Glock 21, a couple quick questions

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david.b

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Hi, I feel there is room in my safe for a .45. I have always liked the Glock 21, and have enjoyed shooting the 17. I also notice that prices for used 21s seem to be pretty good, so perhaps now is the time. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the following:

- I want to get a .22 conversion kit for it. Any thoughts on overall reliability? What do I need to look out for, when trying to match a Glock GEN 3 or 4 with the kits that are available?

- Down the road I when I am better get up for reloading I would like to shoot 10 mm. As I understand it is a simple conversion to replace the barrel, recoil spring and magazine and shoot 10mm for the 21. Does anyone have any experience and thoughts?

- I am comfortable with grip on my CZ-85. Should I look at the SF, or will the normal 21 grip be an equivalent experience?

all the best,
David
 
I can only really answer the 10mm question. Yes it’s a barrel and mag swap. The only problem is finding the barrel. The “sf” is gen 3. All gen 4+ are sf and it’s the same size grip and frame as a g20 gen 4. The g20 barrel will not work in a g21, you will have to find a g21 45 to 10mm conversion. I think it uses the same spring? The g21 slide isn’t as beefy as the g20 slide so you can’t go as hot in 10mm with the g21 conversion. I went the g20 route and have a 9mm conversion barrel.

If you get the g21, it’s a pretty easy conversion to shoot 45 super and 45 rowland. (However I decided on doing that with 1911’s instead)

Have fun!
 
First off ....you have made an excellent choice! The Glock 21 is a great gun if you have large enough hands.

I have an Advantage Arms slide.....its expensive and you have to run very high velocity ammo and keep it well oiled. I honestly think a person is better off buying a .22 LR pistol for the cost of the Advantage Arms slide & mags. But I can understand wanting one for training purposes which is the only aspect that makes them worth the $. = $ 300

So you want to build a Franken Glock eh....well Here are a few things you need to know:

You need a conversion barrel - Storm Lake makes a very nice cut rifled barrel with a well supported chamber. = $ 360

10 mm magazines are required....don't believe the internet BS that a .45 mag works....it will only function for a couple rounds if that. I have tried. I recommend the 10/15 round mags. ....way easier to get that last couple rounds in. About $ 50 or so from Irunguns.....only place I could find them.

You will need a new recoil spring in the 18 to 22 lb range....depending on the loads you plan on shooting. Another excellent way to go is the DPM System. Basically it reduces recoil by slowing down the slide speed a bit more gradually then a old school spring and allows you to not have to swap springs for different velocity / weighted ammo. My Franken Glocks function very well with all 10 mm & even up to the Buffalo Bore Heavy 220 gr Outdoorsman ammo with the DPM System. DPM System = $ 125
Some peeps change out the extractor. $ 25

Smile on your face every time you squeeze the trigger to let that 10 mm auto goodness go = priceless!

A big difference between the G21 converted to 10mm Auto vs a G20 is slide weight. Massive difference in slide weight. Even though you can add the DPM System to help make it a bit more manageable to function consistently, malfunctions due to limp wristing are amplified. Something to keep in mind.
 
I have a G21 with the 10mm conversion done up.

First off, you need to get the G21 to G20 conversion barrel. Like others have said, a regular G20 barrel WILL NOT work, as the barrel lug is to large to fit in the G20 slide. These conversion barrels are VERY difficult to find in Canada.. I believe Wanstalls can special order them in. I got mine (shamefully) from a non-site sponsor that I won't name here. It was $300.

Second, you will need a stiffer recoil spring. The slide on a G21 is quite a bit lighter then the G20, and the stiffer recoil spring will help make up the difference so the slide doesn't slam the frame when fired. I went with a DPM recoil spring assembly. It was $125ish.

Thirdly, you will need 10mm magazines. Some people pretend they can shoot 45 in 10mm mags, it's not worth trying and does not go well. They were $50 x2 =$100

Fourth, If you want to do it correctly, you will file down a tiny portion of the G21 extractor. A stock G20 extractor will not work on the G21 as it's a different size. I bought a replacement G21 extractor in case I ever wanted to go back full stock. It was $35.

So all in all, I am into it for around $600 with tax..

The awkward part is you can normally pick up a used complete G20 on the EE for around $600.

In my case, my G21 is pretty customized.. The slide is ported and milled for a Trijicon RMR, an RMR is mounted, the trigger is done, it has Trijicon night sights, and it's Cerakoted in the wonderful "Nintendo Zapper" theme.

So in my case, it's like I have 2 guns done up nice for the price of 1 1/2. If I was keeping it all stock, I would have probably just bought a plain G20 and been done with it..

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions..
 
NHunter said:
I believe that the Gen 3 recoil springs are identical in the 20 & 21
Ive owned both...
Click to expand...

That is correct, but the slide on the Glock 20 is quite a lot heavier which slows down the slide more effectively then with a Glock 21 slide.

Using a stiffer recoil spring helps negate the difference here, so you don't have to go buy a whole new slide.

Josh
 
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