Glock slide ruined...

Shimitup · May 19, 2018

Kind of makes me wonder if fatigue cracks were there and the drop made them show up.

One more thought, I see where the finish chipped at the impact point, could it be that the cracks are only in the surface finish? Were it mine I'd probably clamp it up in a vise and tap the rail back out with a brass punch, touch up with file and stone. You have nothing to lose, If it's a through crack it will probably fall off and you'll know for sure.

JohnKSa · May 19, 2018

He simply dropped it on the floor.

No, he took it apart and dropped one of the parts.

The gun itself will withstand being "simply dropped". Disassembling the gun and dropping the individual parts is another story. The idea that a disassembled gun will not withstand the same kind of things that the gun as a whole is designed to tolerate is not unique to Glocks. For example, most modern centerfire guns can be dryfired without fear of damage, but it is common to see warnings against dryfiring hammer-fired pistols when they are fieldstripped. When disassembled, there's nothing to "soak up" the hammer energy and parts can be broken as a result of dryfiring.

If you "simply drop" your Glock and it breaks, I think Glock will probably stand behind it. But taking the gun apart and dropping individual parts isn't really the same thing.

When guns are disassembled, extra care should be taken with them as the individual parts may not be able to withstand the same level of use/abuse as the entire assembled gun.

After looking at the pictures I think any decent welder would be able to fix er up. Definitely would be an ugly spot though.

The slide is 0.051" thick at the location where the cracks are showing. Maybe it could be fixed by building up a large bead on the outside of the slide at the point of the cracks. I just don't know.

Kind of makes me wonder if fatigue cracks were there and the drop made them show up.

There's not much stress on the slide at this point in normal use--at least I've never heard of a slide cracking at this point unless it was dropped or struck while disassembled. There's really no need to look for an explanation other than the one provided. It is known (Glock warns about it in the armorer's class) that dropping the slide can easily damage it in the area where the cracks are.

Mizar · May 19, 2018

Guys, there is no mystery about that - John already gave you the logical explanation behind this "phenomenon". I have witnessed two or three Glock slides cracked in the exact same way - either the guns was dropped with slide locked back, or only the slide was dropped like with the OP.

wickedsprint · May 19, 2018

I would not have expected Glock to replace the slide for free. This was a direct result of my bafoonery and not an inherent defect.

I talked to the armorer who’s interested in it as a project. I’m keeping the mags as spares.

At the end of the day It’s not worth me spending $200 to repair when I could spend $400 on a replacement and get another 3 mags valued at $75 - $90 ish.

JeeperCreeper · May 19, 2018

I guess Glocks aren't drop safe.

I'd half think about shooting it as-is and call it a "torture test".

Honestly, I'd look to see how much you could sell it for and cut your losses on a "lower and parts kit" sale.

If you can't make up a difference, get the new slide and cerakote it so the mismatched colors can mismatch the numbers.

Mizar · May 19, 2018

It's perfectly shootable as it is actually. The problem is twofold - the slide is thin at that area, added the racking cuts that furthermore thin it down and the nitrocarburizing (case hardening) which, although quite hard, is also very brittle. Just take reasonable care of your Glock pistols - they do have their weak spots, just like any other gun...

Homerboy · May 30, 2018

Throw a Glock from an airplane- no problem.

Drop a Glock 4 feet to the tile- you’re screwed.

This the same gun the Navy SEALS just adopted?

Guess maybe a polymer wonder-9 might not really be the best choice for the military?

The_Next_Generation · Jun 10, 2018

Homerboy said:
Throw a Glock from an airplane- no problem.

Drop a Glock 4 feet to the tile- you’re screwed.

This the same gun the Navy SEALS just adopted?

Guess maybe a polymer wonder-9 might not really be the best choice for the military?

The irony sure is entertaining!

Interestingly enough it wasn't a polymer part that failed. I bet there's a way to drop most guns (or their parts) that would result in a breakage somewhere. Except for CZ products, obviously. :neener:

tarosean · Jun 11, 2018

JohnKSa said:
1. The one you discovered. The slide slots at the rear of the slide create a weak spot and if the slide lands on a hard surface on either rear lower corner of the slide, odds are good that it will be ruined.

2. The "loop" at the front of the slide where the recoil spring seats. If the slide lands on a hard surface so that the loop hits first, there is a good chance the slide will be ruined.

I win... I got a mushroom in the front and a bent and cracked rail when I had the same thing happen (knocked it off my table). Only I couldn't reassemble the pistol and those slides are no longer made.

So I applied a little heat and bent it back out with a screwdriver. Function tested it and shot it once and tossed it in the safe. I'll eventually try and get it welded or soldered. As I am sure it will eventually let loose and Id hate to have that little chunk of metal imbedded in my face.

infamous tile

clang · Jun 11, 2018

If the crack is behind the frame rail it is an unstressed part and may still give many years of service.

fastbolt · Jun 11, 2018

This is why we always tried to get shooters cleaning their guns at a cleaning station to make sure they kept the parts of their disassembled pistols securely on the tables. In other words, don't bump them off the edge or outright drop them onto concrete. Some things can get dented or cracked beyond the ability to repair it. In a classroom (transition and armorer classes), where the floor was carpeted, it was less of a risk.

It's never going to be a good idea (or safe weapon handling) to drop parts of guns, including major components, onto hard surfaces from the height of a table or bench top, or while standing at one. Doing so is understandably user-induced, and not exactly a warranty problem.

The rear edges of the Glock slide, at the rear of the rails, and the thin guide ring at the front (versus a longer, thicker "spring box"), have always been subject to potential damage from dropping a "bare" slide onto a hard surface.

Sorry you had to experience this lesson the hard way, but don't think you've discovered something new.

I added a nicely thick rubber mat (logo swag from a gun company) to the concrete surface in front of my home bench as a precaution for just this sort of thing, especially since I have my bench height adjusted for me to comfortably use it while standing (without having to bend over).

jmr40 · Jun 11, 2018

I'd put it together and shoot it for another 100,000 rounds.

tarosean · Jun 11, 2018

clang said:
If the crack is behind the frame rail it is an unstressed part and may still give many years of service.

On mine, the crack ends before the frame rail... However without Xraying I dont know how deep it runs. My face sits in front of it so I am not willing to chance it anymore than I already have. I guess I could just snap it off and not worry about it as the pistol is pretty much junk now. Good thing it was just a backup of a backup of a backup of a backup.... (By far my least reliable pistol)

JohnKSa · Jun 11, 2018

As I am sure it will eventually let loose and Id hate to have that little chunk of metal imbedded in my face.

It's not going nearly fast enough to be dangerous as long as you're wearing shooting glasses. Slide velocity is going to be less than 20fps (less than 13mph) in a full-sized gun. If the entire slide came off, it would have enough mass to do some damage even at that low velocity. With just a small piece of steel coming off the slide, I doubt it would even sting. It certainly won't penetrate the skin.

Glock slide ruined...

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