Review: Glock 21SF

This is my fourth .45 caliber handgun. Some would say I downgraded as I progressed. My first was a 1911, then onto an M&P45, from there a Sig P220, and now the Glock 21SF. As the owner of these weapons I can see their point. I loved my 1911, but the hammer follow it developed, uncured by the local gunsmith, broke my trust in it. My M&P45 was an awesome carry piece and was the first of my semi-automatics that I trusted to carry with a round in the chamber, but for some reason it still didn’t fit the bill. The magazines were pricy, which I think may be my only complaint. My Sig P220 was something I thought I could settle on. The all-metal construction, ease of maintenance, and internal safety of the weapon had me hooked. However, I ended up selling it so I could fund a new LR-308. So I continued on and had the chance to obtain my first Glock, which was a G32 chambered for .357 Sig. Now this was a very nice carry gun, very simplistic, and a pleasure to shoot. At this point I did not have a .45 and decided that it was time to get one. More importantly, it was time to get a full-sized Glock chambered for .45 ACP: The Glock 21.

This firearm was bought for about $560 at the local gun store and after putting a few rounds downrange with it, I realized something; To me, .45s are mostly created equal. Its recoil felt similar to that of my 1911, M&P45, and Sig P220, with just a slightly different trigger pull, but very comparable to the Sig. Immediately, I was right on target. I had to get used to the longer trigger pull, especially for rapid firing, but I felt like I was holding the same gun I learned to shoot with.

For those of you who have never owned a Glock and like to fully disassemble your weapons for full cleanings, you should look into Glocks. They required a small punch, a hammer, and wooden block and they can be completely disassembled (excluding the sights). This is one of the things I like about Glocks. I can fully take down my weapon, clean it, and not have to worry about getting it “out of tune” when reassembling it. So far, it looks like the only way to get a Glock “out of tune” is to completely break it. 

Breaking a gun reminds me of my next point. I work hard for my income, and treat my possessions, especially weapons, with respect. Therefore, I am content to report that I do not have a destructive “torture test” to show you. The fact that it is a carry piece and is virtually flawless is a testament to its ability to endure responsible gun handling.

As of late, the G21 has been my primary carry piece and has grown on me. I have been looking into several types of holsters for it, which is actually proven to be somewhat of a task. Not only are holsters a pain to find at local gun stores, but so are many other Glock upgrades. G21 accessories are more plentiful than others, which demonstrates Glock’s claim that this item was made specifically for the American market. You can get what you need for your G21, but you will have to look a little harder for some accessories than others, like the G17 or G22. The Serpa holster I use with it was not at all hard to find, but other holsters are not so common. Magazines are plentiful and around the same price as other Glock mags, but other accessories may be slightly more difficult to come by.

Overall, transitioning to my G21, after the thousands of rounds I put through my 1911, and the hundreds of rounds put through my M&P45 and Sig P220, was quick and easy. However, that could be due to the legendary .45 caliber. On Glock’s website, it refers to the Glock 21 as an American Icon, but it is safe to say that it earned this title by pairing up with the .45 ACP: A True American Icon.