Diagnosing & Repairing Glock Pistol Problems

 

Diagnosing Glock Problems

Glock Accessories Glock Modifications Glock Parts Exploded View Diagram Diagnosing & Repairing Glock Pistol Problems

 

GLOCK PISTOL REPAIR CHART (3)

How to diagnose and repair your Glock pistol. Glock repair chart with common Glock problems, causes and corrections with related procedures for repairing your Glock pistol. See also Complete Glock DVD: Disassembly & Reassembly and Glock Tools and Gunsmitting Tools.

PROBLEM		PROBABLE CAUSES		CORRECTION
FAILURE TO EXTRACT (1)		Extractor worn, broken or missing		Replace the extractor
		Defective ammunition		Change ammunition
		Dirt under the extraction claw		Clean the extractor
		Dirty chamber		Clean the chamber
		Shooting with an unlocked wrist (limp wristing)		Lock shooting hand wrist
FAILURE TO EJECT OR ERRATIC EJECTION (INCLUDING STOVE PIPES) (1)		Broken or damaged ejector		Replace trigger mechanism housing with ejector
		Underpowered ammunition		Change ammunition
		Dirty chamber		Clean the chamber
		Shooting with an unlocked wrist		Lock shooting hand wrist
		Lack of lubrication		Lubricate
		Dirty gun		Clean
FAILURE TO FEED (2)		Magazine not properly inserted		Reinsert magazine
		Underpowered ammunition		Change ammunition
		Dirty magazine		Clean and inspect magazine
		Weak magazine spring		Replace magazine spring or magazine
		Dirty chamber		Clean the chamber
		Tight extractor		Replace or clean as needed
		Shooting with an unlocked wrist (limp wristing)		Lock shooting hand wrist
		Deformed magazine (magazine sides or lip deformed		Replace magazine
		Weak recoil spring		Replace recoil spring
SLIDE FAILS TO LOCK OPEN ON LAST ROUND		Magazine follower broken		Replace magazine or magazine follower
		Dirty magazine		Clean and inspect magazine
		Weak magazine spring		Replace magazine spring or magazine
		Worn slide stop lever notch		Contact Warranty Department if the replacement of the magazine and slide stop lever did not correct the issue.
		Dirty gun		Clean
		Needs lubrication		Lubricate
		Deformed magazine		Replace magazine
		Trigger pin inserted too far (left or right) Slide stop lever worn		This can cause the spring on the slide stop lever to bind. Check to see if the slide stop lever moves freely. If no, press the trigger pin slightly to the right until the slide stop lever moves freely.
		Slide stop lever damaged		Inspect and replace if necessary
		Underpowered ammunition		Change ammunition
		Shooting with and unlocked wrist (limp wristing)		Lock shooting hand wrist
		Improper grip		Tighten grip
FAILURE TO FIRE		Slide out of battery (DO NOT FORCE INTO BATTERY) due to: deformed defective round		Inspect and replace round
		Under powered ammunition		Change ammunition
		Damaged/weak recoil spring		Replace recoil spring assembly
		Damaged recoil spring tube		Replace recoil spring assembly
		Mating surfaces of barrel, slide and the receiver excessively dirty		Field strip and clean
		Gun dirty/obstructed chamber		Clean chamber
		Shooting with an unlocked wrist (limp wristing)		Lock shooting hand wrist
NO PRIMER STRIKE		Worn or broken firing pin tip		Replace firing pin
		Obstructed firing pin channel		Clear and clean the firing pin channel
		Spring cups inverted		Assemble properly
LIGHT, CENTERED PRIMER STRIKE		Hard primer (SMG ammunition)		Change ammunition
		Obstructed firing pin channel		Remove, inspect and clean firing pin and firing pin spring. Clean firing pin channel
LIGHT OFF-CENTER PRIMER STRIKE		Tight extractor		Replace
		Dirty gun		Clean
		Slide lock reversed or not beveled		Replace or reinstall the slide lock
		Weak recoil spring		Replace the recoil spring
INCONSISTENT TRIGGER PULL OR WILL NOT RELEASE		Connector loose in housing		Replace housing
		Pistol is excessively dirty		Field strip and clean
		Wrong trigger bar		Replace
		Connector needs lubrication		Lubricate
		Trigger bar is bent or damaged		Replace trigger bar
TRIGGER SAFETY FAILS TO RETURN TO ENGAGES (FORWARD) POSITION		Improperly stored in original box with trigger in full forward position (trigger safety fully depressed)		Replace trigger bar. When stored in original box, pistol must be unloaded, trigger in back position.
FIRING PIN SAFETY FAILS AS DESCRIBED IN THE MANUAL		Damaged, worn or defective firing pin safety		Replace
LOCKS OPEN EARLY		Improper hand position		Change grip
		Reverse tension on slide stop lever		Install lever correctly and perform field inspection for proper tension.
		Damaged slide stop lever		Replace

 

(1) FTE = Failure to Extract or Failure to Eject.
Failure to Extract and Failure to Eject have different meanings even though FTE is used for both terms.

Extraction refers to the removal of the spent cartridge case from the chamber. If you have a spent case that it stuck in the chamber or your extractor is broken, you have a Failure to Extract.

Ejection is where the spent case is forcefully thrown or ejected from the action of the gun. If the ejector is broken or the round is underpowered such that it does not have sufficient energy to drive the slide all the way to the rear you have a Failure to Eject. You can also have a Failure to Eject by "weak-wristing" or "limp-wristing" the pistol. One type of Failure To Extract is a stovepipe. A stovepipe is when the spent casing gets caught by the slide before being ejected from the gun. The empty case gets caught by the closing slide and gets stuck sticking out the side of the slide. It looks like a stove pipe. Stovepipes are associated with problems with certain ammunition or pistols that jam because the shell isn't ejected properly.

(2) FTF = Failure to Feed

(3) The listed are intended as aids in diagnosing the cause and correction of problems observed when shooting. They are not intended to be inclusive or "catch-all" remedies. The actual remedy may consist of one or more of the above listed factors.

The primary source of information for the above table was the Glock Armorer's Manual, 2009.

 

Glock Books & Videos

The Complete Glock Reference Guide - 3rd Edition 4th Revision

Glock Pistols Disassembly & Reassembly Gun-guide (Disassembly & Reassembly Guide)

The Glock Exotic Weapons System

Glock Videos

 

Glock Reference Manuals

Glock Armorer's Manual

Glock Manual

 

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