Bad Glock 26 or bad ammo?

[wickedsprint]

I recently bought a glock 26 gen 4 for a backup and had 3 stovepipes/ftf in our 40 rd qualification.

Ammo was fiocchi 115gr fmj.

Took I ran another 150 rds of 115gr blazer fmj and another 50 rd box of fiocchi.

With the Blazer I had to try REALLY hard to induce a stovepipe by lightly holding gun low and with loose grip but otherwise no issues.

With the fiocchi I could command FTEs and stovepipes with anything less than a moderate grip and still experienced stoppages with my usual grip.

I've found a few online references to issues with the 26 and fiocchi ammo. Should I send this back to glock or chalk it up to weak ammo?

 

[L-2]

I wouldn't want you to ship the gun back, at your expense to GA, when I suspect it's an ammo issue.

-this is the 2nd thread I've read today regarding a Glock and Fiocchi ammo misbehaving. I'd rather have you put the money and time toward more ammo and range time.

-I have a G26 in both a gen3 and gen4. I do notice there is a bit more drag on the slide with the Gen4. I believe the trigger bar, with that bump on the shark's-fin, creates the drag. I've substituted in a Gen3 trigger bar. Whether this, different ammo, or a combination of both will satisfy solving your problem can only be accomplished by test firing. If it is within your means & ability to try a Gen3 trigger bar, do so.

On a G17gen4 I've got, it took me ~2,000 rounds before that gun would pass the recoil spring test. In that case, I believe it was that trigger bar "bump" "breaking in". It would pass the RSA test when I installed a G22gen4 RSA, but that spring is more strongly sprung and I didn't keep it in the G17gen4.

-Generally, I'm not hearing about many, if any, problems with G26 pistols of any generation. If you can, put more Blazer through it, then return to the Fiocchi to see if the G26gen4 is then working better. Unfortunately, who's to say how many Blazer rounds might be needed to loosen things up. I realize not many folks are willing to put the 2,000 rounds I shot just to get my Glock 17gen4 to pass an RSA test. Mind you, I didn't have any failures while shooting that gun.

-to reiterate, I'm just afraid you'll send it back at your expense, only to have Glock return it telling you it's working fine.

-the main test is, as it'll be your back-up, how well will your carry-ammo function?

 

[VA27]

...With the fiocchi I could command FTEs and stovepipes with anything less than a moderate grip and still experienced stoppages with my usual grip...

Seems to me you've answered your own question. Grip the gun like you mean it and use hotter ammo.

 

[King_Hugh]

I own 3 Glocks and have put thousands of rounds through...I personally have never had any problem with any ammo...but I've had a few friends complain about similar experiences to yours, and it's always been with Fiocchi ammo.

It it runs well with others...can't be the gun.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If it "runs" with other ammo but not that ammo, it must be the ammo. I do find it curious, since Fiocchi, IME, seems to be (judging from the report and recoil) loaded a little hotter than American generic ammo.

 

[wickedsprint]

Thanks guys.

 

[Captain33036]

Not sure if this will help, but, I have read posts other places regarding recent G26's. It seems that some guide rod/ spring assemblies are not as strong as they should be.

First thing, ask Glock for a new guide rod/recoil spring assembly.

After that, you can get an after market one.

Finally, if you feel you need to tune this gun, Wolff offers a guide rod set for the G26 that allows use of their various weight springs.

Not sure if this will solve your problem. Just offering another data point.

Hope this helps
Best
J

 

[JDGray]

Where are the empties landing? On your toes, the ammo is weak.....

 

[PabloJ]

First thing to do with new purchase is test with few loads. For my new S&W that meant four loadings. American Eagle 124gr subsonic, HST HP +P, Speer Gold Dot std. velocity and Blaser std. ball. These were loads I had available. Good gun will function perfectly with mixture of those in no particular order. Gun that does not is not acceptable.

I would test that Glock with American Eagle Suppressor loads. If the gun does not function correctly it is no good.

 

[F-111 John]

New gun with stiff recoil spring, weak ammo, less than death grip.

Fix any one of the three and you'll be fine. Once you have a few hundred rounds through it, you'll be fine with any ammo.

 

[tarosean]

It it runs well with others...can't be the gun

I disagree, if it's SAAMI spec'd ammo, it is the gun.

 

[WardenWolf]

Fiocchi ammo (all varieties) tends to be loaded softer than other brands. As a result, it's not particularly suitable for use in semi-automatic firearms. If you want good "cheap" ammo, go with PMC or Magtech.

 

[edmo01]

Another consideration, mark your mags and see if the problem is tied to only one mag.

Edmo

 

[g.willikers]

Whatever you decide to do, keep the ammo that's causing the problem to practice clearing jams.
Sooner or later all auto loaders will do something unexpected.
Being able to get it going quickly without much thought is important.
Using ammo that unexpectedly causes jams is very helpful.
Some folks will actually keep a jamomatic around just for this purpose.

 

[LiveLife]

if it's SAAMI spec'd ammo, it is the gun.

Good question. Not all ammunition manufacturers load to SAAMI max pressures.

And for same brand ammunition based on bullet type, they may load "premium" JHP ammunition hotter than "target/practice" FMJ ammunition (often for "white box" econo loads, they will use the cheapest available powder at the lowest pressures to save money). So you have to check the listed velocities on the box (and they vary quite a bit brand to brand).

So the same Gen4 G26 with new recoil spring assembly may work with hotter JHP not loaded to SAAMI max may reliably cycle the slide but the same brand FMJ load may not.

 

[LiveLife]

Another consideration, mark your mags and see if the problem is tied to only one mag.

But Blazer 115 gr FMJ worked when Fiocchi 115 gr FMJ did not.

If same magazine was used for testing, it's the ammo and not the gun.

 

[tacxted]

Try lube, and try again. Inspect the contact parts and ejector, although perfection is the sales pitch, we know its impossible. Every manufacturer has or will make duds

 

[edmo01]

But Blazer 115 gr FMJ worked when Fiocchi 115 gr FMJ did not.

If same magazine was used for testing, it's the ammo and not the gun.

Was it the same magazine??? Based on the OP's post, We don't know and I would venture to say he doesn't either.

I only mention mags because I have chased problems which were related to a specific mag. Numbering them makes it easier to eliminate this variable. I now number all of my mags for that reason.

I would guess it is ammo related, however stranger things have caused malfunctions...

Edmo

 

[wickedsprint]

I'll pay more attention to the magazines next outing.

 

[area51]

My gen 3 eats anything is it has from day one.....

 

[ku4hx]

I disagree, if it's SAAMI spec'd ammo, it is the gun.

Generally, references to SAAMI specs is to maximum safe pressure levels for a specific cartridge and loading, ie. normal and +P. Some cartridges do have differing specs which recognizes modern guns as opposed to older weaker guns. There are also allowances for some cases, i.e. current production and the much older balloon head cases.

If the cartridge is dimensionally correct, but less than SAAMI spec for maximum pressure, does that mean it's out of spec? I don't think so, and I'd guess many ammunition makes would say the same.

 

[Snyper]

One says:

Fiocchi, IME, seems to be (judging from the report and recoil) loaded a little hotter than American generic ammo.

Another says:

Fiocchi ammo (all varieties) tends to be loaded softer than other brands

Reality says:

Fiocchi 9MM 115 FMJ (CAN/100)
Mfg. Item #: 9CAP
Caliber: 9mm
Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket
Bullet Weight: 115 GR
Muzzle Energy: 368 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity: 1200 fps

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Fiocchi-9mm-Luger-115-FMJ-can_100/productinfo/9659CAP/

Blazer:

CCI Blazer Ammunition 9mm Luger
115 Grain Full Metal Jacket
Muzzle Energy: 335 ft. lbs
Muzzle Velocity: 1145 fps .

Looks pretty standard for 9mm FMJ loads from anyone

 

[McSpider]

Have been having same problem with Fiocchi 115 fmj have marked mag and will use different one. No stovepipes just ftf next round. Will update results, thinking it is the ammo, not mag

 

[gazpacho]

Since it is intended to be a duty weapon, I would take the extra time to inspect the firing pin and channel. Pull it, clean it and inspect with a cotton swab. Nothing should snag the cotton.

Personally, I think it is a combination of weak ammo and a new stiff gun.

 

[Seven High]

One thing that you could try is to download your magazines by one round.