Morgan, I didn’t think to ask you yesterday, but I would like your help on a problem that may not be covered in the book. I have a new (unfired as yet) Glock Model 19. The User Manual instructs you to field strip it and clean and lubricate it before firing. To  field strip it, the manual tells you to remove the clip, pull the trigger to the back position and then move the slide back 0.12 inches and pull down the slide lock. Then you can push the slide forward and remove it. I have found that I can complete all of these steps until I try to push the slide forward. The slide will not budge. I have tried this many times with same result. I would appreciate your input.
Thanks, Everett

Everett,
This can be a tricky procedure.  I do cover it in the book, How to Customize Your Glock, but I’ll go over it here for you now.  This is a perfect example of how the Glock users’ manual just does not measure up.  Here we have a great product and they use terms like 0.12 of an inch?  What the hell?  That’s 3 millimeters.  But for the USA market, they could have just said 1/8th of an inch.  The fact is, anywhere from about 1/16-1/2 inch is fine.

Position of The Slide Lock (AKA Takedown Lever)

Position of The Slide Lock (AKA Takedown Lever)

NOTE:  The Slide Lock is a latch that passes all the way through the Glock Frame.  Both sides must be pulled down simulteneously to operate it.

Remove the Magazine

Remove the Magazine

Clear and Check

Rack and Check (with your Eyes and a Finger)

Point in a Safe Direction and Pull the Trigger

Point in a Safe Direction and Pull the Trigger

First, remove the magazine, and clear the weapon.  Point in a safe direction and pull the trigger.

 

Now grip the pistol like in the photo:

Grip and Squeeze. The Slide moves back.

Grip and Squeeze. The Slide moves back.

Squeeze it until the slide comes back about 1/4 of an inch.  Now, with the slide still held open, pull the slide lock down.

Pull the Slide Lock down with Thumb and Index Finger.

Pull the Slide Lock down with Thumb and Index Finger.

Let the Slide move forward past its normal postion

Let the Slide move forward past its normal postion

With the slide lock still down, release the slide and it will slide past its normal position.  Now let go of the Slide Lock.  The Slide can be removed by sliding it forward off the Frame Rails.

Slide comes off the Frame Rails.

Slide comes off the Frame Rails.

This can take some practice.  If you go too far back, the slide may come off when you pull the trigger again.  There’s really no way to pull the slide back too little; if the slide lock moves down, you’ve gone far enough, which can be as little as a millimeter.  Typically (unless you’ve got a New York trigger installed) you should squeeze until the slide is a little less than a 1/4 inch back.  Let the slide go forward and it will come right off.

From here you gain easy access to the Guide Rod/Recoil Spring Assembly and the Barrel.  CAUTION: When you re-install your slide, remember to re-set the base of the Guide Rod on the Barrel Lug!

Please let me know if you need further clarification.

Hope this helps,
Morgan

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