Glock 21 Gen 2.5

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My search for a local Glock 21 any generation around $400 ended today. It ain't local but it came in at $425 and with the "found money" I'll only have $180 of my own cash tied up. After finishing a couple of unexpected paying but hard work gigs.....it'll be free as far as I'm concerned.

In any event, I always wanted a good 45 to replace the 1911's I sorta miss but no longer feel comfortable with, so....Glock 21 should fill that bill. And, I always wanted a .50 that I could actually enjoy shooting and hunting with. So....since the basic platform will be essentially free, I think I'll treat myself to a .50 GI conversion for Christmas. Two guns and extra mags for the price of one.

Should be here in a week or so and I'll get it out to shoot and take better photos. But for now....it looks like a very low mileage full size 45 ACP. Its called a Generation 2.5 since its a Gen 2 gun with the Gen 3 finger groove grip (less the silly pic rail for stubby bayonet spotting laser mounting). Some folks say the combination is rare....I doubt it, since starting shopping for a Glock 21, these keep coming up. None in this nice condition though. Got lucky on a Hail Mary bid, again.

If its a good un....I'll have to get that .50 kit and we'll see if the 50 GI is a nice shooting upgrade to the lower end of the factory loaded 41 mag ballistics on a semi auto platform.

So far so good, no paint, no grip chop, no stippling and with luck, no damage to the guts. I don't think it got shot or carried much. Either way, the price is right and condition could be better than I could have hoped for. We'll see.


I ordered a couple spare 13 rounders. The gen 4 mags fit all previous generations. Also ordered an extended mag catch and slide lock and slide release. Pretty much standard install items for all the glocks we have owned.....the factory buttons and gizmos are just a bit small.

I really like the Gen 2 grip on Dads early 19. The Gen 3 grip and its slightly larger rendition on the 21 frame I have less experience with and can't remember ever shooting one of the 21 size. But I have average hands and I spect it'll be alright for me. We'll know for sure in a few hours.

 

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Got it today. Excellent + Condition and I'm quite pleased. Low wear if that can be defined for glocks with the ones out there that have upwards of 750000 rounds through them and going strong, so they say.

But...no chop, no stipple, no paint. A good basis for the 45 to take into retirement.

A good two handed grip gun and even GoodWife Likes the feel. She's indicated a desire to shoot it and interested in it for its primary duty purpose.....house gun in 45 Caliber configuration.

The sights are confirmed tritium Tru Glo Pro's with plenty of light left in them for use in reduced lighting and with the fiber optics, just as bright in any light. Overall, a nice $150ish addition that I didn't have to finance as they came with the pistol.

The Gen 2.5 mag on the right, Gen 4 mags on the left. Gen 4s fit and work in all glocks.....the difference, they are set up for left and right mag ejection on the Gen 4 frames.

Interior is in fine shape and clean. No indications of heavy use.

Some updates added for ol fumble fingers to make the gun more user friendly.

Lone Wolf extended slide stop for ease of disassembly....

Glock stock part, extended slide release...yep, I thumb em down rather than slingshot. A hold over from my 1911 days I suppose. But, unobtrusive and works like a champ.

Lone Wolf extended mag release. Might be a touch too long....I'll try it in holster and if its a problem, there is plenty of meat in the longer part to adjust it in till its perfect for me....but, it sure gives a nice positive mag release, especially as arthritis weakens the fingers and thumbs with age.

The three new control surfaces in place. A 10 minute job to install all three. A dollop of good rig grease in the right places and the slide moves like its on bearings when reassembled.

I'll have to get it to the range, but for now, since I'm taking the granddaughters deer hunting this weekend and the ranges are short.....mayhap they'll let me have an opportunity to pot a doe with it after they get theirs.

 

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Trigger breaks at a consistent 5.5 lbs. (A 3.5 lb bar with the right spring will give a nice clean 4.5 lb pull. Perhaps in the near future.)

Serial number gives a 1997 date of manufacture.

 

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Not a barrel for .460 Rowland....but good for 45 ACP and +P and possibly for 45 Super.

A generous ramp as is common on early glock barrels.

 

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Dad is here. We are final packing for a hunting trip in the Low Country with Pals today. He brought his EDC. An early two pin Glock 19, three letter/three digit model. What a marvelous grip the Gen 2 19s have. Glock failed with the Gen 3 finger grip/luger palm swell grip angles. I wonder if the fours are any better....perhaps not considering the mods and the Timber Wolf frames are Gen 2ish and so popular.

Made in 1993, I recall our shopping for his EDC way back when. A solid 1911 45 Auto man, it'd been years since he qualified with Colts fine weapon.....off to the range we went and over weeks rented and shot a variety of pistols and revolvers. The 1911 45 was rented several times. And each time, the same problems cropped up for him. The greater rise in recoil of the 45, the weight of the full size 1911 in steel and the constant failures to thumb the safety off at presentation. Glock was newish at the time and Glock in 9mm became the favorite. He bowed to the superior elements and has never regretted it.

A drawer gun from then, (with occasional trips to the range) it became the EDC in 2016 with acquisition of his first CCW. Now it rides mag full/chamber empty (a hold over from his Army Training and a carry condition he is fully comfortable with) in a Blackhawk Sherpa on his waist.

To this day it looks as new, he has box, papers and even the cleaning kit, all in pristine condition. And the gun continues to run perfectly.

Looking over my 2.5 45 Auto, he noted the extended slide release and slide stop. At 77, rather than become less tractable, he's become more open to change. Always a keep it stock man, he handled and really likes the extended components for their added functionality. I guess we know what's on his Christmas list for this year! Hell, he even wants a scope mount and scope for his Viet Nam era slick side M16/AR15 replica build! (He was quite impressed with youngest granddaughters slaughtering of two fine bucks last year with the 55g sp Win 223 load from Myra the Mini at 80 yards and 125 yards each!)

 

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Took the Glocks and the LCRs out today for a workout.

Dads 2 pin 19 still runs as perfect today as it did when he first got it back in 1993.

The LCRs ran like good clocks, as to be expected.

And the new acquisition 1997 Glock 21 purred through 100 185g FMJs and 50 230g FMJs. All the mags work perfect, the new controls are functioning fine, the glowing sights are the bomb making fast acquisition and hits a simple affair. Over all, a fine purchase and about as reliable and straight shooting as I could want. I suppose now is to find a nice carry load and get it on paper for hunting as well. And, to save up for a 50 kit.

 

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After yesterdays work out, decided to detail strip both the 19 and the 21 and see what kind of shape the internals were in as far as dirt and wear.

The 21 was fine as expected and very clean inside. Not much work to do there other than wiping down all the components and putting them back into place with several function checks. I did polish the bottom face of the striker/extractor button, just because. All is well on this 1997 edition Glock.

As for Dads 1993 Glock 19. It had its first detail strip and cleaning since purchased new in 1993. Over all, surprisingly clean inside. No visual wear of any components and other than a slightly gummed up striker mechanism and a rather stiff but functional extractor plunger/spring assembly, a bit of hoppes 9 and some q tips got the guts all cleaned. A light grease on the metal to metal contact points (Striker/extractor and plunger assembly went back together dry) and it all went back together double quick. Smooth and reliable, this nearly 24 year old handgun seems to be standing up quite well to the claim of Glock Perfection.

I am positive, my prior 1911s or S&W autos would not have gone 23 odd years of use and open storage without exhibiting the need for a good cleaning and lubing or three.

Glock holster is in. I really like it. We'll see how it rides and holds up.

But...

Soft. Adjustable for belt width by removing internal tabs. Has a retention nubbie inside. Seems very secure and not dayum twisty pull yer pants up difficult to clear leather like the dadburned fobus holsters.

I made a small notch for the extended mag release.

Holster is ambidextrous.

Rides high, stays close to my smallish beer sidewalls without seeming to rub em raw.

$10.05 and free shipping by Amazon.

Genuine Glock, two sizes to cover all frames.

Guess I'll take it hunting now I got something to carry it in besides the coat pocket!

 

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After a day wearing this big chunk, I like the holster so far. I found a position where I can sit in the bucket seat in Pixie with no issues from the seat belt or comfort stand point, that position happens to be where it carries well so, a couple stars there. The hunting knife rides well behind it as well. Neither seem to be in the way or causing discomfort during activities.

The holster keeps the gun in snug and high, but not overly tight.

It does take a bit of getting used to, this is a large and heavy handgun compared to my daily carry ruger LCRx.

Given the holster was a huge monetary burden to acquire, ($10.05 with free 2 day shipping) I'm pretty happy with it so far.

 

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And then I went crazy and ordered the 50 GI Stainless conversion and 60 rounds of 275g hollow points. Whew!!!! What a Christmas!

 

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So,just curious - why do you "no longer feel comfortable with" the 1911?

Congrats on the new blaster, by the way!

After years of carrying/training the revolver, the 1911 with its external thumb safety comes up and go's ........ nada...... all too often. Then I remember to thumb the safety down, reacquire and shoot. Have not been able to retrain past a simple point squeeze. Dad had the same trouble. We both came up on the 1911 even competed with them. Eventually we changed to simpler smaller lighter carry platforms. On going back to 1911s in the search for a new automatic, we both wound up finding out that the safety was another step that lead us to fail even under limited stress of practice shooting. So....my/oru automatic has no external safety. Point squeeze like a revolver. Essentially, the 1911 has become an obsolete platform for me/Dad or we're obsolete for it. Either way, its manual external safety is a severe negative for us.

 

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And then I went crazy and ordered the 50 GI Stainless conversion and 60 rounds of 275g hollow points. Whew!!!! What a Christmas!

According to UPS Tracking, arrival day is this Friday, before 8 PM. Could be a 50 caliber range trip.....well, there will be, just depends on whether its Friday or Saturday!