LAPD to stop using Glock 21

[duncan]

I have seen the LAPD shoot. Them being able to dispense less rounds per given incident is a good thing.

I've seen too many state, local, and evern federal agencies who officers/agents hit the range once a quarter. I agree, they need to recruit more folks with previous marksmenship or hunting experience. Otherwise, too many of them are sweating qualifying and just happy to shoot anywhere inside the rings. Groups like buckshot - COM is all they need.

I hate to say it but cops are notorious for abusing guns, not cleaning them, doing stupid things like shooting themselves in the foot, dropping their gun in front of an elementary school while doing a presentation, or accidentally shooting someone, and then "blaming" it on the gun.



I agree with another okie. As a reloader there are some primers that are known to be hard requiring double strikes. I do not use Winchester primers having gone through a batch of bad primer used for large pistol round like 45 acp and 10mm. Seems to be their primers or

Couple that with some officers trying to slingshot their slides from the slide indent on the side instead of fully racking the slide back all of the way,. and you have some ammo that may not go bang bang.

And if they don't practice shooting those guns, the recoil springs stay nice and tight like a new Glock. As a member of a local police range, I generally see cops when quals are approaching. Otherwise, it's a lot of civilians.

Add to that they they have been carried a lot of 9mm handguns and some folks can just not handle the full-sized double stack Glocks - primarily women and men with smaller hands.

Or are they doing a full detail and cleaning of these Glocks at least every year? If not, some debri could be dodging in the firing pin channels.

Personally, I wetsnaded and polished my channel - no problems with my G21. But I care about my guns. Them?

I think it's operator error

 

[jc2]

duncan -

Remember, it's just the 21s they are having problems with--not the 22s. Unless all the 21 users are dummies who don't take of their weapons and all the 22 users the just the opposite, it argues strongly against "operator error" (and points to a problem with a particular model--the G21). Again, the G21 has had a very spotty history in LE use. Maybe, for reason or another (or several reasons), the G21 is not an ideal weapon for LE use.

The facts that you felt you had (1) to "wetsnaded [sic] and polished [your] channel" to insure relability, and (2) you feel that it needs "a full detail and cleaning at least every year" (I have numerous old and well-used handguns that have never required "a full detail and cleaning" that work just fine) tends to support the oberservation that the G21 "out of the box" may not be a weapon for general LE use.

 

[Broadside]

Personally, I wetsanded and polished my channel...

I apologize for interrupting the discussion, but this statement has me a bit confused. I thought that all Glocks used a channel liner insert. What is the purpose of polishing the firing pin channel if the firing pin will be moving in the channel liner?

 

[duncan]

duncan -

Remember, it's just the 21s they are having problems with--not the 22s. Unless all the 21 users are dummies who don't take of their weapons and all the 22 users the just the opposite, it argues strongly against "operator error" (and points to a problem with a particular model--the G21). Again, the G21 has had a very spotty history in LE use. Maybe, for reason or another (or several reasons), the G21 is not an ideal weapon for LE use.

The facts that you felt you had (1) to "wetsnaded [sic] and polished [your] channel" to insure relability, and (2) you feel that it needs "a full detail and cleaning at least every year" (I have numerous old and well-used handguns that have never required "a full detail and cleaning" that work just fine) tends to support the oberservation that the G21 "out of the box" may not be a weapon for general LE use.

The slide on the 45 cal Glocks - 20 and 21 are heavier and require more velocity.

I'm basically a Glock armorer who just has not had time to sit down at a local class and get my cert.

I fluff and buff all of my guns - even my HKP7s.

Any production gun has mill marks that are acceptable by most shooters. I'm different, I'm willing to spend the extra effort to work my guns to greater reliability. If you look at the firing pin channel of many of these stiker pin designed guns like Glocks, SA XDs, Kahrs, and the like, there are some "serrations" or mill marks inside these channels.

Just a dab of Breakfree and some 800-1200 grit sandpaper helps knock those ridges down. Then a couple dabs of Flitz metal polkish to get it somewhat shining. I smooth and polish everything to help my lubrication work better to increase firing pin velocity and trigger pull so I won't have a problem when I need it.

Not required.

Just my personal practice.

BTW - here is my car engine:



She's not a show car but I treat her like one. Fastest non-turbo or supercharger 4-banger in my area!

I'm just anal about being clean and tidy!

 

[Biker]

Now *that* is pretty! Hats off to taking pride...
Biker

 

[duncan]

Now *that* is pretty! Hats off to taking pride...
Biker

Thanks man. 8 hours of belt sanding, wetsanding, polsihing compound to bling. Just got a radiator cover in stainless steel that will be polished up too. A little bling in the bay!

 

[Skofnung]

Perhaps they got a bad batch?

My used 3rd generation 21 has been flawless these 5 or 6 years that I've owned it, so long as I used factory fodder. I did have some FTE's with some powder-puff reloads that were almost as old as I am, or older...

No light strikes yet... (knocks on wood)

 

[mindpilot]

Maybe when Arnold took office he struck a deal with Austria to help lower the state budget deficit and got a batch at a discount! haha

 

[another okie]

I can't believe it's a maintenance issue. I clean my 21 just as I clean my other Glocks, and once I started getting the light primer strikes I cleaned the firing pin channel on a regular basis. It's just not that easy for large amounts of burnt powder to get in there, though excess oil or solvent certainly can. In comparing fired brass from my 21 and my 1911, the 1911 punches a huge circular hole that imprints virtually the entire base of the primer. The Glock strike is a small, oddly shaped dent. I suspect this works fine for most primers and most calibers, and that it's just something about Winchester large pistol primers.

 

[fastbolt]

Let's wait and see if the further revised trigger bar resolves the issue to the satisfaction of the LAPD. From what's been stated in another forum, the first G21's are supposed to receive the revised part next week, and then you can bet some intense range testing will be performed.

 

[Broadhead]

happy G21 user

I have a relatively new G21, only 1300+ rounds through it so far. I had 2 light strikes and that was when I was trying a nonstandard part. Removed it and have had no other problems.

I fanatically detail strip, clean, and inspect the parts after every firing session---debris never accumulates in the firing pin channel.

 

[progunner1957]

The G21 has been a problem child for Glock from conception.

Hmmmmmmmm - I have a Glock 21 that I have had no trouble with, although I have not put thousands of rounds thru it yet...