You won't believe what broke on my Glunk!

[dogcaller]

This one threw me for a loop.

So I have an old G19--Gen 2 I believe, circa mid-90s--that I bought new and has been my primary carry piece over the years. It probably has 10-15k rounds through it. I've made no changes to it other than sights and the recoil spring a couple of times, just to be safe. I've had two broken trigger return springs in that time, the second one being just a month or so ago.

I'm not exactly useless, but I tend not to fiddle with the internals of my handguns too much, recognizing my own limitations, and figuring they were designed that way for a reason. Having not detail stripped the gun in many years, I watched a video and replaced the trigger return spring (OEM).

Fast forward a couple of weeks and I head to the range. The first few rounds worked fine, then I get a click instead of a bang. Tap-rack-(no)bang. Detail strip again, thinking I must've reassembled it incorrectly when I notice the striker doesn't have much of a pointy end. Looks like the tip sheared of pretty cleanly. Pic here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a1fWOjArTXMpmGhLVGvSln2u2ek7CIMR/view?usp=sharing).

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this? Seems like a low-probability type of incident, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention. I'll order a new striker. Planning to just buy OEM, but is there any advantage to an aftermarket model? I don't think the lock time is the problem when my rounds go wide, but figured I'd ask. Also, are all G19 strikers the same (through the generations)?

Thanks!

[GJM]

I have broken the tip off a striker a few times over the years, and would just get another OEM replacement and carry on.

[BN]

This one threw me for a loop.

So I have an old G19--Gen 2 I believe, circa mid-90s--that I bought new and has been my primary carry piece over the years. It probably has 10-15k rounds through it. I've made no changes to it other than sights and the recoil spring a couple of times, just to be safe. I've had two broken trigger return springs in that time, the second one being just a month or so ago.

I'm not exactly useless, but I tend not to fiddle with the internals of my handguns too much, recognizing my own limitations, and figuring they were designed that way for a reason. Having not detail stripped the gun in many years, I watched a video and replaced the trigger return spring (OEM).

Fast forward a couple of weeks and I head to the range. The first few rounds worked fine, then I get a click instead of a bang. Tap-rack-(no)bang. Detail strip again, thinking I must've reassembled it incorrectly when I notice the striker doesn't have much of a pointy end. Looks like the tip sheared of pretty cleanly. Pic here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a1fWOjArTXMpmGhLVGvSln2u2ek7CIMR/view?usp=sharing).

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this? Seems like a low-probability type of incident, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention. I'll order a new striker. Planning to just buy OEM, but is there any advantage to an aftermarket model? I don't think the lock time is the problem when my rounds go wide, but figured I'd ask. Also, are all G19 strikers the same (through the generations)?

Thanks!

If that's a black colored striker, it was in the recall that wasn't a recall from the late 1990s. There are several parts that Glock would replace. I'd contact Glock. If your trigger bar is also black it will need the upgrade.

[deputyG23]

This one threw me for a loop.

So I have an old G19--Gen 2 I believe, circa mid-90s--that I bought new and has been my primary carry piece over the years. It probably has 10-15k rounds through it. I've made no changes to it other than sights and the recoil spring a couple of times, just to be safe. I've had two broken trigger return springs in that time, the second one being just a month or so ago.

I'm not exactly useless, but I tend not to fiddle with the internals of my handguns too much, recognizing my own limitations, and figuring they were designed that way for a reason. Having not detail stripped the gun in many years, I watched a video and replaced the trigger return spring (OEM).

Fast forward a couple of weeks and I head to the range. The first few rounds worked fine, then I get a click instead of a bang. Tap-rack-(no)bang. Detail strip again, thinking I must've reassembled it incorrectly when I notice the striker doesn't have much of a pointy end. Looks like the tip sheared of pretty cleanly. Pic here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a1fWOjArTXMpmGhLVGvSln2u2ek7CIMR/view?usp=sharing).

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this? Seems like a low-probability type of incident, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention. I'll order a new striker. Planning to just buy OEM, but is there any advantage to an aftermarket model? I don't think the lock time is the problem when my rounds go wide, but figured I'd ask. Also, are all G19 strikers the same (through the generations)?

Thanks!
We have issued hundreds of Glock pistols from the gen 2 G17 to our current G3 and 4 G23s.
I have replaced three strikers for this reason since the ‘90s.
Just get a new one put in and keep shooting.

[Lost River]

I would replace it with a Gen3 factory striker and not worry about it at all. Stuff breaks when you use them.

For years I have kept a parts kit stashed away with all sorts of factory parts, "Just In Case".


https://i.imgur.com/Oj02wUA.jpg

I figure I can rebuild 1 Glock a half dozen times, or a half dozen Glocks once.

Same with ARs.

Plus there is a sense of security knowing you are not at the mercy of a supply chain in times of unrest.

https://i.imgur.com/D8Y2pkR.jpg

[Duelist]

I like to buy two of anything that breaks on a gun: one to replace the currently broken part, and a spare for the next time (even if that's another 10 years from now).

One of the reasons I finally converted to almost exclusive use of Glocks for serious stuff is that it doesn't take a gunsmith to replace pretty much anything on it, and they rarely need anything replaced, anyway. I mean, good night, 15k rounds through one gun, you've broken two springs and a striker. That's a pretty good record.

[Mark D]

Parts do break. I lost a trigger return spring in a HK. Now I keep track of my round counts and replace high wear compenents on a preemptive basis.

[JohnO]

I've seen the locking lug shear clean off a G22 barrel.

[CleverNickname]

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this? Seems like a low-probability type of incident, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention. I'll order a new striker. Planning to just buy OEM, but is there any advantage to an aftermarket model? I don't think the lock time is the problem when my rounds go wide, but figured I'd ask. Also, are all G19 strikers the same (through the generations)?

Yes, I had that happen last year on the G17 I use for USPSA. Went to a match, and when I started trying to shoot on the first stage, got nothing when I pulled the trigger. Tap, rack and still nothing. Tap, rack again and still nothing. Crap, are my reloads really that terrible? Then after RO stopped me, I took the gun apart in the safety area and found the striker was broken. I got to shoot my carry gun that match.

[GearFondler]

I go with the Overwatch Precision striker just to avoid this possibility. It's milled, not MIM, but otherwise identical to the OEM striker... No lightening cuts, holes, or other nonsense that could create a breakage or compromise safety.
(I learned my lesson with a milled and lightened striker from a well known source that broke at the striker's tail... As in the whole fucking tail snapped off. I'm sure they would have replaced it for free but I wasn't interested in another one, having lost all faith in the product)

[Lost River]

When I was working overseas I kept a complete bolt carrier group on a ziplock bag that had a bit of motor oil in it. The bag was wrapped in a rag and shoved in my pack, that I kept in my vehicle. I figured that the vast majority of rifle related issues could be handled in the field by just swapping out BCGs. Plus if I had a gun go down, I did not have to to be doing any analyzing, I just needed to get it up and running, and that was a simple way to handle it.

I never ended up using it, and nobody else did either, which was fine, but it was good insurance to have, and took up little space.

[dogcaller]

I go with the Overwatch Precision striker just to avoid this possibility. It's milled, not MIM, but otherwise identical to the OEM striker... No lightening cuts, holes, or other nonsense that could create a breakage or compromise safety.
(I learned my lesson with a milled and lightened striker from a well known source that broke at the striker's tail... As in the whole fucking tail snapped off. I'm sure they would have replaced it for free but I wasn't interested in another one, having lost all faith in the product)

Is the OEM striker MIM...?

[GearFondler]

Is the OEM striker MIM...?Yes they are, for quite a while now. Even so, they rarely break, but as you found out it does happen.
But a milled part can also break, so there's that too... Shit happens, stuff breaks.

[dogcaller]

Parts do break. I lost a trigger return spring in a HK. Now I keep track of my round counts and replace high wear compenents on a preemptive basis.

I agree, and really have no complaints. Was mostly just curious if this was unusual. I was surprised because it seems like a relatively low-wear part.

Even at $50, replacing a striker after 25+ years and many thousands of rounds is a pretty amazing ROI. I probably paid $400 for the Glock. The same Glock that was in the same Kramer IWB#3 for my first-born's birth (he's now a Marine), and at the birth of my daughters, four and then eleven years later, respectively.

Speaking of which, that Kramer IWB#3 is as good today as the day I got it--maybe a bit better.

[Navin Johnson]

This one threw me for a loop.

So I have an old G19--Gen 2 I believe, circa mid-90s--that I bought new and has been my primary carry piece over the years. It probably has 10-15k rounds through it. I've made no changes to it other than sights and the recoil spring a couple of times, just to be safe. I've had two broken trigger return springs in that time, the second one being just a month or so ago.

I'm not exactly useless, but I tend not to fiddle with the internals of my handguns too much, recognizing my own limitations, and figuring they were designed that way for a reason. Having not detail stripped the gun in many years, I watched a video and replaced the trigger return spring (OEM).

Fast forward a couple of weeks and I head to the range. The first few rounds worked fine, then I get a click instead of a bang. Tap-rack-(no)bang. Detail strip again, thinking I must've reassembled it incorrectly when I notice the striker doesn't have much of a pointy end. Looks like the tip sheared of pretty cleanly. Pic here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a1fWOjArTXMpmGhLVGvSln2u2ek7CIMR/view?usp=sharing).

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this? Seems like a low-probability type of incident, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention. I'll order a new striker. Planning to just buy OEM, but is there any advantage to an aftermarket model? I don't think the lock time is the problem when my rounds go wide, but figured I'd ask. Also, are all G19 strikers the same (through the generations)?

Thanks!


Great title....so original.....

[JCN]

This may not be a popular answer, but I tend to keep a low round count carry gun and have a second one that I run until it needs cleaning or breaks.

Because stuff breaks and 15,000 rounds could be 10 years or could be 1 year... and do you replace things early preemptively or just have peace of mind with a backup?

[dogcaller]

This may not be a popular answer, but I tend to keep a low round count carry gun and have a second one that I run until it needs cleaning or breaks.

Because stuff breaks and 15,000 rounds could be 10 years or could be 1 year... and do you replace things early preemptively or just have peace of mind with a backup?

I think it's actually a pretty popular answer on PF, likely more so than on some other forums. It's a good practice. I'll admit that the G19 has been my primary, but not only CCW piece. I'm (apparently) not willing to limit myself to just one, nor to buy a duplicate P226, 1911, P7m8, etc. I do have a G17 that doesn't get much use and a G34 (cheater gun), but I find the G19 to be just different enough that those don't really count as stand-in trainers...

This has gotten me thinking about spare parts I need to purchase, though, for a variety of pistols. I usually think of springs--I wouldn't have expected to need a replacement striker. Perhaps wrongly, but I don't really think of it as a high-wear item. ...and they say dry fire of modern centerfires is not problematic, so I don't know what would have caused it. I'll do some rooting around re: the spare parts kits; I'm certain plenty of smart people have thought it through and shared it before.

[Greg]

If there are any GSSF matches near you, bring the old 19 to the armorer.

They’ll replace all the parts that have been superseded by newer versions without charging you for it.

[HTM]

Yes they are, for quite a while now. Even so, they rarely break, but as you found out it does happen.
But a milled part can also break, so there's that too... Shit happens, stuff breaks.

Glock firing pins are milled. They are not and never have been MIM.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GearFondler]

Glock firing pins are milled. They are not and never have been MIM.


Sent from my iPad using TapatalkI don't work for Glock so I can't say anything more than most of the community, including other manufacturers, believe that Glock has switched to MIM firing pins.

[HTM]

I know for a fact. I have a good friend that has worked there for a long time. It takes 13 seconds to mill them. They have never been mim and are not today.

This rumour has mostly propagated by the aftermarket manufacturers to sell their parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UNM1136]

I have had the tip of the striker break off. I run a $uarez NP3 striker now. Because I wanted NP3, not because I lack confidence in the OEM striker.

Like Lost River all the parts I swap out have the OEM parts residing in a plastic organizer so I have spares and can quickly go back to OEM. I just got a screaming deal on a Supermatch NP3 slide, so now my parts kit includes a G17 Gen4 MOS slide assembly, assembled. Or it will as soon as I order my lower 1/4 cowitness FO sights from Dawson.

A more interesting break I repaired this year was on a 2 pin Gen 2 G19. Gun was a working gun for almost 30 years, no armorer maintenance, tens of thousands of rounds. A couple of Pat Rogers agency contract pistol courses. Anyway, the Chief during quals was getting repetitive "clicks" instead of bangs on the line, so I deadlined his gun. The extension on the top of the trigger bar had worn down to the point that it was't able to consistently lift the striker block up high enough to allow the striker to fall.

Rebuilt the side assembly in 20 minutes, as the moving parts were pretty battered. Replaced the triggerbar, and for good feelings, the pins and trigger housing.

pat

[blues]

I have had the tip of the striker break off. I run a $uarez NP3 striker now. Because I wanted NP3, not because I lack confidence in the OEM striker.

Like Lost River all the parts I swap out have the OEM parts residing in a plastic organizer so I have spares and can quickly go back to OEM. I just got a screaming deal on a Supermatch NP3 slide, so now my parts kit includes a G17 Gen4 MOS slide assembly, assembled. Or it will as soon as I order my lower 1/4 cowitness FO sights from Dawson.

A more interesting break I repaired this year was on a 2 pin Gen 2 G19. Gun was a working gun for almost 30 years, no armorer maintenance, tens of thousands of rounds. A couple of Pat Rogers agency contract pistol courses. Anyway, the Chief during quals was getting repetitive "clicks" instead of bangs on the line, so I deadlined his gun. The extension on the top of the trigger bar had worn down to the point that it was't able to consistently lift the striker block up high enough to allow the striker to fall.

Rebuilt the side assembly in 20 minutes, as the moving parts were pretty battered. Replaced the triggerbar, and for good feelings, the pins and trigger housing.

pat

My Gen2 G19 (12/88) went back to Glock in 2017 after I found a crack / chip at the mag well. They replaced the frame with a Gen3 under warranty, (only option available through them), and updated internals while there. I guess it should be good through 2046. :cool:

[Darth_Uno]

I go with the Overwatch Precision striker just to avoid this possibility. It's milled, not MIM, but otherwise identical to the OEM striker... No lightening cuts, holes, or other nonsense that could create a breakage or compromise safety.
(I learned my lesson with a milled and lightened striker from a well known source that broke at the striker's tail... As in the whole fucking tail snapped off. I'm sure they would have replaced it for free but I wasn't interested in another one, having lost all faith in the product)

Right. I've got a couple L2D strikers in mine, and they work fine, as they should. But so did the OEM's I had before. They do look cooler though, if you ever wanted to take it out and look at it.

All else being equal, I'd still bet on 1000 random milled strikers lasting longer than 1000 random mim strikers.