Click pictures for a larger version.
UPDATE!



Available exclusively from Lipsey's, the Flat Dark
Earth Glocks now feature a Cerakote slide to match the frame
color. Also included are four different Flat Dark Earth backstraps, with or
without beavertails.
  

14 rounds of 45 ACP firepower.





The Gen 4 Dark Earth Model 21 comes with three thirteen-round magazines.



Grip is well-textured for a secure hold.





Extra backstraps are easy to install over top of grip frame with pin tool and longer pin.



Gen 4 recoil spring assembly.






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Glock has
been producing fighting pistols for going on three decades now,
and marketing them quite successfully in the US for twenty-five
years. The Glock line has expanded rapidly over the years to
include many variations and sizes, but for the most part, Glocks
have always been black. Glock did run off a few with O.D. green
frames, but shown here is the first of the Glocks with a Dark
Earth frame. Dark Earth has been a very popular color for other
makers of polymer-framed pistols, and now, for those who will
carry nothing but a Glock, you can have your Glock with a Dark
Earth frame.
There are several models of the Glock
available with the Dark Earth frame color, in both Gen3 and Gen4
configurations. These Dark Earth Glocks are only available
through a Lipsey’s dealer. Lipsey’s is a large firearms
wholesaler in Louisiana, and they sell to gun dealers all over
the US. Lipsey’s will carry the following models with the Dark
Earth frames.
Gen3:
 |
Glock 17 - 9mm |
 |
Glock 19 - 9mm |
 |
Glock 22 - 40 S&W |
 |
Glock 23 - 40 S&W |
Gen4:
 |
Glock 17 - 9mm |
 |
Glock 19 - 9mm |
 |
Glock 21 - 45 ACP |
 |
Glock 22 - 40 S&W |
 |
Glock 23 - 40 S&W |
Each of these Dark Earth Glocks are available
only with standard-capacity magazines. No low-capacity ten-round
models are available. The Gen3 pistols are shipped with two
magazines, and the Gen4 pistols come with three magazines.
For those not familiar with the Gen4
upgrades, in addition to the extra magazine, all Gen4 pistols
have extra back straps to add thickness at the rear of the
frame, and additional reach to the trigger. The pistols come
with two additional back straps, which cover but do not replace
the standard back strap. Glock provides a punch to push out the
trigger housing pin, and a longer pin to hold the larger back
straps in place. I have a large hand, and usually wear an XL
glove, but the standard Gen4 back strap on this Model 21 suits
me perfectly. The Gen4 pistols also have a reversible magazine
release, and a very well-designed dual-spring recoil
spring/guide rod system. It reminds me of the DPM recoil
reducing system, which I have in all of my Glocks and M&P
pistols. The Gen4 Glock spring system is probably the best
improvement over previous generation Glock pistols.
The pistol shown here is the 45 ACP Gen4 Dark
Earth Glock. It is a dandy pistol, and likely one of the best
fighting pistols on the planet.
Critical specifications for the Gen4 Glock 21
are listed in the chart below. The weights are listed in ounces,
and linear measurements in inches. The grip and frame widths
were measured at their widest points. The maximum width is
measured across the magazine release. Trigger reach is measured
to the center of the trigger, with no accessory back strap
attached. The height includes the sights and the magazine base.
The trigger pull is listed as pounds of resistance. The weight
includes the empty thirteen-round magazine.
Weight |
29.3 oz. |
Height |
5.51" |
Length |
8.01" |
Slide Width |
1.12" |
Maximum Grip Width |
1.25" |
Frame Width |
1.15" |
Maximum Width |
1.26" |
Trigger Pull |
5.6 lbs. |
Trigger Reach SA |
2.86" |
Barrel Length |
4.61" |
Magazine Capacity |
13 |
Magazines Supplied |
3 |
I tested for velocity with my
chronograph set at ten feet from the muzzle, and an air
temperature of seventy-eight degrees Fahrenheit and a relative
humidity of fifty-five percent. Velocity readings were taken at
an elevation of approximately 541 feet above sea level.
Velocities are listed in the chart below, and are listed in
feet-per-second (fps). FMJ is a full metal jacket bullet. JHP is
a jacketed hollowpoint. DPX is an homogenous copper hollowpoint
bullet. Glaser is a specialty pre-fragmented core inside a
copper alloy jacket. PB is Pow’RBall.
LFHP is a Barnes lead-free homogenous copper hollow point
bullet. LWSC is a cast lead semi-wadcutter bullet. Velocities
are listed in feet-per-second (fps). Bullet weights are listed
in grains.
Ammunition |
Bullet Weight |
Velocity |
Buffalo Bore JHP |
230 |
971 |
Buffalo Bore FMJ |
230 |
951 |
Buffalo Bore LFHP |
185 |
1150 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
200 |
1109 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
165 |
1110 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
230 |
921 |
Cor-Bon DPX |
185 |
1009 |
Cor-Bon PB |
165 |
1116 |
Cor-Bon Glaser |
145 |
1192 |
Stryker FMJ |
230 |
822 |
Atomic HP |
230 |
926 |
Remington FMJ |
230 |
831 |
Handload LWSC |
200 |
990 |
WCC 1911 Ball FMJ |
230 |
747 |
Accuracy was superb. I tested for accuracy
with the Glock 21 G4 secured into my Ransom
Master Series machine rest, with the target set at
twenty-five yards. Every group fired measured two inches or less
center-to-center for five shots. That is good accuracy for a big
bore target pistol, and excellent accuracy for a polymer
fighting pistol. The textured grip made shooting the Glock
offhand a pleasure. The grip is textured enough for a secure
hold with a sweaty hand, but it is not so rough as to be
abrasive. The sights were easy to see in good light, but for
social work, I would add a set of Trijicon tritium night sights,
or the XS Sights Big Dot tritium front
with tritium Express rear for very fast sight alignment day or
night. I am not sure if Crimson Trace has a Lasergrip for this
Gen 4 21 yet, but as soon as they do, it would make an excellent
addition for low-light fighting as well.
The Gen4 recoil spring system works really
well. For such a big pistol, the Glock 21 is relatively light
weight, but the recoil spring system handles the recoil of even
the hot Buffalo Bore Plus P loads very well. Buffalo Bore has
out a new 45 ACP load which uses the Barnes homogenous copper
hollowpoint bullet that should make for a very good hunting and
fighting load. I like the Barnes bullet, as it penetrates deeply
and expands readily. This Buffalo Bore Lead Free load was also
the most accurate ammunition tested in this pistol. I also tried
out another new-to-me load from Atomic Ammunition. It uses a
bonded 230 grain hollowpoint, and shoots accurately and
functions reliably.
While Glocks have always sold really well, I
think these new Gen3 and Gen4 Dark Earth Glocks will be a big
hit. It gives the owner something different to show off at the
range, and distinguishes these new Glocks from past models, even
at a distance. I particularly like the new Gen4 features on this
Model 21. It feels good in my hand, points naturally, is easy to
hold, and easy to shoot.
Again, these Dark Earth Glocks are
distributed only through Lipsey’s. If your favorite dealer is
not a Lipsey’s dealer, have him to call 1-800-666-1333 and
correct that problem. If you prefer, you can go to www.lipseys.com
and click on the DEALER FINDER to locate a Lipsey’s dealer
near you. These new Dark Earth Glocks are in stock and ready to
ship today, so if you want a Glock that looks like no previous
Glock, get one ordered before they are gone.
To order the Buffalo Bore ammunition, go to www.buffalobore.com.
To order other quality 45 ACP ammunition, go
to www.luckygunner.com,
www.theamericanmarksman.com,
and www.atomicammunition.com.
Jeff Quinn
 
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Click pictures for a larger version.
UPDATE!


Available exclusively from Lipsey's, the Flat Dark
Earth Glocks now feature a Cerakote slide to match the frame
color. Also included are four different Flat Dark Earth
backstraps, with or
without beavertails.
  



The Gen4 Dark Earth Model 21 comes with hard case, cable lock, extra backstraps, pin punch, cleaning brush, three magazines, mag loading tool, and instructions.



Reversible magazine release.




Accessory rail (top), slide lock (bottom).

Excellent hunting and carry load: Buffalo Bore's lead- free Barnes 185-grain hollowpoint.

New-to-me is this Atomic 230- grain JHP load, which performed well.




Accuracy at 25 yards, fired from Ransom Machine Rest.







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