Glock firing pin upgrade question

[Fiero]

I have an older Glock 20-2nd generation, that I now understand "needs" a firing pin upgrade. I found out about it on the Glockmeister site, but they offer no details as to why one should get it. I mean an exact reason, not a generic one, like "for your safety".

Does anyone have a feel for the necessity of this?

I can't seem to find anything written on the subject, other than it is available, and that it is recommended. However no website, glock related, seems to indicate the why.

I am apprehensive about sending my Glock out for an innocuous upgrade without any valid reasoning given. The Official Glock website doesn't even mention the subject of the upgrate, one iota. If it was a safety issue, then they are sure being mum on the subject.

I hate to find out afterward that it is something like a Winchester "post-64 extractor upgrade". You know, someting that the factory "improves", but everyone hates.

Thank's for any qualified input.

 

[Tag]

I seem to remember the extra slot preventing slamfires, but I could be wrong.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I seem to remember the extra slot preventing slamfires,

I remember the same thing. Something like, the firing pin channel became so dirty, as to prevent the firing pin to move back. The slot was added to prevent that from happening.

Or that might have been another internet myth, not sure.

Here is more possibly information, possibly nay saying, who knows?
http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/upgrade-faq.html

 

[WT]

"In the matter of Glock's infamous "Upgrade" (let none dare call it a recall!) of 1992, the following Glock pistols became eligible for replacement of six parts to provide increased safety and reliability.

Those six parts are:
Extractor
Spring-loaded bearing
Firing pin safety and spring
Firing pin / striker
Trigger bar


The alpha designations of models requiring Armorer attention:

Model Number / Chambering Serial Number Range
Model 17 (9 X 19mm): AA through WF
Model 19 (9 X 19mm): ...through WJ
Model 20 (10mm): ...through WW
Model 21 (.45 ACP): ...through XL
Model 22 (.40 S&W): ...through YL
Model 23 (.40 S&W): ...through SK

Essentially, this covers all Glock pistols manufactured before mid-October 1991, estimated at various times by Glock officials at between 385,000 and 500,000 handguns."



Source: Dean Spier's The Gun Zone website.
www.thegunzone.com


The older mechanisms would corrode and collect dirt, freezing the fp in place and allowing for unintentional discharges when the slide was released.

The older mechanisms were painted with a black coating which did not hold up well. The 1992 upgrade included nickle coated/plated parts. Then, a few years later, Glock upgraded again to teflon coated nickle plated parts. So there are at least 3 versions of internals out there.

So if you look at the parts in the frame, and they are black coated, you have the old, bad corrodable parts.

Glock spent a lot of time and effort changing out the parts of 500,000 whatever pistols. I doubt they want to publicize something like that.

 

[C. H. Luke]

While Glock does not make public any of their "upgrades" they do inform their armorers. If you can locate your regional manager or go to a Glock Match they will do it on the spot assuming you do not need the slide machined for newer type extractor,etc.

If you send your gun into Glock they will go thru it top to bottom and pick up the return shippping.

Personally would call Glock and speak with their Warranty Dept. The only wild card is whatever the current turn around time is.

 

[Fiero]

OK C.H.,

You bring up a new question. My extractor is original as well as the slide(no bevel). What is wrong with it? I have never had a single malfunction. Am I just lucky?

I've removed the firing pin several times, never noticed a bit of corrosion or fouling that is spoken of earlier in this thread.

I've heard nothing but good about Glocks. I've never had a problem in over ten years of use.

Do I risk ANYTHING by keeping my gun original for the next 10 years?

What is wrong with my extractor or the ejection port?

Does Glock fix the Tenifer finish if they need to "machine my slide"?

Sorry to be so negative, but it would seen my Glock is chalk full of problems. right?