GLOCK Abuse

[fortyofforty]

Why do so many people abuse their GLOCKs? I am talking about minimal or no cleaning, cleaning and lubricating with unconventional products, shooting extra-hot loads, or all of the above.

I think it is because GLOCKs are inexpensive, reliable, simple, and durable. They are designed to function under a wide variety of adverse conditions, such as snow, ice, mud, sand, heat and cold. They are relatively inexpensive, so even a major catastrophe will set the shooter back six hundred dollars or so. This is compared with several thousand dollars for a custom, handcrafted, super duper, spud launcher. They are easy to repair, and replacement parts are inexpensive and easily obtained. Finally, they work. No matter whether the shooter cleans with dishwashing liquid or carburetor cleaner, or lubricates with motor oil, olive oil, or whale oil, GLOCKs work. They are virtually indestructible, and amazingly reliable. As long as no lead rounds are fired in them, GLOCKs will digest round after round of the hottest loads. A minimal amount of care will ensure a lifetime of service.

I would happily put a five or six-hundred GLOCK up against a two or three-thousand dollar custom 1911, and in terms of reliability, I think the GLOCK will come out equal or better. They are not beautiful in the traditional sense of firearms of yore, but functionality has a beauty all its own.

[Mamaluke]

I would happily put a five or six-hundred GLOCK up against a two or three-thousand dollar custom 1911, and in terms of reliability, I think the GLOCK will come out equal or better.

There is no 1911 in existence that can match Glock's reliability. I own 2 Springfield Professionals...not even close.

[J1Z06]

Abuse? heck no! Mine was just fired at the range, 200 rds and is apart right in front of me. Trying a foaming cleaner for the barrel. The rest was tooth brushed with hoppe's 9 and lightly oiled with Militec. I love this gun too much to neglect it!

I've heard the same thing at the range though. Lots and lots of people have them and run the hell out of them with minimal if any cleaning/oiling in between. To each their own.

[zulu45]

I really can't stand when people abuse their guns. Granted, it's their guns, not mine, but still...

As for me, I don't clean after every use, but that's because I seldom fire more than 50 bullets in a session. I'll clean after every 100+ rounds. That being said, I use Hoppes No. 9 solvent brushed everywhere needed, I clean everything including the firing pin chamber, and oil everything. Though I don't take the receiver apart, I always disassemble the slide and scrub everything there, like the extractor. I make sure it's oiled lightly, and I always test the firing pin block before the final reassembly.

The way I figure it, neglecting a Glock is like taking a dump on the hood of my Jeep; just because I can, doesn't mean I should. :supergrin:

[Batesmotel]

I could ask why do people buy the most durable gun in the world and treat it like a priceless heirloom. Detail cleaning after every session. Factory refinish for holster wear. Fear of fireing it the first time because it will no longer be "New".

It's a Glock, the Mac Truck of guns. A brick that bullets come out of. It is a weapon not an art piece. It was meant for combat not looking pretty. Get over your new toys and treat them like they were intended.

Think I am wrong? Can you get a factory engraved Glock? Do they make a High Grade model? Do they release special or collector editions?

No! They are weapons made for warriors. Some of us like to know our weapons will work even in the worst conditions and not from reputation but like true fighters from first hand knowledge. I don't trust my range queens to save my life but I have some tested weapons I do trust and some of them are Glocks.

[varoadking]

Do they release special or collector editions?

Yes, yes they do...

Kinda sissy lookin', too...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107393665

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107423338

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107207432

[branden]

I could ask why do people buy the most durable gun in the world and treat it like a priceless heirloom. Detail cleaning after every session. Factory refinish for holster wear. Fear of fireing it the first time because it will no longer be "New".

It's a Glock, the Mac Truck of guns. A brick that bullets come out of. It is a weapon not an art piece. It was meant for combat not looking pretty. Get over your new toys and treat them like they were intended.

Think I am wrong? Can you get a factory engraved Glock? Do they make a High Grade model? Do they release special or collector editions?

No! They are weapons made for warriors. Some of us like to know our weapons will work even in the worst conditions and not from reputation but like true fighters from first hand knowledge. I don't trust my range queens to save my life but I have some tested weapons I do trust and some of them are Glocks.
Not all of us are warriors, Chief. Some of us just like to take care of our firearms. $500 may not be a lot of money to you, but to some it is. So they tend to take more care of it.

[sigcalcatrant]

Think I am wrong? Can you get a factory engraved Glock? Do they make a High Grade model? Do they release special or collector editions?


Yes, yes they do...

Kinda sissy lookin', too...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107393665

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107423338

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107207432And:
155602

[Magnus2131]

And:
155602
Purdy purdy!

[DrMaxit]

Well, I'm not a big fan of the 1911, but I'd say a GI spec, model would fair way better than a 2-3 thousand dollar race gun, due to the fact that the race guns are probably very high tolerance, very tight, guns made for accuracy not for thousand rounds before a cleaning. Whereas if there was a Glock made to the same specs would probably be more for accuracy and less for reliability as well.

I'd still probably give it to the Glock, just wanted to point that out.

--Chuck

[sigcalcatrant]

No! They are weapons made for warriors. Some of us like to know our weapons will work even in the worst conditions and not from reputation but like true fighters from first hand knowledge. I don't trust my range queens to save my life but I have some tested weapons I do trust and some of them are Glocks.Glocks, SIG's, H&K's, and a few of others have been durability and function tested ad nauseam. Aside from shooting them regularly, no abuse is necessary. Us average chairborne commandos like taking care of our stuff no matter how much or how little they cost. Every firearm I have above 9mm gets function tested and cleaned afterwards on a regular basis and I trust every one of them to 'step up' if called upon.

[AgentM79]

While there is no reason to abuse a Glock, we can luxuriate in the fact that a Glock pistol will shrug-off abuse that would wreck most other handguns. The Tennifer treatment and polymer frame make it so that we don't have to spend time worring about our guns. Compare this to carrying a blued revolver in a duty holster during a rainstorm, and having the gun require CPR to prevent rust at the end of a double shift.

[Darth Sion]

It's not so much that we "abuse" our Glocks but rather that everyone else pampers their non-Glocks.

[Half Lid]

Glock is a hardworking kind of gun it doesn't need first class treatment, it doesn't need much treatment at all. It was designed for real combat in mind so some like to take advantage of the fact that they dont need to clean it constantly, after EVERY single time its used abit at the range.

[bluesea]

Sometimes it depends on one's background. Someone who started with guns when everything had a fine blue finish, and maybe went through the military where a weapon would not be accepted back into the arms room unless scrupulously cleaned, is more likely to be willing to treat a modern pistol with more care.

Weapons are more reliable now, and also more corrosion resistant. Still, I clean all of my weapons after every firing, no exceptions. The same with my race bikes when I was a sponsored MX racer--after every race or practice session, every square centimeter of the bikes were cleaned like-new.

[MallNinja4Hire]

Interesting barrel eh?

http://san1.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/107423000/107423338/pix159003515.jpg

[Icemanx13]

Yes, yes they do...

Kinda sissy lookin', too...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107393665

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107423338

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107207432


I know those last two aren't Glock factory finishes, they've been redone by a custom shop. Someone will come by shorty and know the name of the place.

[cimpala]

i field strip and clean my glock after every range trip. regardless of how many rounds were fired. just something i like to do. as for detail stripping i let some one with more knowledge and a better eye take care of that.

[gearjammer351]

Why do so many people abuse their GLOCKs?

Because, like my wife, they enjoy it. :eyebrow:

[glide]

Even though Glock pistols can take the abuse, I always take care of my investments. I mean $500 is a lot of money and if my firearm investment is stolen or lost, it would take a bit of hard work to get a replacement. If my Glock breaks and it is minor, I will fix it. If the damage is major and not my fault, I will send it back to Glock to get it repaired. But I will not abuse my firearms just because I know it can take it. It gets cleaned after an outing at the range and it will be stored and locked up when I'm away. It is a tool that needs to be functioning at its best when it is time to use it for HD and SD.

[fortyofforty]

While I would agree that $500 is a lot of money in some instances, in the world of firearms, objectively, it is not.

[Tx-G30]

Not all of us are warriors, Chief. Some of us just like to take care of our firearms. $500 may not be a lot of money to you, but to some it is. So they tend to take more care of it.

+1

and the air bags in my car are suppose to help me survive an accident but i'm not intentionally going to smash it into a tree to find out.

[mrnuke7571]

I too clean and field strip my guns after every trip, unless I'm doing a reliability test on a gun or something. Then I usually let it sit for a few months and 3-4 range visits (3-400+ rounds) and see how it fares.

Just did that to my Taurus PT145 and it fared perfectly. Not one problem.

My CCW/HD guns are cleaned and oiled meticulously after each range session though, as if my life depended on it. . . . . Which it does. :supergrin:

[NYC Drew]

Why do so many people abuse their GLOCKs? ...


Because this is America, DAMMIT!

:)

'Drew

[Ralph2]

I clean my Glocks after use but not always with "conventional" cleaners. Most of the time It is a mix of Breakfree and ATF. Sometimes it is just swabbing the barrel out with a baby wet wipe. Wipe off the soot from the powder residue and 5 dots of oil and it is good to go.

Now if you want to talk about abuse, I just purchased a 1971 vintage Ruger 10/22 that was shot possibly thousands of times and never ever cleaned beyond a bore swab. I had to spray a half a can of gun scrubber and pick with a dental pick off the powder residue, up to 1/8 inch in some nooks and crannies. I also had to dismantle the bolt and flush the trigger group as it was so stiff and gritty it almost didn't trip. But the finish was surprisingly rust free.

[1-2man]

I sell my Glock and replace it with a new one with the first sign of holster wear or a scratch.

[keyser]

I'm well aware of the fact that alot of firearms can take abuse and keep on ticking, but I don't understand not keeping up regular care. I typically clean after every shooting session, I use Eezox so it's not really a big chore. If reasonable care will possibly prolong the life of my firearm and protect resale value, then I think it's well worth it.

[DonGlock26]

It's not abuse, if you and your Glock consent. ;)

[Ralph2]

It's not abuse, if you and your Glock consent. ;)

But that would be for Glocks born before 1992, :rofl:

[DonGlock26]

But that would be for Glocks born before 1992, :rofl:

:rofl:

[usmcnam6869]

Glock Abuse = "XDTALK"..:rofl:

[.45Super-Man]

Why anyone would abuse/neglect a Glock or anything they plunked their hard earned cash on is beyond me?? Simply knowing how reliable they are under the most adverse conditions is good enough for me and spending my own money to prove something that is already a documented fact is simply a waste. Guys that drive Ferraris simply dont have to stand on the accelerator because the name is all that's needed, hence there's nothing left to prove. Maybe a bad analogy, but there it is nonetheless.

[fortyofforty]

Nah, GLOCKs are more like Jeeps. Every once in a while, you're driving down the road and spot a path. You stop, look down the trail and ask yourself if your Jeep could make it down that trail. Maybe you'd get hung up on a stump, or scratch the paint on some branches, or even get some mud on the fenders, but you need to find out. To paraphrase from a Dirty Harry movie, "Hey, man, I gots to know!"

[Ravenbear]

Nah, GLOCKs are more like Jeeps. Every once in a while, you're driving down the road and spot a path. You stop, look down the trail and ask yourself if your Jeep could make it down that trail. Maybe you'd get hung up on a stump, or scratch the paint on some branches, or even get some mud on the fenders, but you need to find out. To paraphrase from a Dirty Harry movie, "Hey, man, I gots to know!"

Yup.. Can not agree more..

[Captains1911]

anybody do any hardcore abuse tests, like drop in water, snow, mud, fire, etc?

[bluesea]

Nah, GLOCKs are more like Jeeps. Every once in a while, you're driving down the road and spot a path. You stop, look down the trail and ask yourself if your Jeep could make it down that trail. Maybe you'd get hung up on a stump, or scratch the paint on some branches, or even get some mud on the fenders, but you need to find out. To paraphrase from a Dirty Harry movie, "Hey, man, I gots to know!"

But then I'd take my CJ-7 to the pressure wash to begin the cleaning process, which if extreme, would continue on into the week. Some people keep their equipment clean, some don't. No excuses needed.

[Ralph2]

anybody do any hardcore abuse tests, like drop in water, snow, mud, fire, etc?

You mean this one? (http://www.theprepared.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Item)

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

"...Why do so many people abuse their GLOCKs? I am talking about minimal or no cleaning?..."

In my case, it's because a G30 is relatively inexpensive, reliable when neglected, and I'm lazy.

[deputy tom]

I keep my firearms nice and pretty,The Pros ( Chuck Taylor and others) can do the torture tests with their own Glocks.I do like to see the results however,knowing that abused Glocks will keep on running so my lovingly cared for Glocks will last several generations.At least I hope so.YMMV.tom.:cool:

[Street Fighter]

anybody do any hardcore abuse tests, like drop in water, snow, mud, fire, etc?
My G-22 was a passdown that my dad bought from his department (for sentimental reasons mainly.) Not too long after they adopted the glock for their department carry there were some questions as far as reliability was concerned, so my dad, being my dad, put them to the test (with approval i'm sure). He tested for about a month, and documented the results.
First test was number of rounds without cleaning, he averaged about 7000 a week for a month, with the actual number being around 29000-30000. Then after the month he called that test passed with not a single FTF.
-Note-He was not the only one shooting the gun, they whole department participated in the fun.
Then the mud, dirt, nasty crap on the gound tests then the upside down, sideways etc tests. They also did some abuse tests (unloaded) the fired to see what would happen if the gun was thrown etc.

The "test" glock is still in his office on his wall (clean now but not pretty)

I just feel safe knowing this "cheap" gun always works. :cool:

That was the first year they got their 2nd gen G-22.

Everyone still carries a glock at his department.

[Glock Steady]

Not properly cleaning your glock is like not properly maintaining your vehicle. You can do it, but why would you want to. As for me, I like optimum performance (vehicle or firearm). To each his own I guess