For years, I've been shooting my Gen 3 G21 with Glock steel sights. At a recent GSSF match, I had issues with the steel plates, shooting consistently low; the sunlight on the plates was very bright, which probably was a factor, but I had no such similar issues when shooting the same plates at the same match with my G17 (also with Glock steel sights) and my G34 (with Warren Tacticals, with the back face of the front sight painted fluorescent green). I had the best results with the G34 with the Warrens.
I decided to switch out the Glock steel sights on the G21 with a set of Warrens. I'd intended to get the Warren Tacticals, but my gunshop inadvertently ordered (or their correct order was erroneously filled) me a set of Warren Sevigny Carry sights (which on arrival I decided that I was fine with). Since there was some confusion as to which was the correct front sight height for the G21, I personally discussed it with Scott Warren, and ordered the .215 tall front sight (versus the taller .245 option, which is normally used for the Tactical/Practical/Longslide Glocks).
My gunsmith very professionally installed the sights, and both mechanically laser boresighted. and then had me personally verify the boresight. I carefully zeroed the gun at my range, using a gridded target. I initially noticed a tendency for low strikes, but when carefully properly aligning, POA = POI (center hold POA/POI).
In a subsequent GSSF match, I continued to have a tendency to shoot low, and switched to a 12 o'clock POA hold for a center POI. After the match, I again confirmed zero-when the sights were properly aligned for a center hold POA, a center hold POI was achieved. But I again noticed a tendency to slip into shooting slightly low, so what I've been practicing is a 12 o'clock hold for "insurance," feeling that such a hold would be prudent to maximize hits.
Last weekend, we had an IDPA classifier. At the end of the day, while I had shot my best on a classifier with the G21 to date, the results were still sub par, with low hits predominating in most cases-BUT, I noticed that in the dynamic movement phases/strings of the classifier, where forward and then backward movement was required, I had excellent hit patterns in the "down zero" zone.
My thoughts are this:
- That the bright sunlight on the steel plates, combined with how I personally index with the G21 and my trigger control/strong hand movements were the primary causal factors in my low shooting-not the sights per se (although I'm certainly not regretting switching to the Warren Sevigny Carry sights)
- That I've twice confirmed zero with the Warren Sevigny Carry sights (and previously with the Glock steel sights) when the sights are properly aligned;
- That when I add movement/time constraints, I utilize the sights more effectively;
- That I'm probably overthinking the sight alignment issue, and that if I use the sights more aggressively and instinctively, I'll be more successful regarding center hold POA/POI
Contrary to my set-up with my Warren Tactical sights on my G34 (where I painted the front sight fluorescent green), I've decided to keep the front sight on the G21's Warren Sevigny Carry sights plain black, for a more stark sight picture, and were I can better capitalize on the front sight's serrations as a focusing aid.
When comparing my Glock performances in various venues, I find that I shoot my G17, G19s, and G34 very well, and very instinctively. The G21 requires more work, and I'm particularly suspecting more work on my trigger control, due to the differences in how my hands (particularly my strong hand/trigger finger) displace on the larger-framed Gen 3 G21.
Obviously, some options that come to mind are:
- Simply getting rid of the G21, and sticking with the smaller full-size or compact frame Glocks;
- Switching to a Gen4 G21, using it wothout either of the additional backstraps, wich makes it roughly comparable to a Gen 3 G17 regarding frame size/index;
- Submitting my frame for frame modification to Robar or Bowie;
- Doing nothing physically to the G21, but more extensively dry- and -live firing it as is to improve my instinctive index/build up the requisite muscle memory
Given my Gen 3's absolutely flawless performance with thousands or rounds, and that it has the more corrosion-resistant Tenifer finish, I'm more than a bit reluctant to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Similarly, I'm reluctant to have the frame modified, no matter how good the reputation of the modifier, as it would constrain my GSSF and IDPA eligibility. And while recent improvements to 9mm cartridges can be argued to somewhat marginalize the need/superiority of the .45 ACP round, I still very favorably look upon the .45 ACP G21 as a good winter carry/backwoods gun, given the efficacy of various cartridges for various purposes, and the relative weather imperviousness of the G21. I guess another option would be to mill down the front sight proportionately-but that's coming up with a hardware solution/compensation to what is most probably a software issue(s)...Thoughts?
Of course, increased practice/use of the G21 could be at the cost of practicing/using/carrying my 9mm Glocks, which I intrinsically and instinctively shoot better...
I'd appreciate other forum members thoughts, experiences and suggestions regarding this conundrum...(and the ammunition I've used throughout is brand new factory 230 gr ball-predominantly Federal Champion and Winchester White Box)
Best, Jon