The dreaded Glock ejection issues

[ray1970]

Well, my gen 3 Glock 17 is starting to piss me off a bit. It has always had weak and erratic ejection since day one, sometimes sending hot brass into my face or on top of my head. Never bothered me too terribly much because reliability was 100% and all the empty brass was leaving the gun. But, on my last couple of range trips, I've had a small handful of brass refuse to leave the ejection port causing a stoppage. Kind of like a stove pipe situation but the brass was in a horizontal orientation.

Anyhow, this is unacceptable to me and I am going to fix it.

The internet is full of info on this issue. So full of info it is hard to sort the good from the bad. I'd rather not send it off to Glock for repairs since the thing is so easy to work on and I don't mind spending a few bucks to make it run properly.

My plan of attack, I think, is to install the latest, gen 4 ejector along with the Apex extractor and spring and a factory Glock "spring bearing" for a non-loaded chamber indicator extractor.

Anyone with any real world experience with this issue or anyone actually using the Apex extractor, please chime in.

Thanks.

[kwando]

I haven't had any problems with BTF. But I am interested in the info for future. Subscribed

[ray1970]

For what it's worth, I have a newer production gen 3. Pretty sure it was mid to late 2012 production. It has the extractor with the "dip" on the top of it and the ejector with the 336 stamped on it as it currently sits.

I have also heard some people install the factory 40 cal ejector and it seems to take care of their issues but that just doesn't seem like the right thing to do.

[BuffCyclist]

Did you buy it new or used?

When you remove the slide plate, is there a white plunger that sits between the slide plate and the extractor spring? I had a G22 that I bought from Jensens that was missing this white piece and it caused tons of malfunctions.

Does the extractor slide freely in the groove? Could be that its slightly larger and rubbing on something, causing some friction?

[BPTactical]

Call Glock with your serial # handy. It may be subject to an upgrade.

[ray1970]

Bought it brand new. Currently has around 600 rounds through it. It has the black spring bearing thingy that rests against the slide cover. I think Glock uses different colors for different calibers. The extractor moves freely and isn't binding.

[ray1970]

Call Glock with your serial # handy. It may be subject to an upgrade.

Trying to avoid all the shipping it back to them hassle. Can't I just upgrade it myself?

[BuffCyclist]

One last thing, I assume this is with factory ammo? I only ever have this problem with weak extraction when I use my reloads, which I usually load lighter because 1) thats the charge they're most accurate at and 2) its easier to pickup brass when its 2ft away and in a nice pile.

If you really don't want to send it back, you could always try stretching the extractor spring just a tiny bit to make it slightly longer, increasing the spring force, though I don't know if that'd help at all.

Not sure how much it would matter, but is the recoil rod/spring factory and look okay? If you have another glock you could pilfer one from, try that too. It seems to me that if that is too stiff it'd cause the action to cycle slower and with less force on extraction. But that shouldn't be the new Gen4 style (double spring) so I don't see how that would be it. I heard the Gen4's had a lot of problems with 9mm extraction because of that double recoil spring.

I know how much a malfunctioning glock can be (old G22) so I feel for you. Hope you get it sorted out quickly!

eta: I'm no glock expert, just tossing ideas out there to help cover all angles and maybe spark an idea in someone else's head.

[ray1970]

Thanks for all of the replies. I will get it sorted out one way or another or it will get traded off for an M&P or something else.

I haven't noticed any negative reports on the Apex extractor so I might just go that route and see what happens.

[dan512]

I had the same issues with a gen 3 19. I threw in a new apex extractor and that got it all sorted out. However, it did take a couple mags before it "broke in." My two cents is try that first and see what happens before you modify the gun or start messing with other parts. If that doesn't do it, then maybe look at the ejector. Also, stripping the gun down and cleaning it never hurt anyone.