So, i’ve gone through a lot of research and a lot of debate, and I’m thinking I’m down to getting a Glock 17. I have handled it, and hopefully can get a Gen3 that’ll serve me well. however, being that I’m all set up for .45 ACP, maybe a Glock 21SF would be better.
Are there any issues I should know about, or modifications I need to do, with these guns to improve them?
Steel sights (the new Trijicon HDs are nice), a Vickers slide stop and mag release. Plenty of mags, ammo and a class from a good instructor.
Got to agree with Amp
Sights i was going to go with something like a 10-8 rear and a trijicon HD front. The vickers parts sound like a good idea. Mags and ammo I can take care of. Class-wise, attended quite a few from various folks, and have probably 500,000+ rounds down range, lifetime, so I’m set on tactics and such, just gotta get used to the glock over my current 1911 setup.
Got to agree with Amp
Erm, double post?
Backstrap channel plug.
Consider getting a negative connector and a NY spring. Since you’re going to buy other stuff anyway, you may wanna save on shipping if you decided to get them later. You may or may not end up using them, but they are cheap enough.
Shoot the gun before deciding on any mods, though. As a 1911 user, I still have occasional problem with engaging a slide stop, so I won’t use anything bigger/more prominent than stock one, for example.
A good argument for a G17 (or G19): http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/why-glock-why-9mm
Double post
good article. I’m not entirely convinced I want to go to a 9mm over .45, but that’s me. i’ll have to spend more time working with the Glock as a platform to see how well it fits me though.
A 45 Glock feels significantly different in the hand than a 9mm Glock.
When you say that you’re “all set up for .45 ACP”, what do you mean?
Okie John
Reloading set up?? Used to the feel of .45 recoil??
10,000 rounds of loaded .45 ammunition
50,000 bullets, cases, etc.
probably a good 200,000 rounds down range out of a .45 ACP in multiple training classes and competition in all sorts of methodologies and positions…
Just a lot of stuff I’d have to change or update.
I’d get your hands on a 21 and shoot it before you make the platform swap. Next to a 1911 the 21 feels like a brick in the hand and the trigger will feel like it can suck start a Harley through a 50’ garden hose. Going cold turkey wasn’t an option for me. I used the 21 as a range toy till I got used to it and could shoot it well. The changes I made to both my 21’s are steel night sights (pick whatever you’re used to here) and a 3.5# connector coupled with a reduced power striker spring. I have a gen4 and gen3 SF and both out of the box had triggers well a above 8#. Fabulously craptastic. The 3.5# connector and reduced power striker spring gets the pull back to the 5# range. Just verify that all safeties work and the reduced power spring doesn’t give you light strikes for your loads and carry ammo. Aside for those changes the gen3 SF Tru-Grips on it but the gen4 hasn’t needed anything yet. Aside from the crap trigger the 21 is a good gun. The ergos are different than 1911, but you get used to it. Very soft shooting and more accurate than I am as this point. Thankfully I have not hand any failures that I couldn’t trace back to my hand loads or magazines. To date I have had zero failures when using defensive ammo.
I’m in a similar situation for 9mm, but if I was going 45 it would be the M&P.
I shoot mainly .45 as well, and have an M&P and HK45c, as well as some 1911’s. If you’re set on .45 I would look at another platform than Glock, like S&W or HK. I’m only a fan of Glock’s 9mm pistols. Their other calibers seem to have issues sometimes. Had a 17, sold it, and just picked up a 19. Couldn’t be happier!
Have you looked into the HK 45? Lots of people will say the Glock is cheaper, but by the time you do this that and the other thing to customize it or make it more comfortable to grip, you might end up paying near the same price. Just something to think about. I own a G19 in case that’s relevant.
Glock
Gun shoot, gun good. No mods needed.
my ancient post and confession to owning glocks.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=67184
Another suggestion is if the Gen 3 gives you any slide bite like my Glock 23 did look into the Grip Force Adapter.
You could also look inot the S&W M&P if you are really set on a .45 which for good reason it sounds like you are.
a little slimmer than the 21, can be had with a grip safety, etc…
I am all glock myself but if I wanted a .45 I would look at the S&W first.