Sidearms & Scatterguns Glock Mods - Yes or No?

[treillw]

I might as well be bringing up Trumps impeachment with this thread topic.....

What are your thoughts on modding a glock? What mods (if any) do you like? How do they work for you?

Any horror stories?

Mods include but not limited to: slide cuts, trigger, stippling, cocking serrations, grip reductions, etc

 

[salks]

I upgrade the sights leave the rest alone to at least the steel glock sights. tijicon night sights or the glock night sights . I have a G34 gen 5 MOS with a RMR I really like.

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

I leave all of my guns factory format. No use fucking with what ain't broke, most folks just find trouble that way.

 

[mgrs]

Sights, connector, grip plug on anything.
Add trigger, striker, striker safety plunger springs, and recoil spring if it is a gaming gun. I really like 13-14lb recoil springs in a gen 3 match gun. Replace reduced power springs every season, 5.000 rounds, or when the slide hangs going into battery, whichever comes first. If you do not or downspring too much, the pistol will malfunction occasionally and the locking block pins will walk out of the frame from the battering.

They are hard to mess up otherwise. I would worry more about getting the dry firing time in than chasing the ultimate trigger.

Some of the gucci glocks are neat, but you can dump a lot of expensive milling and stippling work into what will still shoot like a $400 pistol...

 

[Blue Sky Country]

If it ain't broken, no need to fix it...

If the weapon is in full operational condition from the factory without any defects or flukes, it will do it's job the way it's designers intended it to do. There is absolutely no need to modify any parts unless the gun is being assigned to a special purpose ie., competition, displays for living history events, film production, etc... I have completely reworked the actions on SAA revolvers for folks who are looking for the slickest and lightest hammer pulls and triggers for SASS quickdraw matches. The ammo used in these events are usually extremely light-recoiling loads, thus mainsprings and more fragile components like cylinder ratchet springs and locking bolt reset springs can be sanded down to real thin levels without worry about them breaking midway through a timed match. But these are primarily raceguns and are routinely used as such.

I, personally, have never felt the need to modify any of my 'duty' guns, like my black polymer pistols or the .36 Navy Colt that I am carrying right now. They function perfectly under normal environment and usage conditions and a 'duty cycle' that I put all guns through at the range to simulate defensive draw-and-shoot scenarios at various speeds using different types of ammunition confirms that they do not possess any latent defects.

 

[quietmike]

My old duty gun a 21 is bone stock.
My 34/5 mos has a johnny glock trigger, dawson sights, and reduced recoil spring.

 

[DRAM40A1]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with modding a handgun to fit or function better for your intended purpose but of course, if it works “good enough” leave it bone stock.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

I upgrade the sights leave the rest alone to at least the steel glock sights. tijicon night sights or the glock night sights . I have a G34 gen 5 MOS with a RMR I really like.

Okay I have to give a shout out to the members of the custom-sight master race. Same here. The most important thing to me besides ammunition performing the way it should, is making damn sure I can actually get a good sight picture of what I am shooting at, especially in handicapped conditions like darkness. When I am shooting with plain irons I will readily swap out the tricorn or round pin front sights for a blade style shark fin. That way, the entire assembly looks like a classic "W" when properly aligned. Factory sights on these more traditional guns tend to take up a lot of space in the already narrow rear sight brackets.

 

[Downtown]

It's kind of like an automobile. Perhaps you leave the daily driver stock, for reliability. Other cars you soup up for different reasons. You know, just because we can.

 

[jg6.5]

I personally would only modify what is considered a "duty weapon" to fit any physical limitations - i.e. different mag release for stubby thumbs or better sights for aging eyes. Maybe relieve the underside of the trigger guard if it helps your grip.

Now if it's going to be a range toy or you're trying to turn it into a race gun of some sort, then by all means knock yourself out with whatever makes you feel good. Just realize you're creating an oxymoron - "expensive Glock".

 

[308pirate]

All of my handguns get grip modifications to increase friction with the hands. Polymer pistols get stippled aggressively. Metal frame pistols get new, more aggressive grip panels, and if they need more traction on the front and back strap they get an application of silicon carbide.

All of my DA/SA handguns and all of my revolvers get a trigger job to get the DA stroke under 9 lbs, with 7.5 lbs being the target. So far I have only one striker fired pistol. Its trigger is completely OEM but I did stone the sear surfaces to deburr them.

They all get a fiber optic front sight, thinner than OEM.

Those three mods I do to all my pistols, including those that I carry.

ETA: the only thing over and above those that I do to my competition guns (USPSA Production) is tuning recoil spring rate to the ammo I use in them.

 

[striped1]

Stippling and new sights for sure

 

[Kopfjager1]

I have a Zev slide for a G17 Gen 3 that's heavily modified, but I also have a G19 Gen 4, where I put a low profile magwell on, night sights, and removed the finger grooves, undercut the trigger guard, and the stippled the front strap and back strap, everything else is stock. I much prefer the G19 over the G17.

 

[Rerun7]

I don’t think there is an issue modding your glocks. They work great from the factory but if changing some things makes YOU more proficient then go for it. Just make sure you put a lot of rounds down range after any changes to ensure reliability before you rely on it.

I’ve made a few changes to mine that have made me faster/more accurate and didn’t change reliability.

 

[hlee]

I subtly contoured the trigger safety blade such that it sits flush in the trigger when fully depressed. This made the gun much more comfortable to shoot. I tried a ghost connector, but went back to the factory connector bar. I did do the $0.25 trigger job with noticeable improvement. Other than that, stock is fine for me...

 

[427Cobra]

Sights, .25cent trigger job, that’s it.

 

[BCX]

KKM barrel, night sights, TTI trigger and a Jentra heavy duty guide rod w spring.

 

[101stinfantry]

Ok, I have a Gen III 17, and 19, nothing done, but a factory 3.5 connector, and aftermarket sights. I have a Gen 4 Glock 40, it's been modded with a NDZ 22 lb. recoil spring assembly, mainly because my Magneto speed was indicating early unlocking on full house loads. It also has a flat face trigger assembly, which helps "Me" with hunting loads with in 25 yards. Those things helped "Me", they may or may not help you. Try some and see. It's just money, you can't take it with you.

 

[mgrs]

KKM barrel, night sights, TTI trigger and a Jentra heavy duty guide rod w spring.

Good point on the KKM. Nice barrel especially if you are going to shoot cast lead. Lockup, even on the dropins, is often tighter than stock.

Ok, I have a Gen III 17, and 19, nothing done, but a factory 3.5 connector, and aftermarket sights. I have a Gen 4 Glock 40, it's been modded with a NDZ 22 lb. recoil spring assembly, mainly because my Magneto speed was indicating early unlocking on full house loads. It also has a flat face trigger assembly, which helps "Me" with hunting loads with in 25 yards. Those things helped "Me", they may or may not help you. Try some and see. It's just money, you can't take it with you.

How did your magnetospeed indicate early unlocking?

Mine was pretty good at indicating the muzzle velocity of fired ammunition, but I could not get it to do much else.

 

[101stinfantry]

I was getting an erratic SD/ES, the heavier recoil spring brought those numbers down quiet a bit. That was with close to max handloads, I didn't go back and re do the numbers with factory ammo.
ETA: I got close to the same numbers with my EAA P Match Pro, once I uped the recoil sping to 24lb. I'm not an engineer but I think most factory 10mm guns are under sprung, for full house loads. I mean they'll run, but you'll see better numbers if you up the spring rate on them.

 

[BCX]

You would shoot a pistol with plastic sights?

I shoot a few pistols w plastic frames

 

[Wyzrd]

Swap out sights, extended slide release, small magwell (Magpul), undercut trigger guard, remove finger grooves (gen 4), and then stipple grip. Everything else I’ve left stock on my G19.

 

[powerspc]

Mod away! Glocks are the Legos of the pistol world! They are inexpensive, plentiful and fun to work on.

 

[gsd1983]

My carry G48 has a Ghost connector and spring kit. Nothing else. Eventually I’ll grab a set of night sights, but beyond that I don’t tweak anything else.

That’s not to say I haven’t some some ridiculous shit to a Glock for a comp gun...?

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

You would shoot a pistol with plastic sights?

I don't own Glocks in the first place because they're for the poors. Kind of a moot point to me, but I see no harm in upgrading the sights on any pistol or rifle if they aren't suiting the shooter. Stippling is another mod that probably doesn't effect reliability at all and I don't mind. The slide cuts, match springs, aftermarket trigger, extended baseplate, Roland especial is definitely not my thing though. I carry for self defense so my priorities are different, reliability being the first and foremost.

 

[gsd1983]

Sounds like an HK snob...? I’m an equal opportunity shooter. If it runs, I’ll shoot it. (I’ve even shot a Taurus. *gasp*)

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

Sounds like an HK snob...? I’m an equal opportunity shooter. If it runs, I’ll shoot it. (I’ve even shot a Taurus. *gasp*)

I'm just a snob, really. You're cool though, you got the joke.

You other rice gunners can enjoy the butthurt lol.

 

[Lawless]

I do very proven mods from very proven companies, then test them and test them.

My and my wife’s G19.4s are identical.

Magpul Magwell is a great mod for gen 3 and 4 guns.

I use Ghost Elite Pro trigger kits which are springs and connector. It takes away the “wall” and gives you a nice smooth trigger that doesn’t stack plus a trigger stop.

Vickers slide stop and mag release.

Steel sights.

TLR-7 lights.

Glock 17 smooth trigger.

Shave the trigger safety lever to same contour as trigger shoe.

 

[DOA]

for a range gun, plastic sights work well enough and bone stock is fine. my LE duty G22 just got Trigicon night sights.
For a carry gun, I'd recommend at least night sights.
.25 trigger jobs are fine as long as you dont remove finish and end up with bare metal.
Aftermarket connectors just add mush and less than positive reset.
Lots of new shooters add the aftermarket crap and wonder why they dont work.
FYI, Ive been a LE Glock armour since the late 90s.

 

[WATERWALKER]

I generally carry a Gen 4 Glock 22 w/ a Streamlight TLR-1S as my EDC. The only mods I’ve made are a Vicker’s mag release & Trijicon tritium night sights. I don’t mind the factory trigger; it’s reliable & far better than the LEM trigger I shoot on a few other guns. I guess I’m one of the few who actually like the Gen 4 finger grooves. I haven’t stippled the grip panels / trigger guard because I don’t want it digging into my side or rubbing holes in my clothes. Over the years this pistol has been bombproof. I squirt some lube in it & it runs & runs.

The only knock I have against Glock pistols is that their stock mag release buttons are shit. The mag release buttons are a “must replace item” along w/ their shitty plastic night sights. As for an over-sized slide stop I can take it or leave it. It’s nice to have but not a must have item.

*If this were a work gun it would have a very aggressive texture or I’d use skateboard tape on the grips.

 

[Milf Dots]

Gaming guns are a whole different topic... For Defensive pistols, metallic sights are a MUST- do enough shooting with Glock's polymer sights and you'll see one chip, crack, or break off. Again, sights should be metal not polymer.

I used to remove the finger grooves, and undercut the trigger guard, on gen3s and gen4s. Now the best Glock mod is a Sig p320, HK vp, CZ p10, Beretta APX, or Walther PPQ,

 

[Ahogue]

Built this a few months ago 17l with a comp....why just for the hell of it

Now gun im going to carry or keep in the nightstand usually keep it very minimal

 

[mgrs]

Built this a few months ago 17l with a comp....why just for the hell of it

Now gun im going to carry or keep in the nightstand usually keep it very minimal

Neat build. Looks like a dystopian post-apocalypse movie prop.

 

[Ahogue]

It was referred to the space blaster by my friends.....i get the need for stock firearms but ive also owned enough that im tired of stock so occasionally i go a little wild

 

[drcrk0525]

I like stippling and the undercut to help with my grip and a flat face trigger

 

[Romeo458]

I have always found it funny that they refer to block as perfection, yet it's the most heavily modified handgun I know of?

 

[308pirate]

I have always found it funny that they refer to block as perfection, yet it's the most heavily modified handgun I know of?

And on its 5th round of "perfection"

 

[AMGtuned]

All of my 1911 pistols in the past, have got all the little goodies and shit. With 3, gen 3 Glocks (22, 23, 27); they all got Glock night sights, semi-aggressive stippling, trigger guard undercut, and I rolled the back strap in flatter. I also stoned/polished all factory trigger and safety components. I did not cut and fill anything, and I can see irons at 5-10 yards no problem. Other than that, I cant find a reason not to shoot the fuck out of them. Took me years to go to the dark side, now I love shooting these little plastic fantastics

 

[RyanScott]

With Glocks there are a couple of really good modifications: swapping to a flat faced or at least a factory trigger without serrations, adding sights, cutting on the grip. Gen 3s are better for most with the addition of a longer mag catch. Getting inside the gun is a touchy thing and can result in a non-working gun so ask yourself if you really need to.

One thing that’s been touched on is that in some calibers they are under sprung. The RSA for the 40 and 10mm Glocks at least in Gen3 is too light which is known to cause erratic ES.

If you just buy a Gen5 most of the things you could do to a Glockare done for you.

 

[aslrookie]

G19 Gen 4 MOS:

- 3.5lbs ghost connector (sweet spot for trigger pull weight, reliability not affected)
- threaded barrel
- Trijicon RMR
- Stippling (my hands sweat easily)
- micro comp
- trijicon suppressor height sights
- streamlight tlr 1 weapon light

That's it. Sounds like a lot, but none of it has affected reliability. This setup is over the course of 3 years. At first it was just a bone stock glock MOS with RMR.

None of these things are needed...it just makes it a more pleasurable/fun experience to shoot with. To each their own.

 

[charnicus]

Sights and a 25 cent trigger job. I’ve got a couple gen 3s that I bought the extended magazine release but then shortened it, made it smooth, and slightly rounded the edges mainly to debur it. Stippling I would really only recommend someone like Bent Line who laser stipples. I had a frame done in the traditional manner and wanted to throw it away. Felt kind of nice but looked like dog shit and to be honest I don’t think stippling is necessary.

 

[Ahogue]

Yeah im not a huge fan of stippling id do talon grips or somthing similar

 

[308pirate]

Getting inside the gun is a touchy thing and can result in a non-working gun so ask yourself if you really need to.

It isn't a question of need. It's a question of being capable to do intelligent changes, understand their effects.

For some people, even installing well-vetted Glock drop in parts is well above their competency level. For others, fitting new hammer hooks and a new disconnector to a CZ 75 to improve reset is not a big deal.

 

[308pirate]

to be honest I don’t think stippling is necessary.

Many do

 

[charnicus]

Many do

And I think that’s totally cool! Not putting anyone down for it. Just my personal feelings.

 

[RyanScott]

It isn't a question of need. It's a question of being capable to do intelligent changes, understand their effects.

For some people, even installing well-vetted Glock drop in parts is well above their competency level. For others, fitting new hammer hooks and a new disconnector to a CZ 75 to improve reset is not a big deal.

Many products on the market will deadline your gun, even some premium products. Even correctly installed.

 

[308pirate]

Many products on the market will deadline your gun, even some premium products. Even correctly installed.

So many generalities. Do you have any specifics to avoid?

I can vouch for Cajun Gun Works products for CZ pistols. I've used their short reset kits and lighter hammer springs in addition to proper deburring and polishing to get excellent trigger jobs on three CZ pistols with 100% reliability regardless of primer or ammo brand.

One of those three is the P-01 that I depend on every day.

 

[RyanScott]

I’m talking about Glocks. Lots of reported problems with Ghost anything and Lone Wolf stuff comes to mind.

 

[Lawless]

Never an issue with Ghost connecters or springs.

 

[308pirate]

Never an issue with Ghost connecters or springs.

Sample size of one, I know, but a Ghost 3.5 connector ran like a champ in the 17 gen 4 I had about 10 years ago...........