Glock slide lock

[Guest cdsusong]

Today I had a chance to squeeze off a few at an indoor range. All was well, practiced front sight focus, double taps, and triple shots to center mass/hips/head shot. Then towards the end of my time I encountered an issue. When my mag on my G19 would empty, no slide lock. What is up with that? I tried all 4 mags and the same issue. Never happened before. With a mag in and manual pull slide back, it will lock into slide lock. But it won't do it in action mode. Any help or thoughts? Perhaps a spring or something?

[glockster157]

Since all four mags were doing this and you had not had this problem before, what about ammo? Were you using range ammo that may have been a little on the mild sde? Did it do this with different ammo?

[Guest cdsusong]

nope, same ammo, same mags. Is there a spring or something that will activate the slide lock when the mag is empty? I didn't see anything loose or broken (without complete disassy of frame) The gun still fires and cycles ammo but just won't slide lock at empty mag.

[TGO David]

Are you limp wristing the gun?

[Guest cdsusong]

Nope, I have about 2000 rounds through this weapon and never had any issues. Maybe its just that time. Sounds weird I know, but something is going on with it.

[Guest price g]

Lube the left front corner of your mags

[Guest Todd@CIS]

Lube the left front corner of your mags

?

[Guest Todd@CIS]

Today I had a chance to squeeze off a few at an indoor range. All was well, practiced front sight focus, double taps, and triple shots to center mass/hips/head shot. Then towards the end of my time I encountered an issue. When my mag on my G19 would empty, no slide lock. What is up with that? I tried all 4 mags and the same issue. Never happened before. With a mag in and manual pull slide back, it will lock into slide lock. But it won't do it in action mode. Any help or thoughts? Perhaps a spring or something?

Holding a firm grip and shooting with your left hand, does the same thing occur?

[Guest cdsusong]

didn't try left hand. are you thinking perhaps I may have pressure on the slide release with my right thumb? I just got through cleaning the gun thoroughly with gun blast and q tips. I am thinking there may have been some grit in there somewhere causing the issue. Lube the corner of the mag? I will try a smidge on there but if there is one thing I have found, Glocks don't like alot of lubeage! I will put a few rounds through it to see if the problem still exists. Ammo, I always shoot Winchester 115g FMJ. I have some Blazer stuff I will try as well. Who knows?

[John Wall]

Does the slide lock back if you insert an empty mag and pull the slide to the rear?

[Tacblack]

With Glocks and few other guns I hold my thumbs on or over the slide release over riding it from locking open on last round. Maybe this is happing to you also. 1911 and CZ type seem to be the only ones I don't do this on.

[Guest cdsusong]

Yes it will lock back manually with an empty mag in. I don't believe I have enough pressure on my right thumb riding on the slide release to keep it from slide lock. Perhaps a corner of the slide release is worn that will not allow it to catch in fire mode? I will get some more rounds through it to see if the cleaning of the internals solved the problem. If it were a broke spring or something, that would be pretty obvious correct? Another person asked me about the slide spring being weak, this can't be because I have a tungsten guide rod with flat wire spring that is 6 months old. Confusing no?

[Guest TargetShooter84]

Thats interesting....I have a G19 and havent had any problems with it.

Let me know what happens.

[TGO David]

Yes it will lock back manually with an empty mag in. I don't believe I have enough pressure on my right thumb riding on the slide release to keep it from slide lock. Perhaps a corner of the slide release is worn that will not allow it to catch in fire mode? I will get some more rounds through it to see if the cleaning of the internals solved the problem. If it were a broke spring or something, that would be pretty obvious correct? Another person asked me about the slide spring being weak, this can't be because I have a tungsten guide rod with flat wire spring that is 6 months old. Confusing no?

If the spring were weak, it wouldn't have any problem locking back. If the spring were too strong or the ammo charge too light, that might prevent the slide from fully cycling and locking back.

[Guest 70below]

I was always told that the Glock slide lock was designed to be used as a catch, not a release, and that it will fail or no longer function if used in that capacity. In my LE training we were always taught to pull the slide back and release to ensure positive feeding and prevent failure of the slide lock. Perhaps if you commonly use it as a release that catch has worn down and will not engage it at speed as you mentioned.

[Guest 153blue]

take it apart and see if the slide release is properly seated inside the lower frame.

[Guest jam]

Maybe when they said spring they meant the mag spring. Now it's highly unlikely because all four mags are doing it. However, on my HK I had two mags spring failures at the same time.

[Guest cdsusong]

no not mag spring. guide rod spring and it is good to go. The slide release is seated and functioning properly. It does not look worn with the naked eye, but I will take it out and look at it alot closer.

[Guest sling]

I'm with tacblac. Something is up when your shooting. Make sure your thumb isnt riding the slide lock.

[Guest cdsusong]

could be, I will try the left hand shooting to make sure that is not the issue. results to follow asap.

[Guest Micromancer]

Happens with one mag only: Worn mag spring.

Happens with all mags, your thumb is riding the slide lock

If you don't already have an extended slide stop, install one. You will notice when you hit it as its face is triangular as opposed to the flat surface of the stock bar.

[Guest cdsusong]

already have the extended slide stop. I am leaning toward my thumb causing the issue. If it were more than 20 degs. outside I would squeeze a few off, but brrrrr.

[Guest cdsusong]

shot several rounds today and used all 5 mags. Guess what, I think it is my thumb! didn't really change my grip and noticed that I had slight down pressure on the slide release. This is a first for me as I have put thousands of rounds through my 19 without any issues. The slide release is about 1 yr old and I think the spring may be weak, with little pressure during cycle, it is causing this issue. I will replace the spring and keep my right thumb a little lower. By the way, did the left hand shoot and in case you don't know this, keep your support hand low, that is if you want to keep your skin and knuckle on your thumb! Ouch!

[frankmako]

thumb, thumb, thumb. and i would clean my mags. break them down and give them a good cleaning.

[Tacblack]

I had my Taurus 92 for 6 years and locked back fine then one day stopped. Seems between shooting 1911's and time my grip changed just enough to cause 92 style, Glock and Sigs not to lock on last round. Which really sucked when I tried IDPA and had to rack slide everytime I ran dry.