Should I get a Glock 21?

[BluedRevolver]

I'm trying to get my "go-to" self defense .45 pistol. I've had 1911's and have had too many problems with them to stake my life on. I don't want a Sig and I believe HK's are high quality but they just don't stick out to me, so I'm considering the Glock 21. In fact, I have been considering for over a year.

However, I keep reading all these stories about Glock 21's "kabooming". I know the internet is not the best place to trust, but I've read enough of these testaments to where it makes me wonder if this is a gun I should be trusting with my life or not.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

sure.


glock's, and every other gun, kaboom from uncle bubba reloading in his basement.

 

[BluedRevolver]

I've read a lot a lot of testimonials of kabooms caused by factory ammo, although most do seem to be from reloads.

 

[Owen Sparks]

I prefer the Springfield XD. The Glock .45 feels like a brick in my hand.

 

[Autolycus]

Generally the Kabooms are from reloads, as has already been stated. The Glock 21 is a very reliable gun and I would not hesitate to use one.

However the Glock platform really shines in 9mm in my opinion. The Glock 21 is a hefty gun but if it fits your hand, then I would go for it.

 

[amprecon]

Be sure it fits and shoot it first. I shoot the Glock 21 better than any other pistol I have ever tried. It has been utterly reliable for me, but I only use factory ammo in it. But I cannot emphasize the need to shoot it to be sure it fits you well. You may find it is difficult for you to be accurate with and you will need to look for an alternative.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

I've read a lot a lot of testimonials of kabooms caused by factory ammo, although most do seem to be from reloads.

bad factory loads happen too, of course. they have kaboomed, or gotten stuck in the barrel of every brand of gun.


glocks are the most popular pistols in the world, so you statistically hear more about it with them.


my EMP40 has less chamber support than my glock 23, and there is a guy that blew his up on 1911forum.com with a bad reload, but that's the only case i'd heard. obviously, there's far less EMP40's in circulation than glocks.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I shot a couple of magazinefuls through one belonging to a friend. It felt, when just holding it, like a 2X4 attached to a brick, but was accurate, very "soft" shooting and reliable, even when his girlfriend was clearly "limp wristing" it.

 

[HoosierQ]

I sure do like mine a lot. I shoot it very well (relatively speaking).

 

[Loosedhorse]

I really like my (same sized) Glock 20. But for me, the question of "What should I shoot .45 ACP out of?" has only one answer: a 1911.

It is the clear choice, and I'd advise anyone to have a real good reason (or several!) for choosing anything else.

 

[fxstchewy]

I like Glocks but for the 45acp, the Springfield XD feels way better in my hand, even the 21SF felt too big for me.

 

[FruitCake]

I used to have a G30 and did NOT like the felt recoil. After about 5 sessions I sold it.
I shot my friends 45 1911 and loved it. So for me I would choose a 1911 over a polymer 45.
Just my opinion and let the bashing begin.

 

[Jim Watson]

Furnish it with name brand ammunition or factory equivalent reloads and KaBoom will not be a worry. Or any more than any other gun.

Do yourself the favor of looking at S&W Plastic M&P, XD, and XDm before you buy.

Still, I am of the opinion that a .45 ACP is a 1911 and a EuroAuto is a 9mm and never the twain shall meet. But then I also hold that barbecue is pig and cow is steak, too.

 

[Hangingrock]

I have Glock G21 as stated the shooters hand size may prove to be problematic for some individual’s. There is the G21-SF which may resolve that issue. I replaced the OEM barrel with a BAR-STO barrel. The only other change was removal of the OEM sights replaced with Warren sights.

I have my share of pistols chambered for 45ACP in different configurations, action type, and manufacture. If you are comfortable with the Glock “Safe Action” system then you’ll have an excellent service pistol with acceptable accuracy.

Should hand fit be an issue then the S&W-MP would be a good selection. In a used pistol the SW99-45ACPwith the AS trigger system is worth taking a look at

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

For a .45ACP self-defense gun, stick with the main three... M&P, XD, and Glock. Whichever one is the most comfortable to you! I agree about the 1911s... I love them, but I just don't like them to carry.

 

[HOOfan_1]

For a .45ACP self-defense gun, stick with the main three... M&P, XD, and Glock. Whichever one is the most comfortable to you! I agree about the 1911s... I love them, but I just don't like them to carry.

I'd add the FNP 45 as well if he doesn't want to get a SIG or HK

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

That one's good, too... I tend to generally just say those three since they're the most common and I don't know much about FNP.

 

[thefamcnaj]

The glock 21 sf is a great choice. Its accurate and reliable. I've had no problems with mine. I own 8 glocks and fed them everything you could think of and none of them have ever had a kaboom. How ever everything I've shot in them has been factory ammo.
The xd45 is also a great choice. The xdm I had was super accurate and reliable. But I feel the xdms are a little over priced.
Out of the three above mentioned guns, I'd say the xd 45 is the best bang for your buck, as it can be had out the door for around 460.
All that being said the g21 is what lays on my nightstand every night. I trust my life to it. The sf model actually feels good in the hand and I have average sized hands.

 

[mdauben]

However, I keep reading all these stories about Glock 21's "kabooming". I know the internet is not the best place to trust, but I've read enough of these testaments to where it makes me wonder if this is a gun I should be trusting with my life or not.

I've shot thousands or rounds of factory FMJ and JHP ammo through my G21 with never a problem. I call BS on the idea that Glocks of any caliber are any more likely to blow up than any other handgun in the same caliber.

But for me, the question of "What should I shoot .45 ACP out of?" has only one answer: a 1911.

Thirty or fourty years ago this was true, but there is no way it is today. There are too many fine .45ACP handguns available today, in addition to the 1911, to claim dogmatically that only one is a viable choice. The 1911 remains a good gun, but so is the Glock 21, the FN 45, the Kahr P45, the HK45, the M&P45 and probably a number of others.

 

[Greg528iT]

Yes.
Sounds like you looked around, know what you want.

 

[HOOfan_1]

to claim dogmatically that only one is a viable choice. .

Can't imagine there is anything but nostalgia behind that statement.

It is the same as saying, one should not shoot the .30-06 from anything but a M1903 rifle, or .45-70 from anything but an 1873 Springfield. Or .45 Colt from anything but a Colt SAA, or 10mm out of anything but a Bren Ten. etc.

 

[Fiv3r]

I keep a Glock 21 as my home defense weapon, my general travel firearm, and probably the first handgun I would grab in a SHTF situation.

So far it has been reliable, comfortable to shoot, and has a track record of being a tough SOB to break. I too think Glock shines when chambered in 9mm. However, when I went full size .45 shopping I went in expecting to buy a 1911. I walked out with the 21.

Is it a heavy brick of a gun? Sure, but there is something to be said about 13+1 rounds of 230gr encased in a soulless, cold, pistol. I have TRIED to hate Glock. I really have. They are boring and very unsexy guns. But I can't help myself, I just really, really like how they work. Also, I'm a southpaw, so no real issues to worry about short of dropping the mag.

If you're not trying for deep concealment, it's not the best choice. For a full sized, reliable lead-thrower, I think it's a great value.

 

[tahunua001]

I've shot the 21 a couple times and I was not impressed. have you ever thought about a springfield XDM45? I find it much more comfortable in hand. it handles recoil much better and Ive never had a single failure in it. its a solid gun and I'd trust it with my life any day of the week and twice on sundays

 

[MachIVshooter]

I recently picked up a G20 because I wanted a 15+1 10mm that was very corrosion-resistant and that I don't care if I bang it up. I already have two Witness 10mm's and the Sarzilmas K2 is vaporware, so I grabbed the 20.

I don't hate it, but don't especially like it, either-which makes it the perfect gun to drag through the woods.

It is about the least comfortable handgun out there, IMO. I have big hands, but still find the 20/21 bulky and blocky (moreso than the Desert Eagle).

If it had been a .45 I was after, I would have gone S&W M&P.

 

[tahunua001]

I call BS on the idea that Glocks of any caliber are any more likely to blow up than any other handgun in the same caliber.

ok here you go, dont say nobodies been fair.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/186955-another-glock-kaboom.html
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=462036
http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/glock-kb-faq.html
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-71589.html

yep call BS all you want but there are literally dozens of these that I did not take the time to post. so far I'm seeing 1 case of an XDM kabooming and one of those threads included a picture of a kaboomed H&K. other than that the entire market for kaboom stories are glocks. sorry guy but an unsupported chamber is just more liable to fail.