Glock 23 vs. Glock 21

Question

I'm stuck between wanting a .40 or a .45 but i know i want a Glock so what is there significant difference between the 23 and the 21 besides their caliber? Whats the pros and cons of each?

Answer 1

You need to go to a gun store and hold both. The size between the 21 and the 22 is hugely different. There is more than just a difference in caliber. Also check out the 21SF. It is not quite as thick as the the 21.

.40 is cheaper ammo, snappier recoil. .45 is more expensive with a smoother recoil.

Answer 2

I've shot all full size Glocks except the 10mm and ported barrel models. The first Glock I shot was a Glock 23 and I really don't like it. As a matter of fact, Glock 23 is my least favorite Glock. Glock 23 produced some weird groups in my hands. The bullets will hit the target touching or almost touching each other and well centered. But they form a straight line most of the time. I guess it is caused by the gun's weight changed after each round was fired. I have to hold the gun very firmly in order to solve this problem.

Out of all full size Glocks, I like Glock 21 the best. Glock 21 doesn't give me any accuracy problem. I really don't know why Glock 21 doesn't give me accuracy problem since 45ACP cartridges are heavier and the weight change is even more significant. Maybe it is because of the difference in magazine capacity. Maybe I automatically held the gun firmer without even knowing since Glock 21 do have heavier recoil compare to most other handguns of similar size and caliber. Don't get spooked by heavier recoil though. Oddly, heavier recoil actually made Glock 21 a better combat handgun. Like all Glocks, Glock 21's muzzle climb is quite abrupt. Glock 21's muzzle climb is more violent compare to other Glocks I've shot. But the gun will recover from recoil faster too. When you fire the gun, the front sight will disappear very quickly and come back just as quickly. The front sight will also come back to the exact same spot every time without wobbling making rapid fire very easy. I could rapid fire a Glock 21 as fast as I could pull the trigger and put everything on half a piece of playing card from 15 yards away. This is very impressive for an out of the box factory gun. I could reproduce similar accuracy with many other factory 45's but it will take me about twice as long time.

I can not say Glock 21 is a perfect handgun for everyone because it really isn't. You'll have to deal with heavier recoil. You'll have to hold the gun correctly or the gun could jam on you. It is not an easy gun to shoot with one hand and it is even harder to shoot it with only your weak arm. Simply put, it is not an easy gun to master. But once you overcame those problems, a Glock 21 will treat you very well. By the way, Glock 23 gave me similar problems (to a lesser extent) as listed above but it didn't give me similar results.

Answer 3

I prefer the Glock Model 20 (10mm) myself, but I've always liked bigger guns.  Like the previous poster stated check out the Glock Model 21-SF which is more accomodating to smaller hands.  

Glock has a model to fit everyone.  Glocks are also available in more diverse calibers than any other modern semi-automatic.  The Forty cal and the .45 acp are quite close ballistically but in my humble opinion the .45 acp still has the edge.  If I were not a dedicated 10mm Glock man the .45 acp is the one I'd chose.  That or the Model 17 or 19 9mm if ammo capacity were more of a factor. With quality defensive ammo (115 to 127 grain jacketed hollow-point 9mm) the smaller bore is still a great stopper.

Good luck.

H

Answer 4

Being as both are double-stack magazine design, the 45 will be much wider.

The pros of the 45acp in ANY handgun is that using quality +p ammunition, it really outperforms 40SW as a manstopper, but at the price of either being a single stack design and having fewer rounds, or if it is a double-stack design, being extra wide, which novices don't understand throws off your grip just a little bit, and greatly reduces your accuracy.  Also, the 45acp tends to have more recoil, but some folks stay it is a little less sharp so even though it is more it feels about the same.  I tend to not notice the sharpness, 45acp seems to recoil more to me.

I take it you are a novice shooter, or at least a handgun novice.  Why don't you select a handgun in 9mm?  It doesn't matter one whit what caliber you are using if you cannot hit your target.  9mm recoils less than either 40SW or 45acp.  9mm in +p ammo is really nice stuff and will get the job done if you do yours.  Plus, 9mm ammo tends to be a lot less expensive, and it recoils less.

Also, how did you come to the conclusion that a Glock was the type of gun you want? Did it come from real research, or did you just hear all the gangsta rap stars talking about their glocks.

Springfield XD is the new glock. check it out.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php