Thoughts on G21SF over G20SF...

[icentropy]

Well I just bought a G21SF (still waiting 10days) and I had a plan (not well thought out apparently). I wanted a 6" longslide 10MM Glock.

1. buy G21SF
2. buy LWD 6" 10MM long slide and barrel and use the gun in this configuration normally. (keep the 45ACP for when i want to change it up a bit)
3. live a long and healthy life

I was under the impression that the upper/barrel would fall in the $300+ range.

Turns out it's more like $450 (about the price of a G20SF through GSSF)

So now I have to decide whether to pay the price of a whole nother gun just to be able to shoot 10MM (without having ever shot a 10MM!) Nobody rents them around where i live.

Looking back i probably should have bought a G20SF. from the start and IF i liked the 10MM more than a 45SCP, bought a 6" upper and sold the standard length G20 upper to offset the cost...

[AleksT]

Oh damn. Sorry to hear that. I bought a G21SF awhile ago (Pickup date is tomorrow) and I ordered the 10mm conversion barrel with 2xG20 mags. I already load for .45acp and I know I love the cartridge but I bought it because it's a fairly easy swap to go from .45acp > 10mm. Fortunately, I'm good with keeping it within the stock length barrel.

I've never fired a 10mm either but from what I can see if I don't like it (and I don't know why I wouldn't) I can always down-load to .40s&w specs or simply shoot it stock with .45acp and be happy. You could probably sell it and get a G20SF instead but if you want the 6" slide you'll still have to pay about the same amount of money. At least with your G21SF you're already set to shoot .45acp.

You can still get the LWD 6" upper w/barrel (and mags) and still try and sell the G21 stock upper and mags. Someone out there might want it.

[icentropy]

Oh damn. Sorry to hear that. I bought a G21SF awhile ago (Pickup date is tomorrow) and I ordered the 10mm conversion barrel with 2xG20 mags. I already load for .45acp and I know I love the cartridge but I bought it because it's a fairly easy swap to go from .45acp > 10mm. Fortunately, I'm good with keeping it within the stock length barrel.

I've never fired a 10mm either but from what I can see if I don't like it (and I don't know why I wouldn't) I can always down-load to .40s&w specs or simply shoot it stock with .45acp and be happy. You could probably sell it and get a G20SF instead but if you want the 6" slide you'll still have to pay about the same amount of money. At least with your G21SF you're already set to shoot .45acp.

You can still get the LWD 6" upper w/barrel (and mags) and still try and sell the G21 stock upper and mags. Someone out there might want it.

Wait, don't you need a new slide as well? Can you use the G21 upper as is with 10mm rounds? does the extractor, recoil spring and everything else work with a 10mm?

To recap are you saying all i need to shoot 10mm out of my G21 is a 10mm barrel and mags?

[cmace22]

Wait, don't you need a new slide as well? Can you use the G21 upper as is with 10mm rounds? does the extractor, recoil spring and everything else work with a 10mm?

To recap are you saying all i need to shoot 10mm out of my G21 is a 10mm barrel and mags?

Thats my understanding. May not be as reliable as a complete G20 upper but it does work. Check out Glocktalk for loads of info on it.

[21SF]

Yes you can shoot 10mm out of a glock 21 with just a brarrel change actually, the mags are the same.

I would just keep the gun as is and start building the 10mm longslide if you really want that.

If you just want to be able to shoot 10mm get a conversion barrel.

[CSACANNONEER]

You're too late. We used to rent 10mm Glocks at the Agoura Range but, the range is gone now.

[Oceanbob]

Actually...

Yes you can shoot 10mm out of a glock 21 with just a brarrel change actually, the mags are the same.

I would just keep the gun as is and start building the 10mm longslide if you really want that.

If you just want to be able to shoot 10mm get a conversion barrel.

The Magazines are different.

He will have to install a 10MM barrel conversion, most likely change the spring and switch to Glock 20 magazines.

[Agent Tikki]

The .45acp mags and 10mm mags feed lips are different, you will have to buy new mags, but you can just buy a conversion barrel from .45acp to 10mm. I don't believe a stock g20 barrel is recommended. If I remember correctly, I believe the OEM G20 and G21 recoil springs are the same at 17#. Its just that the nuclear 10mm loads usually warrant higher rated springs. There is some concern that the G21 had a bigger breach face than the G20, but from what I've read, people do the conversion all the time. I've been thinking about doing the same thing, and haven't run across anyone with any issues or complaint yet.

The way I look at it is, you get your G21 .45 acp.
You buy yourself a conversion barrel and a couple mags, $150 or so investment.
You have a good time shooting some hot 10mm rounds.

Then you can sell the barrel and get some cash back, but you keep the mags, and do your long slide conversion.

You're not as @$$ed out as you think.

Going the G20 route, just remember, there is no conversion for it to shoot .45 acp, without buying a whole G21 slide assembly due to the larger breechface. Only .40 cal and .357 sig. When you do get around to your long slide conversion, with the G21, you will be able to shoot .45/10mm/.40/.357 sig! I think you made the right choice! Take a Deep Breathe and lots of pictures!

[aermotor]

A 10mm barrel alone will not work with ANY reliability. Tried it. Failed. Couldn't get more than2 rounds out without a failure. I own a Glock 21 and just bought a complete Glock 20 slide off Gun Broker. That' the way to go imo. Conversion barrels might work, but I don't want to deal with that.

Be glad you got .45 — especially if you've never even shot 10mm. A far more widely available and cheaper round. Worry about a 10mm conversion when you've got the funds. Have FUN with your 21, they are amazing.

[HighLander51]

You can get a G20 top end and change out the ejector on the G21 frame and get G20 mags, or get a conversion barrel and change out the extractor on the G21 slide to be reliable and the ejector on the G21 frame. Recoil springs are the same. 10mm is for hunting, it has brutal recoil and is expensive to shoot. Or you can cook your own .45acp loads and get them going really fast...

If you have never shot a 10mm, you are going to be better off with the .45acp

[icentropy]

Everyone with a G20 long slide says they're "the bees knees"

I have no gun savy friends so no hands on time for me (besides what i've rented at the range and the (9mm i used to have), so based on everything I've read online the 10MM is the ideal handgun round for use at a defense/hunting handgun. Plus there's the added benefit of shooting .40 out of it as well for cheaper practice. I've heard the recoil is pretty bad but much more manageable out of a 6" barrel. I was thinking of going 6" or 5.2" with compensator. I figure you can get good at anything you put effort into, why not put effort into the 10MM? I plan on reloading anyway so ammo cost couldn't be drastically different than 45ACP since it uses .40 bullets and brass is reuseable.

[HighLander51]

Compensator's are very tricky to make work, most will not run on factory ammo, and require really hot rounds. Even from a 6" barrel, recoil is still not fun. I just don't like recoil anymore, never really did.

[aermotor]

10mm brass will bankrupt you. It's a lot more than .40 or .45 — What do you plan to do.... you've already purchased and drosed it. Sounds like you needed a bit more research before buying, hah. I'd stick with the .45 and have fun with it. 10mm is no average round. If you hunt A LOT I would say maybe get that, but .45 goes a long way. Start there and keep expanding.

[icentropy]

What do you plan to do.... you've already purchased and drosed it.

Plan is keep the lower and put on a 10MM upper

Sounds like you needed a bit more research before buying, hah.

It's true, I was in a hurry to buy (common newbie mistake) and went with the 45 thinking i'd get the 10mm upper and have both. Now i see how expensive the 10MM upper actually are and am starting to regret not starting out with the G20.

Newbie impulse buying probably accounts for a large percentage of the firearms industry You're welcome.

I guess i could just suck it up and buy the LWD G20L upper, maybe sell the 45 upper off later if i shoot it less than the 10MM....

Benefit to the 10MM brass is it can be trimmed to .40SW after it's used up as 10MM right?

[aermotor]

Seriously. As a new shooter, just stick with the .45 for a while. 10mm is awesome and all, but there's not too much of a reason (besides just wanting to...) to have that as your primary gun. Ammo is way more expensive and harder to find. Then save up around $300 and find a G20 upper and do it right. For now, just shoot and practice.