moonshot
12-19-22, 19:22
I have a G26.3 for training. I have not kept track of all my rounds, but I am pushing 20,000 rounds through it. I have replaced the slide lock spring and slide lock (due to breakage and loss, respectively) as well as a new RSA (at about 15000 rounds). All internal parts are OEM.
This G26 with both stock G26 and stock G19 mags has been 100% reliable for as long as I have shot it, using WWB 115gr FMJ, 124gr S&B FMJ, 124gr MagTec FMJ, 124gr Fed AE FMJ and for the last several years - 147gr Fed AE FMJFP. I have probably shot at least 5000 rounds of the Fed 147gr FMJFP through it.
This doesn’t include testing 124gr and 147gr HST through it, all without issue.
I now wear glasses and I wanted to try my hand with a red dot. While I detest the idea of aftermarket internal parts on my Glock, I didn’t want to have my OEM slide milled in case I didn’t like using an RDS and wanted to go back to irons.
When I decided to try out an RDS, I selected the Holosun 507C X2. I tried to buy an OEM slide from Glock to have milled, but they would not sell one. OEM slides on-line were few and too expensive - often costing more than a complete firearm.
I started researching after market slides and ended up going with Brownells. They came already milled for an RMR (and the Holosun has the same footprint), so I went with this. Brownells slides got good reviews, my investment was minimal and I still had my OEM slide unaltered.
I mounted my 507C on the Brownells slide, transferred all the original OEM parts from my OEM slide into the Brownells slide, sighted it in at 25 yards and I have since used it in several classes, running perhaps 800 to 1000 rounds of the Fed 147gr AE through it, using multiple G26 and G19 mags.
Since running the Brownells slide with Holosun optic, I have experienced multiple failures. Primarily failures to feed but there may be other failure modes I have not identified. As these are tactical classes, when I have a failure of some kind I perform an immediate action to clear it and continue with that specific string of fire, so I have not carefully identified each specific failure.
These failures are happening with multiple magazines. Feed lips, followers and springs seem fine. The failures only happen after having already shot anywhere from 100 to 175 rounds without issue. The gun is cleaned and properly lubed prior to each class.
I have not been able to narrow the failures down to a specific magazine, although the magazines are well used. They are numbered but I haven’t been able to identify if one is the culprit and I have a hard time picturing all of them going bad at the same time.
The only other things I can think of are the obvious choices - the aftermarket slide, the weight of the optic causing issues or the ammo. These 147gr AE rounds are all relatively new - the ammo involved is from one of two cases I purchased since the last shortage and production ramp up, so QC may have suffered.
All I know is there is something going on that I have not identified. Again, all the parts except the slide itself are OEM. The only aftermarket parts are the slide and the optic. The slide does have a cutout on top in front of the ejection port (similar to a G34). I don’t like it but it’s all Brownells has on their pre-milled G26.3 slides.
I used the optic screws that came with the Brownells slide (as was recommended to me). The longer screw is in the left optic mounting hole and the shorter screw is in the right (over the extractor channel). Hand cycling feels like the Brownells slide may be a little rough compared to my OEM slide, but that is very subjective and may be due to my different grasp due to the optic being in the way.
I don’t know what is going on, but these failures are not acceptable. If I can’t solve the problem, I’m going back to irons, but I like the speed and accuracy my optic provides, especially without my glasses on, so I would like to keep it and run an identical setup on my carry gun (also a G26.3).
Next test will be all new magazines. If that doesn’t solve it, I’m thinking another Brownells slide and another 507C with the same internals mounted on the same frame may be my next test. If that doesn’t work, I’m out of ideas.
Anu suggestions?
This G26 with both stock G26 and stock G19 mags has been 100% reliable for as long as I have shot it, using WWB 115gr FMJ, 124gr S&B FMJ, 124gr MagTec FMJ, 124gr Fed AE FMJ and for the last several years - 147gr Fed AE FMJFP. I have probably shot at least 5000 rounds of the Fed 147gr FMJFP through it.
This doesn’t include testing 124gr and 147gr HST through it, all without issue.
I now wear glasses and I wanted to try my hand with a red dot. While I detest the idea of aftermarket internal parts on my Glock, I didn’t want to have my OEM slide milled in case I didn’t like using an RDS and wanted to go back to irons.
When I decided to try out an RDS, I selected the Holosun 507C X2. I tried to buy an OEM slide from Glock to have milled, but they would not sell one. OEM slides on-line were few and too expensive - often costing more than a complete firearm.
I started researching after market slides and ended up going with Brownells. They came already milled for an RMR (and the Holosun has the same footprint), so I went with this. Brownells slides got good reviews, my investment was minimal and I still had my OEM slide unaltered.
I mounted my 507C on the Brownells slide, transferred all the original OEM parts from my OEM slide into the Brownells slide, sighted it in at 25 yards and I have since used it in several classes, running perhaps 800 to 1000 rounds of the Fed 147gr AE through it, using multiple G26 and G19 mags.
Since running the Brownells slide with Holosun optic, I have experienced multiple failures. Primarily failures to feed but there may be other failure modes I have not identified. As these are tactical classes, when I have a failure of some kind I perform an immediate action to clear it and continue with that specific string of fire, so I have not carefully identified each specific failure.
These failures are happening with multiple magazines. Feed lips, followers and springs seem fine. The failures only happen after having already shot anywhere from 100 to 175 rounds without issue. The gun is cleaned and properly lubed prior to each class.
I have not been able to narrow the failures down to a specific magazine, although the magazines are well used. They are numbered but I haven’t been able to identify if one is the culprit and I have a hard time picturing all of them going bad at the same time.
The only other things I can think of are the obvious choices - the aftermarket slide, the weight of the optic causing issues or the ammo. These 147gr AE rounds are all relatively new - the ammo involved is from one of two cases I purchased since the last shortage and production ramp up, so QC may have suffered.
All I know is there is something going on that I have not identified. Again, all the parts except the slide itself are OEM. The only aftermarket parts are the slide and the optic. The slide does have a cutout on top in front of the ejection port (similar to a G34). I don’t like it but it’s all Brownells has on their pre-milled G26.3 slides.
I used the optic screws that came with the Brownells slide (as was recommended to me). The longer screw is in the left optic mounting hole and the shorter screw is in the right (over the extractor channel). Hand cycling feels like the Brownells slide may be a little rough compared to my OEM slide, but that is very subjective and may be due to my different grasp due to the optic being in the way.
I don’t know what is going on, but these failures are not acceptable. If I can’t solve the problem, I’m going back to irons, but I like the speed and accuracy my optic provides, especially without my glasses on, so I would like to keep it and run an identical setup on my carry gun (also a G26.3).
Next test will be all new magazines. If that doesn’t solve it, I’m thinking another Brownells slide and another 507C with the same internals mounted on the same frame may be my next test. If that doesn’t work, I’m out of ideas.
Anu suggestions?