What do all these Glock "add ons" mean?

[Josh17]

Okay, so I have no idea anything about Glocks (or any pistol for that matter) and changing parts/adding extras or whatever. But I was looking at a GLOCK 19, and it said Glock 19 with: Trijicon front sight, Lone Wolf 3.5 trigger connector and extended slide & mag release, Lightning Strike stainless steel guide rod and recoil spring, Buffer Tech recoil buffer and Tac Rac tool and grip plug.

Now I have no idea really what all those extra things are, just confuses the heck outta me. It won't cost any extra for any of the parts as the Glock seller already has the parts installed. I understand what the sights are thats an easy one but no freaking clue if the other parts that the person added into the glock make it a better or worse gun - reliability wise. My main question is - with these extra parts added on is that Glock 19 just as reliable as a pure factory Glock 19 with all factory parts? I just want to be sure that none of those extra "add on" will affect the reliability of the Glock. Or if any of those extra parts will affect how often it needs lube/cleaning.

[plouffedaddy]

Reliability wise, it's tough to improve on stock Glock parts. Of all the parts listed, the only ones that will help you shoot it better are the connector and the sights. The extra parts probably aren't going to hurt anything, but I wouldn't pay extra for anything except the sight.

[Josh17]

it actually isn't costing anything extra. The seller already has all these parts on the Glock 19. I just wanted to know if any of these parts would cause any reliability issues - whether positive or negative or no difference what-so-ever. I actually wanted just to be sure that the parts would not cause any NEGATIVE reability issues. Basically i was wondering with these extra parts added on will that Glock 19 run just as reliable as a factory Glock 19 would? I actually dont care for all the add-ons but it's already on the Glock so nothing I can really do about that. Just wanted to be sure none of those added on parts would cause the Glock to function any less reliable than a straight all factory Glock 19 would

[Edward429451]

What do all these Glock "add ons" mean?

It means that there would be no market for Glock add-ons if Glock was indeed perfection. So it obviously isn't Lol.

Sometimes add-ons can make a good gun great. Other times, the add-ons can become a problem themselves. The only way to know for sure is to run a few hundred rounds through it and note any problems. Since the bubbaizing of the stock gun is unproven, he should agree to a return if the gun malfs within the first however many rounds, etc..and ask if he has the original parts to give you for spare parts for you.

Chances are good that the Glock will run flawless. The fact that its unproven should be considered in the deal. If he has the original parts also then you can't lose. They're already fitted to the gun! Good luck.

[tahunua001]

it sounds like the previous owner had it modified in order to use it in competitions, which seems a little pointless for a compact but whatever floats your boat I guess. it's had a great deal of modifications done to it so if you can get everything for nothing extra then that's great. at the very least you'd be able to sell it for a little more than you paid, unless he's trying to pull the wool over your eyes and is trying to sell you a used glock 19 for more than $500

to answer your question though, no none of the modifications are going to affect reliability. the guiderods reduce muzzle flip, the trigger decreases trigger pull and the sights just make it easier to pick up the target. everything is geared towards making the gun easier to shoot, none of it is in a place that's going to turn it into a jammomatic.

[RBid]

They mean, "you'll need to put a few hundred rounds through it, to ensure reliability", just as if you'd bought any other weapon.


In general, Glock add ons mean...

"You can upgrade so-so out of the box features, by spending more money." You can leave one stock, and have a Toyota, or you can throw the cost of a BMW into that Toyota, to make it a Lexus.

[eldorendo]

IF the recoil spring installed on that steel guide rod is too heavy for the loads that you intend to shoot, then you'll likely experience some jams. Since you don't know anything about handguns, then you'll probably be prone to limpwristing when you start shooting. IF the recoil spring is too heavy, the adverse effects of limpwristing will be exacerbated.

[Auto426]

In terms of actual rounds fired, I would say it's probably a pretty close call. either rifle is going to have to wear through several barrels before the rest of the gun becomes useless. I could see a rivet popping loose or a weld breaking on a stamped AK before the forged aluminum upper or lower on an AR cracks. I could also see a milled receiver AK outlasting both of them.

[tahunua001]

^^^^THIS GUY^^^

[hoytinak]

Auto426, I think you meant to reply in this thread....http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=493595

[eldorendo]

Auto426 was probably using a Russian-built keyboard!

[Josh17]

IF the recoil spring installed on that steel guide rod is too heavy for the loads that you intend to shoot, then you'll likely experience some jams. Since you don't know anything about handguns, then you'll probably be prone to limpwristing when you start shooting. IF the recoil spring is too heavy, the adverse effects of limpwristing will be exacerbated.

I've fired Glocks before and have no probl with limpwristing. But from you are saying does that mean i should use heavier grain bullets instead of the standard 115 grain? Or do you mean something else? I suppose i could always change the recoil spring to the original one if it might cause me issues like that since increasing the jam is a pretty big deal and pretty big change in terms of reliability.

[teeroux]

The guide rod and buffer would be the only 2 I'd concern myself over. The steel rod would hold up better than the plastic stock but it probably requires that buffer to prevent damage to it and the slide. Plastic buffers tend to prevent full rearward movement of the slide.

[eldorendo]

I'd 86 the buffer and when I refer to "loads," I'm referring to hot or mild loads. You can have either with light or heavy bullet weights. I'd shoot 115 gr, if that's what you get the best deal on.

[Skans]

Other than the Trijicon front sight (glow in the dark dot) the rest of the stuff is utterly useless:

Wolf 3.5 trigger connector - supposed to lighten the trigger slightly and I believe shorten the reset (could be wrong on the reset) - anyway, I installed a similar trigger connector on my Glock 17 - couldn't tell the difference. Crappy trigger before; crappy trigger after.

extended slide & mag release - makes it easier to reach slide release and magazine release - also snags on clothing, etc. Arguably useful in competition shooting.

Lightning Strike stainless steel guide rod - junk that makes a Glock slightly heavier but does nothing for reliability, durability or accuracy.

Buffer Tech recoil buffer - unnecessary junk that can potentially make a Glock less reliable.

Tac Rac tool - sounds like a small handle mounted to the slide to assist in racking the slide, used on competition guns. For uses other than competition, useless piece of junk that snags on clothing and can potentially cut your hand while operating the firearm.

grip plug - useless, unnecessary piece of plastic that snaps into the bottom of the grip to the rear of the magazine well. However, if your name is John Rambo, you can use that hollow space in your Glock to store watterproof matches a sewing needle and surgical thread for jungle-combat survival purposes.

[learningcurve]

One other thing that plug in the grip does is block you from doing a phase 2 clearing in the chance of a jam. That plug blocks off the place you are suppose to grab the magazine from. It was already a small enough space to grab at but it is doable with practice. I was looking at one until the firearms instructor at my agency told and showed me about that, then it was a no go.

[ScotchMan]

Agree with the rest of the posters, but I'll add this. Why do you have to buy THIS Glock 19? Glocks are hardly rare, and the 19 is probably the most common model. Pass on this one (who knows what else he did with it he isn't telling you about), and buy the next one that comes by, and is bone stock.

[TailGator]

The analysis by Skans is spot on, although I have to admit that I added a grip plug to my G26 for aesthetic reasons.

Which makes me agree with Scotchman that you may want to pass on this one and start with a stock Glock. They function very well out of the box, and if you know what stock feels like you can decide for yourself how you want yours modified, if at all. Modifications of the internals often seem to function fine, but sometimes not, so I still hesitate to tamper with stuff that works well.

[RC20]

If you are bound and determined pass

[Therealkoop]

lol at skans hilariously correct analysis.

[C.O.M.]

The only thing about my G19, that is not stock, are the night sights. I run almost all of my handguns factory stock. But most of my handguns are for defensive shooting anyway, I don't really have a target handgun, and I think some try to make their defensive handguns into target guns. That is fine if that is what they want, but you will find your Glock will shoot just fine accuracy wise, and it is reliable as anything you will find.

[varoadking]

...Buffer Tech recoil buffer and Tac Rac tool...

That means that the guy who owned it was a mall ninja...

[Josh17]

I was looking for a used one for a decent price this was the best i found. So I have the original glock guide rod/recoil spring part. If i just put the original guide rod/recoil spring back in will it work fine with the other add ons still installed --those two being--the Buffer Tech recoil buffer and Tac Rac tool and grip plug? Or no? How easy would it be just to replace all these add-ons back with their original factory parts? Could I just go to a gunsmith and have him replace all the parts back to factory original? I assume it'd be super fast and easy to swap them back to original for a gunsmith. I plan to keep the extra sights and extended slide & mag release since they dont affect reliability. I guess just the stainless steel guide rod and recoil spring, Buffer Tech recoil buffer are the parts I think i will replace after reading peoples post here. OR can i just install the original guide rod/recoil spring and it will work fine with the other 'extra' parts? Since the only extra spare part included that was original was the guide/rod recoil spring part. The "guide rod" and "recoil spring" are the same single one part correct?

[giaquir]

Beware of home gunsmiths.
Ask the fella who installed all
this stuff.
ron

[4V50 Gary]

I heartily approve of Skans post and of Giaquir's post.

If you buy that Glock, try to get the original factory parts.