any downsides to going frankenglock? 10mm/.45

[blackrat]

I inherited a bunch of 10mm along with reloading equipment for it, but nothing to shoot it out of. I was eyeballing the g20 for a bit but I also have a 1911 and .45. I see it's possible to convert easily from a .45 g21 to 10mm with just a barrel and extractor swap or I can just get either pistol and pick up an extra slide to swap back and forth. Is one way preferred or more reliable? Of course there's always the get both theory that's loved here but honestly it'd just be a secondary since I usually shoot 9mm.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I've had a couple of Frankenglocks and the worst problem I've had is POI shifts from one slide to another; that is, the slide off my G20SF shot to point of aim when it was on its own frame, but shot low when used on my G21SF frame. Otherwise, as long as you use the correct slide/barrel/magazine/recoil spring/ejector(or trigger housing as the swap is just as easy), it'll work just fine.

I have a Frankenglocked G17 right now using my G35 frame and a G17 upper with a Storm Lake threaded barrel and suppressor sights (yes, I'm in a free state). It works fine but shoots a little below point of aim, not enough to be concerned about.

Glocks, however, seem to be like AR15s... if you have an extra lower (or slide in this case) in the safe, it seems to grow another firearm by itself. Dang if I can figure out how that happens!

[blackrat]

thanks for the feedback. went to the lgs and they have 21s coming in next week but no 20s anytime soon unless I order it. I guess the best course of action would be to get a g21 along with a 10mm lone wolf barrel and adjustable rear sight. The barrel is recommended anyway to get the most out of 10mm and if I'm going to delve into reloading it makes the most sense.

[Bill Steele]

The frames are the same for the G21 and G20, so you can use a G21 slide on a G20 frame and vice versa.

The slides are different, with the G21 slide being lighter (more material milled away), so if you use a G21 slide with a 10mm conversion barrel, slide velocities will go up and with hotter ammo, you may see more feed issues and depending on the recoil spring weight you are running, more frame battering.

A more expensive route, but probably better reliability, would be to buy either a complete G20 or G21 and buy a complete slide assembly and magazines for the other caliber. It would be as reliable as a factory Glock in both calibers, just depending on which slide and magazines you are running on the frame (stay within generations when buying everything).

That is the approach I have chosen and it works flawlessly. I have a few G20SF's and a complete Gen 3 G21 slide assembly. Gunbroker is a decent source for the complete slides, generally G21 slides are more plentiful, G20 slides a little more rare and hence sometimes more dear. A lot of times the guys selling the new slides have magazines they will package as a deal, because they are just parting new guns out.

Good luck, whichever way you go, 10mm in Glock's is a lot of fun, especially if you reload.

[calibased]

Glock 20 is a solid 10mm gun. The only other practical option is a "high end" 1911 10mm but i don't prefer it. I believe the 1911 was only meant to be a .45 and the platform is designed just for that purpose.

[tacticalcity]

Grumpyoldretiredcop, I have to say it...LOVE the avatar!

[Oceanbob]

The frames are the same for the G21 and G20, so you can use a G21 slide on a G20 frame and vice versa.

The slides are different, with the G21 slide being lighter (more material milled away), so if you use a G21 slide with a 10mm conversion barrel, slide velocities will go up and with hotter ammo, you may see more feed issues and depending on the recoil spring weight you are running, more frame battering.

A more expensive route, but probably better reliability, would be to buy either a complete G20 or G21 and buy a complete slide assembly and magazines for the other caliber. It would be as reliable as a factory Glock in both calibers, just depending on which slide and magazines you are running on the frame (stay within generations when buying everything).

That is the approach I have chosen and it works flawlessly. I have a few G20SF's and a complete Gen 3 G21 slide assembly. Gunbroker is a decent source for the complete slides, generally G21 slides are more plentiful, G20 slides a little more rare and hence sometimes more dear. A lot of times the guys selling the new slides have magazines they will package as a deal, because they are just parting new guns out.

Good luck, whichever way you go, 10mm in Glock's is a lot of fun, especially if you reload.

This^^^^^^

Another idea is just buy a nice older Gen 3 Glock 20 and use the frame for a mech-tech conversion. The upper for running 10 on your Glock 21.


2 handguns and one carbine....

More on this subject here

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=721053

And yes, reloading will set you free..

[neomedic]

Might have to go this route as well. Was looking to get a gen4 G20 but due to limited space for SSE, I will probably just get a new gen4 G20 slide to use with my existing gen4 G21.

Hopefully won't run into any reliability should be same with new slide and new 10mm magazines.

[Click Boom]

This thread is full of win.

[blackrat]

thanks everyone, I'll start hunting around for a g21 now and pick up a complete 10mm slide down the road. Saw several available for around $360 on GB.

[crufflers]

thanks everyone, I'll start hunting around for a g21 now and pick up a complete 10mm slide down the road. Saw several available for around $360 on GB.

That's a great way to go. I started out with conversion barrels, but also have a few uppers and I prefer the upper route. I only need one of each Glock frame, I don't need complete guns. I may get a 21 or 20 someday (I don't have that frame) and when I do I'll pick up whatever slide didn't come with it.

I love the 29/30S combo, and since the 30S is SSE it makes it even more convenient to buy the 29 first. I also have a Glock 22C/17L/Advantage Arms 17-22.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Grumpyoldretiredcop, I have to say it...LOVE the avatar!

Thanks brother... even though I've escaped the PRK, I leave it as a reminder to resist Californication no matter where I am. I didn't make it, though - I um... procured it. Yup, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

thanks everyone, I'll start hunting around for a g21 now and pick up a complete 10mm slide down the road. Saw several available for around $360 on GB.

Good choice blackrat. It'll save you possible functioning issues in the long run. Both the 21 and the 20 are good shooters! Let me know if you need 10mm mags, I've got two or three 10 rounders sitting in my magazine locker that aren't doing me any good since I sold my G20SF.