Glock Slide Lock Replacement Instructions

 

Glock Slide Lock Tabs Glock Slide Lock

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What Is A Glock Slide Lock?

On the outside of the pistol, the Glock slide lock comprises those two little knurled tabs that stick out either side of the frame just above the trigger. You have to pull down on these tabs to field strip or remove the slide from the receiver or frame. The tabs are actually part of a bar that runs from side to side inside the frame of the pistol. This bar locks into a corresponding slot of the slide assembly and keeps the slide from coming off the frame.

How Does A Glock Slide Lock Work?

The "lock" is simply a bar that runs across the frame from side to side. There is a little piece of spring metal (the slide lock spring) that runs underneath it which keeps upward pressure on the slide lock. There is a groove in the slide lock into which the spring locks into. The bar lock keeps the slide on the frame. It allows the slide to ride back and forth for recoil but does not allow the slide to ride forward and off the frame. When you pull down on the slide lock all you are doing is clearing the path for the slide to ride off the frame. It is a very simple part with a very important function.

 

Glock Slide Lock shown in it's "Up Position".	When the tabs are pulled down the slide lock is lowered within the frame.
This is the slot where it "locks into" on the slide.	See how it lines up with the slot in the slide assembly.

 

Removal And Replacement

The slide lock is used to field strip the gun and take the slide off.  The Glock pistol has a very simple and straight forward design. Once you have a basic understanding of how each part works and what it's purpose is, it's very simple to work on whether you are cleaning parts or replacing factory parts with after market parts that may perform a little bit better. These instruction will tell you how to take out and put it back in.

 

 

GLOCK SLIDE LOCK REMOVAL
	REMOVE THE SLIDE Field strip your Glock per procedure Glock Field Strip Instructions. Note - complete field strip is not required, just removal of the slide from the receiver.
	IDENTIFY THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING The spring is that thin strip of spring steel inside the frame. If you push down on the end nearest the slide lock you can feel the tension of the spring as it moves slightly.
	PUSH DOWN ON THE SPRING Using a screw driver, punch or other tool push down on the end of spring closest to the slide lock (not shown in picture). This will lower the slide lock and disconnect the spring from the corresponding slot in the slide lock.
	REMOVE THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK With the spring still depressed, turn the frame on it's side and shake or wiggle it out of the frame.
	Back Side This is the back side of the Glock Slide Lock. Make sure that when you reinstall it that this side faces towards the rear of the pistol.
	Front Side This is the front or forward side of the Glock Slide Lock. Take a close look at it. See the little notch at the bottom? That is where the slide lock spring fits inside the slide lock. The spring not only applies upward pressure to the slide lock it also keeps it aligned and in place.
	The Glock Slide Lock Spring If you wish to remove or replace the spring perform procedure Glock Slide Lock Spring Replacement Instructions.
GLOCK SLIDE LOCK INSTALLATION
	PLACE THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK INTO THE SLOT When installing, make sure the hooked face is installed facing towards the back of the gun. Insert and rest of it into one of the side slots of the receiver.
	DEPRESS THE SPRING It does not matter which side of the Glock frame it is installed in. Apply downward pressure to the spring again then push the slide lock into place. It is very simple and easy to do. As you push it into place you will hear the spring snap into the bottom slot of the slide lock, securing it into place.
	TEST IT Pull down on the slide lock tabs to make sure it is operating properly, then reinstall the slide and perform another field strip of the gun to make sure it is working properly.

 

What Are Extended Glock Slide Locks?

Some aftermarket slide locks are elongated so that they stick out of the frame a little bit more than the factory slide locks and they are more serrated. They are usually easier to grip and have a sharper feeling to it which makes it easier to get hold of. It's a definite improvement over the stock part. Aftermarket slide locks are very cheap and are generally under $30. It is a very good performing piece and well worth the investment especially if you have difficulty grasping the factory Glock slide locks.. They are especially helpful to shooters who have arthritis, weak fingers or long fingernails.

 

 

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