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Gigag04- It may only be 2mm of back strap difference but that makes a world of difference and allows people with short fingers and medium hands to reach the trigger. The new gen 4 Glocks go up or down 2mm with each back strap change and it also makes a huge difference. Granted the slide is wider and heavier and the grip width is wider still on the SF models but like you said yourself a small lady you know can shoot it. I don't know a girl who can hold and shoot a non SF model Glock in model 20 or 21. She would have to have really big hands for a lady! I couldn't come anywhere close to holding a non SF model 20 or 21 with any great comfort and I have medium hands and long skinny fingers.

It is more of an in-between grip I guess in the SF models. Plus I find it easier to shoot mild loads in 10mm then .40 S&W out of my fathers Glock 22. That is because the weight of the slide really does help soak up recoil. I also assume that had an effect on your qualifying scores going from the .40 to the .45acp. Not only is the .45acp less “snappy’ but the 21sf weighs 3-4 oz more then a Glock 22.

As for the 9mm not being enough. Come on guys, 2 rounds to the chest of .35.5 caliber bullit is enough! One will probably do the job the majority of the time.

I own a Glock 20 SF which is the same frame as the 21SF just in 10mm and it is a lot easier to hold then a non SF model. The standard non SF Glock 20 and 21 are the models that austinrealtor and I were talking about. They are pretty hard to hold if you do not have large hands. The SF is almost as easy to hold as a standard Glock like the 17 or 19. As for shooting a 21 it is a .45acp and is easier to control IMO then a Glock 22 which my father owns.

Also, put a 9mm, .40 S&W and .45acp side by side. There is definitely a feeling that the 9mm just looks so pathetic. Of course its not but when you put .40 next to a .45acp nobody really says that is a small bullet or cartridge. Even though I knew the 9mm was more then adequate for self defense I couldn't get over how tiny it looks. That is probably why I just bought my first 9mm and why many still prefer the .45acp, it’s just bigger!

Well all that was said plus many of the .40 S&W guns are built on 9mm like frames, meaning that you can get your hand around the gun grip in a double stack. Many of the double stack .45 acp grips are just way to big for even the average man. You need to have very large paws to hold some of these double stack .45acp guns. I think that is one of the main reasons the 1911 still sells like crazy, the single stack. Once you factor in that most single stack .45acp guns hold no more then 10 rounds many just buy a double stack .40 that holds 15-20 rounds and almost puts down as much power as the .45acp. This has been the trend in law enforcement since the 90s. More and more agencies are going to the .40.

Also, I don't think it is really a compromise .40 or .45. 9mm maybe but with modern hollow point ammo a 9mm is more then adequate to stop a threat against a human if you place your shots correctly. Some people don't like the recoil of the 9mm or .40 and love the .45acp. That is because the .45acp is a lower pressure cartridge and to me is easier to shoot then 9mm. I really don't like the 9mm recoil. It is not as forceful as the .40 but I just never seem to shoot a 9mm as good as a .40 or .45acp.

Increased velocity seems to be the trend within the last century. Most of the handgun cartridges like .357, .40, .357 sig and 10mm auto have much higher pressures then the .45acp or .38 special.