Over the last year, I’ve been helping law enforcement agencies with Tactical Combat Casualty Care instruction, patrols, fugitive recovery and warrant service. One of the departments I work with insists I carry a .45ACP full-size GLOCK 21. So my new duty weapon is the GLOCK 21SF . . .
A couple of years ago I shot a GLOCK 20 for the first time. I found that large framed GLOCKs fit my hand far more securely and comfortably than my first choice for GLOCK-flavored concealed carry (the G19). When it comes to getting a grip on the gun, the G21SF (for Short Framed) is darn near perfect.
I know people complain about the GLOCK “bar of soap” feel. I’m not getting that here. And I like the finger grooves. (GASP!)
In fact, I have no desire to change the pistol’s grip in any way. I don’t need some new texture. I don’t need to get rid of finger grooves. I don’t need to undercut. Either single-handed or two-handed, this GLOCK 21SF is right at home in my size large hands.
Mind you, the G21SF doesn’t seem to work for people with smaller hands. At all. I asked a few different people to shoot the G21S. Every women (and one man of smaller stature) complained that the G21SF’s grip felt too big in their hands, with a resulting loss of . . . wait for it . . . confidence.
Prior to the Gen 5, stock GLOCK sights were ripe for replacement. And for good reason. They’re small and work best in bright light — when you have a minute to find them. They’re also straight up plastic, highly vulnerable to marring and deforming.
If your goal is a body mass mag dump at 15 yards, the G21SF’s U-shaped sights work just fine. If precision or low-light shooting is the order of the day, consider one of the many replacements available on the market.
The GLOCK 21SF’s trigger is even more notorious. Luckily, I’m not serving and protecting in New York City, where The Boys In Blue must attempt to cope with a 12-lbs. trigger pull. The stock G21SF pull registers right at the advertised 5 1/2lbs, with a lot of stack and a good amount of squish near the break.
I was trained for a long, long time to never use the slide lock as a slide release. Then, after a class with Bill WIlson, I’ve trained myself into using the slide lock as a release. Only not with this gun.
During reloads, I missed the G21s minimal slide lock/release over and over again. It’s difficult to use even when not under stress. For the G21SF, releasing the slide by pulling back on the slide and letting it go is the only practical solution.
Note: be careful not to ride the slide forward or you will likely cause a malfunction. Yes, a malfunction. That said . . .
Unlike my G19s, I couldn’t “limp-wrist” the G21SF to jam. Holding the gun in my right hand fairly loosely and firing it across my body sideways, the gun cycled every time. I did the same drill on my back, which almost always causes my G19s to short cycle. Not with the G21SF. If I was holding the gun in a remotely safe manner, it cycled just fine.
I had a little trouble with this gun’s reliability. But only with two new GLOCK-brand GLOCK magazines, and only for the first few strings of fire. After that, the gun ran like a champ. Those same two magazines had trouble in another gun, but the one magazine supplied with the pistol had no issues at all.
After the first few magazines, I had no issues to load, fire, or eject. The magazine never failed to seat and it never failed to drop. I put 500 rounds through the GLOCK 21SF for this review. I have at least twice that through the gun now. Running completely stock, the G21SF performed flawlessly, fed a wide variety of ammunition brands, types and weights.
This brand new gun rattles a bit, though not as bad as an old Colt 1911 or a new Ruger SR1911. There’s also a good amount of space between the slide and the frame. As far as function, that doesn’t concern me much. But it’s a great place for dirt, snow and mud to find its way into the recoil spring and the action.
For a fairly lightweight .45, the G21 doesn’t have a problem with recoil. The recoil impulse is fairly mild and easily controllable. The slide goes back and forth on the rails with minimal muzzle flip. Keeping the muzzle down in fast fire for controlled pairs or the Mozambique Drill wasn’t a problem. Great but . . .
The G21SF let me down in the accuracy department.
Firing Hornady’s Critical Defense 185gr FTX round off bags at 25 yards, I scored a fairly consistent 3″ average five-round group. Shooting the classic Winchester white box 230gr FMJ, I generated the exact same results. The winner in the accuracy department: Remington Ultimate Defense 230gr JHP round, delivering 2 3/4″ groups.
Is that ok? Sure, but it’s nothing to brag about. The mediocre accuracy in controlled, braced slow fire partially explains my lack of accuracy in fast fire.
I ran the Bill Wilson 5X5 test over and over with this gun, never scoring anything better than Sharpshooter. My average time was 31 seconds. I can score 10 full seconds faster with my Beretta 92FS, sometimes even better. I score in the mid 20s with my stock Colt Government 1911.
That poor score isn’t because I shoot too slow with the G21SF. It’s because I shoot too fast to remain accurate. I really struggled to stop this gun and keep it stopped when it came time to pull the trigger. I ended up with a lot of rounds just outside the target circle.
It’s not the grip angle. Yes, when I draw and present the gun, that was a big change I had to get used to. But I’ve been shooting GLOCKs heavily for a little over a year now. I do my daily dry-fire with a G19 and I put at about 350 rounds a week at the range through some GLOCK. I’m starting to get it.
The challenge: odd grip angle and more of a less-than-ideal trigger pull, combined with a fairly light weight front end. The combination makes it too easy to move the gun in fast fire.
Here’s a pic (above) of my best full magazine: 13 rounds in 13 seconds standing at 25 yards. Note this is my best attempt. You can see that the gun isn’t over any of the bullet holes and that they are well spread out in the target circle. Several are outside of it entirely. One round a second isn’t necessarily slow fire, but it’s not burning up the clock either.
Combine my difficulty keeping the gun still through the trigger pull with the mediocre basic precision of the gun, and I end up with a gun I’m not ready to count on in combat. Yet. But I’ll get there.
The GLOCK 21SF is the duty pistol more or less forced upon me. I could do a lot worse. I have a lot of work to do before I’m really comfortable with the gun, but the basics are there for a reliable duty pistol, or a suitable gun for personal defense.
Specifications: GLOCK 21 Short Frame
Caliber: .45ACP
Length: 8.03 in.
Width: 1.27 in.
Length Between Sights: 6.77 in.
Height: 5.47 in.
Barrel Height: 1.26 in.
Barrel Length: 4.60 in.
Weights: 29.30 oz. (unloaded)
Barrel Rifling: right hand, octagonal
Magazine Capacity: Standard, 13 Optional, 10
MSRP: $640 (on Brownells for less)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Style and Appearance * * *
The finish on the G21SF’s slide is even throughout, with no obvious tool marks or unevenness. It largely resembles a diving board from the top. The frame is a just blackish plastic in multiple geometric shapes. It works, but it’s not pretty.
Customization * * *
No changing the back straps on this one and there isn’t nearly the aftermarket support for it enjoyed by owners of the G17, 19 and 34.
Reliability * * * * 9/10ths
There were some magazine related issues at first, but cleared up quickly. The gun ran flawlessly after the quick break in.
Accuracy * * *
3″ groups were the norm. On a pistol this size, that’s exactly average.
Overall * * *
The GLOCK 21SF is a relatively inexpensive and reliable pistol with reasonable accuracy (when coupled with consistent training.) It’s also a known quantity, simple and easy to use. It defines the phrase “good enough for government work.”
Good on you Christie doing the right thing with no hope of a reward. Boycott Joyzey…you make Illinois look like a paradise(it ain’t).
Glad that she was pardoned, should never have been arrested. But, like pardoning a slave in 1850, that really is not addressing the real problem.
The New Jersey legislature, along with California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, and DC, with dishonorable Mentions for Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Minnesota; are where gun rights go to die. They have little interest in the 2nd amendment as to them it is right that no longer should be viewed as legitimate.
We need National Reciprocity now. Confidence aint real high that it will happen, but it needs too and soon!
In my lovely state of CA, the number of law abiding gun owners is dropping by the hour. The laws are a mess, no one is following them, and the police seem less and less inclined to even try to enforce them.
That, however, is a bad deal as they can choose to enforce them whenever they wish and then we’re at a selective enforcement stage that is bad for society on every level.
Reliability is the key factor in why Glocks took over the pistol market. Until they came out semi-autos weren’t considered reliable enough for police work. Sometimes accuracy suffers to get that reliability. But this is only a sample size of one and there are many people who get better accuracy from their Glock.
Is it at all possible to drive through New Jersey with a gun? We we lived on the East Coast we started avoiding NJ because of the insane traffic. Now, I’d avoid it even without a gun.
Black bear lives matter.
What’s a good distance for a cold bore 1st round hit with that setup?
How long did it take the lard ass to pardon this freak? I don’t see an arrest date but sounds like the timeline began at least TWO YEARS ago.
If Christie had a pair/could see them he would have pardoned within days.
IANAL, but: doesn’t a gubernatorial pardon (as opposed to a presidential pardon) first require a conviction?
9 mm > 0 mm
Just saying.
Nothing…i’ve never even met one, let alone know one.
It would be like a pro-life abortion supporter. I’m sure they exist but not in very significant numbers.
I usually explain to gun control advocates of all kinds that there are two approaches to the problem. The first is to lock up the criminals and nut cases, and maximize freedom for everyone else. The second is to make the whole country a vast prison, and take away everybody’s guns, knives, and shoe laces. There’s no point in arguing with anyone who prefers the second approach because his brain just doesn’t work.
If I were to encounter a genuine Fudd, I’d probably ask, “So what qualifies you to have a gun?”
Can’t take a guy seriously that goes on national tv with a hi-point.
Thank you for coming out of the closet as a rich pig gun owner.
Thank you for letting the world know that only rich people can have guns and civil rights.
Thank you for you honesty.
The guy has the looks to be a politician… or a TV preacher. I have a file full of degrees and training certificates that never impressed me enough to put on a wall. Get degree, get certifications, get job, buy more guns.
Usually – FO. Most I have encountered are Leftist Democrats with an Elitist mentality.
“There are some men you just can’t reach.” – (Cool Hand Luke) Especially when they think (know) they are better than everyone else.
well considering you guys think people who are insane and felons should be able to buy guns it depends on what that persons definition of “gun control” is.
other than that, i usually try to get them to name one thing, JUST ONE THING, that has become eradicated simply by being made illegal. and watch their tiny minds explode.
Oh yeah, my grandfather fits into this category. No matter what I tell him, he never has anything good to say. Of course, him and his wife live in a nice part of florida and as most of us already know: The view always looks better from the top. I’m not so fortunate, my city is comparable to that of an open sewer in one of the worst states for gun control. He and his wife both open-carry their firearms but feel others should not be trusted.
Onto the story: I told him about a year ago I was considering a gun and not only did he go off on a rant about “gun restrictions that are about to be passed” that never came true, he also called my father and had a discussion with him about it. The details of what he said still aren’t known. The reason for all this is because I take psych meds, but I’m also in my mid-30’s and don’t live with my father. He has no say in what goes on and couldn’t care less, either. So it’s reasonable to conclude that I can make my own decisions and I am responsible for those decisions.
To answer the question: He doesn’t know. I’ve never told him because he has no right to know, it’s not his business. He lives 3,000 miles away, didn’t pay for any of it, and has no say in what goes on in my life. Most people don’t know that I own at least one (but maybe more!). These days I dont talk to him that much. He emails me just about every day, but details about my daily life are far and few in between because again, he only has bad things to say and he’s just too judgmental and considers himself sort of an authority figure. Well, that’s his call but again, I don’t have to talk to him so I prefer not to.
What kind of psych meds? And what is the history/reason for use? (I am being rhetorical,No need to answer). The answer to that would affect your firearm ownership eligibility. I.e. If meds are for bipolar disorder with a history of violent outbursts and a court has mandated counseling and drugs then the eligiblity to own should be restricted. Vs taking ADHD medicine
I understand the resentment towards SA, however, I as a senior with a few medical issues, and limited income, I must make gun choice decisions on what’s available, rather than what a particular company did, or didn’t do.
For a while I have been looking for a DA/SA simi auto to replace my loved Ruger LCRX 38+P. My only gripe on the revolver was it’s capacity, 5 rounds only. I have a couple of speed loaders, but the fact that the cylinder does not fully open, means the speed loader is difficult a slow to use.
This is what I wanted:
A semi auto pistol with SA/DA
not too heavy, not too big
9 mm caliber (for cheap and radially available ammo)
and most important: a slide that I can rack, without having to use a “come a long”,
since I have some arthritis in both mitts.
Had a 92 FS, but was a bit large for me to conceal carry. Had a Shield but the slide was a bit too stiff for me. Had a Sig 928. Really liked the gun, but just really wanted a DA/SA.
So, what other choices, bought a used Makarov just because of the price, but this is where I needed the come a long, also the gun is on the heavy side, so got rid of it.
Then SA came out with their XDE, had everything I wanted, weight was borderline, but as long as it didn’t pull my pants down to my knees, I thought I could put up with a few extra ounces.
The fact that this gun can be carried very safely, with the hammer down, and the safety off, yet all it takes to get that first shot in a hurry, is to pull the trigger, No hammer to cock, no safety to disengage. Sure, the trigger has a hefty pull on the first round, but that makes it even more safe, and I doubt you would even notice the heavy first pull.
Last, but not least, price: $440. Cabela’s price: $519 (MSRP)
This is a good read. I have a paperback copy of it myself.
I have a G21 and a G21SF, and frankly I don’t feel a lot of difference between them. I love them both. I carry the G21 (and have since 2001), and the G21SF resides next to my bed with a light on it. I do not have large hands, but I don’t have any issues shooting tight groups with either of them. Yeah, I love Glocks, but I also love my 1911s, Jericho and Beretta 92. Glocks are just one of a lot of great guns available to Americans who love the Second Amendment and the freedom we have to protect ourselves and have fun shooting.
Judging by the group shown, I would presume that the shooter needs to modify his strong hand grip. Looks like the gun is shifting slightly in his hand as he’s pressing the trigger.
All my Glocks are more accurate than I am.
On the topic of limp wristing a 21SF, it can be done. A friend of my daughter’s came to the range with us and wanted to shoot with my 21SF since he shot with his father’s 21SF before. He would have a failure to feed every mag, very often more than one. Then I took it. Shot 2 or 3 mags worth with no trouble. He took it back, still having the same problem. The RO came over, disassembled it and lubed it. No improvement. The boy said he had no problem with his father’s 21SF. I suspect the difference is he shot using my handloads, which were loaded to “starting powder charge” from the loading table, therefore had a bit lower recoil. I told him to hold the gun really firmly. His failure to feeds didn’t completely disappear but they improved dramatically. So it is possible to limp wrist with a 21SF, but perhaps not with ammo not on the lighter side.
I have owned a Glock 21 for about 21 years now. I have big, fat hands, so the Glock 21 fits my hands just fine.
On the range, I have no problem getting a 3 in. grouping at 15 yards. The few times I have had with jamming , has been with the magazine.
Complaints. This is a hand gun for big hands. Also, it has quite a kick. But putting 50 rounds down range helps me with that. Two, it is a big, fat weapon. It is a challenge to cancel. However,, I have butt pack that solves the problem.