Gen 4 G22 Problems with Vickers Slide Release

**Sensei** · 05-05-11, 19:27

I took my Gen 4 G22 and G17 out for a test run after installing the Vickers slide release and "-" connector. The G17 ran fine, but the G22 would lock the slide back after every 2-3 rounds. It seems that the Vickers slide release in the G22 would not snap back into place with significant tension when lifted off the frame. This allowed the recoil to lift the slide release up just enough to catch the notch in the slide and lock it back. The factory release and the Vickers release in the G17 have much greater tension and snap back when slightly lifted. I've reinstalled the factory release in the G22 and will put some more rounds down range the weekend to see if it returns to form (I had 200 flawless rounds through the gun before installing the new parts).

**wlptpd3** · 05-05-11, 19:35

Lanesmith, Make sure you did not trap the slide lock spring under the trigger pin during your installation. If you did you will not have the appropriate tension on the spring and it will cause false lockbacks. If you are not familiar it is the wire spring attached to the slide release, if you have not installed one before it is very easy to do when re-installing the slide release. Pull up on the slide release with the slide off of the pistol and it should snap down back into place on its own, if not then the spring may be trapped.

**Sensei** · 05-08-11, 01:02

I put the factory slide release back in my G22 and shot 100 rounds without malfunction. I put another 50 round through a G27 that has a different Vickers slide release and only once had the slide lock back prematurely because my hand inadvertently pushed it up during a string of fire. However, I've had this happen with the G27 and a factory slide release due to my hands being crowded with the smaller grip.

FWIW, I've tried the malfunctioning slide release in my other Glocks and it does not properly snap back when lifted off the frame despite having the same appearance as the other Vickers parts that I've used. I want to say that the tension on the wire feels different than the other slide releases, but maybe my mind is playing tricks since I have no way to measure.

**DOA** · 05-08-11, 01:37

I have had trouble with the Vickers as well. I spoke with Todd who told me the wire spring is the same length but as you can see from my picture, the angles are different. The factory one works fine and with the Vickers, the bend in the wire spring hits against the frame near the locking block causing it to bind a bit.

**RAM Engineer** · 05-08-11, 04:19

Gasp! A non OEM part screwing up a Glock?? Unpossible!!

**SWATcop556** · 05-08-11, 04:23

Contact TD and see what they recommend. Once you've talked to them shoot me a PM and I'll unlock the thread.

**SWATcop556** · 05-12-11, 02:19

OP got a response from TD so this one's back open.

**Sensei** · 05-12-11, 03:18

Todd at Tango Down quickly replied to my email and has offered to replace the part. I did a little more investigating last week and found that the hole in the release was slightly smaller that the other factory and Vickers slide releases that I own. This created some difficulty in replacing the trigger pin when the problem part was being installed. I suspect that this tight fit on the pin created by the smaller hole prevented the spring from working. I'll post another update when the replacement part arrives.

Keep in mind that the other two Vickers slide releases and all of the Vickers mag releases (in my Gen 2/3 guns) are working as advertised.