Question for the Glock afficiandos

[Outlaw75]

I recently had a bit of a personal challenge to overcome and as a motivational tool I promised myself a new pistol if I managed to succeed. Having made it through, I am now the proud owner of a Glock 19 Gen 3. I am also a first time Glock owner having for many years eschewed purchasing one for various reasons (mostly Glock fanboys).

I'm having an issue with reassembly. I am able to get the slide on, but it stops about an eighth of an inch from the back end of the frame and won't move any farther. I've discovered that if I take the slide back off, depress the slide stop plunger and let the firing pin go forward a bit that I can then get the slide to to on correctly. Is that normal or do I need to call Glock customer service?

 

[12Bravo20]

Completely normal for that to happen. You must always have the trigger pulled back (fired position) and also have the firing pin in the forward (fired position) in order to install the slide onto the frame.

 

[Outlaw75]

Completely normal for that to happen. You must always have the trigger pulled back (fired position) and also have the firing pin in the forward (fired position) in order to install the slide onto the frame.

Thanks. Just noticed this in the Glock manual in the section on function checking the firing pin.

(Note: On brand new pistols you may need to apply light downward pressure to the rear of the firing pin lug with your finger to assist the firing pin in moving downward).

I'm going to assume that that's what I'm running into for now.

 

[21H40]

I was also a reluctant Glock adopter. Pulling the trigger is a weird thing to get used to.

I've learned to really enjoy the no BS side of my Glock - it always works, clean or dirty, and doesn't care if I'm wearing it in the hot summer or cold winter.

 

[Pat Riot]

Congratulations on your new Glock. It seems you just learned the same lesson all new Glock owners encounter.

 

[Outlaw75]

I've learned to really enjoy the no BS side of my Glock - it always works, clean or dirty, and doesn't care if I'm wearing it in the hot summer or cold winter.

I haven't seen that side yet. I took it to the range over the weekend and had FTF after FTF. Going back later this week with some different ammo to see if that's the cause or if I just got a bad 'un.

 

[21H40]

I haven't seen that side yet. I took it to the range over the weekend and had FTF after FTF. Going back later this week with some different ammo to see if that's the cause or if I just got a bad 'un.

Fail to feed or fail to fire?

Factory ammo and magazines?

 

[Outlaw75]

Fail to feed or fail to fire?

Factory ammo and magazines?

Fail to Feed. Ammo was Norma 124 Gr FMJ, two new factory mags that came with the Glock. (I literally bought the thing last Friday, haven't had time to acquire any other mags.). Feed issues and Brass To Face issues all over the place. Norma ammo works like a champ in my full size M&P 2.0. Going back later in the week with some Federal Champion I've got. Also going to pick up some Win White Box and a box of whatever Remington is calling the old Green & White stuff these days.

 

[unclenunzie]

A new 19 is sprung for full power service ammo. You could try 124 or 147 grain if you are using weaker stuff. I had that with pmc ammo at first.

 

[Outlaw75]

A new 19 is sprung for full power service ammo. You could try 124 or 147 grain if you are using weaker stuff. I had that with pmc ammo at first.

I was using 124 and it works great in my M&P which has a heavier spring than the Glock.

 

[12Bravo20]

Here are a few tips for you since you are new to Glock's

• Hold the pistol with a firm grip when shooting - you want a firm grip but a death grip is not needed.
• Break the pistol in with some NATO spec 9mm ammo.
• If you are still getting brass to face after break in, you can swap the Gen 3 (336) ejector out for a Gen 4 or Gen 5 ejector. Refer to the above before swapping any parts.

Glocks will normally perform better when broke in with NATO spec ammo.

Glock's also like to be shot with a firm grip. "Limp wristing" can cause failures. Again a death grip is not needed, just use a firm grip.

Once you get the pistol to run properly with good ammo and a good shooting techniques then you can address the brass to face issue.. BTF normally only happens with Gen 3 pistols and not every Gen 3 pistol will do it either. IF you can't correct the BTF issue then you can swap out just the Gen 3 ejector for a Gen 4 or 5 ejector which will fix the BTF issue.

 

[21H40]

Fail to Feed. Ammo was Norma 124 Gr FMJ, two new factory mags that came with the Glock. (I literally bought the thing last Friday, haven't had time to acquire any other mags.). Feed issues and Brass To Face issues all over the place. Norma ammo works like a champ in my full size M&P 2.0. Going back later in the week with some Federal Champion I've got. Also going to pick up some Win White Box and a box of whatever Remington is calling the old Green & White stuff these days.

Odd. I think unclenunzie is on the right track with using some full power loads to break it in.

I have never heard of anyone having that many problems with a new Glock

 

[12Bravo20]

Odd. I think unclenunzie is on the right track with using some full power loads to break it in.

I have never heard of anyone having that many problems with a new Glock

It depends on how tight everything is. And this doesn't just effect Glock's. We have also seen that some cheap bulk ammo marketed as range, training and/or reduced recoil has been loaded really weak since the start of the plandemic three years ago. The cheap bulk stuff can cause issues from being underpowered.

 

[21H40]

I see. When I got mine I was excited about 10mm so I started with Buffalo Bore and several different SD loads. After a couple hundred rounds I even started using 40 S&W

 

[Outlaw75]

Odd. I think unclenunzie is on the right track with using some full power loads to break it in.

I have never heard of anyone having that many problems with a new Glock

What's the qualifier for full power loads? I'm looking at Winchester NATO: 1200 fps, 396 ft-lbs. The Norma is 1181 fps, 382 ft-lbs. Both 124 grain FMJ.* Seem pretty close to me.

*With the Paul Harrell standard caveat that manufacturer's ballistic data is at best "optimistic".

 

[Buzznrose]

I have a lot of Glocks, all bought new. I have never had an issue with any of them failing to feed or fire with any factory ammo straight from the box.

I’m sorry you are having issues. Your Glock should perform as reliably as your S&W. I’d guess there is an issue.

 

[Pat Riot]

What's the qualifier for full power loads? I'm looking at Winchester NATO: 1200 fps, 396 ft-lbs. The Norma is 1181 fps, 382 ft-lbs. Both 124 grain FMJ.* Seem pretty close to me.

*With the Paul Harrell standard caveat that manufacturer's ballistic data is at best "optimistic".

Going by memory here, but I recall the standard for 9mm NATO being touted as 124 grain bullet at 1250 fps.

Also, I have owned 9 Glocks, all 9mm except for a G44 in .22LR. I broke them all in with 115 grain FMJ ammo and never had any issues shooting factory ammo or my reloads. Most were 115 grain at 1150-1200 FPS. If you want a spicy factory 115 grain cartridge try Fiocchi or Sellier & Bellot. They are a bit hotter than American made 9mm range ammo they run 1200fps and a little higher. PMC Bronze, Blazer Brass, Remington Range all fire reliably in my Glocks. Winchester white box may have an occasional light load, maybe 1 or 2 per 100, but I never use that ammo for break in and only use it if I must.

EDIT: I have been finding recently that my Glock 45 seems to be more accurate with 124 grain ammo. I haven’t tried it with my 34s or my 48 yet. My G34s like 147 grain ammo for accuracy.

 

[JB111]

I have a lot of Glocks, all bought new. I have never had an issue with any of them failing to feed or fire with any factory ammo straight from the box.

I’m sorry you are having issues. Your Glock should perform as reliably as your S&W. I’d guess there is an issue.

This.

None of my Glocks ever required a break in. As a matter of fact, Glock is one of the few brands of handguns that I don't even clean/lube before first shots. I have seen one jam on occasion over the years, but nothing like op is describing. I would call Glock.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't even clean/lube before first shots.

You're not supposed to clean a Glock before shooting it...you'll remove the factory applied anti-seize

I would call Glock.

They'll tell you to put at least 200 rounds through it first

 

[9mmepiphany]

Feed issues and Brass To Face issues all over the place

Feed issues with a new G19 is often a matter of not getting you wrist/arm "behind" the grip to give the slide something to recoil/push against. Trying different ammo is a good idea.

Did you clean the rails/frame tabs before you took it out to shoot?

BTF is the result of Glock deciding that the extractor didn't need to have a secure purchase on the rim once it had been extracted from the chambere. The case is floating above the next round in the magazine and is then bounced back and forth between the rear and front of the ejection port before coming back into your face. You can test this by firing a round with the magazine removed and watching the empty case fall out the magazine well

 

[Pat Riot]

When it comes to Glocks, my initial “break in” has less to do with breaking in the gun and more about me making sure I trust it. Like I said above, I have never had a problem with a Glock 9mm pistol right out of the box.

 

[trackskippy]

Proper, firm grip (same as you'd use on any other gun) and full power ammo are the main thing.

When I first got into Glocks, I had to pump up the load in my 9mm reloads, which worked and cycled in all my other 9mm autos, just so the Glocks would cycle. You need full power ammo.

BTF I think is more part of you than the gun. Im not saying what 9mmepiphany pointed out isnt the case, or that I dont occasionally get BTF, but its not very often, and for me when it occurs, its with my reloads that I shoot to failure, and the worn out brass is likely the cause there. I get all sorts of malfunctions with all of my autos with it because of that.

I picked up a month old from NIB 17 from my local shop that had already gone back to Glock and had the slide rebuilt. The original owner was having feeding and constant BTF issues and wanted it fixed. The gun went back to Glock and they replaced everything in the slide and sent it back. They took the gun out and brought it right back to the shop saying they didnt fix it and it was doing the exact same thing and they wanted something else and traded it.

I got it at a nice discount and have yet to have any feeding or BTF issues with it, or any issues at all with fresh factory ammo. With my reloads, its a reliable as any of my other Glocks, and that's most of what I shoot too. Glocks repair order and replacement parts list was in the box when I got the gun. Im kind of doubting there was ever anything wrong with it and it was "user error" that was the issue.

Its been 100% for me and Ive been carrying it now for a couple of years.

 

[Tallball]

I tend to hold handguns more loosely than most people and test new-to-me pistols with scraps of ammo I scrounge from my "leftover" bag.

My Glocks have never malfunctioned.

Maybe the OP got a lemon.

 

[P89DCSS]

My good friend shoots my Gen 5 34 and 45 with constant jams. I clear the jam, shoot the mag empty with no issues. Slap a fresh mag in and rip off a few rounds, hand it to him and he jams it within a few rounds. I clear the jam and shoot the mag empty. I don't have any issues, he does....

 

[JB111]

You're not supposed to clean a Glock before shooting it...you'll remove the factory applied anti-seize


They'll tell you to put at least 200 rounds through it first

They may tell us not to remove it but I don't think it matters either way. I don't try to remove it but I have seen it done and it did not affect the function of the gun at all. I was always under the impression that Glock uses it to prevent corrosion for long sits while it is moved around on its journey to the gun store.

From reading his post, I assumed when he said he experienced "ftf after ftf" that he had gone through several magazines or more. I would try again with a different ammo then call them if it is still malfunctioning.