Hi guys i want to carry my GLOCK 21 for ccw.I need to know your opinions of this.I have in the past carried a full size 1911 using a galco SOB holster.I am right handed by the way.I have been looking at Galco holsters lately.They are a little pricey but seem really well made.Would a belt holster that pulls the butt in close to my body be good for ccw?What kind of holsters will achieve this?Thanks for your help guys.
GLOCK 21 FOR CCW??? OPINIONS??
- Thread starter 1911guy
- Start date
Rainbow Six
New member
In my opinion, a G21 will be harder to hide than a full size 1911. The slide and frame of the G21 is W-I-D-E! I guess with the right body shape and holster you could pull it off.
You will probably be forced to go with some type of IWB holster and go untucked. I would still bet that the butt of the frame will "print" though. Good luck. Maybe someone who has done this can give us some pointers.
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Georgia TFL'ers get together:
May 20, 2000-From 3pm to 6pm
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R6...aka...Chris
[This message has been edited by Rainbow Six (edited April 25, 2000).]
You will probably be forced to go with some type of IWB holster and go untucked. I would still bet that the butt of the frame will "print" though. Good luck. Maybe someone who has done this can give us some pointers.
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***************************
Georgia TFL'ers get together:
May 20, 2000-From 3pm to 6pm
http://www.wolfcreek-gun.com
***************************
R6...aka...Chris
[This message has been edited by Rainbow Six (edited April 25, 2000).]
dairycreek
New member
Don't get me wrong. I love my G21 but, for me, it has proven a most difficult pistol for concealed carry. I am quite large, 6'4" and 295 pounds and, I thought, had enough personal "acreage" so that I could conceal and carry just about anything. I've tried IWB holsters, and a variety of "regular" holsters as well as a fanny pack.
For me, nothing has worked to the point that I feel really comfortable with the G21 as a concealed carry. Still love it but it isn't my concealed carry choice.
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For me, nothing has worked to the point that I feel really comfortable with the G21 as a concealed carry. Still love it but it isn't my concealed carry choice.
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i agree with Rainbow Six on this. an IWB is the way to go. i can't imagine any belt holster holding the gun close enough to your body to conceal that BIG gun easily.
i think custom leather or klydex is the best way to go. galco holsters are good for factory holsters but custom are really that much better. besides galco is pretty pricy even compared to some custom leather.
Alessi holsters are really good. their Talon+ is a great holster and its cheaper than most galco holsters.
also klydex is thinner than leather. an IWB in klydex would probably be more comforatable since the G21 is already so wide. blade-tech and sidearmor make good klydex holsters.
i think custom leather or klydex is the best way to go. galco holsters are good for factory holsters but custom are really that much better. besides galco is pretty pricy even compared to some custom leather.
Alessi holsters are really good. their Talon+ is a great holster and its cheaper than most galco holsters.
also klydex is thinner than leather. an IWB in klydex would probably be more comforatable since the G21 is already so wide. blade-tech and sidearmor make good klydex holsters.
Funny how perceptions are and how they change. The Glock 21 is actually a very small pistol and it would have been considered "compact" a couple decades ago when the trend was not toward such small guns like it is today.
Put The Glock 21 next to a 1911 lightweight Commander and you will see that the Glock 21 is shorter and lighter (and holds twice the firepower). The Commander was considered the ideal conceal carry gun for many decades and the Glock 21 is smaller and lighter than it (put them side by side and you will see).
The Glock 21 is also of course far smaller and lighter than a Gov't model 1911, which many people conceal every day.
The handle of the Glock 21 is the same exact width as my Colt Commander single stack 1911 (with the grip scales on it of course). This is because polymer handles are thinner than metal handles sot he Glock can handle a double stack magazine and still be the same width as the 1911 handle (although admittedly the Glock not as comfy in the hand, we are talking about concealment here and width is all the matters)
The only part on a Glock21 that is NOT smaller and more concealeable than a Commander is the slide width.
So, the Glock 21 is highly concealeable. It just appears big, especially next to the influx of small autos on the market today.
With any effort a Glock 21 can be concealed. I carry mine IWB on my back hip and it conceals very well under just an undershirt with a shirt over it. (I have noticed that wearing an undershirt beneath my outside shirt, it hides printing well.) The G21 makes a better conceal carry gun to me because it is rust prrof, lightweight, and it does not have the annoying safety and mag catch digging into my side.
Put The Glock 21 next to a 1911 lightweight Commander and you will see that the Glock 21 is shorter and lighter (and holds twice the firepower). The Commander was considered the ideal conceal carry gun for many decades and the Glock 21 is smaller and lighter than it (put them side by side and you will see).
The Glock 21 is also of course far smaller and lighter than a Gov't model 1911, which many people conceal every day.
The handle of the Glock 21 is the same exact width as my Colt Commander single stack 1911 (with the grip scales on it of course). This is because polymer handles are thinner than metal handles sot he Glock can handle a double stack magazine and still be the same width as the 1911 handle (although admittedly the Glock not as comfy in the hand, we are talking about concealment here and width is all the matters)
The only part on a Glock21 that is NOT smaller and more concealeable than a Commander is the slide width.
So, the Glock 21 is highly concealeable. It just appears big, especially next to the influx of small autos on the market today.
With any effort a Glock 21 can be concealed. I carry mine IWB on my back hip and it conceals very well under just an undershirt with a shirt over it. (I have noticed that wearing an undershirt beneath my outside shirt, it hides printing well.) The G21 makes a better conceal carry gun to me because it is rust prrof, lightweight, and it does not have the annoying safety and mag catch digging into my side.
Covert Mission
New member
Red bull,
I think it's a stretch to call the G21 "highly concealable" The G26 is. Even the G19. the 21...nahhh (or the 1911 Gov't for that matter).
I do think it can be done, depending on your mode of dress and your build. I have a bodybuilder friend who is 6', 245 lbs with a 50" chest. It tucks in under his arm quite nicely. I wouldn't be able to hide it quite so well. Also, the thickness of the dang thing is less suited to IWB. I prefer the G19/23 far more... just imo.
I think it's a stretch to call the G21 "highly concealable" The G26 is. Even the G19. the 21...nahhh (or the 1911 Gov't for that matter).
I do think it can be done, depending on your mode of dress and your build. I have a bodybuilder friend who is 6', 245 lbs with a 50" chest. It tucks in under his arm quite nicely. I wouldn't be able to hide it quite so well. Also, the thickness of the dang thing is less suited to IWB. I prefer the G19/23 far more... just imo.
Thanks for the tip Red Bull.
I've been carrying a G21 in a fannypack for a couple of years now. Lately I started looking around for IWB holsters for it. I narrowed it down to the Milt Sparks Versa-Max 2 and the Blade-Tech IWB. I decided on the Blade-Tech due to the impervious nature of the material to sweat, a factor to be considered here in Florida.
I've been carrying a G21 in a fannypack for a couple of years now. Lately I started looking around for IWB holsters for it. I narrowed it down to the Milt Sparks Versa-Max 2 and the Blade-Tech IWB. I decided on the Blade-Tech due to the impervious nature of the material to sweat, a factor to be considered here in Florida.
WalterGAII
Moderator
I use Sidearmor IWB Kydex holsters for both my G30 and G21. The G30 is, of course, easier to carry than the G21, but I have carried the G21 concealed. The Sidearmor is the best-crafted Kydex holster that I've seen and their customer service is outstanding.
Just measured the width of the grips of my 70 Series Gold Cup and my G21. Gold Cup, with Hogue wrap-arounds, 1.275"; Glock, with AGRIP, 1.340". Not very much difference in grip width.
I also measured the capacity of my Gold Cup; 9 rounds, with Wilson 8-rder. G21, 19 rds, with Grams +5 extension.
[This message has been edited by WalterGAII (edited April 26, 2000).]
Just measured the width of the grips of my 70 Series Gold Cup and my G21. Gold Cup, with Hogue wrap-arounds, 1.275"; Glock, with AGRIP, 1.340". Not very much difference in grip width.
I also measured the capacity of my Gold Cup; 9 rounds, with Wilson 8-rder. G21, 19 rds, with Grams +5 extension.
[This message has been edited by WalterGAII (edited April 26, 2000).]
Bullwinkle
New member
The G21 is not designed for concealment. That said I have carried one in a Kramer shirt holster, and IWB but its always a marginal propisition.
IMHO giving up three rounds of mag capacity to get into a G30 is a good trade. IMHO giving up three rounds of capacity and .05 caliber to get into a G27 is an even better trade.
My next pistol will push the G21 off my permit.
IMHO giving up three rounds of mag capacity to get into a G30 is a good trade. IMHO giving up three rounds of capacity and .05 caliber to get into a G27 is an even better trade.
My next pistol will push the G21 off my permit.
A Glock 21 is a tad large for easy concealment. It can be done, but it is big.
I recommend against Galco holsters. I've got three of them sitting in my "holsters that don't work" box. All three of them collapse after drawing, which is something that I hate. I recommend you get either a Kydex holster or a good custom leather holsters. Custom leather holsters cost only a bit more than Galco junk and are worlds better.
I like Rusty Sherrick's holsters:
http://www.c-rusty.com
I'm also waiting for one from Milt Sparks:
http://www.miltsparks.com
Jared
I recommend against Galco holsters. I've got three of them sitting in my "holsters that don't work" box. All three of them collapse after drawing, which is something that I hate. I recommend you get either a Kydex holster or a good custom leather holsters. Custom leather holsters cost only a bit more than Galco junk and are worlds better.
I like Rusty Sherrick's holsters:
http://www.c-rusty.com
I'm also waiting for one from Milt Sparks:
http://www.miltsparks.com
Jared
Red Bull,
Good post and I can find value in most of it. But to say that the Grip on the 21, or 20 in my case, is the same size as a single stack 1911 is not happenin'. The grip on my g20 is pretty darn big in the hand, and I am not a small guy. I have a older model Glock,
and the grips don't even compare. Sorry.
Good post and I can find value in most of it. But to say that the Grip on the 21, or 20 in my case, is the same size as a single stack 1911 is not happenin'. The grip on my g20 is pretty darn big in the hand, and I am not a small guy. I have a older model Glock,
and the grips don't even compare. Sorry.
Otis:
Regarding handles, width is what matters in concealment. If you look at Walters post you will see that he also measured his Glock 21 grip compared to his 1911 grip, and even with a rubber grip over his Glock's handle, the two grips are almost the same width.
Check the width yourself of the two side by side (provided you have a 1911). Lay them on a table or use calipers and you will see that the Glock 21 grip is right at the same width as a single stack 1911.
Width on the 1911 will vary according to the choice of grip scales you use on your 1911. No matter what scales you use, the difference in width is measured in hundredths of inches.
The reason is, that steel handles take a lot more material to accomplish what a ploymer handle does. A double stack polymer gun is usually no thicker than a single stack steel gun. Look at the handle construction and you can see where the thickness goes in the two styles of guns respectively.
Yes, the grip on the G21 is squarer and admittedly less comfortable to hold, and feels larger in the hand, but in pure width and concealbility, they are identical.
[This message has been edited by Red Bull (edited April 27, 2000).]
Regarding handles, width is what matters in concealment. If you look at Walters post you will see that he also measured his Glock 21 grip compared to his 1911 grip, and even with a rubber grip over his Glock's handle, the two grips are almost the same width.
Check the width yourself of the two side by side (provided you have a 1911). Lay them on a table or use calipers and you will see that the Glock 21 grip is right at the same width as a single stack 1911.
Width on the 1911 will vary according to the choice of grip scales you use on your 1911. No matter what scales you use, the difference in width is measured in hundredths of inches.
The reason is, that steel handles take a lot more material to accomplish what a ploymer handle does. A double stack polymer gun is usually no thicker than a single stack steel gun. Look at the handle construction and you can see where the thickness goes in the two styles of guns respectively.
Yes, the grip on the G21 is squarer and admittedly less comfortable to hold, and feels larger in the hand, but in pure width and concealbility, they are identical.
[This message has been edited by Red Bull (edited April 27, 2000).]
I carry a G21 as my every day concealed handgun. I use one of two different holsters, depending on how concealed versus how comfortable I need to be.
The most concealable is a Mark Waldon Quick Thunder belt slide. It has a rear belt loop coupled with a tunnel loop right behind the slide. This tucks the large (come on guys, you have to admit the butt of the G21 it big) butt of the G21 in against your side making concealment easier. The other option, which is more comfortable and faster but not quite as concealable is a Sidearmor staight drop on the belt holster.
I live in Southern Arizona (qualifies as a warm climate) and manage this with a light cotton shirt covered by a cotton vest from Concealed Carry Clothiers. The vest is cut loosely and hides a multitude of sins.
My guess is that an inside the waist band holster would conceal the G21 even better but the thickness of the slide has me worried. I carried various models of the 1911 in Milt Sparks Summer Specials for years and would proably go with Sparks Executive Companion for the G21 if that became necessary.
The most concealable is a Mark Waldon Quick Thunder belt slide. It has a rear belt loop coupled with a tunnel loop right behind the slide. This tucks the large (come on guys, you have to admit the butt of the G21 it big) butt of the G21 in against your side making concealment easier. The other option, which is more comfortable and faster but not quite as concealable is a Sidearmor staight drop on the belt holster.
I live in Southern Arizona (qualifies as a warm climate) and manage this with a light cotton shirt covered by a cotton vest from Concealed Carry Clothiers. The vest is cut loosely and hides a multitude of sins.
My guess is that an inside the waist band holster would conceal the G21 even better but the thickness of the slide has me worried. I carried various models of the 1911 in Milt Sparks Summer Specials for years and would proably go with Sparks Executive Companion for the G21 if that became necessary.
jtduncan,
Get real yourself!
I live a casual lifestyle (I'm retired LEO) and dress the same every day. The only people who know I'm carrying are those who know me personally.
If you feel some rule mandates you carry a mouse gun, be my guest. Just don't tell me what I can carry. Guess your JD degree makes you the expert on conceal carry!
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Get real yourself!
I live a casual lifestyle (I'm retired LEO) and dress the same every day. The only people who know I'm carrying are those who know me personally.
If you feel some rule mandates you carry a mouse gun, be my guest. Just don't tell me what I can carry. Guess your JD degree makes you the expert on conceal carry!
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