Anyone else's G19 frame rails look like this?

[Dwr302]

This gun is a gen 3 built around 2000. I would say that it has between 4000-5000 rounds. This gun was not abused, (no +p rounds). I noticed that my front rails looked cracked while cleaning. I cant say how long they've been like this, but I'm sure it's fairly recent. I sent these pics to Glock and the tech e-mailed back saying that it is normal wear that will not affect the function of the gun or the integrity of the rails. Do you buy that?

Edited October 27, 2014 by Dwr302

[jmbaccolyte]

Glock has a great reputation, but it looks to me like their tech dropped the ball. Most guys never shoot 5,000 rounds in their life, let alone through one gun. If you shoot this pistol like most people from here on out, I doubt there would be a problem and that may be what the tech is thinking. But what he or his supervisor doesn't realize is that all the infrequent shooters ask guys like you and the other shooters on this forum for advice on what gun to purchase. And that can have an impact on the company's future sales and their reputation. I don't claim to be an expert but it looks to me that Glock should fix it free or cheap, just to keep their reputation really good. Keep us informed.

Edited October 26, 2014 by jmbaccolyte

[BOOM]

I was going to recommend calling Glock, but 5000 rounds and you finally notice this? they do have a warranty it wouldn't surprise me if they fixed it. Call them

[jmbaccolyte]

I expect that its a manufacturing flaw and that it only became noticeable because 5K rounds were fired through it. And I agree with with Boom that you should keep talking to Glock. If they're as good as we hear, then they should fix it.

[Dwr302]

Hmm. I guess I shoot more than most folks. I'm thinking 5k rounds in the last 13 years is not a huge amount. Its my feeling that this has showed up fairly recently, I just can't be sure how long exactly. Alot of times, if I know I'm going to shoot it again soon, I'll just give it a quick wipe/once over and not a thorough inspection/cleaning. I usually shoot weekly weather permitting with several guns in rotation.

[jmbaccolyte]

Dwr302- I agree that 5K is not much on this forum, but I believe that most gun owners don't shoot much at all. I've known many law enforcement officers who only practiced for qualifications and only then when their last score had been close to failing. And I think the average gun owner probably doesn't shoot much if any more often.

And thanks for mentioning inspecting the pistol when cleaning, I usually just clean it and don't look for wear or damage as closely as I should.

[kneelingatlas]

If that were my Glock I'd shoot it until it locks up, then send it in.

[thegeneric]

Just checked my well "loved" Gen 2 Glock 17. Frame tails look perfect. I wouldn't be concerned unless there is a function issue.

[Brooke]

5000 rounds in 13 years is ridiculously small usage. The usage on my G34 is 2000-4000 per month and that isn't nearly as much as some others usage.

Those rails should not look like that. I'm not saying that you did not cause it because I have no idea what you might have done with the gun. On the other hand I have no reason to suspect that you caused it either.

Call Glock. The response you received seems wrong to me. You realize I guess that the frame will have to be replaced. The guides are insert molded so they can not be replaced.

[Dwr302]

5000 rounds in 13 years is ridiculously small usage. The usage on my G34 is 2000-4000 per month and that isn't nearly as much as some others usage.

Those rails should not look like that. I'm not saying that you did not cause it because I have no idea what you might have done with the gun. On the other hand I have no reason to suspect that you caused it either.

Call Glock. The response you received seems wrong to me. You realize I guess that the frame will have to be replaced. The guides are insert molded so they can not be replaced.

I agree, this is the kind of post I'm looking for. I want people to compare my pics to their guns with similar round counts and/or age. I can accept Glocks answer if most others are showing the same wear/damage.

[jmbaccolyte]

Its not normal. Glock may not care because most guys never shoot that much. Because of Glock's quality control and the number of rounds most people shoot they don't usually have these problems. As Atlas wrote:

If that were my Glock I'd shoot it until it locks up, then send it in.

Or just buy a new pistol and get on with it.

[fishsticks]

Here's a photo of mine. Gen3 G17, serial # SVH xxx, approximately 7-8,000 rounds worth of use. Almost all of that was 130 PF reloads. IMHO, your photo shows a defect, and I'd keep after glock to make it right. Maybe hit the local GSSF match and have the armorer look at it??

[9x45]

wow, that G19 looks brand new and clean, but no, those rails are not right.

[RangerTrace]

If that were my Glock I'd shoot it until it locks up, then send it in.

Maybe, if it's just a range gun.

[9x45]

This gun is a gen 3 built around 2000. I would say that it has between 4000-5000 rounds. This gun was not abused, (no +p rounds). I noticed that my front rails looked cracked while cleaning. I cant say how long they've been like this, but I'm sure it's fairly recent. I sent these pics to Glock and the tech e-mailed back saying that it is normal wear that will not affect the function of the gun or the integrity of the rails. Do you buy that?

I wouldn't agree that it is normal wear, I would say it was made that way. I have had over 20 different Glocks, one G21 that went over 125,000 rounds and while it had some wear, it was on the flat part where the slide contacts the rails. Here is a G17 that has about 100,000 rounds and it has some wear on the rear rails also. However, you might run that G19 to over 250,000 rounds without issues, like the Glock guy said. But it is not the way rails should look. Try posting over at GlockTalk.com and see if this has come up with someone else.

Edited November 5, 2014 by 9x45

[Dwr302]

I wouldn't agree that it is normal wear, I would say it was made that way. I have had over 20 different Glocks, one G21 that went over 125,000 rounds and while it had some wear, it was on the flat part where the slide contacts the rails. Here is a G17 that has about 100,000 rounds and it has some wear on the rear rails also. However, you might run that G19 to over 250,000 rounds without issues, like the Glock guy said. But it is not the way rails should look. Try posting over at GlockTalk.com and see if this has come up with someone else.

Yes I am on GlockTalk and GlockForum with over 4000 views. Only one guy on GlockTalk has marks like this on three of his rails and he has sent his back to Glock so we'll see. You may be right, it could have been made this way and I just missed it. Its not like me to miss something like this but I may have, I just don't know for sure. I was hoping a lot of other's Glocks had this so I could feel confident that it is a non-issue but so far, not. But, when I work the slide slowly w/out the barrel and spring installed, I can't see anything the could cause this. Also, the cracks don't show on the undersides. Seems to me that cracks developing on the top would be from stress coming down from the top but I would think that in reality the operation of the slide creates stress pulling up on the underside. This leads me to believe that it is a non-issue. However, I still struggle with the fact that so far pretty much nobody's Glocks have this.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Dwr302

[9x45]

The defects were produced during the upset forming process of the rails. You should check your made on date as there was a run of defective rails during that time period, mostly the radius was too small and they cracked off. I am a Millennium Member on Glock Talk, but haven't been there lately. It was alot more fun in the early days.