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ggammell
09-08-13, 16:07
How often should the factory recoil spring be replaced on a gen 3 G23?

_Stormin_
09-08-13, 16:11
The stock spring should run for thousands of rounds. Are you having FTE/FTF issues?

RPD03
09-08-13, 16:38
FWIW, at the last armorer class I went to Glock recommended replacing it every 2-3k on gen 3 or earlier full & mid sized pistols and 5-6 on the gen 4. They indicated it was to avoid locking block cracking.

I've ran them longer without any problems.

ggammell
09-08-13, 17:23
Yeah occasional FTF. Won't pull the empty asking out but the next round comes out of the mag causing a quasi double feed.

Could be due to the occasional forward lip of the mag getting bent slight or the famous WML issue.

ggammell
09-08-13, 17:34
I forgot to mention that I've got close to 3000 rounds on the current spring. WML is a TLR-1.

bluejackets92fs
09-08-13, 17:38
2-3k rounds as mentioned earlier. If it is causing issues, it can't hurt to replace it and it is a cheap part.

Trajan
09-08-13, 18:21
What signs are there to look for that the recoil spring needs replacement?

bluejackets92fs
09-08-13, 18:36
What signs are there to look for that the recoil spring needs replacement?

Failure to feed issues or locking block damage. One function check you can do is let the slide forward with the gun pointed up and do it slowly. Let it forward with your hand on the slide and when it gets toward the tip of the barrel you will feel a little resistance point. When it gets there, release your grip on the slide. It should go the rest of the way forward on it's own. If not, it's time for a new recoil assembly.

mayonaise
09-08-13, 19:28
Rule of thumb for OEM RSA replacement .40&.357 2,500 rounds. Everything else 5,000.

DonovanM
09-08-13, 19:31
Failure to feed issues or locking block damage. One function check you can do is let the slide forward with the gun pointed up and do it slowly. Let it forward with your hand on the slide and when it gets toward the tip of the barrel you will feel a little resistance point. When it gets there, release your grip on the slide. It should go the rest of the way forward on it's own. If not, it's time for a new recoil assembly.

Where did this check come from? Is this direct from Glock?

I've always heard of it but wondered where it originated.

Devildawg2531
09-08-13, 19:45
I forgot to mention that I've got close to 3000 rounds on the current spring. WML is a TLR-1.

I would replace the recoild spring. This may not resolve your issue as my pre Gen 4 40's all had occasional FTE issues with a light mounted. Going to gen 4 completely solved this for me.

bluejackets92fs
09-08-13, 19:52
Where did this check come from? Is this direct from Glock?

I've always heard of it but wondered where it originated.

I would assume so. Knew about it before my armorer course but it was mentioned in the course.

ST911
09-08-13, 20:53
Per Glock:

gen3 and earlier RSAs = 2500rds
gen4 RSAs = 5000rds

Robb Jensen
09-08-13, 21:17
At my 2010 Advanced Armorer class @ Glock in GA. I recall them saying 5K for Gen3 and 7.5K for Gen4. I'll look at my notes tomorrow at work.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/4E2BDAF8-313D-4F61-9B13-C1CEED1BF2BB-1600-0000021827B78024_zps6fd360f0.jpg

ST911
09-08-13, 21:26
At my 2010 Advanced Armorer class @ Glock in GA. I recall them saying 5K for Gen3 and 7.5K for Gen4. I'll look at my notes tomorrow at work.

My notes/AAR from 03/2013, echoed by others since:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=126861

I have a gen4 G19 RSA at a little over 7k now to see if I can produce some issues. So far, no problems and strong lockup. I'll probably only run it out to 10k or so.

thopkins22
09-08-13, 21:29
So is the old action spring test considered obsolete and/or wrong by Glock Inc. these days and we should be on a fixed replacement schedule?

I've been replacing springs at 5K anyway, mainly because they're cheap and I've never actually seen one fail the "test."

sierra 223
09-08-13, 21:29
Our dept. changes them at 5,000 rds

Robb Jensen
09-08-13, 21:41
My notes/AAR from 03/2013, echoed by others since:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=126861

I have a gen4 G19 RSA at a little over 7k now to see if I can produce some issues. So far, no problems and strong lockup. I'll probably only run it out to 10k or so.

Yeah I saw that. The Gen4 recoil springs don't really get weak like the old Gen2/3 recoil springs do.
BTW Gen3 9mms are still shipping with 336 ejectors, we got a shipment Thursday that was made 2 months ago.

ST911
09-08-13, 22:04
So is the old action spring test considered obsolete and/or wrong by Glock Inc. these days and we should be on a fixed replacement schedule?

I've been replacing springs at 5K anyway, mainly because they're cheap and I've never actually seen one fail the "test."

The RSA check "12:00 test" was taught at the AC. Replace the RSA when it fails that test or the specified round interval, whichever occurs first.

fourXfour
09-08-13, 22:24
Out of my department's 120 Glock 22's, I have yet to see a broken locking block. I do see a crap load of locking block pins break. Guns are almost 10 years old and sadly more than I want to admit are around 3000-5000 rounds.

Oddly enough I put a brand new oem recoil spring in my duty gun last year and 200 rounds later the locking block pin broke.

thopkins22
09-08-13, 22:25
The RSA check "12:00 test" was taught at the AC. Replace the RSA when it fails that test or the specified round interval, whichever occurs first.

Thank you...that's sort of been my MO. How odd that I happened to be doing something right. :p

TiroFijo
09-09-13, 07:52
I wouldn't be surprised if the factory reps themselves change their minds about RSA replacement, it's a low cost drop-in part and they always want to err on the side of caution. The real test would be using a spring tester, not that difficult. Due to QC issues, ammo power, etc., not all springs will last the same.

In my experience, gen3 9 mm pistols run 5000 of normal pressure rounds with no problems.

walkin' trails
09-09-13, 08:16
I never attributes a broken locking block or trigger pin to a weak recoil spring, but I can see how it might happen. Four years ago when I last went to the AC for revert, they recommended replacing every 4-5K rounds.

A couple of years ago I watched a relatively new 27 break it's locking block shooting Winchester 180 grain Ranger. I don't think the ammo was at fault. The pistol probably didn't have 500 rounds thru it. The LB break was preceeded by a broken trigger pin about six months earlier. I can't see that the recoil spring was at fault, especially when the shooter never had a problem unless using G22 mags and torquing on the magazine body while shooting. I personally think Glock had either a bad run of MIM locking blocks and trigger pins.

When you replace your RSA, consider new magazine springs and followers. Cheap insurance. Think about Wolff extra power springs, which also fix feeding problems caused by weapons lights, last longer, and ought to be standard in Glocks.

ggammell
09-09-13, 08:29
It's an issued duty gun so a lot of the aftermarket items are not allowed.

ST911
09-09-13, 09:39
When you replace your RSA, consider new magazine springs and followers. Cheap insurance. Think about Wolff extra power springs, which also fix feeding problems caused by weapons lights, last longer, and ought to be standard in Glocks.

For mag springs, running the 10 coil in the compacts and 11 coil in the standards approximates an XP recoil spring from aftermarket vendors. For working guns, keeping a gun OEM and within production specs is required for some.

walkin' trails
09-09-13, 17:39
For mag springs, running the 10 coil in the compacts and 11 coil in the standards approximates an XP recoil spring from aftermarket vendors. For working guns, keeping a gun OEM and within production specs is required for some.

Very true, except I've found that the Wolffs seem to last longer that the factory springs. I also found they work better when installing magazine extenders. If it's not against policy, it is something to consider.

ggammell
09-12-13, 20:20
Final word was worn out extractor. I couldn't shoot more than one round at a time during quals the other day. Armorer took his turn and got the same result. He started looking at the spent casings. You could see scrapes on the side of the case. He took the extractor out and held it against a new one. Looked completely different. Put the new one in and I'll give it a run next week. Gave me a new recoil spring for good measure since I'm well on my way through the previous.

He said he hadn't seen an extractor like that. He said I've got to shoot a lot to get it to do that. Guilty.

Abraham
09-14-13, 13:32
Any vendor recommendations for a new Glock RSA?

Thanks!

ggammell
09-14-13, 13:35
Hit the site sponsors at the top. Prices are all going to be very close.

Abraham
09-14-13, 13:37
ggammell,

Thanks, I'll do just that!