In a brief revival of this thread, I wanted to post some pics of the most abused duty weapon I've ever seen in my career...and it runs like a top.

This poor G21 sure has seen better days. It's been one hell of an abused duty weapon. The pics alone tell the story. If I were a betting man, I believe the wear on this duty handgun is actually "road rash" damage. Heaven only knows how it got there.

This handgun fired 1000 rounds of Speer Lawman in this condition without any malfunctions during range week in late September, 2021. The G21 is just simply a superb handgun.

At the academy where I teach, this Gen 3 G21 is actually issued to my squad leader by his agency. He's 22, so this G21 is likely older than him.

THE BAD NEWS

Rural sheriffs and chiefs in my state continue to issue duty weapons in this condition to their officers.

I felt so bad for my squad leader that I loaned him my Gen 3 G19 over a weekend (he was off duty) and took this G21 home, where I did an armorer's inspection and cleaning for him. I don't think it had ever been done. I've never seen a more filthy duty weapon. The G21 had no broken parts and passed the functions tests after reassembly, but it is tired. During the "shake test" to determine whether the firing pin assembly moves freely within the channel, the slide actually moved back and forward a little bit.

Two of the mags are Clinton era restricted. Still being issued. Shameful.

THE GOOD NEWS

I'm going to buy him 3 new magazines and replace his recoil spring guide rod before he graduates.

I suggested that he buy himself a new Gen 4 G21, but I think his rural department is going to buy and issue new ones. We'll see...



In 30 years of carrying Glocks, I've never seen this before. Real-deal Gen 3 tenifer actually worn away by seatbelt use, exposing the shiny metal underneath.

jbourn-
That thing looks like one of my dog's chew toys!

However, it's still a Glock.
Meaning- replace the springs, firing pin, firing pin safety, extractor... A total of what, $40-45? And that gun will continue to go "BANG" every time you want it to.

Clinton era mags? If the slide still solidly locks back after the last round, you probably don't need the mag follower, just a new mag spring. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it with a new spring.

As for the finish: Hell, they pay extra now for that "battle warn" look! . I wouldn't do anything to the slide, the frame, possibly stipple it. That's if you don't appreciate a "well warn" duty gun.

Wow! And it’s still running!

To clarify, the Tennifer isn’t worn away, the finish that is applied over it is gone. Tennifer is a treatment that penetrates the surface of the steel. We know the Tennifer is still there because that bare spot isn’t rusted.

That road rash on the frame sure tells a story, though. I see that and I can imagine an officer laying on their right side, wrestling someone on the ground in a street or parking lot.

I had a gen 3 21 and while it shot well (probably better than I could) it was enormous when compared to every semi I own. Because I wanted in a hi-cap 45 that was easy to conceal, I parted with it and settled on a standard G30. I am amazed at how accurate it is- I actually shoot it better than the G21. The full width slide soaks up the recoil and I barely notice the chunkiness when I carry it. 10+1 of 45 acp on board and a spare mag with 14 rounds is nothing to sneeze at in a package little beefier than a G19.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Wow! And it’s still running!

To clarify, the Tennifer isn’t worn away, the finish that is applied over it is gone. Tennifer is a treatment that penetrates the surface of the steel. We know the Tennifer is still there because that bare spot isn’t rusted.

That road rash on the frame sure tells a story, though. I see that and I can imagine an officer laying on their right side, wrestling someone on the ground in a street or parking lot.

You're absolutely right. I stand corrected. I had forgotten that tenifer was under the black phosphate. Good call.

Sadly in 2016 my glock 30sf and kimber pro tactical II we under flood waters for several days before they could be retrieved. Donot live in a flood zone but a 500 yr flood happened .Took the 30sf into the kitchen sink and running water then dried out re-lubed and it functioned like nothing had happened. It was my everyday carry for a couple of years prior to the flood but due to the flood loss of several thousand rounds of
45acp ammo that had not been stored up high enough to avoid the flood waters. Sold the 30sf and replaced it with a gen 4 model 19. To me the glocks are the Timex watches of the hand gun world. They take a licking and keep on ticking. ............. drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
jbourn-
That thing looks like one of my dog's chew toys!

However, it's still a Glock.
Meaning- replace the springs, firing pin, firing pin safety, extractor... A total of what, $40-45? And that gun will continue to go "BANG" every time you want it to.

Clinton era mags? If the slide still solidly locks back after the last round, you probably don't need the mag follower, just a new mag spring. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it with a new spring.

As for the finish: Hell, they pay extra now for that "battle warn" look! . I wouldn't do anything to the slide, the frame, possibly stipple it. That's if you don't appreciate a "well warn" duty gun.

Yes, sir. It's a piece of work!

It actually did pretty well during my parts inspection. The only parts needing to be replaced are the mag springs and recoil spring. The followers looked good. The mag springs extended only about a half inch past the bottom of the magazine! I should've taken a picture.

Being a duty weapon, I'm just going to get him the new mags for patrol and tell him to replace the springs in the old mags for the range.

When I was inspecting this pistol, one thing kept coming to my mind: I'm grateful that these young officers today have access to incredibly durable modern handguns like this Glock.

If only Glock would UP-size the 36 pistol into a full-size model, my gosh the sales! Imagine a single-stack(semi-stagger?) holding 8-10, with the 4.5" top-end. Thinner, and lighter than a 21...a .45acp version of a G48.

...a guy can dream, 'ya know?

I have the G21 and the Sig P220. The G21 replaced the P220 as my bedside gun as I just wasn’t comfortable with a DA/SA for a bedside gun, however, I won’t sell the P220 as it is a fun range gun. I don’t think I’ve ever shot them side by side.

quote:

Originally posted by jbourneidentity:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CPD SIG:


Yes, sir. It's a piece of work!

It actually did pretty well during my parts inspection. The only parts needing to be replaced are the mag springs and recoil spring. The followers looked good. The mag springs extended only about a half inch past the bottom of the magazine! I should've taken a picture.

Being a duty weapon, I'm just going to get him the new mags for patrol and tell him to replace the springs in the old mags for the range.

When I was inspecting this pistol, one thing kept coming to my mind: I'm grateful that these young officers today have access to incredibly durable modern handguns like this Glock.

How many mag springs are we talking about?
Email is in the profile, I may have something for ya!

I think mine were about 10 years old, and who knew how many rounds before I replaced them. When I did, there was probably a 1 1/2 - 2 inch difference. I'm glad I did!

quote:

Originally posted by wingspar:
I have the G21 and the Sig P220. The G21 replaced the P220 as my bedside gun as I just wasn’t comfortable with a DA/SA for a bedside gun, however, I won’t sell the P220 as it is a fun range gun. I don’t think I’ve ever shot them side by side.

Wingspar, I used the P-220 and a P-220DAK as duty guns until I was able to carry the G-21.
Have the G-21 and won't look back!

Do yourself a favor and experiment a little:
Get 3 boxes of .45 rounds.
185 gr
230 Gr
And a box of .45+P

Load up some mags, and shoot them side by side.
I'll bet that your P220 stays in the safe.

quote:

Originally posted by VictorLouis:
If only Glock would UP-size the 36 pistol into a full-size model, my gosh the sales! Imagine a single-stack(semi-stagger?) holding 8-10, with the 4.5" top-end. Thinner, and lighter than a 21...a .45acp version of a G48.

...a guy can dream, 'ya know?

I think the window for that gun has closed as far as mainstream appeal is concerned. You look at what is being built and sold now, it's very largely 9mm with .45 and .40 in distant trail. Even five years ago it was not that obvious. Look at how the P227, which is essentially a narrow double stack, did. Had that gun come out ten years before it did, it would still be in production today.

But yes, we can dream.

CPD SIG...

3 magazines springs!

Email inbound. THANKS!

A couple of new magazines, a detailed strip for inspection and cleaning, and some good grip tape like Talon, and it would be back in a action.

quote:

Originally posted by jbourneidentity:
CPD SIG...

3 magazines springs!

Email inbound. THANKS!

Let me see what's laying around.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
A couple of new magazines, a detailed strip for inspection and cleaning, and some good grip tape like Talon, and it would be back in a action.

I never even thought about a Talon grip. That’s a great idea. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:

quote:

Originally posted by jbourneidentity:
CPD SIG...

3 magazines springs!

Email inbound. THANKS!

Let me see what's laying around.

10-4.

That glock looks like it belonged to a D.O.T. cop in a former life.

The grips on that Glock look about like the ones on my old P229 duty gun that was a 3 or 4 x hand-me down when it got issued to me (they did replace the springs, though). I added some marks of my own before it finally got replaced by a P320. I bought it back from them when we retired it, and it may be ugly, but I'd still trust my life with it!

Glock 21 is only Glock I have ever gotten rid of. Mine was pre SF frame, pre Gen4 frame. I have a medium size mitt and it felt like a 2x4 in my hand. Hated it. Finally sold the last of the mags last week after getting rid of the gun years ago. So I will be the dissenter here.

That being said, mine ran perfectly as well. And if I had lumberjack hands mine probably would have felt great. lol