stmadden,

I believe that you have a Glock 21 SF model. The "SF" stands for "short frame". Look on the ejection port (right) side of the pistol. On the frame, just forward of the take down lever, there should be a "SF" on the frame. I may be wrong, but I don't recall Glock producing any standard Glock 21's with the ambi mag release.

I have close to 4K rounds through my G21 and it rattles like an old GI 1911, but it still runs like a swiss sewing machine. It gives my TRP a run for its money inside 15 yards.

 

[stmadden]

You are correct. There is an "SF" on the right side. Live and learn.

 

[GLOOB]

Sapper:

OK, thanks for the description. I believe I have enough info to do it. I just don't have the right forceps or tweezers.

So if I understand correctly, there are only 3 parts. Lug/latch, button, and flat spring. The lug is held up in place by the other two parts. When they are removed, the lug basically drops downward and falls out?

The mystery is how does the lug ever fall out accidentally? It looks like there would have to be permanent damage to the lug and/or frame for that to occur.

 

[Sapper771]

The mag catch has a small lug on the front lower portion. This small lug rides inside the slot that is on the polymer mag release button. The leaf spring keeps pressure on the mag catch , which keeps the small lug inside the slot in the mag release button.

Inside the mag release button's slot for the small lug, the sides are ramped . When you press the mag release button, it forces the mag catch to rock forward which releases the magazine. When you release the mag release button, the leaf spring applies pressure the the mag catch, which forces it to rock backwards (and ready to lock in the incoming magazine).

So, the leaf spring keeps the mag catch from coming out of the frame and the mag catch keeps the mag release button from sliding out of the frame.

-The Leaf spring has to be (vertically) pulled out of its slot in the frame. I have done it wil a pair of needle nosed pliers before, but I prefer the forceps.

-The mag catch has to be pulled vertically out of its "cradle" before it can be free to drop out the bottom of the mag well.

-The mag release button has to be slid out of the frame from either the left or right side, doesn't matter.

When I get a chance , I will post some pictures of the parts and process.

 

[stmadden]

I contacted Glock tech support one more time and got to speak with a supervisor. I went over the list of problems with him and I was told to stick it in the original box along with the mags and ship it back for a replacement weapon. It was shipped out on Sept 21 and received by Glock on September 24. I was promised a quick turnaround so we will see.

I really wish that they can provide another Glock that was as reliable as my old Model 19.

 

[Snarlingiron]

You have done the right thing. Glock's customer service is some of the best. I have a buddy that has a G17 that is about 10 years old. One of the slide rails on the frame broke off. He contacted Glock, was instructed to send it in. About 2 weeks later he received the gun back with every part on the gun new except the slide and barrel.

I just completed the armorers course, and the instructor said that the ambi mag release was problematic. I am confident that Glock will take care of you and you will be happy with the results.

 

[stmadden]

It has been two weeks and no information and no weapon. An email or a phone call providing some information about the progress would be nice. I have a feeling that my Glock is still sitting in its unopened shipping container waiting for some person to return from vacation.

 

[stmadden]

Today marks three weeks since Glock has taken delivery of the weapon for replacement. As of today’s date I have not heard from Glock or received the replacement Model 21. I phoned Glock and was told by tech support that my gun was going to be shipped out tomorrow, 10.15.2010 and I should be receiving it early next week.

Check is in the mail.


Every day and in every way I believe I should have bought something else.

 

[stmadden]

At 1:30 Fed Ex arrived at my door with my replacement Glock. I received a new Model 21SF with the regular magazine release on the left side. It seems to work ok and I plan to put a couple of boxes of .45 ammunition through the weapon this weekend. I hope that this is the end of the problems with this model. They even put my night sights back on so I can see in the dark.