Glock 21sf picatinny rail removal?

[funkeecowboy]

I've got an early G21sf with the Picatinny rail and I'd like some opinions about removing the rail. It's a terrific gun but I don't use the rail and finding holsters is a nightmare...so I'm thinking about having it removed.

Will it affect reliability?
Can it be dremeled/cut off? (would be done by local shop that does stippling and grip mods)
Is it worth the hassle?
With the Pic rail removed will it fit "normal" G21sf holsters?

Thanks for any help!

 

[dawico]

A flat file will take it right off. It is just plastic, you can do it yourself pretty easily. I would suggest finding the holster you want and filing it just enough to fit, or you could file the holster a bit instead of the gun, as it is the cheaper of the two.

 

[David E]

I've got an early G21sf with the Picatinny rail and finding holsters is a nightmare...

www.kytac.com makes one specifically for this gun and rail. If you remove the rail, you can never use the rail to mount a light or laser, should you change your mind down the road.

 

[JDGray]

After you cut it off, post some pics. I'm wondering how or if the finish can be matched, and not look bad.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

If you're going to use a "plastic" holster, it's cheaper to mess with the holster than the gun, and if you ever try to sell the gun [upgrading, perhaps], you won't have to explain the modifications. If you're doing leather, you can probably have one made by any number of holsters makers.

If plastic/Kydex/etc., borrow a heat gun (like are used to remove tile -- I got one for under $10, I think from Harbor Freight, and have used it a number of times to adjust plastic holsters) and heat up the holster carefully, until the areas in question starts to soften, and then insert the gun. The holster will shape to the gun.

Experiment with a FOBUS, if you have one.

 

[Micro]

I wouldn't destroy it. My G21SF with pic rail fits in the same holsters as my G21 without the rail. My main holster is a Gould and Goodrich B809. The G21SF with pic rail slips right in.

 

[Quiet]

Contact Glock?

For users that had problems with the ambi-mag release and/or picatinny rail, Glock was exchanging the Glock 21SF with picatinny rail & ambi-mag release with the Glock 21SF with glock rail & standard mag release.

 

[Glock Doctor]

The best company for doing this sort of frame alteration is,

http://www.coldborecustom.com/Services.html

They do beautiful work, at a fair price, and won't ruin your Glock. By the way, I'd get rid of that Picatinny rail, too. It's about as useful as tits on a bull.

NOTE: Not all G-21's with a Picatinny rail had an ambidextrous magazine release; and it was the faulty release that so many disgruntled owners were mad about.

 

[funkeecowboy]

Thanks for all the info guys! Yes, mine does have the ambi mag release.... I think I'll contact Glock first and go from there before I start chopping.

 

[toocool]

I've never been a fan of rails on my pistols, as I do not now and do not plan in the future to hang anything on them. I prefer my frames to be sleek and smooth (more or less). I put up with the rails when I have to (love my M&P!) but would prefer a gun with no rail. I'm not a big fan of Glocks at all, partly because the grip angle sucks, partly because the finger grooves do not fit my fingers. Other than that, the Glocks I have owned have been ultra-reliable and very easy to carry... I may reconsider after seeing Cold Bore Customs grip reduction...the Glock 19 they display eliminates my objections and looks like it would be comfortable to hold and to shoot...maybe I can find a 2nd gen to have the grip reduction on...decisions, decisions...

 

[EVIL]

Bump.

Did anyone have success with exchanging the picatinny rail G21 SF with the G21 SF standard rail? If this is the case I will also send mine back to GLOCK for a G21 SF with a standard rail.

I am trying to get a G21 SF set up for whitetail hunting with a scope & 6" barrel and have had zero success finding an optics mount for a G21 with the mil-std rail. The holster issue is moot as I already have several for this model, and can make my own if required.

 

[ET]

I'm sending mine back, but my reason isn't because of the rails. Glock has had a problem with the ambi-mag release sticking & in some cases breaking completely. If you call them you probably need to tell them that you are experiencing a problem with the mag release sticking when you try to release a full mag (that is what my gun is doing). They will offer to change the frame out. I don't think they will offer an exchange if you simply aren't happy with the rail. Just saying...

 

[EVIL]

ET,

Thanx, that's what I was thinking. I will use the same methodology.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Glock has generally been exchanging Ambi SF frames for standard SF frames no questions asked.

Make sure they send you a shipping label.

 

[EVIL]

Do you send the whole pistol in or just the frame?

 

[voyager4520]

Make sure you ask for a prepaid shipping label. Most people who've asked have gotten one.

You can send just the frame if you want, but some people have told Glock that they didn't want a gun with mismatching serial numbers. Glock said "send the whole pistol then and we'll replace it". So they get, quite literally, a brand new gun.

If you're a fan of Glock's shiny slide finish and your G21SF has a slide with that finish, I'd recommend keeping the upper assembly. Glock doesn't use the shiny slide finish anymore and you'd likely get a slide with a different finish. Of course if the finish is pretty worn you might as well ask for the whole gun to be replaced.

Glock is reorganizing the headquarters right now so the wait time may be longer.