Finiky Glock 34

[schromf]

Some general background my Glock 34 I bought new and it has been fussy and jammed from day one. I started with Federal 147 grain American Eagle and it took a distinct dislike to this this ammo. I called Glock and they sent me mag followers which I changed, and around the same time changed to Fiocchi 115 grain. Many range sessions and it has settled down in my hands but in my younger sons ( large 14 yr old ) hands it continues to jam. I have carefully observed him he is not limp wristing. THis came to a head when I took some new shooters out last week-weekend and the Glock crapped out bad. one of the shooters I figured was going to have trouble with it, the other was shooting my 41 mags and 357 magnums and doing really pretty well, and I did not notice limp wristing in his case.

Anyway it had multiple jams that day, and I had changed back to Federal ammo. One of the jams was particularly nasty and took quite a while to clear. Once I got it cleared I put the round back in the clip and shot it and the rest of the mag..no problem, then fired two more magazines with no issues. Let me also get clear I really haven't had a problem in my hands in over 505-700 rounds of use, it alsways seems when I let someone else shoot it.

Well needless to say I am less than happy with this situation and I don't keep guns that don't work well, FUNCTION is everything. I talked to my smith and he said that Federal ammo is very mild, and several reputable manufacturers of semi auto rifles have disclaimers and won't even talk to you if you are using Federal ammo. He suggested I get a 16 Lb and a 19 lb recoil spring from Wolf and try changing out the between the weights. I of course wonder why fiddle with the recoil spring when these tend to be loaded not shot rounds I am having problems with ( actually in the beginning it was both but I haven't seen the spent ejected rounds in a while).

My next question is it seems that you need to change the guide rod out when changing over to wolf springs. Anybody have brand recommendations? Another thought is get a set of springs as I hace some Remington target 9mm ammo and I bet this is fairly mild also.

Bottom line is there any Glock Doctors out there I am definatly listening. I will never consider this a carry gun at this point, and I really want a reliable range target shooter, but it doesn't even fall into that catagory now. Glock legendary reliablility.........HMMM

 

[artherd]

Something's very wrong with your gun. What kind of malfs? FTF? FTE?

In 3,000 rounds, my G34 has malfunctioned exactly once. This was when I was doing some rapid-fire shooting from the hip just to see how in-accurate it was (admit it, we've all tried it). I know I limp-wristed it, so I am not counting it. Tap-rack-BANG and I was back in buisiness.

Glocks are light enough that they can VERY easily be limp-wristed!

Ammo has been:
* Winchester White Box valu-pak 100round boxes.

* And at least 400 rounds of Winchester Ranger RA9TA +P+ 127gr JHPs at 1250fps.

* Some Ficoci 127gr TC.

It fed everything I threw at it withought flaw.

I would and do trust my life to this gun.



PS: Accuracy in my G34 has been very good. It is a much better shooter than I am.

 

[1A271]

Keep complaining to Glock... maybe they'll replace it if it's obvious that it's a lemon

 

[Cawdor]

I have 2,800 rounds on my Glock 34. I have had zero malfunctions. I have used Sellier & Bellot, CCI Blazer, Winchester USA, Remington UMC, and Federal American Eagle 115 grain.

First, try several kinds of ammunition. If there is a problem with the gun, it should appear regardless of the ammunition. My Steyr M9, for example, is not reliable with Sellier & Bellot; it is reliable with every other brand of ammunition I've tried.

Second, have several other people try the gun. Again, if there is a problem with the gun, it should appear regardless of who fires it.

I would not change to aftermarket recoil springs. Glocks are reliable guns. If the problem persists, return it to Glock for service.

 

[schromf]

return it to Glock for service

First let me state right out I have contacted Glock ( not a second time though ) and their service was very good in my mind. I am in no way crowing how Glock has treated me, they have been fair and responsive.

I have considered sending it back to Glock but the problem is it is an intermitten issue, somewhat ammo related and definately shooter related since I have gotten it through the break in period. I will restate I haven't (in my hands) had an issue in over 500 rounds. So it might be a big waste of time as if the person who looks it over has the same issues I do, they probably won't find a problem. While I am not a gunsmith, I am an engineer with a very good eye for detail, and I have gone over this pistol very carefully and compared it to my model 19 nothing is obvously wrong. I wouldn't be able to see or test wrong spring tension though, so I haven't done all that could be done.

In reply to FTF and FTE, abbreviations make me a little nervous and I want to ensure we are talking the same thing, I define FTF as failure to feed, and FTE as failure to extract. Initially I was was having both problems, but that was many rounds ago and when I was using Federal ammo. Since the break in the problems have all been FTF problems, and this was the most common problem even in the beginning. Actually I am not sure this is a good description of the problem as it really seems to be not a FTF so much as trying to load two rounds.

Another thought I have had is I am thinking on numbering the mags, and changing the magazine springs on one mag to Wolf springs. I am not sure it would help but it might be worth a try.

Yes I think this is somewhat ammo related, but not 100%. I know it doesn't like Federal, and seems to do alright with CCI and Fiocchi, I have feed it PMC in the past but I don't really like it cause its so dirty, but I don't remember isuues with it, the S&B ammo is hard to get around here and dirty to boot. I really don't shoot any brand "X" ammo in it, and never reloads as I don't figure its worth reloading 9mm when I have other pistols that are very expensive to feed factory fodder.

Maybe I will give Glock a call on Monday and see what they have to say.

 

[denfoote]

Is there a certified Glock armorer in your area?? It may not be necessary to send it all the way back to Glock. Most stocking Glock dealers, if they have a gunsmith on board, will have sent him (or her) to the school to get certified.
Look around, I bet there is one in your area.
Your G34 needs to have a doctor look at it, though.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I had the exact same problem with my 34. The hotter the ammo, the better it functioned. A lot af commercial ammo these days is not as hot as it used to be. I bought a T.H.E. tungsten guide rod (steel would work just as well) and a set of springs (ISMI). With basic bargain ammo the 15 pound spring gave me 100% reliability. For hotter ammo (+p hollowpoints) I used the stock spring. With wimpy ammo and the heavier slide of the 34, your slide is probably not coming back all the way, causing jams.
I really like the extra weight of the tungsten guide rod, giving a more muzzle heavy feel.
Try a box of Corbon's. I bet they cycle just fine. See if you can find 124 grain FMJ's, they seem to have more recoil to operate the slide better. I would recomend buying a guide rod and springs of various weights (13-15-17 lbs.). Your basic 9mm fmj's are not what they used to be. Also 147 grainers have the least power of all, so they are the most likely to jam.

 

[schromf]

My smith that recommended changing out the recoil springs is a certified Glock armorer. He also told me that after I tried the recoil spring fix the next place to look was the firing pin spring but he didn't think I should start there.

The only reason I haven't given back to him to work on is a logistical issue, he is many miles away from where I currently have the pistol. I have not ruled that out, it is I am saving that for last as in will become a big hassle.

I have been looking over the Wolf springs and I am thinking I will get a 15, 16, 17 and 19 lb recoil springs and a couple of captive stainless steel guide rods, and a magazine spring. This is what my smith recommended
( actually he said I should try the spring pack but he agreed these were the tensions I should try ).

Then get a notebook and document every mag I fire with this to see if I can get a pattern. The lazy side of me says call Glock, but the engineer side screams you know better and it won't get resolved till I go through the right documentation and corrective steps, or send it off to be repaired.

In fairness I think I will call Glock tommorrow maybe they can glean some magic fix that will correct it but I am pretty sceptical.

 

[schromf]

PO2Hammer:

Thanks for the info that is consistant with what my smith said. Did you like you T.H.E. guide rod? I was thinking of getting a stainless captive rod and try a 16 lb spring, but I think I will pick up the 15 @ the same time. Yeah I figured on shifting back to Fiocchi ammo, but I have some some Remington match 147 gr I have been saving as right now I figure it is just wasting ammo, and I want to use it in bullseye match if I ever get this gun sorted out.

I have the Top Glock sight open now and am reaching for the credit card.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Unless you are having failures to fire, there should be no reason to change any spring other than the recoil springs or the mag springs. I think a 15 pound recoil spring will cure the problem. I usually order from TopGlock. Good service and they have the right parts (T.H.E. and ISMI). I think the tungsten is worth the extra money, and you can get an extra length uncaptured rod for the 34 which makes re-assembly easier.

 

[schromf]

have you tried Wolf springs? And are they compatable with the "THE" guide rods?

 

[PO2Hammer]

Are Wolf springs round wire? I think they would be compatable since the flat wire springs (Glock, ISMI) require the smaller diameter guide rod. If you order Wolf springs, I think Wolf makes guide rods too. I like the flat wire springs, although I'm not sure why!

 

[schromf]

Thanks,

I am going to reconsider the captive recoil rod, Reading on the Wolf site they don't specify whether they are round wire or flat but they do say their springs are designed for non captive. My 1911's are all non captive and I have no issues with them, plus I will save a dollar or two. I think I will go for the Tungsten at the same time.

Thanks again......

 

[..]

Wolf guide rods are non captured and only work with their springs, their springs are round wire. I install thier rods in any Glock of mine, love them. They are blackened and look stock. I like the ability to swap springs and clean quickly.

AS far as the jams, if it does it with other shooters but not you, that's suspicious.

Glock 9mm's with new springs are sensitive to loose grips and light loads - Alot of 9mm range ammo is light.

If the problems persists and it bothers you defenitely INSIST Glock take a look at it and send it in. They are good folks at Glock.

 

[artherd]

trying to load two rounds.

Guess: your mags are MUCKED UP. The feed lips are allowing more than 1 round at a time through the turnstyle

Throw your current mags in the garbage, and pick up two new genuine Glock mags.

You were on the right track with the followers, but I'm now betting on the feed lips based on what you said.

The G34 should cycle for 50,000+ rounds withought changing a thing inside it.

 

[schromf]

Nope,

These are all original mags, and they are not mucked up. I have also went out and bought a new factory Glock mag. I further stuck them in my 19 and they function fine.

I really think the recoil spring is the issue, and I am going to try it next. As I recall the problems with this, and the very few times I have had problem with Fiocchi ammo, and the multiple problems with Federal this sounds like the next step. I am going to try the 16 lb spring on the Fiocchi, and the 15lb on the Federal and see how that works.

 

[Ken Rainey]

My money is on the ammo. Weaker recoil springs will allow the use of weaker ammo - it's all in the timing. Also, not loading the mags completely full will aid in letting the slide operate more freely (less pressure from the ammo pushing up against it).

Try different ammo - Winchester white box, S & B, and Speer tend to work well - although my G26 doesn't like the profile of the Speer 147 when trying to load from slide lock, it feeds the Winchester white box 147 (115 & 124) with 100% reliability. If Winchester ammo is readily available, I would try the 124 grain FMJ, if not, then the 115 grain - of course, changing to a weaker recoil spring will allow you to use a wider variety of brands - just put the factory weight back in if using +p ammo.

Ken

 

[schromf]

Just an update on my model 34. I had changed out the recoil spring to a Wolf 15 lb, and had installed the Hienie Racce Cut Slant Pros. Had it done a couple of weeks ago just didn't have the time to go to the range. Headed there today a spent some time with this pistol since the upgrades. What a difference I cannot say how much better these sights are than the stock. Completely changed the way the sight picture was; I like these a lot. I installed them myself so I was worried I didn't have them adjusted(installed) right, not the case dead nuts on.

The recoil spring seems to have fixed the other issues, like I have said before I usually don't have issues but any weak handed shooter does. I ran 5 clips right through this then handed it to a weak shooter to acid test as this was the same shooter that had problems with it before. Not a problem one, I took it back and ran another 150 rounds through it just to satisfy myself it was cured.

After all the playing around it really felt good chewing the center ring out of target finally. I always thought this pistol was capable, now I know I was right.

I have never shot +P ammo in this, and probably never will, I bought this specifically so I could shoot 9mm's cheap, if I have a requirement for +P, I will use my 1911's in either 10mm, or 45 ACP. I shoot them much better anyway. But now that this is set up and working right it has a real chance of gaining favor. But it certaiinly won't replace my commander as a carry gun anytime soon.

 

[jato]

I have not read all of the posts on this thread (in case someone has already brought this up)...

I have had a problem with the new frame Glocks. My problem was my thumb would ride ever so lightly on the slide stop lever causing the slide to lock back while I was firing. For a while, every time it happened I thought it was a jam.

It never happened with the older style frames. Now I have to concentrate to keep my thumb down lower on the grip.

 

[Bix]

Interesting, I had a similar problem with my 34. A large number of FTEs in the first 300 rounds. I just kept plugging away and somewhere near round 700 they completely vasished. I did not swap any parts, and I shoot mostly WWB 115 grainers.

I'm not sure whether the gun "broke in" or I learned to shoot it, but I've not had another (non-user-induced) malfunction in many months and many, many rounds.