My new (used) Glock is making me miserable

[johnniet]

I got it last week, used. The idea was to use it for "practical shooting" matches.
I've shot Glocks before and enjoyed it. Actually, shooting it is OK. The problem is using the slide.

I find it very hard to pull the slide back. Being in California, I had to perform a safety demonstration when I bought it. It took 8-10 tries to get it to stay open (that'll teach me to actually buy a gun just because I liked shooting it, without checking the slide action too). I cussed and complained, but the salesman was helpful.

By the way: my hands and wrists hurt sometimes from mild arthritis (I know, I'm not that old, but it runs in my family). And they've been acting up lately.

Afterward I figured out that part of the problem was just technique. I was pulling back pretty hard and couldn't feel exactly where the stop was--so the slide went all the way back, to high tension, and I had to let go. Meanwhile, my thumb was slipping down from the slide lever, so nothing stopped the slide. At home I was able to lock it open a few times without trouble.

When I got it to the range I had trouble again. It opened fine a few times, but my left fingers were getting blistery by then. I had to fight with it a couple more times: once to lock it open during a cease-fire, and once when I tried to eject a cartridge manually. (I don't remember exactly why I had to eject, but it ended up with one in the chamber and one coming in, and the slide was not in battery, and I couldn't get the damn thing to stay open. Arg!)

 

[fixer27]

It could be that someone put a aftermarket spring in your glock and that
is what makes it hard to pull back.

Besides. just rack your Glock on a table.

 

[glockman99]

It could be that someone put a aftermarket spring in your glock and that
is what makes it hard to pull back.

Exactly.

Also, when I rack the slide on my Glocks, I put my hand on top of the slide and push the slide back, while pushing the receiver forward at the same time, then push-up the slide "lock" with the thumb of the hand that's holding the handle. That way, you use both hands to rack the slide, rather than just the thumb and index finger of one hand.

 

[komondor]

Sell it, and get an Heckler & Koch USP. You will pay a few more dollars, but you get a superior firearm (sorry, Glockman).

Guarantee, you won't look back.

 

[RGRAY]

...Also, when I rack the slide on my Glocks, I put my hand on top of the slide and push the slide back, while pushing the receiver forward at the same time, then push-up the slide "lock" with the thumb of the hand that's holding the handle. That way, you use both hands to rack the slide, rather than just the thumb and index finger of one hand.

I never use my thimb and index finger.

IMO, you should always use your full hand on yop like Dann said.

Also, I disagree with Komondor.

 

[SIFU1A]

the slide on an HK is no easier to pull back than on a glock. as far as being superior, well thats debatable, though HK is good, I have a P7, never carry it though FWIW.

try it like dan said imho.

 

[craigz]

You might want to install the Factory Glock Extended Slide Stop Lever. It has a little tab that makes it easier to lock the slide back, but it's not big enough to get in the way. You should also find that the recoil spring eases up a bit as you break in the gun, or you could try a slightly lighter weight recoil spring.

And of course, the easiest way to lock the slide back is to leave a mag in the well.

 

[MadDaddy]

I never use my thimb and index finger.

IMO, you should always use your full hand on yop like Dann said.

exactly what he said I never have any trouble manipulating my Glock23. You may have an after market spring in there...

 

[Geraldo]

Perhaps you should consider getting these:

http://www6.mailordercentral.com/ironmind/products.asp?dept=8

 

[xsrdx]

You'll get better at it with practice.

Ensure you have a factory recoil spring and guide, some people think putting a 20lb recoil spring makes Glocks feed more reliably, when in fact it usually increases malfunctions. Start with the stock part.

The extended slide stop is one option, and may speed up your slide lock reloads in a match, but I don't know that it will solve your problem.

Grab the gun firmly in your shooting hand, finger outside the trigger guard, pointed in a safe direction, sideways in front of you so the slide stop is facing your navel. Grasp the top of the slide, in front of the rear sight at the slide grooves, firmly.

Push the frame forward, under the slide, at the same time pushing up on the slide stop/release with your shooting thumb. Getting it in close to your body will add some leverage, just PAY ATTENTION to the muzzle and don't sweep your body with it. You'll feel the stop click when it engages the notch in the slide.

Glocks are fine pistols, and the problem you're experiencing is not unique to Glocks. Give it awhile and you should get better with it.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Pay no attention to the grip grooves on the slide on any gun. The manufacturers don't seem to understand the difference between a gun and a slingshot, but there is a difference. Grasp the slide with your whole hand.

 

[Revolvergeek]

Exactly.

Also, when I rack the slide on my Glocks, I put my hand on top of the slide and push the slide back, while pushing the receiver forward at the same time, then push-up the slide "lock" with the thumb of the hand that's holding the handle. That way, you use both hands to rack the slide, rather than just the thumb and index finger of one hand.

That is pretty much exactly what I was going to type. :thumbup: I second the idea of checking the recoli spring to make sure it is stock.

 

[johnniet]

Pay no attention to the grip grooves on the slide on any gun. The manufacturers don't seem to understand the difference between a gun and a slingshot, but there is a difference. Grasp the slide with your whole hand.

Actually, that was my instinct at the safety test--but I was gripping it the other way (fingers pointing in the muzzle direction). This caused problems becase my fingers would touch the...the...thing in the middle, which goes down and stops the slide from retracting.
Doing it backhand--as Glockman and others propose--sounds like the right idea.
And I'll be sure to get the spring checked.

Thanks all!

 

[A Dogs Best Friend]

Glocks are certainly fine pistols. A lot of very knowledgeable people rate them very highly. I've had two that I sold, though. I'm a Hi Power man. A seventy year old design and still perfect in every way. Get a Browning Hi Power!

(sorry. no glock advice...)

 

[RGRAY]

...And I'll be sure to get the spring checked.

Thanks all!

Glocks are built for hot loads; I don't see any reason to change the spring.

I do have a 22 lb. spring in one of my 1911 bowling pin guns.

I reload hot 260 grain semi wadcutters and it needs the heavier spring and I use 16 lb. springs in my 1911 bullseye pistols for very light loads.

 

[mwerner]

I've been carrying my M23 daily for almost 10 years. Never had the slightest difficulty with any aspect of the pistol. Operation of the slide seems no different than any high-powered autopistol I've handled.

My only complaint is that sometimes my trigger finger will get a little sore at the point the little safety-lever sticks out.

 

[MadDaddy]

My only complaint is that sometimes my trigger finger will get a little sore at the point the little safety-lever sticks out.

me too...I hate that

 

[RGRAY]

...My only complaint is that sometimes my trigger finger will get a little sore at the point the little safety-lever sticks out.

I have never had that problem.

My guess is that you are curling your finger (rubbing) when you pull the trigger instead of pulling straight back (only use your finger tip).

If you are pulling straight back; you shouldn't even feel the safety.

 

[xsrdx]

I have never had that problem.

It's typically unique to Glocks in 40SW, due to the sharper recoil impulse. Some folks notice it, some do not.

It's most noticeable during slow, deliberate, aimed fire. I rarely notice it in a pistol match, but if I'm shooting plates at range I can feel it.

Glock in other calibers don't seem to cause the problem.

 

[Sid Post]

My only complaint is that sometimes my trigger finger will get a little sore at the point the little safety-lever sticks out.

If you practice enough, you will develop a callous there like I have.