Glock is one of the most reliable and durable pistols on the planet but can still suffer from jamming issues. Jamming occurs when the mechanics inside the weapon become gummed up or corroded. So how can you fix your Glock if it keeps jamming?
The most common reason a Glock jams is from either the weapon being dirty or the previously fired round is not being extracted from the handgun properly. Another reason a Glock will jam is due to various manufacturer defects but they are not as common.
Working with firearms demands that you place safety, for you and others, above everything else. When the weapon jams or malfunctions, your chances of being injured skyrocket. Don’t sweat it! Following a few safety rules, you can remove the jam in your weapon and get back to firing. Read on and learn what to do if your Glock keeps jamming.
How to Fix Your Jammed Glock
You would think that the intricate hammerless design of the Glock would prevent it from jamming, but every weapon can jam if it has internal issues or hasn’t been serviced for a while.
Always remember that the gears inside a pistol can be delicate, and it is easier to err on the side of judgment than to disregard care for the firearm.
Do Glocks Ever Jam?
Glocks jam just like every other semi-automatic weapon. The moving parts, the ejection/reloading cycle, make things work, and if you have some deficiencies in the gun, there will be a slowing of the process, which leads to malfunctions like a double feed or stovepipe.
These issues can be dangerous, so always proceed with caution.
A few different ways that Glocks can jam are as follows:
- Poor Maintenance – One of the most common ways a Glock can jam is by skipping the maintenance sessions. Oiling and cleaning the gun will allow the parts inside to move freely and could prevent any hangups. Remember to use patches and rods to clean the barrel and break the weapon into five main pieces for best results.
- Cheap Ammo – In the past few years, people have had to rely on ammo from other countries that could be substandard. If you have lousy ammo, it will get caught up in the ejection process and stovepipe or double feed. Spending more on range rounds might sound like a crazy idea, but it will save time and money in the long run.
- Position of Firearm – It is an incredible thing you see in movies where someone has their Glock laid to the side and starts to spray bullets. In the real world, you should keep a level barrel that doesn’t rise too high or lean over too far to the left or right. Excess lean and rise will ensure the slide doesn’t function, causing a jam.
You can expect any semiautomatic handgun to jam. Their extraction/feed/eject cycle makes them susceptible to jams. However, you can expect the firearm to fire several times without jamming by taking care of your weapon and only firing it in conditions that allow it to work correctly.
Here’s a decent video explaining some of the most common malfunctions, with a lot more info below:
I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what I’m getting and that it will actually show up.
What Causes Failure to Feed in Glock?
One of the most important things to remember when dealing with firearms is how semiauto weapons fire.
They have a cycle that ensures spent rounds are ejected while new rounds are fed from the magazine. If this cycle is interrupted, there will be a failure to feed. On the other hand, if there is no feeding, the gun will not fire, which happens during a jam.
The Feed-Extract-Eject Cycle is Imperative to Prevent Future Jams
The most critical process for the weapon is how it feeds and ejects other rounds. What is critical to remember is each phase the gun goes through. Knowing the stages allows you to diagnose what went wrong during the firing.
The phases the Glock goes through when firing are as follows:
- Feed – The first thing that happens when you yank back the slide on your Glock is that a mechanism moves the round from the magazine into the chamber. You can tell if a feed didn’t work when you pull the trigger, and there is no shot. So pull back the slide gently and peek into the breach to determine if feeding was the issue during firing.
- Extract – Extraction is where the spent casing isn’t pulled after firing and remains in the chamber. A stovepipe jam is a type of extraction malfunction that indicates the weapon is dirty or was held in a bad position when shooting. Some extractions could require you to open the slide and brush them aside.
- Eject – Ejection is the last firing phase; when a round doesn’t eject, it means it stays in the tube. The main culprits behind ejection failure are cleanliness and ammo type. However, if the shooter holds the weapon correctly and ejection occurs, you can be that a build-up of carbon is to blame.
The firing phase Glocks go through is the same as other semiautomatic weapons. All moving pieces must come together to create a machine that works optimally or fails. Knowing what failed during firing gives clues as to what made the misfire or jam happen. Once you know what caused it, you can fix it.
What Glock Does Not Jam?
Semi-automatic weapons will jam. Because of their design, they will jam. The best way to protect them is to ensure the gun is clean and lubricated. If you have trouble, go through the manual and clean it precisely as the manufacturer describes. If that doesn’t work, a gunsmith visit is in your future.
I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what I’m getting and that it will actually show up.
Conclusion
Jamming Glocks are a common occurrence that boils down to the cycling phases of the weapon. Semiautomatic weapons are notorious for having jams because of the process they use to feed and eject rounds. Paying attention to these phases will indicate which part of the cycle failed and how you can fix it.
Jammed semiauto weapons can be blamed on the cleanliness of the gun or the position in which it was fired. By cleaning your Glock regularly and keeping a steady maintenance plan, you fight off the chances of jamming. Safety is imperative, and if your Glock jams, immediately begin the clearing procedures and always practice muzzle awareness.
