Glock announces Gen4 Glock 21s will "debut" at SHOT

[jetfire]

Press release here (http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/12/14/glock-gen4-g21-g32-and-g34/). I had a chuckle about that, since I've had a Gen4 Glock 21 that was purchased at retail with actual money since, uh Octoberish. I get that's how the industry works sometimes, I just think it's funny.

Speaking of the Gen4 Glock 21 (http://gunnuts.net/2011/12/14/gen4-glock-21-review/), it's finally over 1000 rounds. I've been feeding it Remington UMC most of the time, and it did have a failure to extract with that around 700-800 rounds, but otherwise no issues to report. So far I like it just fine, the grip texturing and Sevigny Speedway are absolutely great mods, and the gun is pretty accurate to boot. I've not been able to reach my personal best FAST with it, but I've only really been shooting it for 2 weeks.

[ToddG]

They also announced the G34. How many PF members have a gen4 34 already?

[jetfire]

I think I've seen 2 threads about them, plus I've seen them in local gun shops.

[KeeFus]

When we were going through the process of selecting a new duty pistol I asked the local Glock rep if they were going to come out w/ a Gen 4 G-21. His response, No, why should we...the SF Models are pretty good. About 2 weeks after we selected the M&P's I saw a thread on another forum where someone had seen a Gen 4 G-21. Sometimes I really wonder who is in the drivers seat @ Glock. Its obvious that they don't keep their rep's up to date.

[jetfire]

Fun fact: the Gen4 and the SF frames are the same size. The Gen4 has the ability to add additional backstraps to make it bigger.

[HCM]

Fun fact: the Gen4 and the SF frames are the same size. The Gen4 has the ability to add additional backstraps to make it bigger.

Interesting - any word on a Gen 4 Glock 20 ?

[JonInWA]

Fun fact: the Gen4 and the SF frames are the same size. The Gen4 has the ability to add additional backstraps to make it bigger.

Caleb, when I handled and compared a Gen 3 G21 SF and a Gen4 G21, the impression that I had was that without any of the additional backstraps the Gen4 G21 receiver was actually a bit smaller than the Gen 3 SF receiver.

Best, Jon

[jetfire]

I have not had the chance to do any direct comparison, but what I've been told by my media contacts is that they're the same. I'll just ask someone at SHOT.

[GJM]

What is the Sevigny Speedway mod?

I think the Gen 4 is slightly smaller than the SF, as the area where the back straps go is smooth on the Gen 4. This is based on being told a gen 4 Grip Force Adapter fits on the large frame Gen 4 and I can't get it on the SF.

How do you compare shoot ability of the Gen 4 21 to an M&P 45 with an Apex trigger?

[KeeFus]

Sevigny Speedway (http://southpawcustom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2:sevigny-speedway&catid=2:services&Itemid=4) from Southpaw Custom.

[GJM]

Wow, this looks great. I assume it is compatible with a gen 4 17 with a GFA? Any downsides to this mod?

[jlw]

This announcement amused me. VolGrad got one this past summer, and I had temporary custody of it for a while.

I was sort of expecting them to roll out a Gen4 G30 at SHOT.

[Prdator]

They also announced the G34. How many PF members have a gen4 34 already?

Ive got two.... and this should be the Gun of 2012 for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[VolGrad]

Caleb, when I handled and compared a Gen 3 G21 SF and a Gen4 G21, the impression that I had was that without any of the additional backstraps the Gen4 G21 receiver was actually a bit smaller than the Gen 3 SF receiver.

Best, Jon

This was my impression as well. I've previously owned two SF models.

Chief Weems already posted he borrowed mine for a while and he also felt it was a bit smaller than the SF models he'd handled in the past.

I have owned my Gen4 G21 since May 2011. I posted in the comments on Caleb's article already but I was told I was likely the first civilian in the US to actually own a Gen4 G21 ... as in not an agency or not a T&E gun.

[jetfire]

My hand to god, I will put this to rest at SHOT one way or the other. Like I said, I'm operating on what I was told by a rep; but that being said the person was a PR employee not an actual tech dude.

I prefer the Glock to the M&P in .45 ACP because of ergonomics. The way my hands make contact with the beavertail on the M&P isn't bad on the 9s, but on the .40 and .45 the beavertail actually beats up the base of the proximal phalanx on my right thumb. The Gen 4 Glock 21 has much better ergonomics, and I straight up shoot it better.

[VolGrad]

My hand to god, I will put this to rest at SHOT one way or the other. Like I said, I'm operating on what I was told by a rep; but that being said the person was a PR employee not an actual tech dude.I'm not arguing the fact. I'm just stating what my impression is.

Wouldn't a set of calipers settle the whole debate? I don't have any or I'd do some measuring.

[jetfire]

Not anymore, my grip is no longer the same size as a regular Gen 4 21 since I had it stippled and textured.

[GJM]

What is the preferred option for a slide stop for the Gen 4 21?

I like the Vickers slide stop, And use them on my small frame Glocks, but am confused as to whether it works on a large frame, SF or Gen 4 large frame Glock. The Tango Down web site lists it working for the 21, but not 30, 29 or 20 which seems odd.

[jetfire]

I have a Vickers on my Gen4 Glock 21. Seems to work just fine for me. The more I shoot the Gen 4 Glock 21, the more I think that Glock actually nailed it with this one. Of course, it's only got 1200 rounds on it, so we'll see if I'm still singing its praises in June.

[JHC]

I have a Vickers on my Gen4 Glock 21. Seems to work just fine for me. The more I shoot the Gen 4 Glock 21, the more I think that Glock actually nailed it with this one. Of course, it's only got 1200 rounds on it, so we'll see if I'm still singing its praises in June.

It's interesting (to me anyway) to speculate why this model might excel with the Gen 4 changes whereas the 9mm's less so.

The short frame treatment for the G21 was a couple/few years matured?

The .45 runs plenty of momentum for the dual captured recoil spring?

Ejection is less sensitive relative to positioning of fired case to ejector due to the diameter of the .45 acp?

Less exposure to QC issues of .45 extractors due to less supplier fluctuations due to lower volume of .45 extractors required?

More consistency of G21 frame molds?

?????

[jetfire]

All those questions sound a lot like "science".