Breech face side wall groove

[golfwarrant]

I’ve been following some discussions about Glock pistols adding a small groove to the left (ejector) side of the little side wall shoulder of the breechface to help hold the case during extraction and aid ejection. Pictures posted make it look like a very minimal extra extractor hook. Don’t get me wrong, there’s not another extractor, it’s just a small groove that acts to help hold the case. Sort of like the ledge on a snap. One poster asked Glock and got a response that this would be standard on 9mm pistols from now on. Commenters Have said the new feature does fix erratic ejection.

My question is (and I’m posting here because there seems to be more experienced gunsmith, tinkers, tuners here)

Has anyone seen or heard of a feature like this before?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Never heard of a "fix" like this before, but it does follow Glocks history of addressing issues without addressing the basic cause. I can also see the unintended consequence of the "groove" causing different ejection issues

An easier "fix" would have been to redesign the extractor to actually grip the case, after extraction, until it is struck by the ejector...rather than just letting the case "float" atop the next round...but that would entail admitting a design flaw and being subject to demands for a recall of all the faulty extractors in current circulation (it started with late Gen3 models)

 

[rskent]

A picture would be cool.

 

[golfwarrant]

Here’s a link to another forum discussion. Some posts have pictures.

https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/g45-cut-out-left-side-of-breech-face.1726786/

 

[9mmepiphany]

In the linked thread, it is more accurately described as a notch rather than a groove...which makes more sense to address the BTF issue

 

[golfwarrant]

Sure, regardless of what anybody wants to call it, there is a: groove, a notch, a depression, something cut out on the side of the breech face that I’ve never seen before in any other type of firearm. I’ve never seen anything other than the extractor claw holding a casing against breach face. Glock has cut something into the other side that serves a similar function of holding the case - regardless what anybody wants to call it.

That prompted my question. I was just wondering if anyone here on THR, with their experience in gunsmithing etc. had ever seen a feature like this in any other firearms?

I personally have not. Is this a groundbreaking innovation on Glock’s part, or is it just a inelegant attempt to solve their problems with ejection?

 

[9mmepiphany]

It is similar to the notch that was used in 1911s chambered in .38Super.

If it were a groove, it would have been similar in appearance to the one in the Detonics Pocket 9.

It isn't groundbreaking, but it t isn't totally inelegant as a work around

 

[1911 guy]

Wait... Glocks aren't "perfection"?
Sorry. I've worked almost a thousand hours of overtime so far this year, including working today when I should have been in church. I am grumpy.
And now we have a thread about users fixing their own pistols with a Dremel tool because the manufacturer doesn't understand how to make a decent pistol.

 

[rskent]

It isn't groundbreaking, but it t isn't totally inelegant as a work around

If it helps the people that have BTF issues, then it’s a good thing. Every little bit helps. The occasional piece of brass in my face doesn’t bother me near as much as guns like my Beretta that shoot them all straight up. They pretty much all land on my head.

Wait... Glocks aren't "perfection"?

Sorry, just because some marketing guy made it up doesn’t make it true.

 

[9mmepiphany]

If it helps the people that have BTF issues, then it’s a good thing. Every little bit helps.

If optimal function was their goal, it would have made more sense to correct their extractor geometry and open up the ejection port

 

[rskent]

What changes is extractor geometry would they have to make?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'd have them change the geometry so that the extractor retained a solid purchase on the case rim during/after extracting the case from the chamber.

This isn't some news break, it has been a known and proven issue for quite a while...at least 2012...long enough for aftermarket manufacturers to offer replacements extractors

 

[JTQ]

What changes is extractor geometry would they have to make?

Perhaps a big, long extractor like the ones used on HK's, Beretta's, S&W (TDA's, 1911's, M&P's), Walther's, CZ's, ... well, just about everybody else.

 

[Trey Veston]

If optimal function was their goal, it would have made more sense to correct their extractor geometry and open up the ejection port

I think it's admirable that Glock chose the most simple and inexpensive solution to the issue.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I think it's admirable that Glock chose the most simple and inexpensive solution to the issue.

I think it would have been less expensive to go back to their Gen2 extractors...which didn't have BTF issues