Figured out a way to make my Glock 23 FTF...

[1KPerDay]

I've never had a malfunction of any kind on this pistol and I clean it after every session. However, a couple of weeks ago I and a buddy were plinking during a slow bit in a dove hunt and he shot my G23 (loaded with some leftover wolf ammo I was given; I usually never shoot it) and it jammed a couple of times. I was very surprised. A couple FTFs, one cured by a tap-rack-bang, the other started similarly but became a double feed when he flubbed that procedure, requiring removal of the mag.

I was concerned that it was the older 15-round mags I had loaded up, and/or the ammunition, so I cleaned the pistol and took it out again the other day. Ammunition was S&B FMJ.

First mag slow fire, no problems. So I decided to try limp-wristing a mag; I'd heard that this can cause jams of various kinds in many pistols, including Glocks. Sure enough, about every other shot I got a FTF. Casings would eject, but the next round would get hung up or the slide would ride partially over it. Retract the slide and let it go, fed just fine.

Inserted another 15-round mag, normal 2-handed grip, rapid fire, no problems.

Probably not a revelation to anyone, but I was a bit surprised based on this pistol's stellar reliability to this point.

I stupidly didn't try it also with the Beretta 92FS I had; I will next time.

 

[SubSolar]

My friends that are new to shooting can jam up my Glock through limp wristing. I've never ever had one malfunction with shooting them.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, my buddy doesn't have much experience with handguns; he's a shotgunner primarily.

 

[CountGlockula]

Bottomline: Glocks teach you how to grip a pistol.

 

[atblis]

Yeah

That's great and all, hopefully you'll still have all your fingers so you can grip your next pistol.

 

[El Tejon]

but I was a bit surprised based on this pistol's stellar reliability to this point.

Even Gaston Glock cannot alter the laws of physics. (Only Chuck Norris can do this).

The weapon is an inert piece of plastic and metal, it is not aware of its stellar reputation among Internet fanboys and will thus, stupidly, follow the laws of physics. The system is recoil assisted, give it some love by giving it a squeeze.

1K, now that you have discovered a weakness of the design, do not forget to practice shooting on the ground in positions of distress (you got pushed, tripped, shot, hit with a bathtub like the coppers in NYC, etc.). On the ground is where you usually see double feeds in Glocks, especially one handed.

 

[Hawk]

I stupidly didn't try it also with the Beretta 92FS I had; I will next time.

Here ya go. I believe it was member Sturmgewehr that provided the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsktLC-hzx4

 

[1KPerDay]

I wonder what about the glock makes it sensitive to limp-wristing... I mean compared to similar designed/similar weight pistols like the XD, for example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhMSNvZReYM&NR=1

 

[atblis]

One thing is the difference in inertia between a steel frame and a polymer frame. Steel frames have more mass.

 

[rino451]

I have a G17 that I can "limp wrist" by jerking back while pulling the trigger. A Simple loose grip will not cause a FTF on it. A SO buddy of mine and I were trying to get it to intentionally FTF. I have more than 5000 through it, if it matters.

 

[1KPerDay]

One thing is the difference in inertia between a steel frame and a polymer frame. Steel frames have more mass.

Yeah, but XDs don't have steel frames.

 

[Grump]

I didn't see round 1 of those youtube vids, but I'm seeing a pattern here.

My own almost-identical test with a G22 was flawless until I got all the way down to holding it sideways that way and using only the trigger finger and thumb to hold it. Other firings identical to those used for the H&K and Government Model and SIG, for example, continued to be flawless.

Looked like the Glocks were flubbing the eject for some of the failures.

I call design defect of the very minor type. I guess for best Glock reliability, stick with the .40 caliber, at least for my experience.

 

[Grump]

Quote:
One thing is the difference in inertia between a steel frame and a polymer frame. Steel frames have more mass.

Yeah, but XDs don't have steel frames.

Neither did the H&K.

Or my G22 (see post above).

 

[CWL]

I was a bit surprised based on this pistol's stellar reliability to this point.

EVERYTHING fails eventually. Don't risk your life on this kind of assumption.

Limp-wristing aside, if this has only happened to one mag, you probably just need to clean the tube, check the follower and maybe replace the spring.

 

[1KPerDay]

Good advice... I only tried limp-wristing one mag so I suppose it's possible that the mag was a contributing factor. I'll try it again with a different mag next time out.

I guess for best Glock reliability, stick with the .40 caliber, at least for my experience.

Of course my G23 is .40 cal, and I've never had one malf when shooting normally. My G22 has had a couple, but it's still pretty new. My G23 I bought new and it ran perfectly from the get-go.

I wasn't holding it sideways like the guy in the vids... I just sort of stood sideways and purposely kept my hand and wrist loose. I'd be surprised if I couldn't duplicate my FTFs with my other mags; it was very regular.

 

[duewest]

Its a good reliable no frills platform that is designed as a workhorse but it has limitations (glock) like any other gun. Be happy with it for what it is: an extremely reliable, accurate enough for defense, and durable entry level poly handgun. It is simple and does its job when called upon. It isnt supposed to be supper accurate or infallible. It dosent need lots of lube (hey now dont interpret that wrong). It is like the toyota of handguns.

 

[roadrash 1]

Glock an entry level poly handgun?

Now thats funny right there,I don't care who ya are!

 

[Hans Esker]

Frankly I do not understand all this failure to feed of Glocks due to limp wristing.
My first handgun session, without a trainer, which included firing a few 9mm Glocks, I had no failure to feeds with the Glocks. Maybe because it was with well broken in range rentals. I do plan to get some training now that I have gotten my Sig Mosquito.

 

[1KPerDay]

Do you know what limp-wristing is? Just because you were a noob doesn't mean you were limp-wristing.

 

[CPshooter]

I don't see why Glocks would be more prone to this when compared to other guns in its class like the XD, M&P, etc. I've owned two Glocks (19,27), two XDs(.40,.45), and a few other polymer framed guns. I've never had a FTF in any of them. I've shot them all one-handed and still never had a "limpwristing" problem. I even broke my shooting hand playing basketball and could barely keep a tight grip on handgun. Still no problems...

I think if you are experiencing this problem you probably have a very weak hand or a messed up gun. Wouldn't the combination of a heavier recoil spring and less powerful loads contribute to this also?