If you’re unfamiliar with the term “field strip”, it means removing all the parts of your gun to clean them and ensure they’re in good condition. Field stripping is a crucial part of gun maintenance, and it’s something that should be done after each use.
It can be intimidating if you’ve never performed field stripping. First, you should visually inspect the chamber of a Glock 17 to remove any rounds. Next, pull the trigger with the gun pointed in a safe direction. Hold back the slide and release the locks on the sides. Lastly, remove the slide lock and depress the recoil spring assembly to remove it from the barrel.
This guide will show you how to field strip a Glock 17 so that it can be cleaned and maintained in top operating condition.
Why Should You Field Strip a Glock 17?
Field stripping a Glock 17 is a great way to ensure your gun is in working order and ready for action. It can also help you identify problems that might need to be addressed by a gunsmith. Field stripping a Glock 17 is an important part of cleaning and maintenance, so it’s something you’ll want to do every time you get home from a range visit or hunting trip.
Whether you’re a gun enthusiast or just looking for a way to pamper your Glock 17, field stripping can keep it in tip-top shape.
Field stripping will prolong the lifetime of your gun by preventing corrosion or residue build-up. For instance, rusted slide rails or slide stop levers could affect gun performance. Additionally, field stripping allows you to clean out any dirt and grime that may have accumulated in the interior of your weapon. You can also give your gun an extra layer of protection by applying lubricant.
If you live in a humid area or near the coast, your Glock 17 will likely suffer rust and corrosion problems. That will cause malfunctions and require more frequent maintenance checks.
A Short Brief on How to Field Strip a Glock 17
This guide will teach you how to field strip a Glock 17 handgun. The process is easy and can be done in just a few minutes, so don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with guns.
Eject Glock Magazine
First, unload the gun and remove the magazine. Next, pull back the slide lock and inspect the pistol chamber visually and physically before moving on to the next step. You must keep your finger away from the trigger.
Release the Slide Lock
With your hands on the slide, release the slide lock. After confirming that the pistol is unloaded, you can safely pull the trigger to release the firing pin. However, point the muzzle in a safe direction before pulling the trigger. You can only remove the slide when the trigger is rearward.
Remove the Slide Lock
To remove the slide lock, use your right thumb to move the slide about a quarter inch to the rear and then hold it there. Now, with your left thumb and forefinger, pull the take-down lever on both sides of the gun. Next, hold the take-down lever and move the slide to the front of the frame.
After that, you can remove the recoil spring, guide rod, and barrel from the slide.
How to Clean a Glock 17?
Cleaning your Glock is easier than you think. All you need are a few simple tools such as a dry brush, cleaning rod, patches, and the right cleaning solution. You can also invest in a 9mm Gun Cleaning Kit.
An extensive gun cleaning kit ensures you have all the essential supplies at your fingertips. First, remove the magazine from your gun and ensure no rounds are in the chamber. Next, set your gun on a gun cleaning mat or towel. After that, follow the procedure below.
Cleaning Glock Barrel
You’ll first want to remove any dirt or debris that may have found its way into your barrel. You can brush off the dust with a toothbrush or bore snake — a long piece of wire with a cleaning tip at one end — or by using patches and solvent. The copper brushes of the bore snake can remove carbon deposits from the interior.
Warning: Never use any kind of abrasive material when cleaning your gun. Abrasive materials can scratch the finish or even damage the metal underneath.
Once you’ve removed any visible debris from your barrel, use a solvent-soaked cloth on a cleaning rod to clean off any grease. A few drops of gun oil can help finish off this step.
This step ensures that the surface is clean from corrosion and any toxic materials that can damage it internally.
Cleaning Glock Frame
One area that often gets overlooked when cleaning a Glock is the frame. This part is important because it holds other components together and provides a structure for them to fit into. When cleaning your Glock frame, there are three things you should keep in mind:
- Use a soft cloth or brush with no abrasives.
- Do not use harsh chemicals.
- Make sure there is no debris left behind in any crevice or nooks where dirt could hide from sight.
Scrub the surface with a solvent-soaked brush to remove any dirt. It’s a good idea to leave it for a few minutes so that the cleaner can break the dirt and loosen it from the frame’s surface. After that, wipe off the solvent with a dry patch.
Tip: Force the gun brush into tight spaces to properly clean the frame or use an ultrasonic cleaner.
Cleaning Glock Slide
Glock slides can be tricky to clean and maintain. While the gun is designed to be simple, scratches in the slide rail can make it difficult to remove dirt and debris from your weapon. Therefore, this part takes a little longer to clean.
- Spread the cleaning oil on the surface and underside of the rail slides.
- Clean the surface with a gun brush. Make sure to clean the slide rail cutouts on both sides.
Leave the cleaning oil for five minutes and then wipe it with a cleaning cloth. Make sure to force clean tighter spaces with a gun brush. But if you use a cleaner, lube, and protectant, you don’t need to wipe off the solvent completely.
Lubrication
Once everything is cleaned, you must lubricate the internal parts and reassemble the gun.
Take a cotton cloth and add a couple of drops of gun oil to it. Next, wipe the outside of the barrel, leaving a thin oil film on its surface. Now wipe the inside top of the rack slide in front of the ejection port.
Next, wipe the opening where the barrel slides through. Also, add an oil drop to the slide cuts. Finally, wipe the outside of the slides and the point where the trigger bar touches the connector.
Once you complete the process, recheck your gun to remove unattended dirt or rust particles.
FAQ
How Frequently Should You Clean Your Glock 17 Pistol?
Cleaning your Glock 17 pistol is an absolute must. If you don’t keep it clean, it can lead to serious problems with accuracy, function, and even safety. Here are some tips for how often you should clean your Glock 17 pistol:
- Make sure to clean after each time you use the gun to prevent rust from forming on the barrel and inside the slide.
- Clean more frequently if you plan to shoot at an indoor range or in wet environments. These environments can cause moisture to build up in your gun, which can cause corrosion and rust over time.
- Clean more frequently if you tend to shoot often — the more rounds that go through your firearm, the more dirt and grime will get into it from residue build-up from previous shots.
- Clean your Glock 17 once a month if it’s not in use.
What are the Necessary Precautions for Disassembly?
During field stripping, always double-check whether your gun is unloaded. Since the process requires pulling the trigger, it becomes a critical step to avoid unintentional discharge.
Also, keep your finger away from the trigger all the time. Put it on the trigger only when you are ready to pull it.
Do All Glock 17 Disassemble the Same Way?
The disassembly method is the same for all Glock 9mm models, i.e., Glock 17, G19, G26, G34, G43, G45, and G48.
Conclusion
Knowing how to field strip your Glock 17 is important because it will help you maintain and clean your pistol more efficiently. It is essential to field strip your Glock 17 when it misfires, feels rough, or jams during loading or unloading.
Basically, if you notice something weird, you should disassemble the weapon and inspect each part of the gun carefully to ensure they are working properly. Happy shooting!
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