I recently picked up a G21 Gen5. I'm running a Holosun SCS with front/rear Dawson black metal sights. I'm at 1100rounds with no issues. Much softer than my Gen3 and slightly softer than my Gen4. Overall, I do like the Gen5 the best of the 3 G21 generations.

I'd have zero reservations in a G20 Gen5 as well. Hard to distinguish between an actual lemon and user error in many (not all!) instances with a higher powered caliber.

 

Those who "referenced issues" with their G20 Gen 5's either did not test them with what came in the box, or they did not follow Glock's instructions to make sure the gun is clean and lubed before shooting.

Remember, some people who are sitting around in their underwear reading these things who have never seen a G20 Gen 5 will suddenly start repeating what one person said and it'll be junk. Several years ago there was a new handgun from Ruger and people on the internet were saying theirs was defective, which was rather interesting, because Ruger hadn't shipped any of those guns from the factory yet.

I intend to buy a Gen 5 G20 whenever the swindlers at the local gun shop have one in stock and I expect to have zero problems with it. I'd get a Gen 5 G21 too if I wanted one and would likewise expect it to be reliable.

 

Thanks. And yeah I haven't actually seen where a G20 Gen 5 is having any issues, I've just seen people here and there in threads saying it, but I don't know where it's coming from.

 

I’ve had no problems with 21.2 magazines.

 

I have a problem! I don’t have one yet! LOL
I will mimic others and say of the two G20.5s I have seen in person and shot are much easier in the recoil and follow up departments. Going to have the scalpers at my LGS order me one when my G26.5 MOS gets here and set up.

And yes, new Glocks new to be broken down and cleaned.

 

No problems with mine so far, haven't shot it a whole lot yet. I did notice that mine doesn't like Winchester FMJ at all but seems to love Remington FMJ, accuracy wise that is, reliability has been great. The Winchesters seemed to pattern whereas I could get a good tight group with the Remington.

 

hello, i have a question....is anyone making 10mm conversion barrel's for the gen5 model 21?....thank's

 

Conversion barrels can never be 100% reliable unless you change the extractor every time you change the barrel.

You're better off just getting a whole separate 10mm Gen 5 upper with it's own extractor and switch upper assemblies instead of just switching barrels.

For some reason this is not a problem with 40-to-9 conversions but it is with 45-to-10mm conversions even with a good quality conversion barrel like a KKM.

 

I would start with a couple new mag springs. If springs are a bit weak the last couple rounds would be where you see it... the recoil spring is also new?? Try some blazer or fed american eagle ammo. That stuff is a bit hot.

Your issue will likely be weak mag springs or two slow a slide velocity..

 

I can't get the recoil spring and guide rod to go back in and seat properly.

 

The recoil spring is a bugger I can get it back on but it is a struggle. I would suggest that you take the slide and get the guide rod started in the first notch then hook the edge of the guide rod on the edge of a table or work bench and press down on the slide to seat the spring in the appropriate notch.

 

The department I am working for recently transitioned from Gen 4 G21 pistols to new Gen 5 models. The majority of the pistols have been having a couple different issues, primarily failing to return to battery. Glock is replacing all 19 guns as soon as possible.

 

Thanks for your input……here I am a LEO and instructor and we have had some issues with the G21 Gen 5….mostly FTF….. they shoot incredibly well but there are issues….. was wondering how things have worked out for you and your department. Thanks and stay safe. By the way we never had any problems with the Gen 4 21s……..

 

IMO, best Gen is 5. I'm at around 2400 rounds and never had an issue with mine. Never had any issues with my Gen3 or 4 but 5, to me, just feels the best in my hand.

 

This is one old thread that I am glad woke back up . I am thinking about getting a new 21 and can’t decide between the gen3 sf and the gen5 .

 

The Gen 5 is certainly the nicest generation IMO and the G21 model is a great shooter. I will be buying one as soon as we know Glock has fixed the issues we are having with the pistols our agency received.

 

So, once again, the Glock 21 is the best pistol on the market chambered in 45 ACP.

I'm still on Gen 4 for the foreseeable future. But, at least the 21.3 SF is available in CA.

 

I have a G21 Gen5 MOS, but have only about 500 rounds through it. No issues with factory ammo either with iron sights or with a Burris Fast Fire 3 red dot. I tried some minimum load handloads with 185 gr. wadcutter bullets and had a few failures to go completely into battery but that was clearly my handloads and not the gun. My only problem with the pistol is deciding whether to use a red dot or not because I enjoy shooting it both ways.

 

I have a G21.5 MOS and love it. Only have about 300 rounds thru but no issues and shoots great. Very accurate. I only shoot factory loads but no problems with FMJ or hollow points.

 

I carried a Gen 3 for about 15 years on duty then was in an OIS and bought a Gen 5 while waiting to get my clearance letter and the return of my Gen 3. I've been getting a lot of nose up failure to feed problems with my 21.5 that I never had with my 21.3. I suspect the recoil spring is too stiff. I've put over 1000 rounds through it. Factory mags, Factory recoil spring....

 

I have a new G21 Gen 5 the factory recoil spring is stiff. I have coffee cans of 200 grain SWC reloads which clock at 750 fps and would not cycle the action in the G21. I obtained a replacement spring with a 15 lb strength and that solved the problem. Not seeing replacement springs for Gen 5 guns anywhere but Centennial Defense Systems check their website. I have had 100% function with factory ammunition in the couple hundred rounds I have fired.

 

I’ve had my 21.5 for about a year and have ~3600 rounds through it. Other than a couple hiccups during the first 100 rounds it has been flawless. The 3600 rounds consisted of mostly very light hand loads for IDPA matches/practice and a couple hundred full power JHP.
All springs and internals are OEM with the exception of a Double Diamond 3.5 connector.

 

Our agency just agreed to make the trade from G21's to G45 9mm pistols. Glock has been very good to deal with but the problems we had with the Gen 5 21 was disappointing. Hopefully they get the bugs worked out on that model.

 

I'm curious as to what problems your agency had with the G21.5s...

 

My G21.5 will only function with full loads, so far.
Ran some Federal American Eagle 230s and some Hornady Critical Duty 220 +P yesterday with no problems but my loads that work fine in G21.4 were no good in the G21.5......due to the very stout RSA.

 

I just checked CDS site and saw no G21.5 guide rods/RSA. The site did have Guide Rods for the G20.5, not sure if that would work for the G21.5..........

 

Glock store has them. They do list the same one for the 21.5 and 20.5.

Edit: I checked the spare one I have on hand and it is labeled as 20.5/21.5. Also, I compared it to the OEM in the gun and it’s identical.

 

Thanks!

 

I ordered two RSAs from CDS, one with 15 lb. and one with 13 lb.
CDS says the OEM RSA is 17 lb.

Will report on outcome after some testing.

 

Who/what is CDS… I’m unfamiliar.

 

CDS.....
Centennial Defense Systems

Centennial Defense: Your Go-To for Firearm Parts - Shop Now!

 

Thanks… I’ll check them out.

 

It’s a bit disconcerting when you hear of law enforcement agencies moving on from the G21.5 due to performance / reliability issues .
Hopefully those issues get ironed out in later editions of G21.5 (or what ever new model replaces it). I never heard of any issues with G21.4 , G21.3 or the G21SF … Those models just simply ran well .