Spacer Sleeve for firing pin

[Norbert]

Help.

I just disassembled and cleaned my G17 after a nice day at the range. As I use to clean the channels of the firing pin mechanism every 500 - 1000 rounds I removed the plate, got out the rods and nearly suffered an instant Heart Attack:

The spacer sleeve (part no. 6 in the exploded drawing of the G17) shows a serious crack!!!!!

Now, I guess that this renders my gun unusable until I get an replacement. As I will travel to the US soon I really hope to get it there...

Now, as I am just on it: I read once that the first generation Glocks had to undergo a change of all the firing pin system. I do not know of what it consists or from which SN on it was updated by the factory itself, but as I have a rather "historic" Glock I suspect that it might be the old system.

Does anybody have an idea of what the change consisted, what were the reasons for it and whether I should purchase a new pin and feathers along with the sleeve or just exchange the sleeve itself??

I will be grateful for any help received.

Thanks and happy glocking,

Norbert

[Flexmoney]

The "upgrade" on the older Glocks is free. Post the first few letters/numbers from your Serial Number and someone here will likley tell you if your Glock is in need of the free upgrade. You can go to Glockmeister (http://glockmeister.com/fpupgrad.html) and look it up yourself, if you like.

As for the spacer sleeve. They crack. Glock will give you a free replacement for that part too. YMMV...my gun ran fine (shot in lots of matches) with the cracked spacer sleeve. I would imagine that there are many Glocks out there that have cracked spacer sleeves that their owners just don't know about.

[Fredalso]

For some more information, go here: http://www.glockmeister.com/fpupgrad.html

Will you be bringing the gun with you, or just getting the parts to take back home?
[Check the laws of wherever you're going.]
[Any chance you could be coming to something like a GSSF match? Might be easier to get the gun in, if you're registered for a match. And the work would be done for free at the match.]
[I know next to nothing about what I am talking - just thought this was worth consideration.]

[Norbert]

@flexmoney,

thanks for the consolation, but I am really scared. Itīs just that I never use a gun which I do not know to be 100% OK, but I sur feel better to know itīs not a real danger for me or my beloved 17

@fredalso:

NOTHING I would love more than to compete in one of GSSF, but I guess the transport of the weapon is just too much a hassle, anyhow it would be fascinating to verify my proficiency level at such an event.

Still, the world post 09-11 is even more paranoid than ever, and I simply do not even consider to face any US custom or security agent with an however completely documented firearm. I am frequently travelling into the US from various Latin American countries (being a European Citizen), and I just think that the "normal" american has no idea about the treatment travellers from Latin America receive especially in Miami. Itīs overly disrespectful, up to a level that makes you consider whether you want to come back (I have to for professional reasons, but I am really tired of those bullies). So, the wise man avoids WHATEVER potentially different/out of the norm/potentially suspicious. Still, although it will not contribute to my repair problems, maybe one day I join a good match with a rented gun (if this is possible). Donīt get me wrong, every time I am in I love it, but to enter is a real pain in the north end of somebady heading south...

Happy glocking,

Norbert

[Flexmoney]

There is contact info for Latin America.

Latin America (http://glock.com/contact_us.htm)

[VN350X10]

Norbert,
Is there a possibility that you could enter the USA thru Chicago O'Hare Intl?
From what I've heard from different business travelers, there is much less hassle here in the midwest.
The corp. that I work for has many int'l customers & the ones that can, come into Chi. (ORD) whenever possible, just for that reason
As far as shooting at a GSSF match, just about anybody there will loan you a pistol to shoot with. Some of the friendliest people in the world shoot Glocks!

uncle albert;a