How To Deal With The Most Common Glock Malfunctions
Modern handguns are generally extremely reliable, but there are some common Glock malfunctions that are useful to be aware of, so you can fix them quickly. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the most common causes of Glock malfunctions and how to address them.
Most Common Glock Malfunctions
1. Problem With The Extractor
The extractor part of the Glock is a small, spring-loaded part which is designed to help remove fired cartridges from the chamber of the gun. If this part fails, it is often because there has been damage to the extractor depressor channel. If this is the case, the additional friction between the extractor and the depressor spring will slow movement, potentially causing issues.
The problem may also be caused by a broken extractor. There may not be enough tension to give the bullet a good pathway into the chamber. If you are having problems and you think your extractor might be the cause, invest in a Glock extractor plunger assembly to get to the bottom of the problem and fix it.
2. Feeding Issues
Feeding can sometimes be a reason for Glock malfunctions. For example, the bullet may not be loaded into the chamber correctly when the Glock Slide Back Plates enters the battery. This can result in the nose of the bullet pointing up or down.
Feeding failures are mostly a result of poor magazines, feed ramps and poor recoil springs. Tension is key. If there is too much tension, the recoil can return too quickly. If there isn’t enough tension, there could be too much dwell time added to the recoil cycle which means the slide won’t turn quickly enough to chamber the round.
When looking at feeding failures and trying to figure out the cause, consider other aspects such as the ammo you are using or even how you are holding the handgun. If you are unable to identify or fix the issue, you should always contact the manufacturer to help.
3. Problems With The Trigger
A broken trigger spring or a problematic trigger can cause issues with a Glock handgun, forcing it to malfunction. The trigger spring’s job is to draw the trigger away from the reset position, but it important for helping raise up the trigger bar cruciform, which it unfortunately won’t do if there are issues. This is a particular problem with the Glock Generation 4. Make sure you check these parts of the handgun if you are experiencing issues, and especially if you own a Generation 4 Glock.
4. Issues With The Click
When you fire the handgun and you hear a click instead of a bang, you have a click issue. Often, this is caused by problems with the firearm itself or the ammunition but it can sometimes be caused by a faulty magazine. To find out, try tapping the magazine base plate firmly to make sure the magazine is seated correctly. Then clear the chamber and load a new round.
If the magazine spring is weak, you may find that the round was not chambered even as a fresh magazine was loaded into the handgun with plenty of force. If this is the case, look at replacing the magazine to avoid further Glock malfunctions.
Some of the most important Glock maintenance tips to remember are to regularly clean and inspect your Glock by taking it apart and using appropriate tools, materials and substances to clean each section. That way, you can stay on top of the overall condition of your handgun, get to know its working parts and recognize easily when things aren’t working as they should.