Glock 21 vs 30 - HELP?!?!

[PoorMan]

I am in the market for a .45 ACP and have a 30SF on order...but (with the current state of things) I have had a lot of time to think about it and I often find myself questioning the 30SF's sub-compact size and consider changing my order to a 21SF.

I am (for the most part) committed to Glock and feel a compact would have been the perfect size, but since they don't make a compact in .45 ACP--here I am.

To share a few relevant points:

• I don't have the opportunity to shoot them (or even hold them)
• This is not for CCW. It's for home defense and range
• I am not a big guy. 5'9", smaller hands
• I don't want to deal with excessive recoil
• I also don't want a monster that is too big to be comfortable in my hands

1. Would you recommend the 30 or 21?
2. Or would I be better off opening up to other brands and getting a 4" barrel .45?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

[Oceanbob]

After reading your post I think the GLOCK 30SF will be perfect. It is an incredible weapon and very accurate. It will take G21 mags if needed.

I have the standard G30 (not short frame) and just so you know the G29 (10MM version) is the exact same size.

Here is a G29 (same frame and same size) with some tape on the grips and an aftermarket barrel.

And my GLOCK 30 in Olive Drab. The only thing I added to the G30 was an extended slide release. Notice I run G21 mags in this photo. I also run the standard mags for carry.

[GunDog]

I'm biased and recommend both the 30SF and the 21SF. You might want to also consider a Ruger LCP for deep carry.

[MA2]

[1]I don't have the opportunity to shoot them (or even hold them)
[2]This is not for CCW. It's for home defense and range
[3]I am not a big guy. 5'9", smaller hands
[4]I don't want to deal with excessive recoil
[5]I also don't want a monster that is too big to be comfortable in my hands

I love my 30sf...trust me it's really a compact (the way I define it) the total length and grip (with the standard magazine extension)...it's a compact.

[1] At least hold one, not available at the store, go to the range and hold them all, rent a few.
[2] Longer sight radius would be better (lets be real 99.99% range use), so 21sf wins here but not by much.
[3] Depends on hand...works for some not for some.
[4] Gen3 dual recoil spring wins over the 21 single spring set-up, shoot both back to back slight difference (or go 9mm).
[5] Glock big frame has the fattest grip (although internet exaggerated) of the $600 and under polymers...back to #1...

Glad I can confuse you a little
good luck with choice.

[Pistolgrip Pump]

I am 5'9" and I have a 21..not a 21sf and I can shoot it just fine. It is my HD gun and if you are looking for a HD/ range gun I would highly suggest the 21. The recoil is very manageable and I hardly notice it at all.

[Tuzo]

Go with the 30sf. Based on your criteria, you would be more comfortable with it. The 30 is really a sweet shooter

[Sebass]

Can't wait to get my 30 SF!

This will be a CCW/HD Gun

I'm 5' 8" and found the G30 SF to fit my hands pretty well..

[HighLander51]

Unless it's for CCW, always get the largest frame gun in a caliber that YOU can manage, doesn't matter if it's a 9mm, 40S&W or .45acp... or 10mm or .357SIG.

[trigger945]

If you are decided on .45 ACP, I would say G21 SF. It easier to grip, has less felt recoil and has a longer barrel, which leads to better accuracy.

If you are simply decided on Glocks, why not try other calibers in compact size? G19 seems popular

[Sheepdog1968]

I've held both and am 6 foot with average to slightly large hands. I like the way the glove 30sf feels in my hand. I do not like the way the Glock 21sf feels in my hand. I would choose a Glock 30sf. If I wanted the full size Glock 21sf, I would send it out to Robar for a grip reduction

[Peter.Steele]

I'll be the - so far - lone voice of dissent here. I had a 30, and hated it. It felt awkward and clumsy in my hands, and I just wasn't ever very good with it. It was thoroughly unpleasant - for me - in almost every imagineable way.

Try before you buy, if at all possible.

[esy]

I have the Glock 30 and it shoots great. It's classified as a subcompact, but like someone already mentioned, it's a bit closer to a compact. I use the Glock as my primary carry weapon, HD, range gun, etc. whenever i get into an agency, i'll probably get a 21SF as my duty weapon. The 21 grip feels larger in my hand than the 30, and the 21SF feels a bit better.

Either way you go, you really can't go wrong. With the 30 though, get used to wearing a band-aid on your pinky as the space between the grip and magazine will pinch and leave a nice blister after a while, or you can always get the Pearce grip extension.

[Striker]

I am in the market for a .45 ACP and have a 30SF on order...but (with the current state of things) I have had a lot of time to think about it and I often find myself questioning the 30SF's sub-compact size and consider changing my order to a 21SF.

I am (for the most part) committed to Glock and feel a compact would have been the perfect size, but since they don't make a compact in .45 ACP--here I am.

To share a few relevant points:

• I don't have the opportunity to shoot them (or even hold them)
• This is not for CCW. It's for home defense and range
• I am not a big guy. 5'9", smaller hands
• I don't want to deal with excessive recoil
• I also don't want a monster that is too big to be comfortable in my hands

1. Would you recommend the 30 or 21?
2. Or would I be better off opening up to other brands and getting a 4" barrel .45?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

A third option is to get a Gen 3, 21, send it to Bowie Tactical and have them do a grip cut and or reduction. I think the internet chatter about the size of the 21 grip is overstated, but I wouldn't rule out other .45s either. The only person that can tell you what's right for you is you and unless you can find a way to shoot them, there's no way for you to really know either.

[Jimmy310]

Massad Ayoob's favorite glock is the 30. Im pretty fond of it aswell. The 30 is about the same length as a glock 19/23/32 which alot of people claim to be the best sized glock around. I had a glock 30 for a while and loved it, but traded it towards a glock 30sf which grip is a little better for my medium sized stubby fingers.

[RikSors]

Glock 30.

To each his own.