How to Field Strip a Glock

When it comes to maintaining the reliability and performance of your Glock handgun, field stripping is an essential skill that every owner should master. This straightforward process allows you to disassemble your firearm for routine cleaning and inspection, ensuring that it remains in optimal working condition. It is also the starting point for many upgrades you will want to make to your firearm. 

If you’ve just purchased your first Glock, however, you might not know how to perform a field strip, which is why we’ve laid out the steps you’ll need to take in order to perform this routine function. 

We recommend you practice field stripping your handgun several times after purchase. Practicing will allow you to grow comfortable with the process and become more proficient at it. 

How to Perform a Field Strip

Step 1: Ensure Safety

Before you begin, make sure your Glock is unloaded to prevent any accidental discharge. Simply remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release button, and then pull back the slide to visually and physically check the chamber to ensure it’s empty. 

Many operators like to cock the slide twice and then do a visibility check of the chamber. This is done out of an abundance of caution. 

Once confirmed, release the slide to return it to its forward position.

Step 2: Release the Slide

To field strip your Glock, you need to partially retract the slide. There are a couple of techniques to doing this, but the most common is to hold the pistol in your dominant hand, and with your thumb and fingers, pull the slide back about ½ an inch. This slight retraction can be difficult to master at first, but is crucial for the next step.

Step 3: Pull Down on the Slide Lock

With the slide slightly retracted, use your other hand to pull down on both sides of the slide lock, which is located just above the trigger on both sides of the frame. This action will release the slide from the frame.

Step 4: Remove the Slide

Once the slide lock is pulled down, you can gently push the slide forward and off the frame. Depending on how far forward the slide has released, you may need to pull the trigger to get a full release. Be sure to keep a firm grip on the frame as you remove the slide to prevent it from falling.

Step 5: Remove the Recoil Spring Assembly

With the slide now detached, you can remove the recoil spring assembly. This is the spring located just above the barrel. Carefully compress the assembly forward slightly, then lift it up and out of the slide. Be mindful as the spring is under tension.

Step 6: Remove the Barrel

The final step in field stripping your Glock is to remove the barrel. Simply lift the barrel slightly by the chamber end and slide it forward out of the slide. Your Glock is now field stripped and ready for cleaning and inspection.

Cleaning and Inspection

With your Glock field stripped, you can now proceed to clean and inspect each component. Use a quality gun cleaning solution and tools to remove any dirt, residue, or fouling from the barrel, slide, frame, and recoil spring assembly. Pay special attention to the slide rails on the frame and the corresponding grooves in the slide, as these areas are crucial for smooth operation. Inspect each part for signs of wear or damage, and replace any components as necessary.

Reassembly

To reassemble your Glock, simply reverse the field stripping process. Insert the barrel back into the slide, followed by the recoil spring assembly, ensuring it’s properly seated. Align the slide with the frame rails and slide it back onto the frame. Once the slide is fully retracted, release it to return it to the forward position. Perform a function check by pulling the slide back to ensure it moves freely and locks into place. Finally, reinsert the magazine, and your Glock is ready for use.

Author: Justin Trump

Justin Trump is the managing editor and head honcho of CAT Outdoors, an online firearms hub for gun reviews and information. The son of a Vietnam veteran, he’s an avid gun enthusiast and 2A advocate. He holds two patents for AR-15 cleaning tools. When not managing CAT Outdoors, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, rooting for Michigan sports teams, and serving his church.