Glock 21 Gen 5 and 20 Gen 5 US Manufactured Only

[RONK]

Hi,just an observation,Glock is now only manufacturing the Gen 5,21 and 20 in the US,no more Austrian pistols.

[JonInWA]

I haven't observed any quality downgrades or negatives on my US manufactured Gen5 G23.

I have no concerns or apprehensions whatsoever on whether my Glocks or HKs are US or Germany/Austria sourced.

Best, Jon

[JAH 3rd]

I've had a Glock 26 Gen 5 for about a year, maybe a bit longer. USA made. It has been 100%. Slide/frame fit is outstanding. It was so tight, I double-checked the takedown procedure just to make sure I hadn't overlooked something. Nothing wrong with the pistol or my takedown of it. Just tightly made. It is a great shooter.

[RONK]

Thank you both.I'm guessing that Glock wanted to consolidate production especially that the vast majority of both models are sold in the US.We have both US and Austrian at the store and as you've both mentioned,fail to see any difference in quality.

[SwampDweller]

Gen 5 20/21 only, or Gen 3/4 as well? For what it’s worth, both of my Gen 5 G21’s had consistent stoppages on the 12th round in the magazine every 550-600 rounds or so, as can be reviewed in my previous threads and posts on the G21 Gen 5 on here. They were both Austrian pistols. My newest G21 Gen 4 from 3 years ago is USA and has been flawless for over 1k rounds, unlike my two Austrian Gen 5 G21s (and G30 Gen 5) received in 23/24. I have sold my G21 Gen 5’s with full disclosure and kept my Gen 4’s despite liking how the Gen 5’s shot, due to lack of reliability.

[SwampDweller]

Gen 5 20/21 only, or Gen 3/4 as well? For what it’s worth, both of my Gen 5 G21’s had consistent stoppages on the 12th round in the magazine every 550-600 rounds or so, as can be reviewed in my previous threads and posts on the G21 Gen 5 on here. They were both Austrian pistols. My newest G21 Gen 4 from 3 years ago is USA and has been flawless for over 1k rounds, unlike my two Austrian Gen 5 G21s (and G30 Gen 5) received in 23/24. I have sold my G21 Gen 5’s with full disclosure and kept my Gen 4’s despite liking how the Gen 5’s shot, due to lack of reliability.

Wanted to clarify that this repeated stoppage with the Gen 5 G21 was not just with one magazine each, but with different mags including factory fresh ones, both Gen 5 and previous mags. All have worked perfectly in my Gen 4 G21’s. I believe that the Gen 5 G21, at least my copies from 2023, were suffering from issues that my Gen 4’s and previous Gen 3’s never had.

[JAH 3rd]

My Glock 21 Gen 4 (USA) and Glock 21SF (Austria) have been flawless as well. Both are keepers!

[rayrevolver]

The US made HK45CT came with, I believe, a German made barrel. And the serial numbers don't match between frame and barrel.

Are the US Glocks matching with barrels US made as well?

[JAH 3rd]

Matching serial numbers on my USA made 21 and 26. Slide, barrel and frame.

[JonInWA]

Same with my Gen5 G23-all matching.

And the barrel is also roll marked with the Glock logo symbol, a "US" and a Georgia state outline proof symbol, in addition to the serial and the caliber designation rollmarkings.

Slide and frame both have the Georgia state outline with a "P" inside proof marking.

Best, Jon

[RONK]

We thankfully haven't had any reported issues with the 21 GEN 5's that we've sold but we also haven't sold many.Does anyone know if the issues that SwampDweller had is isolated or systemic with the platform?Thanks you all.

[sharps54]

We thankfully haven't had any reported issues with the 21 GEN 5's that we've sold but we also haven't sold many.Does anyone know if the issues that SwampDweller had is isolated or systemic with the platform?Thanks you all.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?59380-Glock-21-Gen-5-Reports-(Also-weird-jam-with-mine)&p=1544414&viewfull=1#post1544414

[HCM]

We thankfully haven't had any reported issues with the 21 GEN 5's that we've sold but we also haven't sold many.Does anyone know if the issues that SwampDweller had is isolated or systemic with the platform?Thanks you all.

All the issues I heard about with the 21.5s were either early adopters (“I bought the first 21.5 I saw on the shelf.”) or ammo issues involving “vetted” handloads which went away with use of factory ammo.

My early production 20.5 has been good to go.

[SwampDweller]

All the issues I heard about with the 21.5s were either early adopters (“I bought the first 21.5 I saw on the shelf.”) or ammo issues involving “vetted” handloads which went away with use of factory ammo.

My early production 20.5 has been good to go.

Mine were admittedly early production, but I was shooting them with factory ammo (primarily Speer Lawman 230gr and Federal American Eagle 230gr). Unfortunately both of mine consistently had the same jam every 500 rounds or so. So while they weren’t jamming all the time, it was consistently enough to where I couldnt trust either of them, especially when my Gen 4’s have been 100% reliable over many thousands of rounds. Maybe one day I’ll try the Gen 5 G21 again, but that’s a lot of expense to vet one again.

[HCM]

Mine were admittedly early production, but I was shooting them with factory ammo (primarily Speer Lawman 230gr and Federal American Eagle 230gr). Unfortunately both of mine consistently had the same jam every 500 rounds or so. So while they weren’t jamming all the time, it was consistently enough to where I couldnt trust either of them, especially when my Gen 4’s have been 100% reliable over many thousands of rounds. Maybe one day I’ll try the Gen 5 G21 again, but that’s a lot of expense to vet one again.

Despite the “Glock Perfection” myth Glock has teething issues with new models before. Notably the early Gen 4 9&40. There was also an issue with the early GEN five models developing heavy gritty trigger poles when the finish started flaking off the trigger components. If I remember correctly, there was an issue with the early versions of the Glock 21 either GEN three or GEN three SF which was identified by LAPD.

[JAH 3rd]

Seems like there was a Glock 21, gen 3??, with the Picatinny rail and reversible mag catch that had issues. The mag catch did not move freely in the frame and that caused issues latching the mag in place. I had that particular model and ending up trading it in on another firearm. Never had a problem with that model, but the seed had been planted.

[SwampDweller]

Despite the “Glock Perfection” myth Glock has teething issues with new models before. Notably the early Gen 4 9&40. There was also an issue with the early GEN five models developing heavy gritty trigger poles when the finish started flaking off the trigger components. If I remember correctly, there was an issue with the early versions of the Glock 21 either GEN three or GEN three SF which was identified by LAPD.

I remember the issues with the G21 SF with the picatinny rail and ambi mag catch. I was about to buy one 14 years ago till I read about the issues. Also, I think the LAPD’s issues were with standard Gen 3 G21s, which led to some rolling changes that fixed the problem (I think). The G21 in general has been one of the most reliable model of pistol I’ve owned, from non-SF Gen 3 to Gen 4. I wanted to like the Gen 5 because it does shoot a little better, but unfortunately my examples simply weren’t reliable enough to trust. I hope they change that if they haven’t already. I’m hesitant to spend the money on a new one along with a couple thousand rounds of ammo to vet it, since I like to use factory ammo for vetting reliability with Speer Lawman or Federal American Eagle. At the moment it’s just more sensible to stick with my 3 vetted reliable Gen 4s, though I do consider getting some G21SF Gen 3’s because Glock might discontinue the Gen 4 as with the 9mm and .40 models (just to have some that still have currently-produced spare parts), but I might not bother.

[echo5charlie]

Seems like there was a Glock 21, gen 3??, with the Picatinny rail and reversible mag catch that had issues. The mag catch did not move freely in the frame and that caused issues latching the mag in place. I had that particular model and ending up trading it in on another firearm. Never had a problem with that model, but the seed had been planted.

Yes, the ambi versions of the 21SF back from 2006-2010ish had issues with the mag catch design. Glock will swap out the frame to a standard mag catch free of charge. Of note, the ambi frame requires ambi compatible magazines which are no longer made.


I have a 2009 model (standard Glock rail) that has been 100% truly flawless in the 15 years (and about 8k-10k rounds, so not a lot) I have owned it. It must be a lemon, the Glock Armorer instructor of my last class was amazed that the catch hadn't failed.

I always joke that the day that it does have a stoppage or malfunction I will simply clear the issue, grab my shit, and go home crying.

[echo5charlie]

I remember the issues with the G21 SF with the picatinny rail and ambi mag catch. I was about to buy one 14 years ago till I read about the issues. Also, I think the LAPD’s issues were with standard Gen 3 G21s, which led to some rolling changes that fixed the problem (I think). The G21 in general has been one of the most reliable model of pistol I’ve owned, from non-SF Gen 3 to Gen 4. I wanted to like the Gen 5 because it does shoot a little better, but unfortunately my examples simply weren’t reliable enough to trust. I hope they change that if they haven’t already. I’m hesitant to spend the money on a new one along with a couple thousand rounds of ammo to vet it, since I like to use factory ammo for vetting reliability with Speer Lawman or Federal American Eagle. At the moment it’s just more sensible to stick with my 3 vetted reliable Gen 4s, though I do consider getting some G21SF Gen 3’s because Glock might discontinue the Gen 4 as with the 9mm and .40 models (just to have some that still have currently-produced spare parts), but I might not bother.

The Gen4s are technically discontinued, but, like the 'big butt' Gen3s lived on for about a year, they are still being made in very small numbers for the time being.

FWIW, I wouldn't sweat spare parts. Glock STILL makes the ambi magazine catch parts for the 21SFs that they stopped making in 2010. Oh, and that G19 trigger bar for early pre-EH serial Gen2s, they still make that as well.

[HCM]

Going back to the question in the thread title, I have never noticed any difference in quality or performance between USA Glocks and Austrian made Glocks.

Any issues at the early GEN five Glock 21s had were new model teething issues and don’t reflect any difference in quality between US and Austrian production.

[SwampDweller]

The Gen4s are technically discontinued, but, like the 'big butt' Gen3s lived on for about a year, they are still being made in very small numbers for the time being.

FWIW, I wouldn't sweat spare parts. Glock STILL makes the ambi magazine catch parts for the 21SFs that they stopped making in 2010. Oh, and that G19 trigger bar for early pre-EH serial Gen2s, they still make that as well.

They discontinued the G21 Gen 4? Any source on this?

They Gen 3 21SF hasn't been discontinued, has it? If my faith in Gen 5 21's wasn't absolutely destroyed I wouldn't care.

[HCM]

They discontinued the G21 Gen 4? Any source on this?

They Gen 3 21SF hasn't been discontinued, has it? If my faith in Gen 5 21's wasn't absolutely destroyed I wouldn't care.

Glock discontinued the Gen 4 9mm and 40 cal models for commercial sales in 2020.

They are technically still available for agency sales when required.

I don’t know if they have formally discontinued them in 45 and 10 mm yet, but that will happen eventually as Gen 5 become available in 45 and 10mm.

The only reason the GEN 3 guns are still available is the California market and certain contracts specifying the Gen 3s.

If the California handgun roster where to go away, Glock would probably discontinue commercial sales of the GEN 3.

[RevolverJIM]

I have "more than one" Gen 4 G21 and "more than one" Gen 5 G21.........

My slightly below factory reloads work flawlessly in the Gen 4 but the Gen 5 requires full factory spec ammo for reliable feeding.

The Gen 5 RSA is about 3/8" longer than the Gen 4 RSA and somewhat "stiffer" than the Gen 4 RSA. Also the barrels are NOT the same, in order to fit the longer Gen 5 RSA.

[RONK]

A few of our distributors have both 21 Gen 4's and 21 SF's still available.

[SwampDweller]

I have "more than one" Gen 4 G21 and "more than one" Gen 5 G21.........

My slightly below factory reloads work flawlessly in the Gen 4 but the Gen 5 requires full factory spec ammo for reliable feeding.

The Gen 5 RSA is about 3/8" longer than the Gen 4 RSA and somewhat "stiffer" than the Gen 4 RSA. Also the barrels are NOT the same, in order to fit the longer Gen 5 RSA.

I would LOVE to get into Gen 5 21’s again if I could somehow know for sure that whatever issue mine had were corrected. They were a dream to shoot. Definitely cut down on recoil, and the Gen 4 has relatively low recoil for a .45 already.

[RONK]

I just checked,we've sold at least 9 Glock 21 Gen 5 since they've been out with no reported issues.I do understand SwampDweller's concerns though.

[echo5charlie]

Glock discontinued the Gen 4 9mm and 40 cal models for commercial sales in 2020.

They are technically still available for agency sales when required.

I donÂ’t know if they have formally discontinued them in 45 and 10 mm yet, but that will happen eventually as Gen 5 become available in 45 and 10mm.

The only reason the GEN 3 guns are still available is the California market and certain contracts specifying the Gen 3s.

If the California handgun roster where to go away, Glock would probably discontinue commercial sales of the GEN 3.

This.

The Gen4 20/21/29/30 are still available and listed as in production, but will be shut down in time as the 9/40s were. RSR (big distributor) currently has a 'special purchase' variant with 2 13-rd mags, the standard PG2150203 is not even listed anymore.

Not that it is the final say, but GSSF no longer lists the Gen4 20/21/29/30 as a prize option, only the Gen5 and Gen3 variants.

The slow exit has begun.

[LockedBreech]

If it was any other manufacturer, I might want to snag a Gen 4 while they're still available for all the benefits with none of the issues. With Glock, though, I'd be inclined to just wait a few years. They're pretty decent about fine-tuning things over time, with the seemingly constant magazine design revisions as an example.

Or just snag an M2.0 M&P45, which is the current poly-striker king of the hill .45 as far as I'm concerned.

[SwampDweller]

If it was any other manufacturer, I might want to snag a Gen 4 while they're still available for all the benefits with none of the issues. With Glock, though, I'd be inclined to just wait a few years. They're pretty decent about fine-tuning things over time, with the seemingly constant magazine design revisions as an example.

Or just snag an M2.0 M&P45, which is the current poly-striker king of the hill .45 as far as I'm concerned.

You’ve all got me considering rolling the dice on a new Gen 5 21 that hopefully would be recent production, and hopefully with any tweaks they may have implemented to fix the issues I had. That’s an expensive gamble though. The fact that the G21 is my best-shooting model of pistol, and I’ve done some of my best pistol shooting of all time with the Gen 5 G21, makes me want to take the chance.

[Gun Mutt]

^^^You can dooo it!!

(And if that works out, I’d like to be the first to enable you to get a newer 30.5, you know, for like; reasons.)

[Navin Johnson]

^^^You can dooo it!!

(And if that works out, I’d like to be the first to enable you to get a newer 30.5, you know, for like; reasons.)

Don’t worry, he has a thread about that too.

[SwampDweller]

Don’t worry, he has a thread about that too.

Well yeah, I got burned on that one too.

[LockedBreech]

You’ve all got me considering rolling the dice on a new Gen 5 21 that hopefully would be recent production, and hopefully with any tweaks they may have implemented to fix the issues I had. That’s an expensive gamble though. The fact that the G21 is my best-shooting model of pistol, and I’ve done some of my best pistol shooting of all time with the Gen 5 G21, makes me want to take the chance.

Look at it this way. It's Glock. They don't get a lot of credit for it, probably because most people never need it, but their customer service is some of the best in the game. In fact, I personally know of two different LE agencies in my area who switched to a non-Glock platform and ended up switching back with a big part of the reason being that Glock service was much more responsive.

So even if it gives you trouble, it's not like you'll just have to deal with it. They'll fix it. My vote: enable!

[SwampDweller]

Look at it this way. It's Glock. They don't get a lot of credit for it, probably because most people never need it, but their customer service is some of the best in the game. In fact, I personally know of two different LE agencies in my area who switched to a non-Glock platform and ended up switching back with a big part of the reason being that Glock service was much more responsive.

So even if it gives you trouble, it's not like you'll just have to deal with it. They'll fix it. My vote: enable!

Any tips on how to best ensure I get one produced as recently as possible, rather than an older stock one?

[RONK]

SwampDweller,the newer production pistols will all be US made and have a GA suffix in the serial number.Glock's product code for a 13 rd pistol is,UA215S203MOS.

[echo5charlie]

SwampDweller,the newer production pistols will all be US made and have a GA suffix in the serial number.Glock's product code for a 13 rd pistol is,UA215S203MOS.

There is no GA suffix (let alone any suffix) in standard US produced pistols. All US made pistols follow the Axxx alpha sequence. This is, of course, for standard commercial units. Agency and other special interest runs may differ.

[RONK]

echo5charlie,sir we're an FFL,and the serial numbers on the 21 Gen 5's end in GA on the pistols that we recently received.

[echo5charlie]

echo5charlie,sir we're an FFL,and the serial numbers on the 21 Gen 5's end in GA on the pistols that we recently received.

Well, that is very interesting and, obviously, a new one on me. How recently did you receive these? The last one we got in (May, I think) followed the standard but did have the new (old) gray finish barrel.

[SwampDweller]

SwampDweller,the newer production pistols will all be US made and have a GA suffix in the serial number.Glock's product code for a 13 rd pistol is,UA215S203MOS.

Thanks. Different product code and UPC, this must be the updated version. Well now I need to decide if I'm going to put my money where my mouth is.

[RONK]

Well, that is very interesting and, obviously, a new one on me. How recently did you receive these? The last one we got in (May, I think) followed the standard but did have the new (old) gray finish barrel.
Sir we received three of the US produced pistols from Zanders from 6/25-7/19.

[echo5charlie]

Sir we received three of the US produced pistols from Zanders from 6/25-7/19.

Very neat. Thanks for the schooling, learning has occurred!

[RONK]

Very neat. Thanks for the schooling, learning has occurred!

Sir,I'm very happy that I can help in anyway,I've learned a lot from you all!

[LockedBreech]

I remembered this thread when I got my G20G5 last week. It's my first-ever USA-manufactured Glock, I had always been a bit of a snob and only bought the Austria-stamped ones.

Happy to say I was doing that for no reason at all. Compared my G17G5, G22G5, and G20G5 side-by-side and if it weren't for the fun little outline of Georgia on the slide you wouldn't be able to tell which was made where.

You can criticize Glock for grip angle or being slow-to-market/inflexible, but one thing you can't criticize them for is quality control. Went camping last week and did a side-by-side disassemble of my still pretty new G22G5 and my brother's 15 year old G22G3, and was honestly pretty surprised how much is not different, even with all the small changes.

[ECVMatt]

My 20 is really the only gun I have ever had to fully disassemble in the field to get working again. I took a long slide down a mud bank into a creek that feeds the Red River once. It packed my gun and me full of Red River mud. I did not test the but did pull a nail out of an old fence to completely strip it. I washed off the pieces in the creek, put it back together, squirted some oil on it we had in a saddle bag, and continued hunting. At the end of the day a fired 15 rounds that all worked without a hitch. That really sold me on Glocks for field use. They are reasonably powerful, accurate, easy to work on, and pretty weatherproof. That is a pretty hard combo to beat.

[TWR]

I bought the first G21.5 I saw and did have a few jams, almost like a 3 point jam in a 1911. Did it with my reloads with a bullet that choked a couple of 1911's so I didn't think too much of it until it did it with HST 230's. I think it was all in less than 100 rounds. Sent it back to Glock and they checked it out, replaced the recoil spring assy and sent it back. I ran 2 boxes of HST's and the rest of my old reloads without any problems. I've since switched to a different 200 grain bullet and have had no further issues. Shot a few of Lost Rivers 250's without any problems either.

But since seeing this thread, I have a match this Saturday and if I can make it, I'm gonna shoot the 21.5 in it. If it's gonna choke, it'll do it in a match...

[TWR]

And in the name of research, can someone post a pic of the USA made feed ramp/chamber of a 21.5?

Mine has always puzzled me as to why it has a center median in it. Maybe they changed this?

[TWR]

The reason I'm asking about the feed ramp is because of this thread
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?60359-G42-weirdness/page5
My barrel looks just like the top pic and I wondered if Glock might have made a change.

[TWR]

These are pics from RONK of a new Georgia made 21.5
https://i.postimg.cc/HnBvDZ12/E7-AF67-AE-C313-4-CEB-ACE3-FE9-CBAB8-EC37.jpg (https://postimg.cc/SYYfcGs2)
https://i.postimg.cc/2jwKZ6LZ/DBCF6-E74-065-D-4-A03-94-F5-0-B5221-E03-DEA.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ThK08T9d)
https://i.postimg.cc/7YttKWVP/7-B6-AA4-B1-5-D1-F-4-FAF-A23-B-A75-E90-EEE5-E7.jpg (https://postimg.cc/3dpZR9Vz)
https://i.postimg.cc/vTQ2KRkT/120-B2-A47-55-BC-4-E83-A653-D7-DD63-CFA65-C.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ftrv3PwQ)
Okay so I remember my 21.5 had a hump in the middle of the feed ramp. You will see in some of my pics a shiny spot just at the lip of the chamber. I’m thinking now after looking at the wear/tooling marks, I think they polished the hump out when I sent it in. Or maybe seeing the pic of the 42 in the other thread influenced my memory. Anyway it works now.
https://i.postimg.cc/0QGHZ5th/555-B8883-8-B14-4-ACB-B98-A-B4-E47-C8-ED281.jpg (https://postimg.cc/mzDwg4WS)
https://i.postimg.cc/gJbTvLKv/54574788-FB81-49-EA-878-B-071-CD97-E9-E8-A.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jWvcT5m5)

[okie john]

I'm a 10-shot mag state. What's the latest on Glock 10-shot 45 ACP mags for the G21? Are they as bad as the 9mm and 40 S&W mags?

Thanks,


Okie John

[Lost River]

I'm a 10-shot mag state. What's the latest on Glock 10-shot 45 ACP mags for the G21? Are they as bad as the 9mm and 40 S&W mags?

Thanks,


Okie John


I know nothing of such animals, but I would be willing to put a couple to some testing if I could get my hands on them. I would run them for a while and give a report.

For some reason I seem to have misplaced my 2nd G30 mag. I pulled out my G30S earlier this week and the mag that stays in the gun is a factory 10 round mag, and I usually use a standard 13 round G21 mag for a second mag. the second mag that came with the gun has somehow wandered into that black hole that swallows these things..

I had considered putting a +2 or whatever base plate on the 10 round G30 mag, as it makes it easier for my size XL hands to grip the gun, versus just running the G21 mags, but I cannot seem to locate it.:(

[okie john]

I know nothing of such animals, but I would be willing to put a couple to some testing if I could get my hands on them. I would run them for a while and give a report.

For some reason I seem to have misplaced my 2nd G30 mag. I pulled out my G30S earlier this week and the mag that stays in the gun is a factory 10 round mag, and I usually use a standard 13 round G21 mag for a second mag. the second mag that came with the gun has somehow wandered into that black hole that swallows these things..

I had considered putting a +2 or whatever base plate on the 10 round G30 mag, as it makes it easier for my size XL hands to grip the gun, versus just running the G21 mags, but I cannot seem to locate it.:(

Thanks. I'm looking at it for an outdoorsman's piece, probably set up with an optic like yours.

I should be able to find a couple locally.


Okie John

[TWR]

Shot the G21.5 in our match today. Gun ran great, shooter did not. I haven’t shot pistol since June and it’s been even longer since I shot the 21.5, very first shot I saw the dot just over the left shoulder and broke the trigger anyway. Later on I did a mag change on the move squeezing between two walls and failed to get the mag seated. Other than that, I’m pretty sure I got the most A zone hits which is always my goal. I just barely got beat out of second place so my speed wasn’t too far off the pace.

While it wasn’t but 100 or so rounds, the gun ran flawlessly and I was reminded of why I like it so much. It’s so easy to shoot, points exactly where I look and is plenty accurate.

[PNWTO]

Thanks. I'm looking at it for an outdoorsman's piece, probably set up with an optic like yours.

I should be able to find a couple locally.


Okie John

I’m pretty much copying Lost River as well and also in WA.

My new 21.5 hasn’t been shot but will report back whenever I can get it out.

Have a few boxes of Crit Duty and about 300 rounds of Lawman that I would like to “learn it” with.

Need to place an order on LR’s site for the rest of the equation.

[the Schwartz]

I’m pretty much copying Lost River as well and also in WA.

My new 21.5 hasn’t been shot but will report back whenever I can get it out.

Have a few boxes of Crit Duty and about 300 rounds of Lawman that I would like to “learn it” with.

Need to place an order on LR’s site for the rest of the equation.

Looking forward to your experience with the pistol. CF's and GJM's experiences with their G20s were great data points; I'm sure yours will prove informative, too.

[Cyberpunk1981]

Been wanting a Glock 21 badly. I want a bigh high cap .45 ACP.