Safety First
The Glock 22. A name synonymous with reliability, ease of use, and widespread adoption by law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters alike. Its polymer frame, combined with its simple yet effective design, has made it a favorite among firearm enthusiasts. A crucial aspect of responsible Glock 22 ownership, however, lies in understanding how to properly disassemble it. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can confidently clean, maintain, and even troubleshoot your Glock 22. Remember, safety is paramount, and always handle firearms responsibly.
Gun Safety: The Foundation
First and foremost, before you even think about touching your Glock 22, you must ensure your safety and that of those around you. Gun safety isn’t a suggestion; it’s a non-negotiable requirement.
Always Treat the Firearm as if It’s Loaded
This is the golden rule. Even if you’re absolutely certain your Glock 22 is unloaded, treat it as if it’s ready to fire. This ingrained habit will prevent accidents.
Verify the Firearm is Unloaded
- Remove the Magazine: Depress the magazine release button and remove the magazine from the Glock 22.
- Visually and Physically Inspect the Chamber: Look into the chamber and verify it is empty. Then, cycle the slide to ensure any potential rounds are ejected. Use your finger, or a provided chamber flag, to confirm the absence of a cartridge in the chamber.
- Point the Firearm in a Safe Direction: Always direct the muzzle of the Glock 22 towards a safe direction, such as a solid backstop or an area where an accidental discharge would not cause harm or injury.
Additional Safety Precautions
During disassembly, small springs, pins, and debris can potentially fly off. Eye protection is a must.
A well-lit workspace allows for better visibility of small parts and makes the disassembly process easier and safer.
Remove all ammunition from your work area. Having live rounds present while working on a firearm is a major safety hazard.
This is another crucial rule of gun safety. Be mindful of your muzzle direction at all times.
Essential Tools and Materials
Before embarking on the journey of disassembly, you’ll need a few basic tools and supplies.
Required Components
- The Glock 22 Pistol: Obviously, you can’t disassemble the Glock 22 without the Glock 22 itself.
- An Empty Magazine (Optional): While not strictly necessary for disassembly, using an empty magazine can be helpful for function checks later on.
- Glock Disassembly Tool (or Suitable Punch): You will need a small punch to depress pins during disassembly. A specialized Glock disassembly tool is the easiest option, but any appropriately sized and non-marring punch will work.
- Cleaning Supplies: This includes gun-specific solvent, a cleaning brush (nylon or phosphor bronze), gun oil, and cleaning patches or swabs.
- Clean Work Surface: A clean and well-lit work surface provides a stable and organized environment for disassembly and reassembly. A gun cleaning mat can be a good choice to prevent scratches and help organize parts.
- Eye Protection: We’ve covered this, but it’s worth repeating. Protect your eyes.
Field Stripping the Glock 22
With your safety checked and your workspace prepared, let’s dive into the practical part: field stripping your Glock 22.
Clearing the Firearm
Let’s break down the field stripping into manageable steps.
Yes, we’re repeating this, because safety is the most important thing. Follow the same safety checks as outlined in the safety section. Always double and triple check.
Lock the Slide Back
With the Glock 22 unloaded, pull the slide all the way back. Now, lock it in the rearward position. This is done by engaging the slide lock lever. This action gives you easier access to the takedown lever.
Remove the Slide
With the slide locked to the rear, it is time to remove the slide. This is done by first locating the takedown levers, which are positioned on both sides of the frame, just above the trigger. Press down on both takedown levers simultaneously. This should be accomplished with relative ease, providing you’ve followed the previous steps. Then, with the takedown levers depressed, slide the slide forward off the frame.
Remove the Recoil Spring Assembly
Once you’ve removed the slide from the frame, you need to remove the recoil spring assembly. The recoil spring assembly is a single unit held in place by the guide rod and a spring. This can typically be pulled out from the front of the slide. Be mindful of the spring’s tension; it might be a little stiff.
Remove the Barrel
The barrel is now ready to be removed. Simply lift the barrel out of the slide.
Slide Disassembly: A Detailed Breakdown
The next stage of disassembly involves taking apart the slide.
Insert the Tool
Using a Glock disassembly tool (or a punch), push the tool through the hole on the right side of the slide. The tool is designed to push in the firing pin safety.
Press the Firing Pin Safety and Firing Pin
While holding the slide, ensure the firing pin safety is fully depressed. This will unlock the firing pin.
Remove the Slide Cover Plate
With the firing pin safety depressed, carefully push the slide cover plate downwards. It should slide out easily now that the firing pin safety is no longer hindering the action.
Removing the Firing Pin Assembly
With the cover plate removed, you can now extract the firing pin assembly.
Careful Extraction
Carefully remove the firing pin assembly. Watch out for the firing pin spring; it might be under tension.
Removing the Extractor and Extractor Depressor Plunger
The extractor is a crucial component for extracting spent casings. We’ll be removing it next.
Depress the Extractor Plunger
Using the Glock tool or a small punch, depress the extractor plunger. This will compress the spring.
Remove the Extractor
While holding the extractor plunger depressed, carefully remove the extractor. The extractor is typically seated in a slot on the slide.
Remove the Extractor Depressor Plunger and Spring
Now, remove the extractor depressor plunger and spring. They should easily come out once the extractor is out.
Frame Disassembly: Getting Deeper
The next step involves disassembling the frame. This step allows for thorough cleaning and maintenance.
Remove the Slide Stop Lever
The slide stop lever needs to be removed from the frame. Locate and push the slide stop lever pin out, typically from the right side of the frame. The slide stop lever will come out easily once the pin is released.
Remove the Trigger Mechanism Housing
The trigger mechanism housing (also known as the trigger mechanism housing) is the “core” component that contains the trigger bar.
Remove the Trigger and Trigger Bar Assembly
The trigger and trigger bar are now ready for removal. Be mindful of their orientation. Note how the trigger bar connects to the firing mechanism. Carefully remove them, paying close attention to how they are connected.
Disassembly of the Glock 22 frame is now complete.
Cleaning and Lubrication
Proper cleaning is crucial for the longevity and reliability of your Glock 22.
Clean Each Component Thoroughly
Use a suitable gun solvent and a cleaning brush (nylon or phosphor bronze) to thoroughly clean all the disassembled parts, including the slide, barrel, and frame components. Pay special attention to removing any carbon buildup. Use patches or swabs to wipe away any remaining residue.
Wipe All Parts Dry
Once cleaned, wipe all parts completely dry. Ensure no solvent remains, as it can interfere with lubrication.
Apply a Thin Coat of Gun Oil
Apply a thin coat of gun oil to all the moving parts. Here are some key areas to focus on:
- Slide Rails
- Barrel (inside and outside)
- Trigger Bar
- Firing Pin Assembly
- Extractor Depressor Plunger
- Any other points of friction
Reassembly: Bringing It All Back Together
Reassembling the Glock 22 is simply the reverse of the disassembly process. It’s a matter of carefully putting the components back in their places.
Reassemble the Frame
Carefully reassemble the trigger assembly and other components. Ensure the trigger bar and connector are correctly placed. Be sure to put everything back in its rightful position.
Reassemble the Slide
Reassemble the slide with the same attention to detail. Start with the extractor, firing pin, and related components.
Recoil Spring, Barrel, and Slide
Once the slide is reassembled, replace the barrel, recoil spring, and slide.
Function Check: Ensuring Everything Operates Correctly
After reassembly, perform a thorough function check.
Insert an Empty Magazine
Insert an empty magazine into the Glock 22.
Rack the Slide
Pull the slide back and release it several times. The action should be smooth and without any resistance.
Dry Fire the Firearm
(With an empty chamber!) Pull the trigger to ensure the firing pin functions correctly.
Slide Lock Function
Make sure the slide locks back after inserting and removing the magazine.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful reassembly, problems can occur. Let’s address a few common issues.
Stuck Parts
If a part seems stuck, don’t force it. Check if you’ve missed a step, or if there’s any debris obstructing the process.
Parts Not Fitting Properly
Ensure you’ve correctly oriented the parts. Re-examine the disassembly steps to make sure you haven’t missed anything.
Trigger Issues
If the trigger doesn’t function correctly, re-check the trigger bar, connector, and spring placements. Ensure the safety mechanisms are functioning properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ability to disassemble and reassemble your Glock 22 is a fundamental aspect of responsible firearm ownership. By following the steps in this guide, you’ve equipped yourself with the knowledge and skills to maintain your firearm properly, troubleshoot common issues, and ensure its reliable operation. Remember to practice these procedures carefully, and don’t hesitate to seek additional resources or guidance from qualified gunsmiths if you’re unsure about any aspect of the process.
