The Glock is one of the most well-regarded pistols on the market, and for good reason. The company has built a reputation for building pistols that are easy to operate and simple to maintain, making it one of the best choices for simple self-defense. Modern Glocks have been known to have a life expectancy of over 200,000 round. But like any tool, a Glock requires proper maintenance and upkeep to ensure it will last. Follow these simple directions to make sure your Glock lasts a lifetime.
When to Clean Your Glock
Glock pistols are designed to be easy to use, and unlike many other guns on the market, cleaning a Glock too much can have a negative effect on its durability. Avoid disassembling and cleaning your gun after every visit to the range. A good rule of thumb is to clean your pistol after every 300 rounds fired or once every three months. It can be beneficial to create a maintenance record for your Glock in the same way you record oil changes and routine maintenance on your car.
Materials Needed
Make sure you have all of the following materials together and easily accessible before beginning disassembly of your gun. You’ll need a few cleaning patches, q-tips, a cleaning rod, a brass bore brush designed for your gun’s caliber, a slotted tip for attaching the patches to the rod, a gun cleaning toolbrush, solvent, lubricant, and a rag.
Standard Cleaning Procedure
1. Ensuring Your Pistol is Safe to Clean
You should always treat your pistol with care, and you should always make sure your Glock is safe to handle before disassembly. Begin by pointing the pistol away from you and removing the magazine. After removal, be sure to eject any rounds from the chamber by racking the slide. Always visually inspect your pistol afterwards to make sure all rounds are cleared from the chamber.
2. Disassembling Your Pistol
Once you’re certain the chamber is cleared, point the gun in a safe direction (away from people and objects of value), and press the trigger. You should hear the firing pin move forward. This will position the slide to be safely removed.
It’s now time to disassemble your Glock into its individual components so that they can each be cleaned. Your pistol will break down into four basic parts: the barrel, slide, spring assembly, and frame. Pull down on the slide lock and move the slide forward to detach it from the body. You can then easily remove the slide position. Slide the barrel up and back to remove it from the frame. Your gun is now properly field stripped and ready for cleaning.
3. Cleaning the Barrel
Soak a cleaning patch in solvent, and thread it to the rod with your slotted tip. Then use the rod to carefully slide the cleaning patch down the breech end of the barrel. Carefully slide the patch down the full length of the barrel using a methodical clockwise motion. Do this four or five times to ensure the barrel’s interior is thoroughly cleaned of any debris. Then insert the brass bore brush and use a similar procedure to brush the inside of the barrel. Then wet the toothbrush with solvent and scrape off the barrel hood and feed ramp. You’ll want to follow up this cleaning by making sure the entire barrel is dried. Attach a dry patch to your rod and follow the same method to thoroughly clean out the interior, bore-end first. Then wipe down the exterior of the barrel with a dry patch.
4. Cleaning the Slide
Point the slide muzzle down, and carefully clean the breech face and extractor with your toothbrush. Take a dry q-tip and carefully comb over the inside of the slide. Dirt has a tendency to accumulate in this area, and it may take more than one q-tip to properly clean it. Then, take a solvent-dipped patch and clean the rest of the slide. Make sure to thoroughly dry the slide using similar methods to how you dried the barrel.
5. Cleaning the Spring Assembly
Use the brush to remove carbon deposits off of the spring assembly. If the assembly is especially dirty, you may apply solvent to the brush. Dry the assembly thoroughly afterwards. Then use the toothbrush to remove any debris from the assembly’s interior.
6. Inspecting and Oiling the Components
Before putting the Glock back together, give the individual parts one last inspection. Assess the cleaned components for any remaining dirt, cracks, or imperfections.
It’s time to lubricate the gun. Hold the slide with the muzzle end pointed slightly downward. Use an applicator to groom a single drop down either side slide rail. Then apply a third droplet to the inside of the slide, facing the upper portion of the barrel. Take the barrel, and apply one droplet to the rear side of the barrel lug and a second to the outside front of the barrel. Apply one last droplet to the frame, where the trigger bar connects.
7. Reassembling the Pistol
You can now put your Glock back together. Merely follow the disassembly steps in reverse. Carefully inspect the components as you slip them back in place tot ensure they operate as they should. Once everything is back together, the gun is ready to go back into your holster and out in the field again.
Here is a video that shows you these steps so that you can see what it actually looks like:
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