glock 17 vs. 21

djcslice said:

I had been pretty set on getting a glock 17 but now I am wondering if I should get the 21. Is there any real difference besides the caliber and the width?

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i had a similar consideration when i bought my 17. the 21SF was calling my name too.

all it came down to for me was the grip, the 17 was just *right* for me

caliber was not a consideration because 9mm and .45 are my favorites to shoot because of their smooth recoil characteristics. i honestly think i would've been just as happy with the 21sf though to tell you the truth, haha

No, besides $35-$40 for 100rd WWB vs. 18$ for 100rds 9mm WWB. But if you can afford the ammo, go for it! :wavey:

I know this is probably not the greatest answer..They are both so perfect you should slowely aquire both..Utilize your layaway rights..If I can do it,so can you.

rich e said:

I know this is probably not the greatest answer..They are both so perfect you should slowely aquire both..Utilize your layaway rights..If I can do it,so can you.

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That becomes a problem because I am a student and dont really have the funds to own both.

If money is an issue, you should get the G17. Cheaper 9mm ammo will let you practice more and practice is more important than caliber.

And even if money is not an issue, you should still get the G17 because it has lighter recoil (thus faster followup shots) and more rounds in the magazine.

I find the 17 9mm to be snappy and the 22 and 21 (40 and 45 respectively) to have a better recoil feel. Just me though!

mserr said:

No, besides $35-$40 for 100rd WWB vs. 18$ for 100rds 9mm WWB. But if you can afford the ammo, go for it! :wavey:

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35-40? more like 29 and some change. It can be had cheaper than that too.

rich e said:

I know this is probably not the greatest answer..They are both so perfect you should slowely aquire both..Utilize your layaway rights..If I can do it,so can you.

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**Ha Ha. Well put. Buy one and lay-a-way the other. Problem/dilemma solved.** I may end up taking that Rich e's advice also. I feel like I can live without a G17, but I also really want a Glock 31.

duckintheface said:

If money is an issue, you should get the G17. Cheaper 9mm ammo will let you practice more and practice is more important than caliber.

And even if money is not an issue, you should still get the G17 because it has lighter recoil (thus faster followup shots) and more rounds in the magazine.

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** Right. 9mm ammo, on average, is nearly 40% cheaper than some of the larger calibers. I have thought about buying a larger caliber Glock and getting a conversion barrel or two to shoot 9mm ammo out of but I don't like the idea of the barrel saying ( insert caliber ____________) and maybe forgetting and loading the wrong mag/ammo. Catastrophe in the making there.

G37 >>> G38 >>> G17 >>> G19 >>> G21sf >>> G21

g20 will give you everything you need can be loaded from 135 to 230 grain bullets up to 1400 fps and then some for some shooters. covers it all. Just need to reload. In the long run is the only way to go in order to shoot more.

more fun.

I have both G17, and G21SF. I like both and carry both. I prefer my 21SF, though. It has almost the same grip, almost the same recoil, but tends to be more accurate(FOR ME). Yes 9mm ammo is cheaper, yes both are great, yes do your best to acquire both. However, if you have some experience w/ firearms and plan on only owning one I'd go with 21SF, personally.

Glock_XXXVII said:

G37 >>> G38 >>> G17 >>> G19 >>> G21

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maybe some statements to back that up?

I was leaning more towards the standard 21 rather than the 21sf. Beyond the 21sf being narrower than the 21, is there any benefits to it?

You have to remember that the 21sf is not narrower than the 21, it is a shorter frame from front to back. I don't have a 21 or 21sf but I do love my 30sf.

BTW, there is no other difference between the two except for 21sf has the option for picatinny rail or glock rail, and regular or ambi mag release.

17 thin, 21 fat. Otherwise same old 9mm vs .45 acp

Can't go wrong with the 17. You may not like the 21's grip.

I would personally start with the 17.

G17 = More practice
G21 = Less practice

Otherwise both are Glocks, but I do see more G21 issues than 17s.

I had both, and kept the G17. I started with a G19, and then being a .45 shooter, I picked up a 21. Decided I wanted a 26, so I bought that, liked it so much that I traded the 19 for a 17 (since the 26 was going to be my carry gun, the 19 was relegated to just a shooter, and for that purpose I preferred the 17). Price of ammo went up, 21 was just an expensive plinker, ended up trading it for a .22 revolver and cash.

Bottom line, I don't think you can go wrong either way, but if you're not sure I'd start with the 17. The beauty of Glocks is that if you don't like it, there will be someone willing to trade with you. Now I wish I still had my 21, but I've got my eye on a 27. Heck, I want them all :supergrin:

Of the options you mentioned, I'd opt for the Glock 17...you can add a 19,22, 35, and a Glock 21 later!