5 Glock 21 Gen 4 Problems You Didn’t Know (Easy Fixes)

I recently got my hands on the Glock 21 Gen 4, and honestly speaking, there’s SO MUCH to love about it. Adapting its basic design to other calibers has been spectacular so far.

However, even with its great features, I stumbled upon numerous issues that were annoying.

Many users have reported a few stubborn hiccups as well, indicating that perfection is elusive in firearms.

This post will go over some of the frequently experienced Glock Gen 4 problems and their solutions based on what worked for me.

Here are Glock 21 Gen 4 Problems and their solutions

Problem	Solution
Stiff recoil spring assembly	Lubricate the recoil spring to reduce friction.
Trigger issues	Upgrade to an aftermarket trigger kit for a smoother and more consistent pull.
Failure to eject	Check the magazine for proper seating and any damage.
Sights misalignment	Adjust the sights using the provided adjustment tools or seek professional help.
Magazine release difficulty	Check for any obstructions around the magazine release button and clean it thoroughly.

1. Stiff recoil spring assembly

Oddly enough, the first problem I bumped into concerned the recoil spring. My Glock 21 Gen 4’s recoil spring assembly sometimes felt stiff, making it challenging to disassemble the firearm.

I discovered that this stiffness can lead to difficulty maintaining the pistol.

Users might struggle with field-stripping the gun for cleaning, which is essential for keeping the firearm in good working condition.

I found recoil spring issue to be among the Glock 19 Gen 5 problems as well.

Possible causes:

• Lack of Lubrication. Insufficient lubrication of the recoil spring assembly leads to increased friction between the parts.
• Gunk build-up. Dust, dirt, and powder residue accumulate inside the recoil spring assembly over time, hindering the smooth movement of the spring.
• Newness of the firearm. When the Glock 21 Gen 4 is brand new, the recoil spring assembly might feel stiff simply because it has not yet been broken in.
• Incorrect installation. If the recoil spring assembly is not installed correctly or parts are not aligned properly during reassembly.

Solution

One of the first steps I took to address this issue was to ensure that I’m using the correct technique for disassembling and reassembling my Glock 21 Gen 4.

I followed the manufacturer’s instructions in the user manual keenly to keep things right. This includes the order of steps and the angles at which you manipulate the parts.

Elsewhere, I recommend lubricating the recoil spring assembly with a high-quality gun lubricant.

2. Trigger issues

Another challenge I faced over time is the gritty trigger pull. These issues can significantly impact the shooting experience, affecting accuracy, comfort, and overall satisfaction with the firearm.

A gritty trigger, too, can cause inconsistency in pulling the trigger smoothly, while a spongy one makes it hard to predict when the gun will fire.

Possible causes:

• Dirt accumulation. This buildup can create a gritty sensation when pulling the trigger.
• Wear and tear. With use, the trigger components might experience wear, leading to rough spots or hesitation in the trigger pull.
• Factory finish. Some Glock triggers have a factory coating that wears off unevenly. The issue is more common in older Glock 21 pistols.

Solution

How did I fix this? Unfortunately, I had used my Glock several times without cleaning it.

So, I decided to use a proper gun cleaning kit to remove any buildup that could have caused the gritty sensation.

Upgrading to an aftermarket trigger kit can be an effective solution for users who want a smoother trigger pull. Most of these kits are designed to provide a reduced pull weight.

If else fails, carefully polish the trigger components to smooth out rough spots.

I used the same strategy to resolve a trigger reset failure, which was one of the common Glock 43x problems I encountered.

3. Failure to eject

During my time with G21 Gen 4, I found inconsistent behavior with its feeding mechanism. This did not go well with me as it disrupted shooting sessions on the range.

Failure to eject happens when spent casings are not ejected from the gun after firing. This means shooters will get their hands on something that won’t meet their expectations.

Possible causes:

• Damaged extractor. The extractor claw, responsible for pulling spent casings out of the chamber, may fail to work due to some damages.
• Magazine issues. Bent feed lips inside the magazine can all contribute to failures.
• Dry slide rails. Lack of lubrication on the slide rails can impede the smooth movement of the slide.

Solution

My recommendation for overcoming the ejection issue is to replace the extractor. You can polish it first to see if there’s a chance of improvement.

Some gun enthusiasts suggest that any damage to the magazine, such as bent lips, could impede proper feeding. That’s to say, you must keep your eyes on it.

Finally, use factory-spec, high-quality ammunition because it’s known to function well in the Glock 21 Gen 4.

4. Sights misalignment

Lastly, users of the Glock 21 Gen 4 might experience issues with misaligned sights, which can greatly affect shooting accuracy and precision.

Misaligned sights result in inconsistent shot placement. There’s always a need for constant sight adjustments.

It can also cause uncertainty for newcomers who rely heavily on proper sight alignment.

Possible causes:

• User error in sight adjustment. Incorrect adjustments the user makes during sight alignment can result in wrong sights.
• Factory defects. In rare cases, factory-installed sights might be misaligned due to manufacturing defects.

Solution

Glock pistols come with adjustable sights, which is a plus. The solution to this issue involves making precise adjustments to align the sights with the point of impact.

If the factory sights are consistently difficult to see, consider upgrading to high-visibility sights. Aftermarket sights often feature bright colors that make sight alignment more intuitive.

5. Magazine release difficulty

Our exploration with the Glock 21 didn’t stop there. After around the 12^th round, the G21 failed to release the magazine from the firearm.

A difficult release made the process cumbersome when I needed to replace my empty magazine quickly.

It took me precious seconds to get my firearm back in action occasionally. This can be dangerous if you’re facing a threat.

Magazine release malfunction is a proven problem with Tisas 1911.

Possible causes:

The cause of this issue varies, but one common reason is the design of the Glock’s magazine release button. On some models, the button might not be as easily accessible or easy to depress as desired.

Solution

My approach to mitigating this peculiar issue involved two main troubleshooting tips. Firstly, I adjusted my grip technique slightly.

This means altering the way I hold the firearm to ensure my thumb is easily reachable for the magazine release button.

My second strategy was to contact Glock for extended magazine release buttons that could replace the stock button.

These buttons provide a larger surface area, making it easier to locate the release, especially for shooters with smaller hands.

Read also: Most Frequent Glock 44 Problems

Is Glock 21 Gen 4 Worth having despite these problems?

The Glock 21 Gen 4 is a popular choice, but whether it’s worth investing in depends on your needs and how these issues play out for you specifically.

Overall, the pros of G21 outweigh the cons. In my hands-on experience, Glock Gen4 21 beats Glock 19 and Glock 17, as well as a plethora of other weapons.

It has lately redeemed itself to become an absolute favorite among gun lovers.

FAQS

Is the Glock 21 Gen 4 reliable?

Yes, the Glock 21 Gen 4 is known for its reliability, a core principle of Glock pistols.  They are known to function well even in harsh conditions.

What caliber is the Glock 21 Gen 4 and is it good for self-defense?

The Glock 21 Gen 4 is chambered in .45 ACP, a proven caliber for self-defense that offers significant stopping power.

Is the magazine release on the Glock 21 Gen 4 difficult to use?

Some users report difficulty with the Glock 21 Gen 4’s magazine release, which can slow down reloading and clear malfunctions.