Glock Slide Lock Spring Replacement Instructions

WHAT IS A GLOCK SLIDE LOCK?

On the outside of the pistol, the Glock slide lock comprises those two little knurled tabs that stick out either side of the frame just above the trigger. You have to pull down on these tabs to field strip or remove the slide from the receiver or frame. The tabs are actually part of a bar that runs from side to side inside the frame of the pistol. This bar locks into a corresponding slot of the slide assembly and keeps the slide from coming off the frame.

HOW DOES A GLOCK SLIDE LOCK WORK?

The “lock” is simply a bar that runs across the frame from side to side. There is a little piece of spring metal (the slide lock spring) that runs underneath it which keeps upward pressure on the slide lock. There is a groove in the slide lock into which the spring locks into. The bar lock keeps the slide on the frame. It allows the slide to ride back and forth for recoil but does not allow the slide to ride forward and off the frame. When you pull it down all you are doing is clearing the path for the slide to ride off the frame. It is a very simple part with a very important function.

Glock Slide Lock shown in it’s “Up Position”.	When the tabs are pulled down the slide lock is lowered within the frame.
This is the slot where it “locks into” on the slide.	See how it lines up with the slot in the slide assembly.

REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT

The slide lock is used to field strip the gun and take the slide off.  The Glock pistol has a very simple and straight forward design. Once you have a basic understanding of how each part works and what it’s purpose is, it’s very simple to work on whether you are cleaning parts or replacing factory parts with after market parts that may perform a little bit better. These instruction will tell you how to take out and put it back in.

GLOCK SLIDE LOCK REMOVAL
	REMOVE THE SLIDE Field strip your Glock per procedure Glock Field Strip Instructions. Note – complete field strip is not required, just removal of the slide from the receiver.
	IDENTIFY THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING The spring is that thin strip of spring steel inside the frame. If you push down on the end nearest the slide lock you can feel the tension of the spring as it moves slightly.
	PUSH DOWN ON THE SPRING Using a screw driver, punch or other tool push down on the end of spring closest to the slide lock (not shown in picture). This will lower the slide lock and disconnect the spring from the corresponding slot in the slide lock.
	REMOVE THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK With the spring still depressed, turn the frame on it’s side and shake or wiggle it out of the frame.
	BACK SIDE This is the back side of the Glock Slide Lock. Make sure that when you reinstall it that this side faces towards the rear of the pistol.
	FRONT SIDE This is the front or forward side of the Glock Slide Lock. Take a close look at it. See the little notch at the bottom? That is where the slide lock spring fits inside the slide lock. The spring not only applies upward pressure to the slide lock it also keeps it aligned and in place.
	THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING If you wish to remove or replace the spring perform procedure Glock Slide Lock Spring Replacement Instructions.
GLOCK SLIDE LOCK INSTALLATION
	PLACE THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK INTO THE SLOT When installing, make sure the hooked face is installed facing towards the back of the gun. Insert and rest of it into one of the side slots of the receiver.
	DEPRESS THE SPRING It does not matter which side of the Glock frame it is installed in. Apply downward pressure to the spring again then push the slide lock into place. It is very simple and easy to do. As you push it into place you will hear the spring snap into the bottom slot of the slide lock, securing it into place.
	TEST IT Pull down on the slide lock tabs to make sure it is operating properly, then reinstall the slide and perform another field strip of the gun to make sure it is working properly.

WHAT ARE EXTENDED GLOCK SLIDE LOCKS?

Some aftermarket slide locks are elongated so that they stick out of the frame a little bit more than the factory slide locks and they are more serrated. They are usually easier to grip and have a sharper feeling to it which makes it easier to get hold of. It’s a definite improvement over the stock part. Aftermarket slide locks are very cheap and are generally under $30. It is a very good performing piece and well worth the investment especially if you have difficulty grasping the factory Glock slide locks.. They are especially helpful to shooters who have arthritis, weak fingers or long fingernails.

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WHAT IS A GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING?

The slide lock spring is a “L” shaped piece of spring steel that is installed into the frame or receiver of a Glock pistol. When installed, this spring mates with the slot in the slide lock and pushes it upwards against the frame. The spring also keeps the slide lock aligned within the frame.

HOW DOES A GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING WORK?

The Glock slide lock is simply a bar that runs across the frame from side to side. There is a little piece of spring metal (the spring) that runs underneath it which keeps upward pressure on the slide lock. There is a groove in the slide lock into which the spring locks into. The bar lock keeps the slide on the frame. It allows the slide to ride back and forth for recoil but does not allow the slide to ride forward and off the frame. When you pull down on the slide lock all you are doing is clearing the path for the slide to ride off the frame.

The spring pushes the slide lock into it’s “Up Position”.	When the tabs are pulled down, the spring is depressed and the side lock is lowered within the frame.

HOW DO YOU REMOVE AND REPLACE THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING?

Once the slide lock is removed, the removal and replacement of the spring is easy. It just pry’s out. Here are the instruction on how to do it.

GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING REMOVAL
	REMOVE THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK Remove the slide lock per procedure Glock Slide Lock Replacement Instructions. It looks like a little flat bar with knurled edges, but it performs an important function. It keeps the slide from coming off of the frame and acts as a release mechanism for field stripping the pistol.
	IDENTIFY THE SPRING The spring is that thin strip of spring steel inside the frame. If you push down on the end nearest the slide lock you can feel the tension of the spring as it moves slightly.
	SEE THE SPRING FROM THE SIDE SLOT Look at the spring from one of the side slots in the frame. You can see it in the picture high in the slot. When you reinstall the slide lock you will have to push down on the spring to get it beneath the slide lock.
	DISLODGE THE SPRING Using a thin punch or small screw driver push the spring upward from one of the side slots. This will help to dislodge it from it’s installed position.
	REMOVE THE SPRING Then with a flat head screw driver, from the top of the frame gently get under the spring and pry it out of it’s hole/slot.
	GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRINGPicture of a spring removed from the frame. The short end of the “L” shaped spring is the part that goes into the frame.
	The Spring & Slide Lock
	Orientation Of The Glock Slide Lock On Top Of The Slide Lock SpringThis is roughly how the slide lock sits on top of the slide lock spring.
	Orientation Of The Glock Slide Lock Spring With Respect To The FrameThis is the approximate position of the spring when it is installed inside the frame.
GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING INSTALLATION
	LOCATE THE SPRING SLOT See the little slot in the top of the frame? That’s where the short end of the spring gets pushed into. It is held in place by it’s tight fit.
	PLACE THE SPRING INTO THE SLOTInstall short end the spring into the slot on the frame.
	DEPRESS THE SPRINGPush down on the spring until it goes no further.
	THE GLOCK SLIDE LOCK SPRING IS INSTALLEDReinstall the Glock slide lock per procedure Glock Slide Lock Replacement Instructions.

Note: The above procedure illustrates the removal and installation procedure for a Glock 19 pistol. The procedure is the same for all Glock pistols. Normally you would never have to remove and replace the spring. It should last the lifetime of the pistol. The only reason I took out the spring was to see how it worked and to clean it.