GLOCK 21 SHOOTING REVIEW: Big Gun, Big Round, Soft Spoken

Introduction

Anyone who follows my Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook account knows about the love affair I have with my Glock 21. Currently, my Glock serves as my home defense weapon. For this review, I put about a hundred rounds through the Glock 21 and didn't experience any stoppages at all. The last time I shot this gun, I put about 200 rounds through it and hadn’t cleaned it since then. As a matter of fact, I honestly haven’t cleaned this gun since I first bought it. Nevertheless, the gun ran flawlessly, with no problems—just as you'd expect from a typical Glock.

Compared to other .45-caliber handguns on the market, the Glock 21 is a very soft shooter. It does kick because it is a .45, but instead of the sharp snap you'd get from a .40 or the pop of a 9mm, the .45 round delivers a dull push. The Glock 21 handles this recoil like a champ. Now, the grip is a bit beefy, so you may need to readjust your grip a little bit due to the recoil. Overall, though, the gun recoils very nicely, making it enjoyable to shoot rather than a chore, unlike some other .45s.

I run a stock trigger on my Glock 21 and, for the most part, I like it that way. It's your typical 5.5-pound trigger pull like all Glocks have out of the box. Personally, I think it’s adequate—while it’s not exceptional and won't win any awards, it’s still a good starter trigger for a striker-fired weapon like a Glock.

On my Glock 21, I’m running True Dot night sights with an orange back and a green front. I absolutely despise the U-dot sights that come stock with Glocks; they just don’t work for me and I find them subpar. However, these particular sights do their job well, and there's a certain cool factor with the different colors on the front and back sights. I really enjoy looking over at night and seeing them sitting on my nightstand, glowing back at me. Overall, these sights are really nice and I like them a lot.

The Glock 21 is easy to shoot well, and even though I didn’t really display that in the video, the gun handles recoil so effectively that it can make you a better shooter. Instead of snapping, the straight-back thud keeps the sights on target, helping you to get your shots on target, too. Most of the shooting I did with this gun was at 7 yards, and although I was attempting some type of grouping, I found the gun to be very accurate and enjoyable.

Hands down, without question, although I love my Glock 19 and it is my carry weapon, my favorite gun to shoot is my Glock 21. Shooting the .45 gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you’re able to shoot it well. There's just something fun about managing that type of recoil the way the Glock 21 does. For the most part, my Glock 21 is a champ—it runs and runs and I haven’t had any issues with it whatsoever. I also don’t plan to change or modify anything about it; I prefer to leave it stock. It’s my home defense weapon, and although I do carry it from time to time, it mostly stays at home as my nightstand gun. When things go bump in the night, it’s the first thing I grab.

That’s my shooting review of the Glock 21. Take care!

Keywords

• Glock 21
• Home defense weapon
• .45-caliber
• Soft shooter
• Stock trigger
• True Dot night sights
• Recoil
• Accuracy
• Nightstand gun

FAQ

What makes the Glock 21 a good home defense weapon?

The Glock 21 is a reliable and sturdy firearm with a .45-caliber round that provides stopping power. Its performance has been consistently flawless with no stoppages, making it dependable for home defense.

How does the recoil of the Glock 21 compare to other calibers?

The Glock 21 has a more manageable recoil due to the .45 round delivering a dull push instead of a sharp snap or pop. This makes it much easier and more enjoyable to shoot compared to other calibers.

Are the stock sights on the Glock 21 adequate?

The stock U-dot sights are generally considered subpar, but upgrading to sights like True Dot night sights with different color contrasts can greatly improve accuracy and usability, especially in low-light conditions.

What kind of trigger does the Glock 21 come with?

The Glock 21 comes with a standard 5.5-pound trigger pull, which is adequate for most users. While it's not exceptional, it’s a good starting point for a striker-fired weapon and gets the job done.

Is the Glock 21 suitable for everyday carry?

While the Glock 21 can be carried from time to time, its larger size and weight make it more suitable for home defense rather than everyday concealed carry.