I'm looking to get a new full-size glock pistol to add to my collection of handguns which include the following:

G19

Kimber 1911

Colt Python

 

As you can see, my main guns are only 9mm or .45acp, so the big question here is: which glock/caliber is best?

 

I know .45acp ammo costs more, but there is also a magazine restriction on the G17 (either get a 10 round, or pay the piper and get one modded to 15 rounds). A G21 holds 13 .45acp is good to go.

 

Opinions? Thoughts?

My vote is for G21... Reduced cap 17 is potential firepower wasted.

Glock 21. 13 rounds of .45 or 10 of 9mm in potentially troublesome mags with the same sized pistol.... I dont see the point of 9mm in this case. Or get a glock 19 which holds 15.

 

You can reload .45acp cheaper than you can buy 9mm so thats always an option

glock 21... and consider reloading (I am)

The ergonomics on the truly full-size Glocks (i.e. 20 and 21) are not for everybody. You need large hands and at least medium length fingers. I have big hands and stubby fingers. I make do with a G20, but the fit is less than perfect. A belt sander to the grip would fix that though. Seriously.

I thought about the 10 round limit on the G17. For a while it held me back, but i ended up going with the G34 (same 10 round limit on mags) and have no regrets. I have never shot a gun that pointed straighter or had easier followup than the G34. Also, there are 15 round Korean-made Glock mags of good quality out there for 9mm Glocks (see Centerfire Systems). You might check up on that if you like the 9mm.

To me, 45ACP is too pricey unless you reload (I do).

If you're familiar with the G19 and like it, a G21 is a nice alternative to your Kimber if you want to stay with the .45ACP. I had an "it must be all steel to be real" mentality when it first came to my impression of Glock's years ago but after shooting them for the last 16 years, they are the real deal. My first Glock was an early model G21.

 

Glock used to sell +2 extensions for the G21 13 rnd. mags years ago. Don't know if they still do. Maybe Pierce or Scherer from TopGlock or Glockmeister?

 

If the grip frame feels too much like a 2x4, ship the frame to Robar and have them do a frame conversion for you. My buddy has REALLY small hands and had his G22 contoured to accomodate him. http://www.robarguns.com/glock.htm

Funny, what Robar does to a Glock is weird. It makes it look like an XD! I originally was going to get a 21 but decided on the XD. Out of the 2 choices you have I'd go with the 17. These restrictions won't be here forever and things will change.

Funny, what Robar does to a Glock is weird. It makes it look like an XD!

Robar's conversion has evolved over the years. My buddy's was done in either '93 or '94, and it does and doesn't look like the current trend he's putting out now. Stippling finish was a lot cruder then. Looks a bit better these days and I see he has different finishes too.

..., there are 15 round Korean-made Glock mags of good quality out there for 9mm Glocks (see Centerfire Systems). ...

 

Whah!? Good quality? Not in my experience, if you're talking about those KCI ones.

..., there are 15 round Korean-made Glock mags of good quality out there for 9mm Glocks (see Centerfire Systems). ...

 

Whah!? Good quality? Not in my experience, if you're talking about those KCI ones.

 

KCI mags are OK if you put GLOCK springs in them and clean up the plastic flash. Springs $4 and flash a pocket knife.

 

I don't use them for SD

Back on topic ...Buy a G17 or G34, cheap 9mm ammo. Which one depends on your budget. A G17 can be made to shoot almost as well as a G34. Only difference that is significant is the sight radius.

 

As a matter of fact I'm looking for a cheap G17 to shoot GSSF with.

Back on topic ...Buy a G17 or G34, cheap 9mm ammo. Which one depends on your budget. A G17 can be made to shoot almost as well as a G34. Only difference that is significant is the sight radius.

 

As a matter of fact I'm looking for a cheap G17 to shoot GSSF with.

 

What about the 10 round limit? I wouldn't be using this for competitions, but for SD.

Back on topic ...Buy a G17 or G34, cheap 9mm ammo. Which one depends on your budget. A G17 can be made to shoot almost as well as a G34. Only difference that is significant is the sight radius.

 

As a matter of fact I'm looking for a cheap G17 to shoot GSSF with.

 

What about the 10 round limit? I wouldn't be using this for competitions, but for SD.

 

You have a G19 make that your defense gun. 15 rds. I don't want to stand in front of it. No way I can get more than 10 rds in a neutered GLOCK mag and I won't block a 17 rd because it needs to be able to be taken apart and NJSP will never buy it.

I don't see much benefit to a 17 over a 19 personally... slightly more sight radius, sure... but I don't find it makes a difference in my shooting, and it certainly wouldn't at SD distances. I actually shoot a 19 and a 34 with basically the same results... I don't find the 34 to be consistiently more accurate or faster. YMMV The 10 round mags are just a pain. The Glock 19 is an all around favorite. I can't think of any reason I'd buy a 17 myself... not living in NJ anyway.

 

Have you shot a Glock 21sf yet? Some people are great with them... I have a few LEO friends who have them as duty guns and are very happy with them. Other people either find them too large (even the sf models have largish grips) or just don't like the feel of them (they're light compared to a full size 1911... and I find the weight of the heavier pistol balances out the power of the .45ACP nicely... and of course the ergonomics are different). If you like the gun, and shoot it well, go for it. If you shoot the 9mm better than that particular .45, then get a 9mm... shot placement over caliber IMO.

I've got a 2nd gen G17, 2nd gen G19 and 3rd gen G19. I shot a G30 once in Las Vegas and slept at a Holiday Inn

 

You mention you already have a G19. So, you already have a hi-cap fighting 9mm.

 

I can only say great things about the G17 I own. I have the 2nd gen and prefer than gen. for the full size frame. I got mine used w/ Trij night sights, a trigger job and 4 10 rnd mags. I used to think the Sig P226 that I also own was a superbly accurate 9mm, and it is. I find the G17 w/ better sights, is just as accurate out to 25 yards. Recoil is very light and shot to shot recovery is very good. It's recoil signature feels slightly softer and more refined than a G19. It does seriously bother me that I can only get 10 rnd mags for a gun that's designed for 17rnd'ers. By the way, I've looked high and low and know of no place to get G17 15 rnd mags. I've never seen any for sale either. I could live w/ a 15 rnd mag in this gun. All in all, if you can live w/ the mag limitation, it is a truly superb fighting 9mm. I wonder if getting a G22 and a 9mm conversion would a more versatile choice?

 

I've been lusting after a G21SF since they came out. I got to shoot a G30 in Las Vegas some years ago..... and I loved it!!! The G30 was what got me back into Glocks after owning and selling my 1st Glock, a G22. The G22 just never gelled w/ me (although I'd be curious to shoot one now after some years of shooting 9mm Glocks). I was somewhat of a newbie then and didn't like the .40 so much. What surprised me about the G30 was how easy it was to be accurate on, how controllable it was and how low the recoil felt. I have a USP45F and my buddy as the USP45C. I thought the G30 blew away the USP45C. Having blabbered about all that, I have to believe the G21(SF) is a great shooting .45 w/ really good capacity.

 

I've read of a few instances of various reliability/durability issues w/ the G21 though. Was surprised to read Larry Vickers thought the least of the G21 in a comparison w/ an HK USP45F and some flavor of 1911. On the other hand, I've read a lot of great reviews as well. On one of the LEO forums, there are quite a few guys on there that love the G21.

 

And then...... I've never read anything about any kind of issue w/ the G17. The only things I've ever read on the G17 have been extremely favorable, outside of the normal subjective criticism of the trigger and geometry of the grip.

 

Good luck and let us know what you get.