G21 issue, cracked? Need info

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pwhfirefighter

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OK, first time trying to post a picture, so forgive me if I screw it up. Need some input from you knowledgeable folks on here. May seem like a dumb question, but here goes.

While cleaning my G21 today after some shooting I noticed what appears to be a crack. Background on gun: bought new back in 2002, Gen 3 G21, low round count (as in maybe 300 rounds). I know that I have read in the past that there were some issues of cracking with some G21's made in the 2002 time frame.

I have never really understood exactly what was cracking. Is this what that problem was? Cosmetic? Do I need to contact Glock about this? Any help will be much appreciated.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=183127&stc=1&d=1366612076
 

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Can you make the crack wider by flexing the polymer? If so it is definitely not cosmetic, and needs to be addressed by glock.
 
Call Glock! They're the best customer service experience I've ever had. Call them and ask if you can send them this photo and let us know the results
 
I have seen 3 cracked Glock frames. Every one was on a high round count Gen 3 G23 and occurred in the dust cover area near the front frame rails. I agree that a call to Glock will resolve any issues you may have.
 
Glock will make it right; give 'em a call. I was at Smyrna about a month ago and they are really good people.
 
That looks like the plastic was very thin over the steel part in the back of the gun that contains the rear rails. And, the plastic just cracked off right there. Try scratching inside the crack and see if its metal.

If that's what it is, I don't think it will ever be a problem. But, it's kind of ugly and, I would bet Glock would replace the frame.
 
It has not been painted or coated. I will do what you suggested and call Glock. Like I said, I hated to ask a dumb question, but just wanted to know what more knowledgeable folks thought.

Thanks for the input guys.
 
The frame is what keeps the slide from coming off and hitting you in the eye socket. If I had any doubts about structural integrity of the frame, I wouldn't be using it.
 
ljnowell said:
I have never heard of an issue with G21s and cracked frames
Click to expand...
My mistake, what I meant to refer to was the problem in 2002 when Glock had a batch of guns that were having frame rails break off. My Glock does indeed fall into the specified group that was having this problem. But with the low round count, I doubt that is what my issue is. But I still will have glock look at it

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1287557

Copied from that thread:

...The GLOCK Corporation has identified a problem with a very small percentage of GLOCK pistols produced between September of 2001 and May of 2002. The specific problem that has been identified is the potential of breaking a rear frame rail in pistols manufactured during this time period. Within the specific range the breakage rate has been less than 0.0188%. So, while the actual percentage of rails reported broken is within any accepted manufacturing tolerance, it is not an acceptable situation to the GLOCK Corporation. It is also important to note that under most conditions GLOCK pistols will continue to function with three rails. A routine maintenance check after each time the pistol has been taken out and used would immediately indicate if there is a problem...
 
The frame is what keeps the slide from coming off and hitting you in the eye socket. If I had any doubts about structural integrity of the frame, I wouldn't be using it.
Click to expand...




Very hard to argue with that statement.
 
Update

Heard back from Glock today, via email. Had to re-send the pictures, and mere minutes after sending them, got a phone call. Less than 2 days, not bad at all to me, considering the busy times.

A very courteous rep, a supervisor according to his email signature line, discussed what he saw. Stated that he did not believe the apparent crack is structural, rather he felt it is cosmetic. However, after discussing the fact that my G21, an "E" series SN, which was the batch of Glocks that has had frame rail breakage, he presented me with several options.

He said that I could continue to shoot the weapon and inspect closely after shooting (I like to look my guns over after shooting anyway). Or for peace of mind, send it in for a frame swap (2-4 week turn around) which was the quickest. The other option was to send it in, and from what I understand, have a frame built with the same serial number with an added 1 at the beginning (10-12 week turn around time).

I chose to send it in for the simple frame swap, serial number is not all that important to me. I have to say, so far I am very pleased with the Customer Service I have received. So now just gotta wait for it to come back.
 
Glock

I suspect Glock will do the frame swap in just a few days and return the pistol. The time period they stated is on the "safe" side of what they will do. I've only used Glock service once, quite some time ago. However, it was amazing and quick too!! They went far beyond what I expected.
 
You likely won't get the same serial number to match your slide and barrel. Glock replaced my G23 frame a few years back and it has an S/N starting with "G". The "G" is the first letter of the word in Austrian/German/whatever that means frame or receiver. They also have "non commercial" serial numbers for slide and barrel but I forget what letter they start with. The scheme is somewhere in the internet and I'd imagine a search will find it.

Mismatched serial numbers don't really mean anything since the frame is the gun and only that serial number matters. Assuming you get a different serial number, all the proper paperwork will have been completed by Glock and to you the transaction will be transparent. Collectors value matching serial numbers sometimes, but that generally excludes Glocks.
 
pwhfirefighter said:
Heard back from Glock today, via email. Had to re-send the pictures, and mere minutes after sending them, got a phone call. Less than 2 days, not bad at all to me, considering the busy times.

A very courteous rep, a supervisor according to his email signature line, discussed what he saw. Stated that he did not believe the apparent crack is structural, rather he felt it is cosmetic. However, after discussing the fact that my G21, an "E" series SN, which was the batch of Glocks that has had frame rail breakage, he presented me with several options.

He said that I could continue to shoot the weapon and inspect closely after shooting (I like to look my guns over after shooting anyway). Or for peace of mind, send it in for a frame swap (2-4 week turn around) which was the quickest. The other option was to send it in, and from what I understand, have a frame built with the same serial number with an added 1 at the beginning (10-12 week turn around time).

I chose to send it in for the simple frame swap, serial number is not all that important to me. I have to say, so far I am very pleased with the Customer Service I have received. So now just gotta wait for it to come back.
Click to expand...
I'm glad to hear that it went well. I've never needed to call Glock yet but it's good to hear they are so accommodating (they way would like a business to run but many companies don't).
 
hentown said:
Yep, unless you actually know what keeps the slide from "flying off the frame." :evil:
Click to expand...
The locking block, which is held in the frame. It isn't an isolated structure, it transfers shock to the frame. Cracking the frame anywhere would make the entire structure suspect.
 
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