[GlocketyGlock]

I've put 1200-1500 rounds through my G26 gen 4 that I purchased new. 3 of those rounds were what I guess are light primer strikes. There was divet in the primer but the round didn't fire. After the first 2, I took the firing pin and safety and all those parts out of there and thoroughly cleaned which seemed to be the fix for some number of hundred rounds, but then the other day, I had the third one. Did the cleaning again. I don't remember what ammo I was using, but it's name brand decent quality, and I've been shooting the same stuff through my G17 for 3000 rounds or so without an issue. Cleaned the G17 firing pin at the same time as the G26 and both were equally dirty, so the G17 does not seem to be having the same problem.

Could there be another issue like a weak firing pin spring? Thanks.

 

[PattonWasRight]

It's cheap to put in a new one. Do it. Springs can have bad steel/batches, definitely.

Before you do that, one piece of info. On the ammo that didn't fire, is the indent in the primer the same depth as fired rounds? If it is, it's the ammo, not the firing pin

 

[glockforlife100]

Good idea to change the spring. While the firing pin is out, use a Q-Tip to clean the channel and then use some compressed air (keyboard cleaner) to blow it out. My bet is it was always the ammo but a little cleaning and a (cheap) spring change is never a bad idea!

 

[GlocketyGlock]

On the ammo that didn't fire, is the indent in the primer the same depth as fired rounds? If it is, it's the ammo, not the firing pin

I don't remember. Will check if it happens again. I'm thinking it's not the ammo. I shoot the same stuff in the G17 which I've shot a lot more and it never had the issue. Unfortunately I don't remember which ammo the first two were -- either Federal or Winchester probably. The 3rd was Hornady Critical Defense. Shot it out of the G26 after it had been in the magazine for four years and the gun was stored and unfired for four years. I'm just now getting back to shooting after and long hiatus. G17 had no issues after also being unfired in 4 years.

I guess I'll replace the spring like you both suggest. Thanks.

 

[JasonC8301]

My 2 cents in, no lube on the firing pin or any where inside the slide. Lubricant in there will cause failure to fires if allowed to gunk up (mixture of oil, carbon, and dust/lint.)

 

[mavs]

Not being fired for 4 years will have no affect on the gun or the ammo. And 1500 rounds will not "gunk up" the firing pin channel. I'd probably change the spring and even the firing pin although the firing pin probably has nothing to do with it at least then you will know. Another alternative might be just to swap the firing pin and spring between the G26 and the G17 and see if the G17 now has the problems you were having with the G26.

 

[a minute of arc]

could be that a tiny bit of oil got in the firing pin channel and gummed up over 4 years. I would clean it thoroughly with alcohol or some fast-drying solvent before reassembling with the new spring. If that doesn't fix it then its almost definitely the ammo I would think.

 

[mtstream]

Troubleshooting light strikes should always start with identifying if the strike was centered or off-centered on the primer.

Off-centered only happens if the gun was not fully into battery - this completely changes the possible causes/solution vs the possible causes if they are centered.

 

[ChrisD46]

Clean the firing pin chamber with a pipe cleaner and 90 % rubbing alcohol (never lube this area !) Replace the striker spring with the standard weight #5.5 lb. striker spring . Lastly try another ammo brand .

 

[GlocketyGlock]

The first two light strikes were before 4 years ago. They were pretty close together, like two consecutive range sessions, but I don't remember exactly. Cleaning the firing pin area, safety and extractor area seemed to make it not happen again. At some point after, the gun was stored for four years, then took it to the range a couple of weeks ago. My routine was to first thing draw and fire two shots with my defense ammo with no warmup to practice. So I did that this time and second shot didn't fire. Tapped and racked, and third shot fired. Put maybe 20 rounds of range ammo through the 26 without issue. I've since cleaned the firing pin part of both the 26 and 17.

Troubleshooting light strikes should always start with identifying if the strike was centered or off-centered on the primer.

Off-centered only happens if the gun was not fully into battery - this completely changes the possible causes/solution vs the possible causes if they are centered.

Well, I'll certainly look for that if it happens again. I don't remember where the strikes were on the first two, though I do remember showing them to the guy at the range and discussing it. I couldn't find round #3.

What are the possible causes of the gun not going into full battery? Thanks!

 

[9x45]

Light strikes in a Glock are almost always the result of a high primer. What ammo where you using?

Not going into battery is usually a filhty chamber.

 

[GlocketyGlock]

Light strikes in a Glock are almost always the result of a high primer. What ammo where you using?

Not going into battery is usually a filhty chamber.

Unfortunately I don't remember what #1 and #2 were. Probably Federal or Winchester 115 grain. #3 was Hornady critical defense 115 grain. Have shot the same stuff in the G17, and more of it, and never an issue.

Now that I think about my description I just posted... So shot #1 had been sitting in the chamber for who knows how long. Shot #2 didn't fire after the round auto-loaded. Shot #3 fired after a tap and rack. Are there any clues there?

 

[nedsled]

My 2 cents in, no lube on the firing pin or any where inside the slide. Lubricant in there will cause failure to fires if allowed to gunk up (mixture of oil, carbon, and dust/lint.)

My brain will just NOT let me leave those parts un-lubed. I fear rust. I compromised with it (my brain) by using One Shot dry lube.

 

[9x45]

Now that I think about my description I just posted... So shot #1 had been sitting in the chamber for who knows how long. Shot #2 didn't fire after the round auto-loaded. Shot #3 fired after a tap and rack. Are there any clues there?

If the chamber is clean, and the barrel and rails lubed, and the ammo plunk tests, it shouldn't do that.

 

[GlocketyGlock]

What about putting a 6lb striker spring in for extra insurance? Will that cause any problems? And will the increase in trigger pull weight be annoying?

 

[9x45]

That will help and not really be noticeable. I did that when I was using S&B primers because they are a bit harder.

 

[mavs]

My Glock 19 is my EDC gun and it is 100% stock. I don't dick around with my personal protection gun.....I keep it just like the engineers designed it. I assume they are smarter than I am about the gun.

 

[cciman]

What about putting a 6lb striker spring in for extra insurance? Will that cause any problems? And will the increase in trigger pull weight be annoying?

I had light strikes with my 26 many years ago, since then, I use a Wolff Xtra power striker spring in all my Glocks. Glocks have the lowest striker energy compared to all other guns on the market I've tested (dirty secret). With the xtra power spring it's better, but still less than others.

You may notice a increase in trigger pull weight, but that's the compromise.

 

[GlocketyGlock]

My Glock 19 is my EDC gun and it is 100% stock. I don't dick around with my personal protection gun.....I keep it just like the engineers designed it. I assume they are smarter than I am about the gun.

Good advice. I ask questions and figure out things I don’t know. I may do nothing more than put a new 5.5 lb spring in and keep it clean. But I’m going to ask about another possibility

I had light strikes with my 26 many years ago, since then, I use a Wolff Xtra power striker spring in all my Glocks. Glocks have the lowest striker energy compared to all other guns on the market I've tested (dirty secret). With the xtra power spring it's better, but still less than others.

You may notice a increase in trigger pull weight, but that's the compromise.

I read that lowest energy bit somewhere.

So, I certainly don’t want to lighten the trigger. What about using a heavier striker spring and a lighter connector to balance it out. Would that cause problems? I assume there would be some trade off like the break not being as crisp or something.

 

[mavs]

Good advice. I ask questions and figure out things I don’t know. I may do nothing more than put a new 5.5 lb spring in and keep it clean. But I’m going to ask about another possibility



I read that lowest energy bit somewhere.

So, I certainly don’t want to lighten the trigger. What about using a heavier striker spring and a lighter connector to balance it out. Would that cause problems? I assume there would be some trade off like the break not being as crisp or something.

Assuming a bunch of crap after you screw around with yout gun is just a bad, bad idea. What is it that you have had failure with your Glock with all stock parts on it? I'm going to guess.....NOTHING !

Leave the dam thing alone.