[cwk28]

Hello, first post here, but I am not at all new to Glocks. I wanted to post my issue here first in hopes that I can A) resolve the issue without having to send my pistol to Georgia, and B) possibly help someone else who is having the same issue.

Since buying this G19 used, I've periodically experienced light primer strikes. At first, the malfunctions were sporadic, probably once every 100 rounds. I attributed this to A) the subpar training ammo I use, and B) break in time. The issue has never really resolved itself, and todays range visit produced one light strike in almost every magazine I fired. Out of roughly 75 rounds I had 5 light strikes. Ammo used was Federal aluminum 115 grain.

As this is my main carry gun, this is a pretty serious issue. Until this problem is rectified I simply won't risk carrying it. Any insight, help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Below I've attached all pertinent photos, but if you'd like more please don't hesitate to ask.

Edit 1: there appears to be a small amount of build up in the striker channel, but nothing extreme. Perhaps that's enough to keep the gun out of battery?

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[cwk28]

More shots of striker channel

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[cwk28]

Pictures of primer strikes on rounds that went down range;

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[jonb32248]

I have a G19 gen 2/3 that was doing the exact same thing. I replaced the RSA and striker spring and it went away. Probably the RSA was the culprit.

 

[cwk28]

Photos of rounds that did not fire

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[cwk28]

I have a G19 gen 2/3 that was doing the exact same thing. I replaced the RSA and striker spring and it went away. Probably the RSA was the culprit.

Isn't the gen 4 dual spring supposed to prevent this kind of thing though? I thought that was one of the premises behind going to a dual recoil spring.

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[jonb32248]

I don't know, how old is the gun and how many rds. thru it. But anything can fail even if it's brand new. The cost is low for a RSA and spring, might be worth it to try.I paid $21. I think.

 

[jonb32248]

There's not too many things that can cause it.

 

[cwk28]

I don't know, how old is the gun and how many rds. thru it. But anything can fail even if it's brand new. The cost is low for a RSA and spring, might be worth it to try.I paid $21. I think.

Total round count is probably near 1k.

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[L-2]

My thoughts after reading post#1 and seeing the photos.

It's good you know how to remove the firing pin and clean out the firing pin channel. Q-tips and compressed air can help with the clean out.

I don't see evidence of out-of-battery issues as the primer strikes appear to be well-centered, even on the photo showing the lightly hit primers.

A serious issue would be if your carry ammo has light-strikes resulting in failures-to-fire. I don't think this aluminum-cased 115 gr. FMJ ammo will be the carry ammo.

Do get a new Glock-brand firing pin spring. As this is a used gun, it's difficult to determine if the existing firing pin spring is weak, has a lower poundage, or cut-short, without comparing to a new spring.

Examine the firing pin or compare the firing pin to a new firing pin to determine if it's a Glock firing pin. The primer hits appear to be round instead of rectangular as a Gen1-Gen4 firing pin would look.

Hopefully, there's been no alterations to the trigger bar by inhibiting the striker from getting fully pulled to the rear, but that could be something else to look at.

There was no alternative testing of this batch of ammo in another gun or another Glock. Accordingly, I'll suspect this batch of ammo, unless further info/testing is done.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Can you post a picture of your firing pin assembly (striker, springs, cups, sleeve as it sits right now), and also your firing pin safety?

 

[jonb32248]

I don't know how many rds. are expected out of a dual spring or any type of RSA. Glock replaced mine and I didn't have anywhere near that amount.

 

[DirectDrive]

With this used gun light striking, you have no idea what springs are in that thing.
I would bet that someone changed out the OEM striker spring for a reduced power striker spring from an aftermarket supplier.

#1 first thing I would do would be to put an OEM striker spring in there.
These are 5.5lb
An even better idea would be to freshen all the springs with OEM (Glock) springs.

ETA:
The OEM striker springs that I have seen lately are a flat silver, sort of galvanized color.
Aftermarket striker springs are usually a darker color.

 

[Mike-M]

Welcome to the General Glocking forum.

Does the Recoil Spring Assembly have a high number of rounds on it. You omit generation info in your narrative, but is seems to be a Gen3 G19 with its single-spring RSA. A dual-spring RSA should be replaced every 5000 rounds. A single-spring RSAs should be replaced every 3000 rounds.

A single-spring G19 RSA costs $5 direct from Glock:

https://store.teamglock.com/glock-recoil-spring-assembly-g19-g23-g23p-g32-g38.html

A dual-spring G19 RSA costs $12 direct from Glock:

https://store.teamglock.com/glock-dual-recoil-spring-assembly-g19-gen4.html

Are there ANY non-OEM parts anywhere in the pistol? Has the slide ever been cerakoted?

When the pistol is empty, slide closed, and the trigger has been pulled and remains in the fully-pulled position, shaking the pistol from front to back should result in hearing the Firing Pin freely moving in its channel in the slide. If it can not be heard moving freely, there is an obstructed Firing Pin channel, due most likely to debris or a worn Firing Pin Safety or a worn Trigger Bar or a history of cerakoting.

Clean that pistol and perform a detail-strip and cleaning of the slide.

 

[cwk28]

Can you post a picture of your firing pin assembly (striker, springs, cups, sleeve as it sits right now), and also your firing pin safety?

Absolutely.

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[CDR_Glock]

I have had issues with Blazer Aluminum, also.

No issues with any brass cased ammunition.

I removed my aftermarket connector, and it helped with aluminum cased ammunition. I think the primer has something to do with it.

I have read some people having issues with dirt in the striker channel but mine is clean. I also read changing the striker spring might help but I didn’t try that.


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[Mr Meeseeks]

Absolutely.

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Good news that your FPS isn’t chewed up, so no early release of FP. It’s hard to tell fro, the picture, does your firing pin spring have a galvanized coating on it or is it a dull bronze color? It looks aftermarket but I can’t say for sure. The $2 factory FP spring will set off even super hard primers. Expect your trigger weight to go up and your reliability to go up if you swap an OEM in (assuming the pictured one is aftermarket).

Sucks to have to eat a lot of shipping for a $2 part, but it may be your best option. If you’re located near a GT Distributors, they carry Glock parts. Call around to other LE Pistol Distributors near you and maybe somebody will stock parts
https://www.ebay.com/p/GLOCK-Part-Firing-Pin-Spring-24n-Silver-SP00063/2254490896

Make sure when you put the firing pin spring back on that the coil end doesn’t line up on the seam where the two cups meet.

 

[cwk28]

Welcome to the General Glocking forum.

Does the Recoil Spring Assembly have a high number of rounds on it. I can't tell what generation your G19 is, and you omit that important info in your narrative. A dual-spring RSA should be replaced every 5000 rounds. A single-spring RSAs should be replaced every 3000 rounds.

Are there ANY non-OEM parts anywhere in the pistol? Has the slide ever been cerakoted?

When the pistol is empty, slide closed, and the trigger has been pulled and remains in the fully-pulled position, shaking the pistol from front to back should result in hearing the Firing Pin freely moving in its channel in the slide. If it can not be heard moving freely, there is an obstructed Firing Pin channel, due most likely to debris or a worn Firing Pin Safety or a worn Trigger Bar or a history of cerakoting.

Clean that pistol and perform a detail-strip and cleaning of the slide.

You're correct, I did not mention this is a Gen 4, my mistake. The RSA has roughly 1K rounds. The slide has not been cerakoted, and as best I can tell all parts/pieces are OEM. I can hear the firing pin rattle freely when testing as you described.

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[cwk28]

Good news that your FPS isn’t chewed up, so no early release of FP. It’s hard to tell fro, the picture, does your firing pin spring have a galvanized coating on it or is it a dull bronze color?

It would appear to be some sort of coating.

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[cwk28]

Also, completely forgot to mention this. When pulling the slide to the rear, the gun seems to almost be stuck in battery, like sticky in a way. It's not a smooth release from lock to unlock. Is that typical in a gen 4?

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