.40S&W Glocks with weapons lights

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why.kyle

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Ive heard on a podcast that .40S&W glocks (ie the 22, 23) MIGHT not function properly with weapon lights.
Something about the weight messes with the frame and its reliability can be affected.

Can anyone tell me more info on this, or if its been corrected in newer versions of the pistol?
 
The dual recoil spring on the Gen 4 was supposed to fix this problem. I believe they have been successful with the change. However, it did cause some problems for the 9MM Glocks (G19 & G17), that they been working on since the Gen 4 came out. I think they fixed that one by now.
 
Use the correct ammunition and this would not be a problem.
I don't know how many times this has been an issue considering
there must be a bazillion Glocks in the hands of COPS everywhere.
 
I don't know how many times this has been an issue considering
there must be a bazillion Glocks in the hands of COPS everywhere.
That's why we have the Gen 4.
 
we had some issues with our dept issued Gen 3 Glock 22's and lights attached. it's simple physics. the extra weight out front reduces muzzle flip which increases slide speed. the mag springs can't keep up. solution- extra power mag springs or increase recoil spring by a couple lbs to slow the slide a bit. I did increase the recoil spring weight on my personal Gen 3 G23 by 4 lbs and even with bunny fart reloads it still functions fine. which leads me to believe it was way under sprung with the stock 18 lb. original.

in fact I even tried that 22 lb spring in my G19 9mm with cheap Chinamart ammo and it ran fine as well.

or you could just try to remember to limp wrist when shooting with a light attached
 
My issued G22 would malfunction with a TL1 light attached. The nose of the bullet would catch on at the base of the feed ramp. After I complained enough and convinced the powers to be that I was not limp wristing I was Issued new mags. So far it has ran fine and in my opinion the gun runs more smoothly if I do Limp wrist it a little with the light attached.
 
In 12 years of carrying a Gen 3 G22, I saw plenty of malfuctions on the nightfire course from guns with M3 lights on them...Just this summer, we swapped to G4' to try and correct the problem.
 
In 12 years of carrying a Gen 3 G22, I saw plenty of malfuctions on the nightfire course from guns with M3 lights on them...Just this summer, we swapped to G4' to try and correct the problem.
Colt python elite, Do you think what breacher said about putting a heavier recoil spring would correct the problems you have seen?
 
Someone on glocktalk.com suggested that overtightening the TLR1 may also induce the problem. I've actually had trouble with my gen3 G22 and TLR1. I've since replaced my old mag springs, recoil spring (it was due any way) and loosened my light attachment. I was going to get to the range today but we ran out of time.
 
Gen4's don't have the problem.

If you experience the problem in a Gen3, take note of which magazines you're using. If your magazines have the cut-out in the front for an ambidextrous magazine release, that's the cause. Those newest magazines feed slower than older designs, and on top of that they have excess plastic at the front of each feed lip which can slow feeding even further.

If you have a Gen3 that has the problem, try shaving down the plastic protrusions at the front of each feed lip. You can remove them entirely, the magazines work fine without them. If you still experience feeding problems, try Wolff +10% XP magazines springs in a couple of those magazines.
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Alternatively if you have an aftermarket guide rod, you can try a heavier recoil spring. Factory weight for the G22/24/35 is 17lbs and for the G23 it's 18lbs.

The cause is this: The frame is plastic and flexes during firing. With the light attached, the frame flexes less and therefore absorbs less energy. That extra energy goes into the slide, translating into the slide moving rearward faster than it normally would, often just fast enough that speed at which the magazine feeds is not fast enough. Gen4's don't have this problem because the dual guide rod assemblies keep the slide velocity more constant.
 
Why.kyle,

I honestly don't know the answer...I don't really follow what's what with a Glock. I just use the one they give me and don't ask a lot of questions...LOL.
 
Why.kyle,

I honestly don't know the answer...I don't really follow what's what with a Glock. I just use the one they give me and don't ask a lot of questions...LOL.
I can understand that.
Thanks everyone for your input. You helped me get of the fear I had of getting a .40 glock, thanks everyone. Now i just need to choose if I actually want .40 or 9mm.. but thats a discussion for another thread.
 
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I local department were experiencing feeding problems with the G22 with attached weapon light...they determined, I believe along with the Glock rep, that the problem was because the light stiffened the frame (which has built-in flex) which caused the slide velocity to outrun the Magazine springs ability to push the cartridge column up into feeding position...this was never a problem with the 9mm pistols.

Glocks stop gap fix was to issue increased rate magazine springs and to address the issue with the upcoming Gen 4 guns.

Another local agency switched out their Gen 3 G22 for the Gen 4, but had to change back when they had problems with the dual recoil springs...with the admonition not to shoot it with a weapon light attached. Glock fixed whatever it was and the Gen 4 G22 was reissued.

Gen 4 G17 and G19 will have issues with some domestic bulk 9mm ammo as it is notoriously underloaded. It gets better as the springs wear in
 
Most reports has the Gen4 40s running great. I will have to respectably differ with 9mmEpiphany and note that mine and several folks I know have had 9mm Gen4s that got worse as the round count went up
 
Actually I defer to to your experience, I'm just repeating what an LEO, from the affected department, told me...I haven't had a lot of exposure to the Gen 4 guns. I've been very happy with my Gen 3 G19
 
If it's an issue of slide velocity, I assume the problem is less likely to happen with 180gr ammo than the lighter and snappier ammo (165gr and lower)?

Can anyone provide information on the type of ammo where problems have been noticed?

Thanks.

Joe Mamma
 
G22 Gen4 with TLR2-S.

Lots of various factory, factory reload, and my own handrolled rounds, including lead through a Storm Lake barrel.

No issues before Glock's recoil spring swap, nor since.
 
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