PA PATRIOT
08-12-09, 11:50
Strange title for a thread but heres the reason,
The Good,
For the first time in 20 years as a LEO I have finally been issued duty ammunition which was not from the lowest bidder and made DOCGKR's list of recommended duty loads. The Federal Tactical 230gr HST H/P.
The Bad,
My trusted duty gun a Glock Model-17 9mm which I have carried for 19 years had to be retired due to a frame failure. This Model-17 has been perfect never having a failure which was not ammunition induced in over 50,000 recorded rounds. The pistol was manufactured September of 1988 and was purchased "USED" by me in August of 1990. This pistol saved my bacon four times during those 19 years and it was a shame that she had to be retired.
The Ugly,
With the good comes the Ugly, most here expressed misgivings on the Glock Model-22 & Model-21SF for duty use. My replacement duty gun was a choice of a Department owned Multi re-issued battered Glock Model-17 in which my 19 year old retired Glock Model-17 pistol looked like a spring chicken (No more private owned Glock Model-17's allowed once the original private owned is decommissioned so only Department issued Model-17's are allowed) or a "New" private owned Model-22 or 21SF.
My Low Tech Testing
Since I own both a new Glock Model-22 and a 21SF (Got both at a great deal) I decided to run 100rds a range trip until a total of 1000rds for each pistol were fired spaced out over the last 60 days to see if a function issue would occur. Ammo was Speer .45acp 230gr TMJ and Speer .40S&W 165gr TMJ. Both guns ran like champs with only one failure to feed with the Model-21SF in which a older magazine used in a very dirty pistol caused the bullet to stopped on the feed ramp were a simple tap on the rear of the slide chambered the round. I also fired for accuracy the issued duty loads which are both Federal Tactical HST H/P's at 25 yards from a supported rest (Pass/Fail 50rds must score centered head shot on a B-27 target). And to finish up I was timed with both pistols for pairs and triples at seven yards were speed and accuracy were recorded.
End Result
The Glock Model-21SF was the clear winner in terms of accuracy (Slow Fire Bench at 25yds with duty ammo) and accuracy with pairs and triples. Speed/Time wise those pairs and triples were almost identical between the .40S&W and ,45acp but I had greater control and accuracy with the .45acp. Since my only other option to the .40S&W and .45acp was a department owned Multi reissued battered Glock Model-17 were the issued duty load is the out dated Federal Classic 9mm 115gr standard pressure H/P (9BP) I decided on the following pistol. I selected the Glock Model-21SF for its better handling and accuracy, the better duty ammunition and that the pistol is brand new.
Question
This has been covered lightly without any solid remedy from owners or armorers so I will ask it again. What is the problem with a Glock Model-21SF .45acp, what failures occur and what remedy is there to correct it. Most say it is a simple preemptive measure to just replace the recoil spring and magazine springs every 2000rds and to fire good quality ammunition. True, false or INTERNET rumor?
My new duty Glock Model-21SF has been detail striped and cleaned with a new recoil rod and magazine springs installed which I will re-do after every 1500rds to ensure proper function unless a better maintenance plan can be offered.
Anyway I really want to hear from the forum experts so let the discussion begin.
The Good,
For the first time in 20 years as a LEO I have finally been issued duty ammunition which was not from the lowest bidder and made DOCGKR's list of recommended duty loads. The Federal Tactical 230gr HST H/P.
The Bad,
My trusted duty gun a Glock Model-17 9mm which I have carried for 19 years had to be retired due to a frame failure. This Model-17 has been perfect never having a failure which was not ammunition induced in over 50,000 recorded rounds. The pistol was manufactured September of 1988 and was purchased "USED" by me in August of 1990. This pistol saved my bacon four times during those 19 years and it was a shame that she had to be retired.
The Ugly,
With the good comes the Ugly, most here expressed misgivings on the Glock Model-22 & Model-21SF for duty use. My replacement duty gun was a choice of a Department owned Multi re-issued battered Glock Model-17 in which my 19 year old retired Glock Model-17 pistol looked like a spring chicken (No more private owned Glock Model-17's allowed once the original private owned is decommissioned so only Department issued Model-17's are allowed) or a "New" private owned Model-22 or 21SF.
My Low Tech Testing
Since I own both a new Glock Model-22 and a 21SF (Got both at a great deal) I decided to run 100rds a range trip until a total of 1000rds for each pistol were fired spaced out over the last 60 days to see if a function issue would occur. Ammo was Speer .45acp 230gr TMJ and Speer .40S&W 165gr TMJ. Both guns ran like champs with only one failure to feed with the Model-21SF in which a older magazine used in a very dirty pistol caused the bullet to stopped on the feed ramp were a simple tap on the rear of the slide chambered the round. I also fired for accuracy the issued duty loads which are both Federal Tactical HST H/P's at 25 yards from a supported rest (Pass/Fail 50rds must score centered head shot on a B-27 target). And to finish up I was timed with both pistols for pairs and triples at seven yards were speed and accuracy were recorded.
End Result
The Glock Model-21SF was the clear winner in terms of accuracy (Slow Fire Bench at 25yds with duty ammo) and accuracy with pairs and triples. Speed/Time wise those pairs and triples were almost identical between the .40S&W and ,45acp but I had greater control and accuracy with the .45acp. Since my only other option to the .40S&W and .45acp was a department owned Multi reissued battered Glock Model-17 were the issued duty load is the out dated Federal Classic 9mm 115gr standard pressure H/P (9BP) I decided on the following pistol. I selected the Glock Model-21SF for its better handling and accuracy, the better duty ammunition and that the pistol is brand new.
Question
This has been covered lightly without any solid remedy from owners or armorers so I will ask it again. What is the problem with a Glock Model-21SF .45acp, what failures occur and what remedy is there to correct it. Most say it is a simple preemptive measure to just replace the recoil spring and magazine springs every 2000rds and to fire good quality ammunition. True, false or INTERNET rumor?
My new duty Glock Model-21SF has been detail striped and cleaned with a new recoil rod and magazine springs installed which I will re-do after every 1500rds to ensure proper function unless a better maintenance plan can be offered.
Anyway I really want to hear from the forum experts so let the discussion begin.