Took a 2 day handgun class that required 800 rnds. Brought my issued Gen3 Glock mdl 22 with a mounted Streamlight TLR-1 and 3 mags. Within the first 200 rounds I had 3 failure to feeds. Cleaned the gun, marked my mags, and had 5 more failure to feeds in the next 150 rounds. Happened with all 3 mags.
Had a Glock Armorer inspect the weapon. Did not locate any problems, but he removed my TLR-1 and suggested I run the gun without it. He said it was on “a little tight” and it might be “binding” the gun.
Shot 450 rounds without a single hiccup. Armorer suggested I “upgrade” to a Gen4 recoil spring and possibly replace the light to something with a different mounting mechanism.
Erm sorry… gen 4 recoil springs dont fit in gen 3 guns.
What happens is the light stiffens the slide changing how it recoils. This makes it hard for the magazine spring to feed rounds up into the gun fast enough (before the gun completes it’s cycle). I have HEARD stronger magazine springs can be a legit band-aid for this issue.
Personally I would not run a WML, or i would purchase a 9mm conversion barrel and shoot 9mm out of it…or sell it and get a G17 or a gen4 g22. Sucks, but it is a well known issue that glock even admits to.
Is this an issue only with certain caliber Glocks? I was about to purchase a x300 or x400 for my Gen4 17, maybe I should reconsider if it affects reliability?
All 150 of our guns (Glock 22’a) do it. Bought them in 2005
Easy fix are 14 coil ISMI magazine springs (it will reduce capacity to 14). Make sure to swap the springs every 2-3 years with your recoil spring assembly.
Long story short. The minute weight added tweaks the frame just enough that during recoil the slide slows down. Extra power mag springs force the rounds up faster & harder to compensate.
Very well documented issue with 3rd generation .40 cal Glocks. Primarily G22 and 23s IIRC. Top round of the magazine taking enough of a nosedive to inhibit feeding.
Fixes that have worked very well for me have been:
Updated magazine followers (gen 8)
Updated magazine springs (11 coil)
Newer magazines that contain 1 and 2
Regular replacement of recoil spring assembly (2000-3000 rounds)
I have a early gen 3 G22 (manufactured early 2000) with about 3000 rds through it and about 700 with the TLR-1 mounted. Only had 1 failure and that was without the light (Remington UMC 165gr fmj). Mags manufactured between 2000-2009. Mix of ammo manufacturers/loads. Maybe I have the unicorn in the bunch.
I updated my first post to say 11 COIL. Lest anyone think I was suggesting you use 1 big leaf spring in your magazine.
A while back, one of the reported fixes was to use heavier weight .40 cal ammunition. IIRC, there was mention of the 180gr offerings being more reliable, versus 165 and lower. I use 180s anyways (issued). Can anyone confirm this as truth or not?
There was also mention that the TLR’s mounting method (which squeezes in on the rails) could affect function more than the Surefire X-series mounting method. Again, can anyone confirm this?
The TLR series of lights will cause this when the screw is over tightened. You need to back the mounting screw off some so the frame can flex properly. Or switch to a SureFire or Insight WML…
The Surefire X300 will cause jams as well… my issued Gen III G23 w/ X300 jammed numerous times during the morning of TD1 of an LAV pistol/carbine class several years ago, had to go to a spare G23 to get through the class. This particular Glock had never had this issue occur before this class. Taking the light off made the issue stop… put the X300 back on and the problem would reoccur.
LAV said that he has seen many FTF jams with G22/23 and mounted lights…apparently it stiffens the dust cover and preventing frame flex, add to the mix weak springs, allowing the slide to over speed and outrun the mag spring’s ability to feed rounds. My G23 would run ok with the light removed.
Replaced the RSA with a new OEM part and replaced every magazine I own with Wolff extra power springs and new followers and have not had a repeat occurrence.
ETA You don’t have to take my word for it… you can go to the “Ask the SME” forum a little further down the main page and ask LAV yourself.
My department has Gen 3 G22s with TLR1 lights. After about 5 years of use, we started having these same issues. I replaced all of the magazine springs and followers in all of our magazines and have not had a single malfunction since. Magazine follower #9 is item number SP01028-9 on the Glock parts list. The spring is 2551 on the Glock parts list. Call Glock direct at (770) 432-1202.
11 coil OEM mag springs.
Mag bodies and followers no earlier than your gun.
Replace RSA every 2500rds.
Make sure your WML isn’t too tight on the receiver.
Shoot standard pressure, 180gr loads at ~1000fps.