Glock G21 Gen4
Glock Ges.m.b.H. · Pistol · In Production · 2012
Also known as: G21 Gen4, Glock 21 Gen 4
Overview
The Glock G21 Gen4 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP, produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 745 g (26.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1100 g (38.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 205 mm (8.07") |
| Barrel Length | 117 mm (4.61") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 34 mm (1.34") |
| Sight Radius | 172 mm (6.77") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Safe Action |
| Trigger Pull | 28 N (6.3 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 13 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 260 m/s (853 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 477 J (352 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 400 mm (15.75") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Tenifer |
Calibers
- .45 ACP · primary — also known as .45 Auto, 11.43x23mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Trigger Safety, Firing Pin Safety, Drop Safety
- Features: Polymer Frame, Safe Action Trigger, Polygonal Rifling, Accessory Rail, Modular Backstrap System, Dual Recoil Spring, Rough Textured Frame, Reversible Mag Release
Base model
Service history
Operators
- U.S. Special Operations Command
- Austrian Bundesheer
Production
Production years: 2012-present
Gen4 variant of the G21 platform which has been in production since 1991.
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Gaston Glock
Notes
The Glock 21 was originally introduced in 1991 alongside the G20 (10mm), both sharing the same large frame. The Gen4 variant arrived in 2012. Weight without magazine is 745g (26.28 oz), with loaded magazine approximately 1100g (38.80 oz). Magazine capacity is 13 rounds, which is notably higher than most .45 ACP pistols. The G21 uses the same frame as the G20 but with a different barrel and magazine to accommodate the shorter, wider .45 ACP cartridge. Rifling twist is 1:15.75 inches (400mm) optimized for the .45 ACP.
Background
The Glock 21 was Glock's answer to the eternal question: can a polymer pistol handle the .45 ACP? When it debuted in 1991, .45 ACP devotees were skeptical that a 'plastic' gun could reliably handle the big-bore cartridge that John Moses Browning's 1911 had made legendary. The G21 proved them wrong with typical Glock reliability, and the Gen4's modular backstrap finally tamed the one legitimate criticism -- that the large-frame grip was too thick for average-sized hands.