G23 Gen 4 with conversion barrel issues

flw · 10-12-2012, 21:11

First I do not expect my 23 to be as reliable as a 19.

Today was the first at the range with the new conversion barrel (Storm Lake). Note my G23 has around 1,000 rounds of 40SW already. I am looking to reduce shooting costs.

The two 100 round boxes were mixed together in a bowl to make it easier to load my mags. At around 150 rounds, it started having "fail to eject issues" and just before this, I also noticed some casings ejected but barely made it out of the exit port.

Lastly, the ammo used. I only had bulk Federal Champion 115 gr. FMJ. I've never used Federal before and it certainly seems very dirty compared to Blazer brass I've used for most of the 1,000 rounds but with the stock 40 SW barrel.

If its the ammo, what other cheap ammo would your suggest I try?

If ammo type or bullet weight seems of little help, would a recoil spring change be a practical help by itself with light ammo bullets?

Thank You.

cowboy1964 · 10-12-2012, 22:39

This is for Lone Wolf, not Storm Lake but it may still be relevant info:

http://www.lonewolfdist.com/products.aspx?CAT=241

jbglock · 10-12-2012, 23:15

1. Try to break in the barrel some. Oil everything up good and then run a box (50) of +P in it.
2. Even the 9mm Glocks have issues some times with light load 115gr ammo. Try some normal velocity 124mm.
3. Try a lighter spring.

AJE · 10-13-2012, 04:07

Since the recoil springs are now tailored to the gun and caliber, I'd try the spring for a 19 when using the conversion barrel.

jbglock · 10-13-2012, 05:16

http://us.glock.com/customer-service...pring-exchange
AJE, thanks for posting that chart. Looks up to date. I already did the exchange on my gen 4 17. The new RSA Glock sent me is marked just as it shows in that chart. The original RSA had no markings.

To the OP, if you have a gen 4 call Glock and give them your guns serial number. They will mail you the part for free. If you have a gen 3 gun I recommend a lighter Wolff spring. The RSA in the gen 3 23 is the right weight for standard .40 cal ammunition IMO but too heavy for light load 9mm especially in a conversion gun for ultimate reliability especially considering the 23 slide has more mass than the 19 slide.
http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?...ms&cID=1&mID=5

PhotoFeller · 10-13-2012, 05:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy1964

This is for Lone Wolf, not Storm Lake but it may still be relevant info:

http://www.lonewolfdist.com/products.aspx?CAT=241

Cowboy-

Many thanks for posting this link. I'm in the process of converting a G22 to 9mm, and thanks to your info I'll buy a .357 barrel as well. I'd say this is a must-read for anyone doing a Glock conversion.

PhotoFeller · 10-13-2012, 05:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJE

Since the recoil springs are now tailored to the gun and caliber, I'd try the spring for a 19 when using the conversion barrel.

AJE-

I'm converting a G22 to 9mm, so your recommendation is to buy a G17 RSA when shooting 9mm? When I buy a .357 barrel, will the G17 RSA work for it? Thanks for the chart.

flw · 10-13-2012, 14:04

Your chart does not consider the generation. Does not the generation in some models require a different recoil spring?

Maybe not, I just want to verify.

Thank You

flw · 10-13-2012, 14:14

The lone wolf recoil spring assy states as follows:

Factory recoil spring weights:
17 lbs on all G17,17L,22,24,31,34,35,37 Pistols
18 lbs on all G19,23,32,38 Pistols
17 lbs on all G20,21,21SF Pistols

So both the compact G19 (9mm) and compact G23 (40 S&W) use the same 18 lbs spring weight. So how can this improve anything? I expected the 9mm spring to be less but it is not. I'm a bit confused on this.

jbglock · 10-13-2012, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by flw

The lone wolf recoil spring assy states as follows:

Factory recoil spring weights:
17 lbs on all G17,17L,22,24,31,34,35,37 Pistols
18 lbs on all G19,23,32,38 Pistols
17 lbs on all G20,21,21SF Pistols

So both the compact G19 (9mm) and compact G23 (40 S&W) use the same 18 lbs spring weight. So how can this improve anything? I expected the 9mm spring to be less but it is not. I'm a bit confused on this.

1. You can't depend on anything LWD as being an authority on things Glock.
2. That is true for gen3 guns.
3. From someone that will give you accurate information always "IMPORTANT NOTE:
Factory recoil spring ratings above are for current production models with captive factory recoil spring systems which are silver/gray in color. Previous captive factory recoil assemblies for the 19 and 23 had recoil springs rated at 17 pounds"
http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?...ms&cID=1&mID=5
4. Current gen4 19 and 23 do NOT use the same recoil spring assembly.
5. The slide mass between a 23 and 19 is not the same. This effects how strong a recoil spring you will need.

flw · 10-13-2012, 16:55

Since I have a G23, Gen 4 are you suggesting I get a Glock brand recoil spring assembly for a G19 Gen 4 or a lighter RSA like the ones at Glockmeister for Gen 4?

Itended use is not to carry or home defense.

maestrogustav · 10-13-2012, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbglock

1. Try to break in the barrel some. Oil everything up good and then run a box (50) of +P in it.
2. Even the 9mm Glocks have issues some times with light load 115gr ammo. Try some normal velocity 124mm.
3. Try a lighter spring.

I'd watch out for that 124mm stuff out of a Glock. . . . . .The HE version can take out a 4,000 square foot house at a range of 9 miles.

But YMMV. . . . . let us know!

jbglock · 10-13-2012, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by flw

Since I have a G23, Gen 4 are you suggesting I get a Glock brand recoil spring assembly for a G19 Gen 4 or a lighter RSA like the ones at Glockmeister for Gen 4?

Itended use is not to carry or home defense.

Personally I'd get the adapter for the gen 4 so you can use a ligher recoil spring and get the spring and rod from either Glockmeister or Wolff.

flw · 10-13-2012, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbglock

Personally I'd get the adapter for the gen 4 so you can use a ligher recoil spring and get the spring and rod from either Glockmeister or Wolff.

When you refer to a adapter are you referring to the item in http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4...VERSION-INSERT ?

"GLOCK GEN 4 RECOIL CONVERSION INSERT"

jbglock · 10-13-2012, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by flw

When you refer to a adapter are you referring to the item in http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4...VERSION-INSERT ?

"GLOCK GEN 4 RECOIL CONVERSION INSERT"

Correct. That should take care of your problem. Wolff springs are also extremely durable.

AJE · 10-13-2012, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhotoFeller

AJE-

I'm converting a G22 to 9mm, so your recommendation is to buy a G17 RSA when shooting 9mm? When I buy a .357 barrel, will the G17 RSA work for it? Thanks for the chart.

Yes, buy the spring that comes in the 17 for use with the 9mm barrel.

The spring you already have for your 22 is the same spring that comes in the 31 so I would stick with that for shooting .357.

sayhibob · 10-24-2012, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by flw

When you refer to a adapter are you referring to the item in http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=4...VERSION-INSERT ?

"GLOCK GEN 4 RECOIL CONVERSION INSERT"

If you have a Gen4 Glock 23, and you get the LW conversion barrel for 9mm, you can get the Glock 0-4-3 recoil spring assembly (which is standard for the gen4 Glock 19). When converting change both the RSA and the barrel. Return to the original 0-3-3 RSA (which is the stock RSA for the gen 4 glock 23) when converting back to the .40 cal barrel. The adapter is necessary only if you choose to use a gen3 RSA in the gen4 Glock 23.

Some people apparently are not bothering to change the RSA, but I do it as a precaution, especially in light of the reduced weight in the 9mm load. I have had no problems, and in a pinch would not be afraid to use the 9mm setup for self-defense--- but I naturally prefer the 40 cal for EDC.