How do you like your Gen 5 G21?

780 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by TheMan84, 6 d ago

Deputydave

Discussion Starter · 9 d ago

For those that have a Gen 5 Glock 21, what are your thoughts on the pistol? Currently I have a Gen 3, same Gen I carried on-duty for nearly 20 years. I like it fine. Having said that, I do prefer the texture and forward serrations on the Gen 5's. I held one a while back while perusing the wares at a local Academy. I liked the feel of it quite a bit. Seemed to be a bit thinner in the grip. I've not checked into it too much but I'm assuming it's an SF type of frame? If so, is that now a standard feature in the newer Gens?

Been thinking about picking one up and thought I'd pick the brains of those that have one already. Thanks.

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Danke Glock

· #2 · 9 d ago (Edited)

I don’t have the Gen 5, so I’ll let others opine. However, if you have the Gen 3, then the Gen 4-5 will feel smaller like the G21SF. When GLOCK went to Gen 4 it started with a 0.08”shorter frame (from backstrap to trigger) than the G21 Gen 3. The backstraps add 0.08” and the Gen 4-5 with the medium backstrap is the same size as the G21 Gen 3, with a larger backstrap, the Gen 4-5 would be 0.08” bigger than the G21 Gen 3.

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40/45

· #3 · 9 d ago

Nope. Hate it. Just bought a G30, gonna sell my 30s. Buddy has a 21. Only Glock I’ve ever said is a brick and I hate to shoot it

Deputydave

Discussion Starter · #4 · 9 d ago

Danke Glock said:
I don’t have the Gen 5, so I’ll let others opine. However, if you have the Gen 3, then the Gen 4-5 will feel smaller like the G21SF. When GLOCK went to Gen 4 it started with a 0.08”shorter frame (from backstrap to trigger) than the G21 Gen 3. The backstraps add 0.08” and the Gen 4-5 with the medium backstrap is the same size as the G21 Gen 3, with a larger backstrap, the Gen 4-5 would be 0.08” bigger than the G21 Gen 3.

Thank you. I was thinking they were a tad thinner but wasn't 100% sure. Kinda getting the itch to get one.

Reactions: 1

Danke Glock

· #5 · 9 d ago

Deputydave said:
Thank you. I was thinking they were a tad thinner but wasn't 100% sure. Kinda getting the itch to get one.

I have the G21 Gen 4, it’s easily one of my top 5 favorite GLOCKs and one of my favorite handguns to shoot. I’ve put 19,550 rounds though it and it’s a tack driver. I also owned the G21SF, so if you liked the Gen 3 you’ll certainly like the newer guns. Ideally, you’ll find a gun store that has both the Gen 4 and 5 so you can handle them side-by-side to see if you prefer the finger groove and which trigger like best.

Reactions: 4

kmglock97

· #6 · 9 d ago

I have a Glock 21 Gen 5. In another thread i mentioned some ftf issues but turns out not related to the gun itself.

I really enjoy shooting it - about 400 rounds so far. As you know it has a large grip which isn’t a problem for me but may be to some people. My plan is to use it as my home defense gun: three 13 round mags of .45 should be enough.

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davidt45

· #7 · 9 d ago

I had a G21 SF awhile back. Was ok, but there are other pistols I'd rather shoot .45 in.
I did hold a new G21.5 in shop recently and really like the feel in hand. Of course it's not the same as shooting it, but in general I much prefer the Gen 5 grips and to me, the Gen 5 style in the larger frame feels MUCH better.

I have an glove sized XL hand for reference. And the Gen 5 didn't feel near as blocky to me as the older G21 SF (Gen 3).

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biscut53

· #8 · 9 d ago

I have Gen3, 4, and recently 5. I have XXL hands and Gen3 is the max for me to comfortably handle. To me Gen3 is a great gun. Recoil as expected. Gen4 improved the grip a decent amount and the dual recoil spring made it a relatively soft shooter. Gen5?? Oh my! Grip is much smaller and IMO great without the finger grooves. What a soft shooting gun!! Still uses a dual spring RSA but it's elongated compared to the Gen4. And shooting them side by side is a very noticeable difference.

I had my Gen4 milled by Jagerwerks for a RMRII and it's a solid option. BUT the Gen5 MOS with SCS is the cat's meow for sure. I've only got 1k down it as I purchased it a few months ago but if you put it in your hands expect to be $550 lighter in the wallet if your Blue Label eligible.

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Danke Glock

· #9 · 9 d ago

biscut53 said:
I have Gen3, 4, and recently 5. I have XXL hands and Gen3 is the max for me to comfortably handle. To me Gen3 is a great gun. Recoil as expected. Gen4 improved the grip a decent amount and the dual recoil spring made it a relatively soft shooter. Gen5?? Oh my! Grip is much smaller and IMO great without the finger grooves. What a soft shooting gun!! Still uses a dual spring RSA but it's elongated compared to the Gen4. And shooting them side by side is a very noticeable difference.

I had my Gen4 milled by Jagerwerks for a RMRII and it's a solid option. BUT the Gen5 MOS with SCS is the cat's meow for sure. I've only got 1k down it as I purchased it a few months ago but if you put it in your hands expect to be $550 lighter in the wallet if your Blue Label eligible.

You feel as though the Gen 5 is even softer shooting than the Gen 4, or is it just a different recoil impulse but no necessarily softer? I really enjoy the G21 and your comments may have just cost me money 🤣.

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colin1230

· #10 · 9 d ago

Most of my Glocks are gen4 including my G21. Much prefer the grip texture and mag release over the gen3. Recently, I purchased a G22 gen5 and with the slightly wider and heavier slide it feel very much like a G21 to shoot. As far as the gen5 features, I like them, and I think you will too, Deputydave.

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PTSdog

· #11 · 8 d ago

Hope they bring out a 30 in Gen 5. Or better yet a G30X, 30 slide on a 21 frame!

I only got to hold a Gen 5 21, but I agree with the smaller size grip feeling. Might just be no finger grooves, but loving it.

biscut53

· #12 · 8 d ago

Danke Glock said:
You feel as though the Gen 5 is even softer shooting than the Gen 4, or is it just a different recoil impulse but no necessarily softer? I really enjoy the G21 and your comments may have just cost me money 🤣.

I apologize in advance! I'm outright stating firing the same ammo in a 4 and a 5 you notice the 5 is softer. Not a different pulse, actually softer. It make me look into why whn cleaning and I assume it is the RSA that makes the difference. It is not profound but it is noticeable to me with carry ammo. Some of it could also come from the alterations in the grip but I do not have anything that would explain further.

I really like my 3 and love the 4 and figured I'd just see what the 5 was without the finger grooves. Put it in my hand and I was done. It was only after shooting it I was surprised at just how soft it shot. Good luck!!

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What? Me worry?

· #13 · 7 d ago

I think the gen5 Glocks are the best ever. I much prefer the absence of the finger grooves and I appreciate the grip texture and larger mag release. As for the G21? I owned one of the first series and absolutely hated it. I recently bought a gen5 Glock 21 and while I don't "love it" it does feel better than the first series.

It kinda reminds me of the old gen2 G17 and G22. A little big but nothing too terrible. They did a great job of slimming down the gen5's grip of the G21 and made more pleasant to hold.

Villuj_idiot

· #14 · 6 d ago

I think the G21.5s are SF-sized frames. I like mine well enough.

I don't like that there are no spare parts or barrels available. I want an OEM extended slide stop and threaded barrel, but for the present I'll have to want in one hand and crap in the other and figure out what to do with a hand full of crap.

I'm also a little disappointed that FCD isn't going to make a G21-sized RMR plate. The OPF-G RMR "works", but it doesn't provide the clean fit on the 21.5 that it does on the 19.5.

But my 21.5 is accurate and reliable, and I like the grip profile better than the 21.2 since there's no front strap cutout.

TheMan84

· #15 · 6 d ago

I sold the 21 gen 4 and bought the gen 5. Not sure I made a great move. I also have the 41 gen 4 and the mags are interchangeable, which is nice. I got the 5 for MOS. Wanted to take the Holosun off the 41 MOS (which fit perfectly) and put it on the new 21. The slide on the new 21 is slightly wider and it doesn’t work as well. Go figure. I didn’t catch it in my research. But it shoots fine. And interchangeably of mags is nice.

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