Glock 21 Sf Vs 21 - Of all the .45 semi-automatic handgun options, the Glock certainly occupies a respectable position. Glock is known for its reliable and simple design - an important factor for many shooters. The Glock was the middle ground between those who wanted larger caliber handgun ammunition and those who were tired of carrying 6 or 7 rounds in a magazine. This brings us to the firearm we are looking at for this review, the Glock 21.
Glock introduced the G21 SF (Short Frame) in 2007 to compete for a DOD contract. The deal didn't pan out, but the firearm became popular among law enforcement and civilians alike for its unique features. Based on the 3rd generation Glock 21, the company made only a few changes to this variant. For this Glock 21 review, we shot and ran the Glock 21 SF.
Glock 21 Sf Vs 21
Among the changes seen in the Glock 21 SF, the most notable (as the name suggests) is the smaller frame. Short frame, not to be confused with frame width, provides less frame depth than the Gen 3 Glock 21. This shorter frame depth allows people with smaller hands to properly grip and access features. In newer generations (Gen 4), the Glock 21 grip length is about the same as the G21 SF.
This Is My Glock 21sf. There Are Some Like It, But This One Is Mine. I Say Some Because It's An Ambi Mag Release Model W/ Full Picatinny Rail. Going On 10
As mentioned earlier, the Glock 21 SF is chambered in one of the "big" calibers - 0.45 ACP. Most shooters recognize the 45 ACP as a classic caliber, and many self-defense shooters still depend on the cartridge.
Glock combines tradition with capacity in the Glock 21 SF. The Glock 21 SF offers a 13+1 capacity—a seemingly reasonable number given the frame size.
Another unique aspect of the Glock 21 SF is the inclusion of an ambidextrous magazine release. While this feature is convenient, I felt it was lacking. I will explain this in more detail in the review. A few Glock 21 SF frames have been made with a light Picatinny rail to mount accessories - still not many and holster compatibility is an issue.
Many variants of the Glock 21 SF available today come from police departments that have retired them. These alternatives can be found in some places for as little as $350-$400 - a lot, no doubt.
Best Entry Level Red Dot For Glock 21
When I first got my hands on the G21, I quickly felt at home with it. I know not everyone prefers or even enjoys the "Glock experience," but as someone who owns and shoots a Glock, I felt comfortable. Some might even argue that the Glock is an “acquired” taste – regardless of whether you like Glock ergonomics or not, the 21 SF will feel good to you.
Even though it's made for use by people with different hand sizes, the case still feels relatively sturdy. I often shoot the Glock 17 and this frame offers more grip than the 17. While I don't mind the feel or size of the frame, I still had issues accessing the magazine version. I'll get into this more later when I get into the performance side of things.
My expectations of how this gun handled recoil and action in general were wrong. Based on the caliber, I expected subsequent shots to be a bit more difficult. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This gun worked really well in my experience. The gun ran all types of ammo I threw at it without issue. I was really impressed with the retreat management.
Although the frame was comfortable, I wished it had more textured surfaces. The G21 SF was slippery, especially after shooting for a while or after sweating. The 21 SF felt slide lacked twist at the front and seemed to be difficult to grip consistently. Some bezels and bezels can be a nice addition to the aftermarket.
Glock's Soft Shooting .45: The Glock Model 21
Shooting with the G21 SF was a huge confidence boost – when I realized that fast and accurate follow-up shots were very possible. I did drills using a zone C steel plate from about 15 yards moving forward and sideways. The consistent recoil and controllability I experienced with the Glock 21 made this a very enjoyable pistol to shoot.
Glocks aren't really known for super factory sights or triggers. Their work is usually nothing spectacular. My experience with the G21 SF was consistent with any other Glock I've shot in the field.
A white "U" clip with a standard post front is found here on the G21 SF. I was able to get enough of these sights to feel pretty confident, but then again, I've used these sights before. If you buy one of these G21 SFs (usually a police counter), be prepared to change the sights for low light use. I know it comes down to preference, but the fiber optic front end with the blacked out rear options on the market seems to work well for me.
My trigger test of the G21 SF showed an average pull weight of 5.5 pounds using Lyman's trigger scale - which is pretty typical for a Glock trigger. I know many are really opposed to these triggers. I've shot enough Glocks at this point that I don't bother with them too much.
Glock G17 Vs Glock G21 Sf Size Comparison
This trigger is smoother than a regular Glock trigger. It may very well be due to his "getting around" age. Regardless, I appreciated the smooth pickup and crisp break. No real complaints from me here.
For the most part, the weapon is simple and straightforward. After all, it's a Glock. I still noticed a few things about the performance that were quite annoying - the double sided magazine release was a first. I feel that Glock has compromised performance here to meet the DoD contract requirements.
The magazine design created a much smaller footprint than your typical Glock magazine. I ended up having to actually break the knob and turn the bezel to access this version. My hands are average. I was a bit shocked that I was still trying to come up with the right angle to make changes to the magazines.
I also seemed a little taken aback by it. While the design seemed to be on par with the regular slide version of the Glock, it didn't seem to perform as well. Additional and precise pressure was required for the release motion. I ended up just manually pulling the tube through most of the shoot.
File:glock 21 Sf.jpg
It may not be something to address (and I know aftermarket options are available) but I felt it was worth mentioning.
As part of my range testing with the Glock 21 SF, I used the Labrador Doppler Radar to obtain ballistics data. Using Speer Gold Dot 230 Gr. Ammo, I fired 5 rounds with the Labrador run.
The average muzzle velocity from this test was 832 ft/s from the G21 SF. Speer advertises a muzzle velocity of 890 feet per second. Here's a closer look at the ammo performance I recorded with the Glock 21.
The Glock 21SF is clearly a tried and tested firearm that has seen years of use. With Glock readily available and aftermarket support, it's hard to go wrong with a firearm like this. Given the price tag and the potential to find many used variants in good condition, the value seems high.
Glock 21 Sf Generation 4
My experience with the G21SF has exceeded my expectations in terms of performance, and to be honest, I want one now. It's not a perfect pistol, but in my opinion, it has great dial potential with a few simple aftermarket modifications. If you are looking for a well made and reliable .45 Auto, the Glock 21 SF may be for you.
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