Gen 1 or 2 Glock 21, issues?

[1986s4]

My LGS has a no rail G21, used for sale. Price is reasonable. Wear looks OK. I'm not up on my Glocks so I'm not sure exactly what generation it is, it does not have a rail. My question is what, if any, where the issues with the G21? Not looking to run it hard just want a .45 Auto for occasional use.

I did a search but couldn't find much on the earlier G21's.

Thanks

[JonInWA]

A couple of answers:

1. You can call Glock Technical Support at (770) 432-1202, give them the serial number, and they can tell you what, if any upgrades are due to your specific G21.

2. Any G21s with a serial prefix of "XM" are subject to upgrading.

3. If your G21 hasd a serial prefix of "ALD" or earlier, the breech face and extractor need to have a 15 degree breechface cut, and have the extractor replaced with a 15 degree extractor.

4. There is a good chance that your magazine followers, floor plates, springs, and inserts may need to be replaced with updated ones.

5. There is an addition slide feed rail modification that Glock can perform; I believe that it's in conjunction with #3 above.

There was no "Gen 1" G21-it's either a Gen 2 (no fingergrooves on receiver), a Gen 2.5 (fingergroove receiver but a smooth dustcover with no rail for light attachment), Gen 3 or Gen4. By your description, yours is either a Gen 2 or 2.5.

I'd suggest writing down the serial # and giving Glock a call to see what could be needed to be done, upgrade wise, before committing to the gun.

Best, Jon

[ranger]

I see you are from Georgia - I live north of Atlanta. When I buy a used Glock, I take it to Glock Smyrna and ask for it to be "inspected" and I also take the Glock magazines and ask for them to be "inspected". I have had one G19, one G17, one G35, and one G21 "inspected" this way (multiple trips over a couple of years). So far the inspection has consisted of replacing every part on the Glock except for the frame, slide, and barrel; test fire; and replacement of mags with new mags. In each case, all work done while I waited - usually about 45 minutes. On three occasions, I had them install the Glock OEM night sights - parts and labor $55 (the G19 already had NS). It is good to live in north GA and be able to go by Smyrna.

If you live anywhere near Atlanta, I suggest you take the used G21 to Smryna for inspection.

In my case, the G21 (3rd Generation) had issues with light primer strikes before it was inspected. No issue since.

[LtDave]

I have an ACD... Prefix Gen2 that went back to Glock for the upgrades. It has run flawlessly since and was my duty gun before I retired.

[ST911]

A couple of answers:

1. You can call Glock Technical Support at (770) 432-1202, give them the serial number, and they can tell you what, if any upgrades are due to your specific G21.

2. Any G21s with a serial prefix of "XM" are subject to upgrading.

3. If your G21 hasd a serial prefix of "ALD" or earlier, the breech face and extractor need to have a 15 degree breechface cut, and have the extractor replaced with a 15 degree extractor.

4. There is a good chance that your magazine followers, floor plates, springs, and inserts may need to be replaced with updated ones.

5. There is an addition slide feed rail modification that Glock can perform; I believe that it's in conjunction with #3 above.

There was no "Gen 1" G21-it's either a Gen 2 (no fingergrooves on receiver), a Gen 2.5 (fingergroove receiver but a smooth dustcover with no rail for light attachment), Gen 3 or Gen4. By your description, yours is either a Gen 2 or 2.5.

I'd suggest writing down the serial # and giving Glock a call to see what could be needed to be done, upgrade wise, before committing to the gun.

Best, Jon

#3 and #5 are advisory, rather than a need in the literal sense. I would shoot it and see. New mags are never a bad idea. Agree with the balance.

[1986s4]

Thank you Ranger, that is a good idea. If I decide to get the G21 that is what I'll do.

[167]

I had a Gen2 Glock 21. It was probably the best shooting Glock I have ever owned. I sent it in for the update and turn around was about a month. Came back with a new magazine.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt244/coveringfire_98/G21_zps24d77a11.jpg

[BigT]

Check the trigger bar , if it's an older one I would replace it with the current one 4256-3 iirc. Light strikes were more common with the older ones.

[TiroFijo]

I've seen a couple of early G21 chip extractors. This apparently has been solved in later models (which I've seen a lot more in numbers), because I've never seen that problem again.

I really like the G21s, specially the SF. They are soft shooting and accurate.

[JonInWA]

I've seen a couple of early G21 chip extractors. This apparently has been solved in later models (which I've seen a lot more in numbers), because I've never seen that problem again.

I really like the G21s, specially the SF. They are soft shooting and accurate.

The chipping extractor and subsequent adverse effect it had on reliability was the main complaint that LAV had with the G21 back in the day-I believe that the issue was pretty much resolved when Glock changed the extractor and breechface angle to 15 degrees. My Gen 3 has run fine (and with no chipping) with the OEM extractor for thousands of rounds.

Best, Jon

[JonInWA]

Check the trigger bar , if it's an older one I would replace it with the current one 4256-3 iirc. Light strikes were more common with the older ones.

While I also had my OEM triggerbar replaced back around 2006 when the light strike issue first raised its head, I think that the issue was overstated-as I recall, the primary LEO complaining was LAPD, and a significant causal factor was that back in the day they felt it was acceptable/necessary to liberally oil the striker/striker channel. The oil would serve as a grunge attractant, gum up/varnish, and inhibit the firing pin/striker's path and impact force on a cartridge primer. The revised triggerbar, which was quickly standardized by Glock, featured a revised geometry which delivered more force. Glock Training also deployed in force to LAPD, where individual officer's G21s were individually inspected, had the triggerbar replaced, underwent a certification firing, and were issued a certification slip, enabling the G21s to be allowed back on duty.

It's my impression that LAPD felt the necessity to lubricate the firing pin/channel was derived from the lubrication protocol of the Beretta 92, which was the specified/default LAPD issue gun at the time. The G21 was the most chosen Glock (by a huge majority) of the allowable Glock selection palette by LAPD officers wishing to go the Glock route as their duty firearm; hence the perception that it was a "G21 problem."

It's hard to sort out whether it really was a problem or not, and what the true causal factor(s) were. The Glock LEO Area (and later the overall Regional) Rep (who was a personal friend as well) personally told me that the felt that the original triggerbar was just fine, and that the issue was overblown. Nevertheless, I chose to have him replace mine (there was no degradation in trigger feel, at least in my sample size of one G21), and I figured the additional firing pin force wasn't a bad thing (although I'd had absolutely zero issues with the OEM triggebar). It's also interesting to note that Glock did standardize the replacement/improved triggerbar shortly afterwords...

Best, Jon

[TiroFijo]

Thanks for the information, Jon :)

I always clean the firing pin channels in all my guns, and then run them dry. I don't know who teaches to run them wet, for the reason you posted.

[BigT]

Lubed firing pin channels are a problem. Nonetheless I've seen enough older G21's that stopped light striking when I changed the trigger bar that I can see no down side in recommending it.

[Jeep]

Thanks for the information, Jon :)

I always clean the firing pin channels in all my guns, and then run them dry. I don't know who teaches to run them wet, for the reason you posted.

I've seen more than a few used Glocks of all calibers with tons of heavy oil in the striker channel. The only thing that can be said in favor of the practice is that it leads to cheap used Glocks on the market.

[JonInWA]

Thanks for the information, Jon :)

I always clean the firing pin channels in all my guns, and then run them dry. I don't know who teaches to run them wet, for the reason you posted.

It was part of the Beretta lubrication protocol (at least at the time) that the firing pin/firing pin channel be lubricated by applying oil to the firing pin hole at the breechface, and to the back of the firing pin at the back of the slide. It probably was only a drop in each location, but the best laid plans of mice an men....The Beretta 92 was the dominant issue gun of the LAPD (and may others) in the '80s, 90s, and later. Select Glocks initially were an allowable alternative selection in LAPD; I believe that they're now the default issue gun-perhaps someone with closer LAPD affiliations can verify. Despite Glock's explicit prohibition against lubricating the striker/firing pin/channel, it doesn't particularly surprise me that individual/organizations with accumulated time/muscle memory on another platform's protocols would collide with the expectant results on "the new kid on the block."

And, FWIW, on my personal Beretta 92D, I lubricate the firing pin areas with Dri-Slide, a dry-film anti-corrosive/lubricant that initially is applied via a liquid carrier solution; the liquid evaporates, leaving a dry film of the lubricant on the intended areas (nicely spread by capillary action) which does not attract dirt, dust, GSR residue.

Best, Jon