Specs Comparison
I wasn’t really expecting any surprises when my test G21 and G41 came into my local FFL from the Guns.com Certified Used Vault. Sure, I knew the Glock 41 would have a significantly longer slide, which is not normally something I really like. But that’s hardly where the differences stopped.
Even though the G41 has a longer barrel and slide, it is lighter overall than the shorter G21. This is thanks to two modifications to the G41. The longer barrel is 4.1 ounces with a width of 0.6 inches. The G21’s shorter barrel is a slightly fatter 0.62 inches wide, bringing it to the exact same weight despite the difference in length.
On top of that, the slide on the G41 is also much slimmer and measures just 1 inch wide with an angled/dehorned front compared to the G21’s 1.17-inch squared slide. That’s a difference of 15.67 percent in the slide width that also impacts the overall balance of the two guns. The G41 may be long, but it balances more toward the rear. This makes it feel far nimbler in my hand than the more brick-like Glock 21.
That slide length also gives the G41 a longer sight radius that is increased even further by the adjustable overhanging rear sight. Here’s a quick side-by-side breakdown of the specs comparison for the two guns:
The frames of the two guns are basically identical, with a trigger distance of 2.85 inches and width of 1.34 inches on both. However, the internals are a different story. The Glock 41 has a slightly more refined trigger that pulled at 5.406 pounds on my gauge. The Glock 21 trigger came in at a creepier and less crisp 5.875 pounds.
Glock lightened the G41 trigger, and the reset is shorter and more to my liking. Glock also offered the Glock 41 Gen 4 with an MOS option for an optic. The standard Glock 21 Gen 4 is not listed on Glock’s site with an optics cut, though that was added in the later Gen 5 pistols.
It isn’t a massive difference, but these improvements line up with treating the G41 as more of an accuracy-oriented pistol over the more duty/carry-friendly G21. Both guns offer the standard 13+1 capacity and use the same magazines, though the slide on the G41 makes it just a hair shorter in height.
Shooting Comparison
On paper, these guns seem strikingly similar. The same is not true when you get them in your hand. I’m not a big fan of overly long slides. It often feels like a lot of extra bulk that only pays off for target shooting. Not so with the longer Glock 41.
It has a balance in the hand that swings easily compared to the sluggishness I feel with the fatter G21 slide. I count that as a clear advantage for the Glock 41, but the real proof is in the shooting. Here’s a target comparing two of my better slow-fire four-shot groups with both guns at 25 feet.
The sight radius on the Glock 41 is a noticeable advantage, and I appreciate the ability to adjust the rear sight without using a sight-pushing tool. Obviously, I didn’t always kill the center of the target, but I found that my straying shots were also less dramatic with the Glock 41.
It’s not all improvements with the G41 over the G21. Slide length isn’t the biggest issue when carrying a gun, but at 0.71 inches longer I can see how appendix carry with the Glock 41 could become a bit uncomfortable. Fractions of inches can really have an impact there, and it’s going to want some more space in any other carry holster as well.
I noticed a difference in the felt recoil. The G41 felt a bit snappier in my hand. Part of that may be the slightly lighter weight and a small boost in velocity from the longer barrel. I also suspect it was connected to the more rearward balance of the gun. It wasn’t much, but it was there. Both guns have more of a roll to the felt recoil – the G21 is just a hair gentler.
These guns are fat in the grip. I have larger than average hands, but I could feel my hand pushing the gun left when using a grip that felt normal on my slimmer 9mm Glock 17 and Glock 19. The .45 ACP is a chunky bullet, and that is just the way it works.
Both the G21 and G41 were 100-percent reliable over 300 rounds and multiple range visits. That’s no real surprise for me when it comes to guns from the Glock family.
Pros & Cons
Here are my top pros and cons to both guns:
Glock 41 Gen 4:
Pros:
- Better balance
- Better trigger
- Longer sight radius
- Adjustable rear sight
- Lighter weight
- MOS optics option for G41 Gen 4s
- Angled, dehorned slide
- Very reliable
Cons:
- Fat grip
- Longer length
- Less carry friendly
-
Slightly more felt recoil
Final Thoughts
I didn’t think I would be saying this when I first requested these guns for testing, but the longer Glock 41 came out as my personal favorite of the two. Both are fun to shoot, especially given the chunky .45 ACP chambering. They are solid choices for home defense or carry if the size and capacity fit your particular needs.
However, if I had to pick one to keep and/or just spend a day on the range shooting, it would be the G41. I shoot it better, and it feels better. I can get over the longer length given those two factors. Plus, there’s just something that feels right about holding a long-barreled pistol loaded with .45 ACP.
