After a 500 round training session with my trusty Gen 4 Glock 19, I went to clean the gun. When pulling the trigger for dis-assembly, the slide fell onto the concrete with a sound I that still haunts me. What the heck? Closer inspection showed that the slide lock was missing. It wasn’t on the floor with the slide. In fact, it was nowhere to be found at all. . .
I have no idea where it went, but suspect the little bugger disappeared while shooting. Maybe it broke and fell out. The slide lock spring is also slightly bent, but not too badly.
I contacted the Glock gnomes and they were happy to send out parts – but only to a “certified armorer.” I found one who could get the parts for me and thus far have been waiting a month. The armorer claims Glock hasn’t sent the parts yet, but let’s just say I’m a little skeptical. Perhaps it’s time to find another armorer. It’s a crying shame, too, because replacing the spring and slide lock is stupid simple. Even an insurance company caveman could do it.
I’ve shot quite a few rounds through the gun since, and, amazingly, it still works just fine. Must be that “perfection” Glock likes to talk about. The slide lock only holds the slide on after firing on an empty chamber. In any case, I’m not sure I’d recommend firing the gun in this condition, and I am currently not carrying it this way. If this happens to you and you decide to fire the gun, though, just remember the slide is going to fall off if you depress the trigger on an empty chamber. Ask me how I know…