Glock 21 Gen 4 or S&W M&P45 2.0

[DJones2987]

Debating between the Glock 21 in .45 or the S&W M&P45 2.0 for a sidearm while bow hunting, and just being out in the woods and a nightstand gun. Both feel good in my hands but haven't shot either one yet, looking for a place that rents them both.

Anyone have first hand experience with either or both? Opinions, suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Ski169]

No experience with the S&W. But I do have a gen4 G21. I used it in a couple of pistol courses. Zero problems through 400 rounds or so. It's a Glock so I guess it couldn't be simpler. Soft shooting and rounds impact where I point the muzzle.

 

[alucard0822]

Handled a 2.0, not a fan of the changes, they added a stupid loaded chamber indicator that pops up in the sight picture, the slide stop is really stiff. It does have a bit more reset feel, but still not as difinitive as the GLOCK. The M&P grip is narrower and a bit sleeker, the GLOCK holds 3 more rounds, and the heavier slide and recoil assembly handles recoil better.

 

[BradMacc82]

Don't own a G21, and haven't handled the 2.0 yet - but I have shot the living hell out of my 4" M&P .45, which is what I gravitate to.

As much as I like my M&P, I'd still steer you towards the Glock. It's got more strong points overall. But I'd gladly take either one.

 

[DJones2987]

Thanks for the input. I guess they're both solid choices. Still hoping to shoot them side by side to see which I prefer.

 

[pop-gunner]

I own a full size M&P .45 (not 2.0) as well as a GLOCK 21 gen 4 and here are my thoughts...
I wear between a medium, and large size glove and the M&P fits better. The GLOCK is a bit big for my hand.
Both guns work well. For competition I use the M&P as I can manipulate the gun faster.
For a SHTF, or woods gun I will grab the GLOCK every time.
The GLOCK is way easier to replace parts in, and with the plethora of companies supplying parts for them dirt cheap a spares kit will cost pennies and all parts can be installed with nothing more than a punch, or a nail.
The m&p was sent to Dan Burwell in 2010 for a trigger, and set of sights and other than a magwell, and some cerakote has been left alone and functioned flawlessly in 3 seasons of competition.
The GLOCK has a trigger job, sights,extended controls (for my size hands) and a Lone Wolf barrel so I can drop a 24lb recoil spring in it and shoot .45 Super.
If you're going to shoot factory ammo I say pick whichever you can shoot well. If you want to shoot a 230gr chunk of lead at 1100fps I would go with the GLOCK.

 

[VG-10]

Does it have to be a Gen 4?

Recoil Gunworks has the Gen 3 compensated. They also have the SF model.

Both are used very good condition and both are in the low $400 range.

 

[tomrkba]

I have the G21 g4 and the M&P M2.0 9mm. I can tell you the M&P2 fixes many of the little problems of the Glock that I had to work around. It is where Glock should have gone wih Gen 4. The downside to the M&P2 is the extremely rough texture since it is hard on skin. It will chafe when carried IWB.

 

[platoonDaddy]

I have a G21 Gen 3 without any issues, even purchased a .460 Rowland barrel for it. Therefore, I shoot .45's and .460 Rowland.

The .460 Rowland barrel from LoneWolf with heavier RSA without any issues.

 

[ken792]

The M&P has a smaller grip that fits more people since the steel mag isn't as fat as Glock plastic mags. It basically feels like a 1.5 stack from what I remember of it. I can't get over the hinged and curved trigger.

Have you considered a 10mm Glock 20? It can handle hotter ammo in stock form than the 21 can. I don't believe you're supposed to simply drop in a .45 Super or .460 Rowland barrel into a 21 since the slide will unlock too fast. The 20 slide and barrel are over an ounce heavier than the 21 slide and barrel.

 

[Mr.Blue]

I have Glocks and I have M&Ps. I personally like the way the M&Ps feel in my hand better than the Glocks. I like higher capacity handguns for home defense and woods duty. I think quality will be equal, as both have performed excellent for me. That said, the M&P 2.0 is a new gun and I'm always hesitant to buy a new model until I'm convinced the bugs have been fixed.

My opinion:

Ergonomics - M&P
Trigger - even
Sights - M&P
Reliability - Glock - Since M&P 2.0 is a new handgun (although the internals may be the same as the original M&P. I don't know either way)
Capacity - Glock - 3 extra rounds!
Intangibles - M&P is made in America.

I think I'd go with the Glock for your intended purposes, but be forewarned that the G21 is a thick gun with a large grip. I have the G20 Gen 4 (has the same frame as the G21) and it is not for medium to small hands (my glove size is large and it's a handful for me). If I was carrying the gun as EDC, I'd go with the M&P.

Good luck.

 

[DJones2987]

I've handled both, and both felt pretty good in my hands, I wear a large to xl glove. Whichever I pick will only be carried unconcealed, so no worries on Rubbing while carrying IWB.

Guess I'll just have to try to rent both and see which one speaks to me, lol.

Big plus for me on the M&P is that it's made in America, especially if it's a reliable gun.

 

[Mr.Blue]

I've handled both, and both felt pretty good in my hands, I wear a large to xl glove. Whichever I pick will only be carried unconcealed, so no worries on Rubbing while carrying IWB.

Guess I'll just have to try to rent both and see which one speaks to me, lol.

Big plus for me on the M&P is that it's made in America, especially if it's a reliable gun.

I'd do some research on how many/what changes they made to the internals. If all the changes are cosmetic, then I'd have no reservation about getting one.

 

[A1Uni]

Handled a 2.0, not a fan of the changes, they added a stupid loaded chamber indicator that pops up in the sight picture, the slide stop is really stiff. It does have a bit more reset feel, but still not as difinitive as the GLOCK. The M&P grip is narrower and a bit sleeker, the GLOCK holds 3 more rounds, and the heavier slide and recoil assembly handles recoil better.

Only on the CA (nut-bag) version, not the others.

 

[Mr.Blue]

Only on the CA (nut-bag) version, not the others.

Incorrect! The CA version makes you enter your social security number before you shoot each bullet.

 

[DJones2987]

I'd do some research on how many/what changes they made to the internals. If all the changes are cosmetic, then I'd have no reservation about getting one.

From what I understand the trigger is the only difference. It's supposed to have a much shorter reset than the original.

Incorrect! The CA version makes you enter your social security number before you shoot each bullet.

lol I just lost it at work reading this. Thanks haha.

 

[alucard0822]

Only on the CA (nut-bag) version, not the others.

Heard it's on all 5" guns, not sure which other models it will be on, saw the LCI on a couple models at the outdoor show, it sucks, but Apex already makes a low-pro/flush indicator

 

[bitterkenny]

If you go with the Glock, you have the added flexibility of swapping in a G20 or G40 slide assembly and mags for some hot 10mm action.

After market for the G21 seems better too.

That being said, the M&P 2.0 look pretty damn cool!


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[BradMacc82]

I'll have to get my hands on a 2.0 to see how the new trigger stacks up to my slightly worked-over trigger.

 

[DJones2987]

If you go with the Glock, you have the added flexibility of swapping in a G20 or G40 slide assembly and mags for some hot 10mm action.

After market for the G21 seems better too.

That being said, the M&P 2.0 look pretty damn cool!


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You can do that? Lol.

I'll have to get my hands on a 2.0 to see how the new trigger stacks up to my slightly worked-over trigger.

I'm hunting for a place to rent them both still and try them both out.