Aftermarket Slides - Who makes them?

[graycrait]

I see that several sources exist for aftermarket slides: Caspian, Lone Wolf and CCF.

1. Does anyone know who actually makes these slides?
2. Can I assume Caspian is making their own?
3. Are there other slide sources other than the 3 listed?
4. At what price for what corresponding models?

I've purchased a couple of LWD G34 barrels and find them quite satisfactory. Based on previously purchased LWD I ordered a G17 slide a little over a month ago a month ago through Glocparts LLC because at that time they did not list them as on backorder. Corresponding directly with LWD, they tell me that the G17 slides are not yet available. There apparently is no visibility in the pipeline for them either cause I can't get ETA on one. So, I contacted Glockparts LLC to "upgrade" from a G17 to a G34, which LWD says they will have in hand next week. Hopefully the G34 slide can be in hand in a week or so.

If all this fails I want to see who else has slides, at what price, and at what quality. What the aftermarket slide? I have a CCF frame that is carrying my Glock-stock G34 frame and barrel and I want to use the "empty" frame for another G34 or my original intent, a G17.

Again, who is making these aftermarket Glock slides?

Craig

[tampashooters]

Is this a serious question?

[graycrait]

Yeah, serious, in that it isn't a joke. I simply want to know who is actually manufacturing the CCF and LWD slides. I'm guessing Caspian is making their own as they make 1911 slides and frames. Are the glock-like slides being made in the US, Phillipines, etc, and specifically by what manufacturer? Sort of like STI having Armscor making slides, frames and barrels for their Spartans.

Caspian has a good rep with their slides and frames with quite a few custom gunmakers. I'm going to assume that their slides are quite nice.

Craig

[tampashooters]

They each tool and manufacture their own slides individually.

[graycrait]

No kidding?! Where are the LWD and CCF production facilities? Are these castings or machinings from bar stock?

I guess these are questions I need to ask LWD and CCF.

There is likely one that is better than the other three in terms of fit, finish and durability.

Anyone have a clue who makes the best aftermarket Glock slide?

For instance most folks can make a decent 1911 from an Essex, Double Star or Armscor frame. But for a lot of guys Caspian seems to have the edge for making a private label 1911. I imagine that there are quite a few other makers of 1911 frames/slides besides the high volume guys. But the idea is the same for Glocks.

So, if we are finally going to have aftermarket makers of major Glock components it is probably about time we start getting more information concerning performance, durability, manufacturing processes, raw materials, etc. Obviously the 1911 fraternity has had a long time in evaluating various materials, components and processes. It can't start too early with Glocks.

Craig

[Casmaster]

Normally I wouldn't reply to a post this old, but I have noticed that nobody has really answered your questions.

All I can say for certain is that Caspian does make their slides in their facility in Vermont. As far as CCF and LWD I'm uncertain, I've heard many (RUMORS) that they are not manufactured in the US, but they may be just that rumors.

I know JR is usually on here, maybe he will chime in and let you know.

[Casmaster]

I have a very bias opinion on who makes the best aftermarket Glock style slide so I will not comment on that.

The Caspian slides are made from aerospace grade 416 stainless steel bar stock. The slides are machined "HARD" in order to insure dimensional stability, and prevent distortion at heat treat.

I believe the LWD is made from forged 416 material. I'm not sure if they are heat treated before or after heat treat

[EKUJustice]

I like the Caspian slide I put on the Limited 35 that I built. It took a tiny bit of fitting to be able to get the barrel in the slide(right where the guide rod sits in the slide). This took about 5 min including figuring out where it was touching and about 30 sec to actually fit it. It is a good tight fit and is actually taking finish off the barrel top being that tight. It is a good shooting slide and despite being a tight fit it is extremely smooth operation and has never given me a problem and that is being run with extended mags, cold, bad weather under the rapid fire of the uspsa competitions and it has been flawless. I like the caspian over the factory for one because I hate that hole in the slide the stock ones have and wanted a tighter fit for the gun

[graycrait]

What would you think causes the LWD G34 slide extractor (using LCI w/proper spring loaded bearing) to intermittently not have the extractor hooks engage the case rim? LWD tells me that I need to use hotter ammo to "break in" the slide to frame fit. I lapped this same slide to the CCF frame but those malfs are a whole other story.

I got frustrated with the LWD to CCF function so I put the LWD on the stock Glock frame. With that setup I get failures to extract.

I ordered several hundred rounds of 124 & 147 grain +P to "break in" the slide to frame fit. We'll see.

I haven't given up but I sure would like to get the LWD slide and barrel to work on the CCF frame, but that might not be possible. The LWD slide won't strip ammo from the magazine at this time, although the Glock slide and barrel work great on the CCF.

I am thinking that in both cases that the LWD slide is not going all the way back and all the way forward.

I'll be ruminating over remedies at work today.

[Casmaster]

Graycrait,

Are you have the extractor problems with the CCF or the Stock Glock receiver? I may be wrong, but hotter loads doesn't sound like it will fix an extractor problem.

Most of the problems I've seen with Failure to extract (on Caspian slides) was due to the customer putting the wrong caliber extractor in the slide.

I've seen a couple of the LWD slides but didn't really get to look at them. Perhaps the extractor cut is too tight?

[graycrait]

Casmaster,

I only shoot 9mm and only have 9mm parts so the extractor is 9mm. I've been told to look at something else as the cause of the extraction issue. Once I verify I'll report back. Apparently I'm not the only one with this issue.

Craig

[graycrait]

With a set of feeler gauges, so I might be off just a bit, I measured the inside of the extractor hook face distance from the breechface:

LWD G34 slide: 188mm
Glock G34 slide: 144mm

Seeing as the case rim width of a 9x19 round is 50mm, in my naive mind a 40mm difference seems like it could be excessive.

Comments?

[graycrait]

my error, the case rim width of a 9x19 is .050 inches or about 126mm.

[graycrait]

decimal point: 1.26mm not 126