Shooting a Glock without the mag

Glockster Dude

Glockster Dude

Regular
Rating - 100%
32   0   0
Hey guys,

Quick question for you. I was shooting earlier today and I tried shooting my glock without the mag in. I was simply putting a single round in the chamber by hand and then firing. I know there is no real reason to do this, but I was just messing around.

Anyway, after the first shot I noticed the empty casing flew forward when ejected instead of back and to the right. So i picked it up to inspect it and it was dented in the front of the shell.

So I loaded and fired again and this time the casing got caught by the slide and got stuck. The shell was all chewed up so I tossed it.

Long story short (too late) I learned not to fire my glock without a magazine in the mag well. But my question is does this happen to most handguns if fired this way or is it a glock thing? I know the glock has a few problems that pop up that other guns don't. Is this one of them?

Thanks CGNers.
 
I may be wrong but I don't think the extractor works correctly if you do that. In IPSC guys 'Top off" with a mag and thats what they told me to do to seat the round correctly.
 
pitdogboy said:
I may be wrong but I don't think the extractor works correctly if you do that. In IPSC guys 'Top off" with a mag and thats what they told me to do to seat the round correctly.
Click to expand...

This is correct. Next time insert a mag, chamber a round then drop the mag. It will function correctly.
 
I got a G22 in the early 90's, the gun didn't come with 10rd mags as they were being fixed to comply with the new firearms laws.

I shot approximately 200 rounds through that G22 by loading single rounds directly into the chamber. Had no problems with ejection or any FTF. Have shot four models of Glocks this way and have yet to encounter a problem.
 
It should fire fine without a mag in it, if it doesn't see if there is a problem with either the extractor or ejector, Loading by thumbing a round into the chamber can be bad on some pistols like 1911's because of the design of the extractor, on an external extractor like the Glock it is less bad but not recommended. Either way once the round is chambered the slide has to be closed fully or it won't fire, this is the function of the disconnector. If it is closed then the extractor should have a grip on the rim. If it doesn't then there could be a burr, not enough clearance or something preventing the extractor from operating. To put that all another way, what is probably happening is that by loading in this fashion you are asking the extractor to pivot out farther than normal (normally the slide picks up the round from the magazine and the rim slides under the extractor hook from below, by chambering the round by thumbing it in the chambert the extractor has to snap out and around the rim from behind, measure the difference between the extractor groove on the casing and the rim and that's pretty much the extra distance the extractor now has to move) and when it tries to move into the extractor groove from behind it's now getting all the way in and not having a full grip.
Take the slide off the gun and slide an empty casing under the extractor and see both how much tension there is and how much clearance. Also try pushing the casing into the extractor as if it was closing on an already chambered round vs. sliding up from underneath.
 
On a 1911 you will ruin the tension of the extractor, remember it acts as its own spring. On a pivoting extractor with a separate spring it should suffer no ill effects, though repeated use like this will be hard on the spring. The brass itself is not hard enough to actually damage the extractor.
 
gushulak said:
I got a G22 in the early 90's, the gun didn't come with 10rd mags as they were being fixed to comply with the new firearms laws.

I shot approximately 200 rounds through that G22 by loading single rounds directly into the chamber. Had no problems with ejection or any FTF. Have shot four models of Glocks this way and have yet to encounter a problem.
Click to expand...

That's dedication!
 
most pistols will encounters problems ejecting without a mag inserted. The next round or the follower of any empty mag puts pressure on the empty casing as its extracted, ensuring it hits the ejector properly. No mag or round and the casing can, and will fall down slightly causing the very things you've experienced. Very very common.
 
Alright. Sounds pretty typical. Thanks guys. What would I do without this board? I'll try shooting a single round chambered from the magazine. I know it's out of no where but I just have to say I'm very greatful for this board. I learn so much here. Us gun nutz have to stick together.

From my cold dead hand.
 
The glock is designed to fire without the mag, not every pistol has the capability of firing without a mag.
Click to expand...
Most guns will FIRE when the magazine is removed. but it doesn't mean they were designed to be LOADED that way. ;) Only gun that I KNOW of that was designed to be loaded without the magazine is the Beretta 92. Open slide design makes it real simple and IIRC the extractor was designed for this as well :)
 
my glock 22 has a hard time ejecting a casing with no mag in, i used a mag to load but then drop, fire , and sometimes it falls out the bottom, or doesnt fully leave the the port
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom