new to glocks, need tips

newshot

newshot

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No pics as I do not have the gun yet (21sf) but it is ordered and on the way. I have never owned a glock before, in fact I have only owned sigs. I know I have to shoot plated bullets, but any other tips? I am going to get to know the gun for a while before doing any mods but what about care? Grease or oil, I usually boresnake my sigs after every session with hoppes 9 and then hoppes gun oil, same with the glock? My sigs like running super-wet. I joined glock-talk but I can't stand that forum, the layout, not the people.

Thanks!

(I guess suggesting any mods I might look at in the future would be helpful too)
 
Cleaning: Field strip the gun (take a second), brush the bore, then some cleaning patch soaked in Hoppe's No.9, then dry patch, repeat until dry patch come out clean. I do that every 5-6 range trip.

Lubbing: Put a little amount of quality gun oil in the rails, around the barrel (only a very small ammount of oil with a patch or the tip of your finger) and a drop on the connector. GLOCK pistols need a very small amount of oil, don't overlube it and NEVER put any oil or grease inside the firing pin channel as it may cause the gun to malfonction (theoretically).
 
I recently bought my first Glock too, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
I've shot many before, but I didn't own them.

I prefer to use grease. It seems to stay where it needs to be so it can continue to lubricate, versus oil which runs off and is kinda messy IMO. The only place I use oil is on the trigger/connector mechanism or whatever it's called (in the back portion of the receiver) It only takes one drop.

I've always cleaned my guns after having them out...does it really need it? Most people will say "NOPE", but I'm a neat freak and I get pretty anal about even dust or finger print smudges on the slide.

Glocks don't seem to "need" to be lubricated all that much in my (limited) experience. People have in fact warned me of "over lubricating" a Glock...how much of that is myth or reality, I don't know.Just hit the spots mentioned in the manual and avoid putting lube in the firing pin channel.

As far as modifications go, the most common mods people make after shooting their guns bone stock for a while are: grip plug, extended slide lock, extended mag release, (-) connector and NY trigger spring. I don't have the connector or the trigger spring so someone else can comment on those, but honestly I could even do without the extended controls. Mag release seems to get in the way for me, YMMV.

Grip is another area where personal choice seems to come into play. Some people like the regular grip, some like slip on grips (like Hogue) and some prefer to use skateboard tape. I have a slip-on grip only because thats what was on it when I bought it.

Like I said, I'm no authority myself..just sharing my opinions and thoughts. Somebody else will surely correct me if I said something inaccurate or misleading. :p
 
Be sure any mods are compatible with YOUR Glock. I love my 21sf, as much as I could ever love any inanimate object. If I had any idea the hassles involved in any upgrade with this one, I might have got a different model. Advantage Arms 22lr conversions, will only work if manufactured after March 2008, when I went looking last summer, nobody Canada or USA, had one that would work. Also, if you want a holster, you will most likely need to get one made. It took me quite a long time to find one to fit a Glock 21, only to get it home, and realize, it was not made for a Glock with a rail, such as mine. I've got one being made for me now from comp-tac.com

It is a very good, reliable gun. The only hassles I've gotten out of it, are some reloads with cheap plated bullets. I believe the problem, was poor bullet sizing, but seeing as Excel no longer is in business, that's not a particular concern (only a problem with 200gr SWC, the 230gr RN worked great).

Clean it, when it occurs to you. I rarely ever clean mine, maybe every 4-5 months, which usually works out to be 1000-1500 rounds, depending how often I could get out. Do not over lube it. Just the bare minimum in the places the manual tells you. I just use Hoppe's gun oil, nothing fancy is required, whatever you have will work.

Even using the cheap plated bullets, with inconsistant sizing, the accuracy is more than I am capable of. Lots of folk around here will tell you that your ##### will fall off, if you ever even think, of using cast lead bullets in a Glock. The 45acp Glock barrels, are 8 sided polygonal rifling, as opposed to 6 sided for everything else. 45acp is also a lower pressure round, with mainly subsonic velocities. These all contribute to, the careful use of lead bullets, with proper attention paid to any leading or pressure signs, being a viable thing to do. If you're not going to take the time to get to know your gun, don't do it, but once you know what you're doing, and what to look for, it's worth a shot.
 
Buy lots of ammo, and practice.

The trigger reset on the Glock is quite nice when you get the hang of it. Shoot all the lead ammo/reloads you want, just be a bit more diligent with your barrel cleaning than with your Sigs. If you have the OEM plastic sights on there, you'll be wanting to replace those pronto - as they're crap. I have the Glock night sights, and they're MUCH better, and far more durable.
 
curtmg said:
Be sure any mods are compatible with YOUR Glock. I love my 21sf, as much as I could ever love any inanimate object. If I had any idea the hassles involved in any upgrade with this one, I might have got a different model. Advantage Arms 22lr conversions, will only work if manufactured after March 2008, when I went looking last summer, nobody Canada or USA, had one that would work. Also, if you want a holster, you will most likely need to get one made. It took me quite a long time to find one to fit a Glock 21, only to get it home, and realize, it was not made for a Glock with a rail, such as mine. I've got one being made for me now from comp-tac.com

It is a very good, reliable gun. The only hassles I've gotten out of it, are some reloads with cheap plated bullets. I believe the problem, was poor bullet sizing, but seeing as Excel no longer is in business, that's not a particular concern (only a problem with 200gr SWC, the 230gr RN worked great).

Clean it, when it occurs to you. I rarely ever clean mine, maybe every 4-5 months, which usually works out to be 1000-1500 rounds, depending how often I could get out. Do not over lube it. Just the bare minimum in the places the manual tells you. I just use Hoppe's gun oil, nothing fancy is required, whatever you have will work.

Even using the cheap plated bullets, with inconsistant sizing, the accuracy is more than I am capable of. Lots of folk around here will tell you that your ##### will fall off, if you ever even think, of using cast lead bullets in a Glock. The 45acp Glock barrels, are 8 sided polygonal rifling, as opposed to 6 sided for everything else. 45acp is also a lower pressure round, with mainly subsonic velocities. These all contribute to, the careful use of lead bullets, with proper attention paid to any leading or pressure signs, being a viable thing to do. If you're not going to take the time to get to know your gun, don't do it, but once you know what you're doing, and what to look for, it's worth a shot.
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Actually, the advantage arms kit DOES work with your 21sf. You need to cut holes in the mags if you have a 21sf with an ambi mag release and if you have one without the ambi mag release (like mine) then the kit works fine as is :)

Thanks for the tips all!
 
AdamO said:
Buy lots of ammo, and practice.

The trigger reset on the Glock is quite nice when you get the hang of it. Shoot all the lead ammo/reloads you want, just be a bit more diligent with your barrel cleaning than with your Sigs. If you have the OEM plastic sights on there, you'll be wanting to replace those pronto - as they're crap. I have the Glock night sights, and they're MUCH better, and far more durable.
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+1. As for sights I love the XS big dot.
 
I like Heinie.

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I throw in my two cents.

Firstly, watch a couple youtube vids and completely strip your glock. Its surprisingly easy except for the one trigger pin in the receiver. When I say completely, take everything apart, right down to the bones including the firing pin assembly. May as well clean while your in there as well.

My cleaning routine is not religious, but I would say I clean my guns often enough. I use oil on the barrel, locking lug and the inside roof of the slide. I am however, seriously considering switching to grease because the oil is messy. I use shooters choice red lubricant for the receiver slide rails and little nubby part (which is outlined in the manual)

I use a nylon brush for the bore. I use G96 to clean the outside of the barrel and slide and use hoppe's 9 on the inside with a jag. I use some whatever gun conditioner/oil on the barrel after I have wiped out all the hoppe's 9.


In terms of modifications, they are very simple to make, and you will see that if you fully strip your glock. I have made the following modifications and really like them:

- extended mag release (call me a sissy if you want, but I cannot easily manipulate the stock one)
- NY1 trigger spring with 3.5 disconnector.
- Recently added in the 4 lb firing pin spring (jury is still out, but signs look promising)

I also tried the extended slide stop lever but hated it. It totally interfered with my grip.

Also, may as well pickup some spare parts like an extra recoil spring, extra spring kits and what not, they are dirt cheap. Keep em in your range bag in case something happens. I also have the glock armorer's tool and find it works great.

Other than that, shoot the s**t out of it. I have put between 1000-2000 rounds down mine already and love it. Try not to worry about 'barrel smiles' that might appear when the bluing wears off, they're not a big deal.

Oh yeah, consider buying extra mags and ammo before the upgrades, trigger time is more important than anything....at least to me it is :D
 
I have bought a glock 17 with trijicon night sights off the EE. It also has a serrated trigger, grip plug, extra mag and extended slide stop. I can't wait for my plastic to show up in the next week or so, so I can pay for the other half and pick it up. I really wanted a 9mm glock as my first gun and after a bit of looking around I found that I wanted one with trijicon sights and the rest of the stuff that was already on it is all stuff I would have bought anyways. I was just lucky enough to find someone understanding enough to hold it until my license arrives.

Can't wait.
 
newshot said:
Actually, the advantage arms kit DOES work with your 21sf. You need to cut holes in the mags if you have a 21sf with an ambi mag release and if you have one without the ambi mag release (like mine) then the kit works fine as is :)

Thanks for the tips all!
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Cut holes in the magazine? If Gaston had wanted holes there, they'd come with them. I never mess with Perfection.

Actually, I just don't trust myself with things like that (I also realize Gaston didn't make the AA kit). I'd find a way to fudge it up. I actually just went and bought a Ruger MKIII, to shoot instead of running a 22lr conversion kit on the Glock. Works well, I shoot the Glock, and my Dad can shoot the MKIII.

Mine, of course, does have the ambi mag release. Your's not having it, will save some hassle. You'll save even more hassle, if you don't have any rail.
 
curtmg said:
Cut holes in the magazine? If Gaston had wanted holes there, they'd come with them. I never mess with Perfection.

Actually, I just don't trust myself with things like that (I also realize Gaston didn't make the AA kit). I'd find a way to fudge it up. I actually just went and bought a Ruger MKIII, to shoot instead of running a 22lr conversion kit on the Glock. Works well, I shoot the Glock, and my Dad can shoot the MKIII.

Mine, of course, does have the ambi mag release. Your's not having it, will save some hassle. You'll save even more hassle, if you don't have any rail.
Click to expand...


That's what I did. First two pruchases were a real nice looking mark3 hunter that i couldn't pass up on and then a glock 17. haven't fired either of them yet. hurry up license!

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Here are my suggestions....

1. Learn what the PROPER order is for removing/and reinstalling the frame pins, as you can damage your gun, and cause malfunction by doing it in the incorrect order.

2. Do NOT use a hammer and a punch to remove the frame pins. Buy the Glock tool from glockparts.com for $8 shipped and just push the pins out using hand pressure. I just grip the frame tightly in one hand, and holding the punch like you would a screwdriver in the other, push slowly, and firmly until you feel the pin disengage, and start to move. Then ease up and lightly push it the rest of the way.

3. Only detail strip the gun when you feel you need to. The frame pins get looser and looser the more you do it. Though I have found that swapping out the pins after this happens snugs it up, especially the new style pins with the parkerized style finish. More friction I am guessing.

4. Buy a Tangodown Vickers extended magazine release. Way better than stock, and way better than the Glock OEM extended release. They are both too sharp, and the stock release is too short, and the extended too long. This one is the perfect length, and is nice and rounded. The best mag release you can buy. I don't remove the old one with a screwdriver as recommended as I absolutely refuse to mar the plastic... yes, people say I am too meticulous with my guns. I use fishing line. If you are interested PM me and I can explain how.

5. Don't bother with the Glock extended slide stop. It's a slide stop, not a slide release, and adds an unnecessary jagged edge to the low profile design of the gun to get caught on things. If you compete you may find you want it. I don't compete so I don't really know.

6. Don't dryfire without snap caps. Some have done so a zillion times with no ill effect, and some have suffered cracked breech faces.

7. Buy some pinned 10/17 rounds magazines. You can load these by hand without breaking your thumb as with the factory ten rounders. I always found those flat followers in the factory 10 rounders annoying. The only jams I ever had with a Glock were using factory 10 rounders.

8. Learn where to lube a Glock. Use a gun grease. I hate oil. It gets everywhere. A good grease stays put. I like TW-25B by MilComm. Go to the drug store and ask them for a 3cc syringe to apply it with. That way you can apply it sparingly and exactly where you want it. It will last forever.

9. Give the 3.5# connector a try. Some like it, some don't. It's a tiny bit springier/mushier and not as crisp as the factory connector (if you can use the word crisp to describe a Glock trigger pull lol). There is a difference, not much but it's there.

10. Never toss a round in the chmaber and close the action on it. It can damage the extractor. Feed all rounds from the magazine.

That's all I can think of.

Have fun! Glocks are cool, and I think they are damn good looking!


edit: #10 added
 
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