Glock Question for a carry gun

[DetroitStudent]

Hey all!

Thanks for your responses- I have narrowed my choice for a (coat) carry gun to a few choices- the Glock 21 was one of them.

A few quick questions:

1.) I have heard of "Kaboom" incidents regarding this gun- as it has an unsupported chamber. I do not plan to shoot reloads/lead/etc, just shoot and carry 230 gr+P ammo from time to time. Do Kabooms happen often in model 21s?

2.) As far as reliability, more than 1 person has told me that Glock was great for 9mm, but as far as 45 caliber, they do not know. Please let me know if you have experience with the Glock 45, and if it is more reliable than other guns you own/shoot.

3.)My last question involves the Saf-T-Block. It looks like a good idea- What do you think? Is is a good purchase?

Thanks,
Detroit Student

 

[crebralfix]

All of this is anecdotal based upon my experience with Glocks.

1) Don't worry about KBs, especially if you're shooting factory ammo. Any gun can blow up from bad ammo. My 21 has yet to blow up with my defensive ammo

2) Seems very reliable over 1,000 rounds. Several friends have G21s and have fired many more rounds without trouble.

3) Just say "no" to the block. Use your brain instead. Would you put one on a S&W revolver? I know I wouldn't do so. Buy ammo with the money.

 

[redneckrepairs]

I agree with creb on the kb issue , its pretty much a non issue . On the block howeaver i disagree to a point, or rather agree but disagree with the use your brain statement . No i wouldnt put one on a double action revolver , or my kahr for that matter , The glock howeaver is a bit diff critter having a shorter , and lighter pull . I think a pocket holster ( if your going to carry that way ) that covers the trigger guard is a better idea than the block thou.

 

[Glockfan.45]

I have a 21 and its great. The KB problem in Glocks is with the 40S&W. More rounds than I can recall (but for sure over 2k) and still runs like a top. Only 3 jams. Two were ammo related, the other still not sure.

 

[DetroitStudent]

When you mean ammo related, are we talking HP pistol round hang ups or just rounds that failed to fire?

BTW do any of you recommend a carry load- a good friend recommended Winchester Ranger, but I am interested in what you have to say

 

[Lou22]

My experience with a Glock 36 (the most compact .45 Glock sells) was it was 100% reliable and I'd trust it always to function. Only reason I sold it was the light, short trigger made me too nervous to pocket carry, even with the holster covering the guard. I would only conceal carry a G36 in a rigid holster some other way than in pocket.

Lou

 

[jdmb03]

Have you held a G21? They are rather big. The G30 might suit you better or the new XD .45 compact that just came out.

 

[HuntAndFish]

1. Agree the Kaboom thing is a non-issue with factory new ammo, which Glock recommends.

2. Don't know about a G21 but the G36 I own has about 1500 rounds through it. No problems at all. Very reliable. Early in its life, every once in a while during a tactical reload the next round would fail to feed (first round out of the new mag). After about 200 rounds through the gun that problem cleared up. No idea why..maybe I didn't tap the mag hard enough...coulda' been me.

3. Trigger pull on the G36 (and I assume a factory G21) is no different than a G26 and people pocket carry them all the time. I pocket carry the G36 on occasion but only with a proper holster (DeSantis Nemesis).

 

[Builder]

Glock 21...

I have a G21 a G23 and a G30...I carry a 21 in the winter and the 30 in the summer...Both are great shooting guns and Kabooms are not an issue with factory ammo...

If you carry the 21 in summer you will need to wear a shirt a size larger to conceal...

You won't be dissapointed in the 21...Don't rule out the H&K USP in .45 caliber
I have one of those as well and it is a great gun...Mags are cheaper for Glocks and I have Meprolight nightsights on the Glocks...

Check TopGlock for prices on the 21...
http://www.topglock.com/catalog/pistols_glock.htm
Here too:
http://www.summitgunbroker.com/index.html

 

[das028]

1. Non-issue, shoot factory loaded ammo and you'll be fine. No lead cast either. I think you will fine that most Glock haters particularly 1911 guys bring up that issue, usually because they have to justify there POS 1911 not working.

2. There so reliably is almost boring

3. Get a good holster, and practice safe handling and you will be fine

 

[GunNut]

Got to agree with everyone else.

1. All guns can KB if not properly taken and fed crap ammo.

2. The Glock 21 and 30 are some of the most reliable guns made.

3. No saf-t-block, get a good holster and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

From my readings the best .45ACP rounds for self defense are either the Winchester Ranger or Federal HST both 230gr.

Steve

 

[Glockfan.45]

My 2 ammo related jamming problems were caused by improperly seated bullets on a bad lot of Blazer Brass ammo FMJ not HP (the third one was with Remington UMC FMJ) . As far as carry ammo I used to load mine with Speer Gold Dots, I have however made the switch to Hornandy TAPS recently. I use the loads my local Police Dept issues. Both rounds functioned flawlessly in my gun. I would not feel a +P loading to be required in a .45 however I have fired the occasional +P with no problems.

 

[UglyGlock]

there was a short time when early glock 36 (.45acp) models were recalled, which led to the "glock .45 is unreliable" opinions of so many people.

however, the current glock 36, the older "fixed" glock 36, are fine.

As far as i know, there never was a problem with glock 30 and glock 21. which are also .45.

 

[Kontiki]

What do you mean by kaboom? Are you insinuating that there's a possiblity of an exploding weapon? If so do you really believe Glock would have the rep of being one of the most reliable pistols ever built if they blew up when you pulled the trigger? Or are you trying to say something else and I"m not picking up what you're putting down?

 

[tango3065]

3) Just say "no" to the block. Use your brain instead. Would you put one on a S&W revolver? I know I wouldn't do so. Buy ammo with the money.

Not even in comparison if glocks had a heavy triger like a revolver I would buy one for carry.

 

[md7]

1. If you use factory ammo, you should have no problem with kabooms. Start using really hot hand loaded ammo, and kabooms (although rare) can happen in any brand of gun.

2. I don't have the Glock 21, but I do own the Glock 23. It has never given me any reliabilty problems. 100% reliabilty in my experience.

3. Practice safe handling, and get a good holster. adding a safety block is just something else to get in the way and another step to do if you had to use your pistol in a self defense situation.

 

[soul_rapier]

i have a glock 22 over 15,000 rounds shot out of it and its still tight and smooth as a new one and the barrel look like new they are very good guns . most of the rounds shot out of this gun was reloads never had a problem . this gun was got back in 92 its like a timex

 

[GunNut]

Not even in comparison if glocks had a heavy triger like a revolver I would buy one for carry.

That's the beautiful thing about the Glock, you can add a 8lb connector and a NY-1 spring and come out with a 10lb+ trigger pull.

Now go buy your Glock .

Steve

 

[Glockfan.45]

Gun nut...Why would you want a 10lb trigger pull? I plan to have the trigger pull reduced on my S&W Sigma (11lbs). Hard to hit anything on the first shot with that heavy of a pull. If the safety issue bothers you Glock isnt for you.

 

[GunNut]

Glockfan.45,

I was replying to mastinson's post where he said he would buy a Glock if it had a heavy trigger like a DA revolver, thus my suggestion of the +connector and NY-1 trigger.

I personally prefer the factory setup with the 5lb connector. I've had guns with the 3.5lb connector and all of the parts polished, but it was scary light for me.

Steve

 

[Cousin Mike]

Carry load...

.. for me, my .45ACP carry load at the moment is the Hornady T.A.P. 230 grain JHP. Mean stuff, a 230 grain pill flying at almost 1000 fps. I'd also recommend Speer Gold Dots (185 grain) or the Winchester Ranger ammo... all of it's quality stuff.

As for the Glock, I don't own one (yet... I will soon), but have some experience with them, and have the most experience with the G21. You don't have anything to worry about. Even though some folks don't like Glocks, pretty much nobody questions their reliability or quality. If the gun will be for carry, I might be more inclined to recommend the G30.

 

[C-grunt]

Dont worry about the Kabooms. They pretty much only happen with the .40 because its a high pressure round. Its something like 40,00 PSI while I believe the .45 is like 18,00. It mostly happens with reloaded ammo that have a slight buldge where the chamber was unsupported during its initial firing. If this buldge were to come aligned in the unsupported part of the chamber again, there is a possibility of it rupturing and therefor Kaboom.

My father, my best friend, and myself all shoot Glock .40s. After at least 15,000 factory rounds through our guns collectively, no one has blown up their Glocks. If you want to shoot reloads in a .40, just get an aftermarket barrel with a fully supported chamber. But, as you are buying a .45 I dont think you have to worry about it.

As for carry ammo.....get a hollow point from any good company. Its a .45, you dont have to worry that much about expansion.

 

[Skpotamus]

I carry a glock 30 and own a 21. The 20 is scary accurate for me out to 15 yards if I'm doing quick shooting, and slow fire out to 25 yards.

I've yet to have a malfunction of any kind with either. BTW, my 21 has only ever eaten reloads. I have only heard of malfunctions with some glocks, all of which were fixed by glock. A lot of LEO's carry glocks (something lke 70% of US law enforcement is issued or authorized to carry one).

Kabooms happen in all guns. More have happened in 1911's than any other gun type. This is due to the sheer amount of 1911's in competition. Kabooms happen due to poor reloading practices or poor factory ammo. Stick with good name factory ammo (winchester, federal, speer, remington, etc) and you should be fine.

The safety block is a hardware solution to a software issue. If you can't keep your finger off the trigger, then you need more training, not doodads. If you're worried about the glock going off without your finger on the trigger, think about how it could happen? If you are carrying without a holster, it's possible something could get caught in the trigger guard (although very unlikely). If it's in a holster, it will be fine since the trigger is covered, or a LOT of LEO's would shoot themselves carrying all those glocks each year. Get a good holster.

I have however seen the safety block cause several fumbles during FOF exercises where the BG was coming after the GG. The block isn't all it's cracked up to be.

 

[GRIZ22]

I have a G21 and G30

1. No problem with any factory ammo or reasonable reloads. No lead bullets it will void you warranty. The lead builds what serves as the grooves in the polygonal rifling and increases pressures (maybe the kabooms you're referring to).

2. Glocks are contenders for the most reliable firearms in the world. I read an article where after 170,000 rds without cleaning and plenty of abuse there were no malfinctions and nothing broke. The only thing I've seen as it's a good idea to lock your wrist when you shoot. Being rather light to begin with Glocks need that resistance from your grip to function properly. If you limp wrist the gun you may have a problem.

3. No to the safety-t-block. If you feel the standard 5.5 lb trigger is too light get a 8 lb installed. Also use a quality holster made for the Glock not a one size fits all.

 

[Glock_10mm]

KB's are most prone to a .40, but easily fixed with an aftermarket barrel (they seat the round deeper in the chamber), so if its a concern on any glock, just look for a different barrel. Secondly, I think you may want to reconsider the 21 for concealed carry as it is a pretty large gun. The 30 with a pinky extension is just the right size for most people. I carry the G30's twin - G29 10mm, because the G20 (G21 twin) was just too big for everyday carry purposes. Now if I lived where I could open carry, that might be different, but gor concealed I need the compact.

I also agree the G36 us a good option, being a much easier to conceal version of The G30, but with less ammo.

Also the standard trigger pull should be fine. I have standard on my G29 & G19 and reduced (3.5) on my G23. I've never really feared either going off accidentally, just keep your gun holstered. If you do ever draw it, it should be a life or death situation anyway. I'd suggest carrying factory pull weight over lightened, but I dont think you need the 8+lb unless you are going to carry in a pocket without a holster or something (which I wouldnt recommend because a rouge pen or house key could change your life).

Good luck with a new purchase! Glocks are great!