Gen 4 G21 vs M&P 45 2.0

T

tacstar

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I am interested in purchasing a .45ACP pistol. I am considering either a Smith & Wesson M&P 45 2.0 or a Generation 4 Glock 21. I am quite fond of the M&P's ergonomics. However the G21 has a larger capacity magazine. The G21 Gen 4 without a backstrap is supposed to be indentical to the Gen 3 G21SF although to me it feels a tad bit larger. The original M&P's trigger was
widely criticized,apparently S&W has addressed this issue & it no longer is a factor with the 2.0 models.

It seems as though several LE agencies have opted to use the M&P pistols in various calibers.

The Gen4 G21has a new spring which is supposed to substantially reduce recoil & a RTF 2 frame which are the upgrades not on the previous Gen 3 model.

Which .45ACP pistol do you prefer?
 
I don't think, after 1000 rounds of becoming familiar and practicing with either of the pistols, you are going to have an appreciable difference. I think ergonomics are drastically overrated. Buy whichever one you decide to, shoot it, practice with it, and you cannot be wrong.

In direct answer to the question you posed when I think polymer striker fired pistols I have no reason to look further than Glock so I end up buying Glocks. In your case I would go with the Glock in case I wanted to add a 10MM to the list in the "same" pistol but obviously I am already biased and "looking" for reasons to favor one over the other.

I assume, perhaps wrongly, there is a reason it is the benchmark and has been for so long. With that said I highly doubt it matters in the end which one you buy.
 
I shot two 10 round mags with the 2.0 .45. It was very accurate and easy to shoot in my opinion. 10 yd range. No experience with the Glock.
 
I think the M&P will be the better shooter IFF the ergos and changes carry over from the M&P9. They are great pistols now. ADORE the stippling and ergos.


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I would recommend the Gen 4 Glock 21, they are already proven, just watch a few Hickok 45 demos, and you will see how reliable it is right out of the box

I consider polymer striker fired pistols by other makers GLOCK copy cats
 
You can buy 14 round magazines for the M&P giving you 1 more round than Glock. Click "capacity" in the box to choose 10 or 14 round mags.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...nd-p-m20-45-acp-steel-pvd-matte-with-base-pad

I've had a Glock for a VERY long time and have zero complaints. It is a little big for carry, but it is my nightstand gun.

About 2 weeks ago I ran across one of the original M&P Compacts in 45 used for $360 OTD and bought it. Mine has the 1911 style safety on it which I wanted to try. I don't mind a Glock with a loaded chamber if it is holstered. But in a nightstand or glove box like to have a safety if a round is chambered.

I haven't shot mine enough to trust it for carry yet. The 1st range trip left me disappointed in how well I shot it. But after a lot of dry firing I did much better the 2nd time out. I think I just need more trigger time with it to get used to it. Not a single bobble as to reliability.

Compared to the Glock this is small enough to easily carry with the 8 round mags. And the 14 round mag, plus the fact that I'll leave a round chambered in the nightstand, means this has 2 more rounds than the Glock. It is a beast with the 14 round mag in it, but for nightstand use not a problem.

If you can handle the size of a Glock it is never a bad choice. If not the Smith isn't a bad choice either.
 
While the Glock 21 holds more rounds, it has never fit my hands comfortably, gen 3 or 4. M&P get the nod from me. Also check out the Walther PPQ in .45.
 
I have a Gen4 Glock 21 that shoots every type of steel, aluminum, and brass cased factory ammo beautifully. However, I think the M&P 45 (especially the 2.0) and the Walther PPQ M2 45 are also viable options to consider. The Walther might just have the best out of the box trigger of the three. Any of these three should work fine.
 
since you prefer the ergonomics of the M&P 45 2.0

and it does have a manual safety, you cant go wrong with either one

just carry a couple spare mags and practice tactical reloads
 
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A little late to this thread but I just made the choice between the Glock 21 and M&P 45 2.0 and chose the Glock 21.

Huge aftermarket support for Glock.

The larger slide on the Glock, I can shoot .45 Super or even .460 Rowland with some affordable upgrades.

The Glock fits my hand better and I really like the grip angle as it seems to lock my wrist in a position for better recoil absorption.

And yes, all of the other polymer pistols are copying Glock because of their success.
 
I am a big fan of the M&P series, but I've had 4 M&P 45's and none of them have been as reliable as my 9mm versions. I don't know why that is, and I'm sure that I'm in the minority here...

With that said, I am actually a HUGE fan of the Gen4 Glock 21. Yes, it's large and heavy, but it actually feels great in my hand. It's accurate, soft shooting, crazy reliable. The Gen4 G21 and USP 45 are probably tied for my favorite 45's available at any price - and I'v3e had a bunch of them... including higher end 1911's, which were certainly NICER guns... but I just don't enjoy shooting them as much as the G21/USP 45.

Oddly enough, I've been moving around some inventory lately, as I'm currently on a big CZ kick... so I don't have either right now... actually I don't have a single 45 in inventory... but that will change soon enough.

I keep hearing that I need to try a CZ 97 though....

Either way, I *WILL* be getting another Gen4 G21, for sure. I can only recommend you do the same. It's not a particularly EXCITING gun... but it's just fantastic at what it does.
 
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