Glock Slide release

**mhanna91** · 06-23-09, 15:18

The slide release lever on my Glock 30 is super tough to use. Is this something common in Glock pistols or what? I just got the gun used for $400, but it is fairly new. The previous owner said he bought it new about a year and a half ago, and the pistol appears to have not been shot at all. So is this a problem?

**citizensoldier16** · 06-23-09, 16:53

Do you have the empty magazine in the gun when you are attempting to use the slide release? If so, the mag spring may be tight. Load up the mag to max capacity and let it sit for a week or so.

If the mag is removed from the gun, and the release is still tight, check the mag release notch for any metal. Make sure it is smooth. If not, a call to Glock may be in order.

**LOKNLOD** · 06-23-09, 17:09

Maybe it's just me, but I find that the subcompact Glocks that use the telescoping 2-piece style recoil spring are much stiffer and therefore harder to release the slide with the lever (unless you're fighting an empty mag pushing up, the clamping force of the recoil spring pulling the slide forward is what you're counteracting). Example being my G26 is much harder to drop the slide on than my G34 or G19. You could just be noticing the difference?

**1SFG** · 06-23-09, 17:21

Perhaps Glock is attempting to enforce the view that releasing the slide via the slide lock is not the way to go? In all seriousness, perhaps you ought to look into an extended slide release. I own 7 Glocks and have had no trouble using the standard slide lock to lock back the slide. But I've never attempted to release the slide using that part, so can't comment as to whether the reverse is true.

**mhanna91** · 06-23-09, 17:27

Well this is the only Glock I have ever delt with other than a G17 a few months back that I only shot 3 rounds through, and I did not notice a hard slide release on that, so maybe this stiff ass spring setup is doing it. And just so you know what kind of trouble Im having, it is not just a little hard to activate, you would think the darned thing was stuck if it was your first time handling the weapon(which I did). It actually hurts my thumb. And about calling Glock, Im not sure how far I would get with that since I am not the origional purchaser of the pistol. I suppose I could give it a shot, how is there customer service by the way?

ToddG · 06-23-09, 20:51

citizensoldier16 pointed out the most obvious potential problem, if you're trying to drop the slide on an empty magazine -- especially one with an unused mag spring -- then you're fighting more than just the slide release spring.

Beyond that, either you're not pressing on the lever properly (which I've seen more often than you'd think), there is a problem with the spring, or there is a dimensional problem with the lever or slide.

**citizensoldier16** · 06-24-09, 03:12

Originally Posted by mhanna91

about calling Glock, Im not sure how far I would get with that since I am not the origional purchaser of the pistol. I suppose I could give it a shot, how is there customer service by the way?

Their customer service has been overwhelmingly positive the few times I've called them. Before you call Glock, I'd start by determining if your problem is a tight mag spring, a tight recoil spring, or a machining issue. If its a spring issue, these can be solved by loading the mag or shooting about 50 rounds through the gun. Springs will naturally be tight on a new or unfired weapon, and will take some time to loosen up.

Keep us updated.

**mhanna91** · 06-24-09, 12:57

There doesn't appear to be any machining defects on it, and I'm pretty sure Im using the lever correctly, so I am going to give those springs some time to relax and see what happens. The last (10th) round is a little tough to get in the mag, so I bet thats what it is. Ill let you guys know how that works! Thank You!