Glock 19 Slide Release Issue

mhf2467 · August 30, 2019, 12:53 PM

I have been having a problem with the slide not closing completely following a magazine change. When the slide release is engaged the slide moves forward, picks up new round and loads into action. The problem is the slide stops about 1/16" from completely closing.

If you pull the slide back manually and let slide forward it functions properly but if you try to use the slide release it does not close completely when loading a round. If you release slide with no magazine in weapon it works correctly.

I have tried 4 different mags so I know it is not a problem with a specific mag.

Any ideas?

I was thinking increasing the size of the recoil spring to say a 20# from the factory 17# to see if that solves the problem.

Bill DeShivs · August 30, 2019, 02:10 PM

Clean and oil the gun. Leave the springs alone.

Steve in PA · August 30, 2019, 04:47 PM

New gun? Old gun? Tried different ammo?

I have two Glock 19's and a Glock 26, but neither have ever had the issue you describe. Maybe the ammo is slightly out of spec? Factory or reloads?

Some will say the situation you have is why you should never use the slide lock to release the slide, instead pull the slide fully to the rear and release.

Well, I've been shooting for a lot of years and I own a lot of semi-auto handguns; Glock, Sig, S&W, Beretta, Ruger, etc........and none have failed to fully go into battery when using the slide lock.

If it's an old or used handgun, it could be the recoil rod, especially if there are a lot of rounds put through the gun. Cleaning and lubing is your first step. Trying a different brand or box of ammo might be the second step. Recoil rod would be next. Also, make sure you are not impeding the slide in anyway with your other fingers when using the slide lock. If you press against the slide, that added little pressure along with the force required to chamber the round might be enough to cause your issue.

Nodak1858 · August 31, 2019, 11:10 AM

I would say something is dragging. But like Steve asked, new gun build? Old gun new problem? Need more back ground to give any ideas. I had this problem on a 80% build but after some hand cycling over the course of a couple days, parts worked in and have had no issues.

pete2 · August 31, 2019, 11:30 AM

Hand loads?

**JohnKSa** · August 31, 2019, 03:53 PM

When you pull the slide fully back and release it, there's a small bit of additional slide travel AND that means a bit more spring compression.

The result is that the slide will go forward with more velocity since the spring is compressed more and provides more force overall.

I've seen this in one of my guns at the range when it became extremely dirty. It would consistently chamber a round from a full mag when the slide was racked but would hang up/misfeed when the slide was dropped using the slide release.

If the gun has been shot a lot (several thousand rounds) it may be time to replace the recoil spring assembly.

**4V50 Gary** · September 1, 2019, 08:36 AM

Make sure it's clean first.

Concur with John about the recoil spring.

I'd also consider changing the operation (use) procedure.

Think of it as a slide stop and not a slide release. It's only purpose is to hold the slide open. You should be using "rack" (as in Tap, Rack, Ready) to rechamber it.

August 30, 2019, 12:53 PM	#1
mhf2467 Junior Member Join Date: August 30, 2019 Posts: 1	Glock 19 Slide Release Issue I have been having a problem with the slide not closing completely following a magazine change. When the slide release is engaged the slide moves forward, picks up new round and loads into action. The problem is the slide stops about 1/16" from completely closing. If you pull the slide back manually and let slide forward it functions properly but if you try to use the slide release it does not close completely when loading a round. If you release slide with no magazine in weapon it works correctly. I have tried 4 different mags so I know it is not a problem with a specific mag. Any ideas? I was thinking increasing the size of the recoil spring to say a 20# from the factory 17# to see if that solves the problem.

August 30, 2019, 02:10 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Clean and oil the gun. Leave the springs alone. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

August 30, 2019, 04:47 PM	#3
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 756	New gun? Old gun? Tried different ammo? I have two Glock 19's and a Glock 26, but neither have ever had the issue you describe. Maybe the ammo is slightly out of spec? Factory or reloads? Some will say the situation you have is why you should never use the slide lock to release the slide, instead pull the slide fully to the rear and release. Well, I've been shooting for a lot of years and I own a lot of semi-auto handguns; Glock, Sig, S&W, Beretta, Ruger, etc........and none have failed to fully go into battery when using the slide lock. If it's an old or used handgun, it could be the recoil rod, especially if there are a lot of rounds put through the gun. Cleaning and lubing is your first step. Trying a different brand or box of ammo might be the second step. Recoil rod would be next. Also, make sure you are not impeding the slide in anyway with your other fingers when using the slide lock. If you press against the slide, that added little pressure along with the force required to chamber the round might be enough to cause your issue. __________________ Steve

August 31, 2019, 11:10 AM	#4
Nodak1858 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Location: N. Dakota Posts: 435	I would say something is dragging. But like Steve asked, new gun build? Old gun new problem? Need more back ground to give any ideas. I had this problem on a 80% build but after some hand cycling over the course of a couple days, parts worked in and have had no issues. __________________ We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

August 31, 2019, 03:53 PM	#6
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,992	When you pull the slide fully back and release it, there's a small bit of additional slide travel AND that means a bit more spring compression. The result is that the slide will go forward with more velocity since the spring is compressed more and provides more force overall. I've seen this in one of my guns at the range when it became extremely dirty. It would consistently chamber a round from a full mag when the slide was racked but would hang up/misfeed when the slide was dropped using the slide release. If the gun has been shot a lot (several thousand rounds) it may be time to replace the recoil spring assembly. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

August 31, 2019, 11:30 AM	#5
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	Hand loads?

September 1, 2019, 08:36 AM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Make sure it's clean first. Concur with John about the recoil spring. I'd also consider changing the operation (use) procedure. Think of it as a slide stop and not a slide release. It's only purpose is to hold the slide open. You should be using "rack" (as in Tap, Rack, Ready) to rechamber it. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*