When is a Glock more than the sum of its parts? The answer, when you change the parts. The Glock, as it comes from the factory, is a highly engineered semiautomatic pistol that has evolved over the last four decades into what the Austrian armsmaker has termed “Glock Perfection.” The hard-hitting, high-capacity Glock 21, in all its variations over the decades (since the 1990s), has earned a reputation as one of the best .45 ACP semi-autos in the world. So how does one improve upon that? Today there are actually a variety of ways beginning with trigger upgrades and match grade target barrels. However, the strikingly distinctive Night Raptor (built for the author in 2012 by the Glock Store), represents a top-of-the-line custom that was more than a tune up, more than a custom trigger and a match grade barrel; it was a total rebuild that produced a distinctive Glock variation.
Change Glock 21 Not for the sake of change
Every modification done by the Glock Store was to achieve a single goal; perfecting Glock Perfection! For the M12 Night Raptor modifications, (which can be done on any Glock model, not just the 21 SF), the Glock Store started with the basic Gen 3 model. The advantage of the SF (short frame) is a slightly smaller grip size than the Glock 21, allowing the .45 ACP model to accommodate a wider variety of hand sizes.
In all other respects a G21 and G21 SF are the same. These two models have been the standard in large frame .45 semiautomatic pistols since the G21’s introduction more than 30 years ago with the SF version added in 2007. (The G21 was discontinued and replaced by the Glock 21 Gen5 in 2023).
Not originally intended for the general public
The Short Frame was actually developed as Glock’s entry into the then hotly contested U.S. Military Joint Combat Pistol Trials (JCP), to find a replacement for the Beretta M9, which had itself replaced the venerable .45 ACP Colt 1911. After lengthy tests and evaluations which had begun in 2005, a year later the military suspended the JCP. Glock, not wanting to see its efforts go to waste, introduced the JCP model as the Glock 21 SF in 2007. The .45 Auto with its hefty 13+1-round capacity, immediately began finding popularity among U.S. law enforcement agencies as well as the civilian market. Agreed, it was nothing more than a slightly different variation of an already well established model, but as they say, a Glock is a Glock. And for the most part that is a very good thing; there is a consistency of design and operation that makes familiarity with any one model familiarity with all models. There are only variations in frame sizes, sight options, and calibers distinguishing one Glock from another. Operation and handling is otherwise universal. And this is perhaps the most endearing feature of Glock design.
The Glock Store’s Advantage
The idea of customizing a Glock beyond trigger, barrel, and recoil spring changes was a relatively new idea when the Glock Store entered the picture. Owner Lenny McGill started out as a custom parts supplier with a small storefront in San Diego, California. Over time, instead of just selling custom parts he began designing and manufacturing his own, which evolved into building complete custom Glock models.
Having relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2021, The Glock Store continues with their approach of making changes across the board to the appearance and performance of Glock pistols, without altering their fundamental design. In the instance of the Glock 21 SF (and with any current upgrades) the Glock Store begins to make technical and aesthetic improvements that all serve to enhance an already excellent firearm. According to Magill, the M12 Night Raptor was an “enhanced Glock that has had every internal and external feature taken to the highest level of quality and function from the trigger and striker to the barrel, guide rod, slide release, the slide itself, and the sights.” Add to that a premium carbon fiber finish frame and you have a pistol that is visually unlike a production Glock, but yet still a Glock. Twelve years ago when I had this Model 21 SF done, the Night Raptor was an early Glock Store design. Today, they have a mind boggling 103 different custom designs, from models resembling the straightforwardness in design of the Night Raptor to those that border on the visually astounding.
Not simple Glock 21 upgrades
Make no mistake, their custom built models are an investment in the gun. In 2012 this Night Raptor fitted with almost every Glock Store modification (not counting the cost of the base gun) would have set you back two grand. What you got, and what you can get today in their latest custom versions (Custom Gun No. 95 is close to the original Night Raptor), is a highly functional, 13+1 round capacity, .45 ACP built to competition pistol standards that is a true fighting gun designed for hard use under any conditions. For this style of gun, there are no unnecessary frills.
From the outside in, the Night Raptor featured a redesigned (Raptor cut) slide with 12 heat dissipating vents and a durable Robar finish. Mounted on top, TruGlo TFO (tritium fiber optic) night sights, the rear with a deep center channel that makes aligning the extended front fiber optic sight effortless under any lighting conditions from high noon to pitch black.
The addition of a 2-pin Sure Touch extended slide release allows users to put the gun into battery with a minimum of effort on the reload. I found this to be the easiest slide release I have ever felt on a Glock.
The last externally visible alteration and the first that leads to the rebuilt inner workings is a Glock Store Pyramid adjustable tactical trigger. This retains full operation of the Glock Safe Action trigger system but allows even more precise operation. Trigger pull on my gun was an exceptional 3.0 lbs. 10 oz. with zero over travel and instantaneous reset.
Internally the M12 Night Raptor was refitted with a tungsten guide rod with captured spring and a tactical spring kit, the latter making the slide firm but easily handled to chamber the first round or clear the gun. A titanium striker and plunger were added and the standard Glock barrel replaced with a KKM precision match barrel.
To put the 24/7 finishing touches on my M12 Night Raptor the gun was fitted with a Glock GTL 22 tactical light/laser and the ensemble fitted to a custom made basket weave belt holster.
When you spend over $2,000 on a custom built .45 Auto, one has certain expectations that extend beyond great looks, top notch internal components and a match grade barrel. While every Glock Store model is factory bench tested before being shipped, how well it works in your hands is really what it all comes down to. The M12 Night Raptor did not disappoint.
Shooting the Custom Glock 21
Ammunition choices for the range test were heavy hitting Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr. FTX, CorBon 185 gr. DPX, and lighter weight 160 gr. DPX. With the Glock’s KKM Match Barrel, rounds clocked 1020 fps (feet per second) with Hornady 185 gr. FTX; 1082 fps with CorBon 185 gr. DPX; and 1083 fps with 160 gr. DPX. The test was done from a rested position (sandbag) at a distance of 25 yards (75 feet). The best 5-round groups measured 1.25 inches with CorBon 160 gr., just under 1.50 inches with CorBon 185 gr. and 1.55 inches with Hornady 185 gr. After sundown a second test was done using both the TruGlo sights and the GTL 22 tactical light/laser from a distance of 7 yards (21 feet). Fired offhand at a Shoot-N-C target the Night Raptor delivered a best 5-shot grouping of 1.25 inches with three overlapping at 5/8th inch.
Day or night the Glock Store G21 SF Night Raptor performed to every expectation, combining its own distinctive styling and internal upgrades with traditional Glock handling. And that is perhaps the ultimate definition of Glock Perfection. All of these features (and dozens of others) are available through the Glock Store as individual modifications or entire model upgrades.
