Glock Pro Forums banner

For new Glock shooters: Jams and "Limp Wristing"

11K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  arniceous 
#1 · (Edited)
If you are new Glock handguns, you may experience some ammunition feeding or cycling problems (usually called "jams") as you begin to familiarize yourself with your pistol. This note attempts to explain a common cause of these malfunctions, and to prescribe a cure.

The Glock is a recoil-operated pistol: in order for it to cycle completely (fire, extract, eject, reload) the slide must fully retract under recoil and then go fully forward into battery.

  • If the slide retracts and closes fully, after firing the empty cartridge case is extracted from the chamber and ejected from the breech, then a new cartridge is stripped off the magazine by the slide and loaded into the chamber, ready for the next shot.

  • If the slide does not retract fully, depending on how far it cycles you may experience a variety of malfunctions, including failure to extract fully, failure to eject completely, or ammunition feeding jams.

During the recoil operation cycle, the pistol frame must be held steady against the pressure of the slide recoiling. If the pistol is not held steady, the slide will not retract fully and the cycle will not complete, resulting in a jam.

The comparatively light weight of the Glock offers less inertia than a heavier steel-framed pistol to resist recoil and help the pistol cycle. You must replace that inertia with a firmer grip in order to make the Glock function smoothly. This is the case with every other lightweight polymer-framed pistol, it is not unique to Glock.

If you don't hold the pistol firmly, allowing it to move back too much under recoil, you are preventing the slide from retracting fully, and you will experience cycling problems. This inability to control the pistol sufficiently is often called "limp wristing", an odd but accurate description of the cause.

The cure for this problem is a correct, firm grip. I recommend the two-handed "thumbs forward" grip, which is very commonly taught in handgun instruction.

We have literally dozens of threads on this topic, here is one to begin with: http://glock.pro/glock-pistols/5672-while-range-how-grip-glock-pistol-3.html#post63427

Chris
 
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: TheLaw
#5 ·
Yes, shoot it a lot, shoot it safely, clean and lube your GLOCK every time, and enjoy it!
 
#7 · (Edited)
Sound wisdom Unfortunately retraining your hand positioning will relieve the deathgrip if you use modified weaver with thumbs over safety in a single /double action semi most polymer frames are lighter but especially Glock with no external safety the thumb over thumb will not stabalize the weapon even less. Therefor both thumbs forward along slide must be used, however try switching your push pull methode related to modified weaver between the thumb and index finger palm to tang clasping both thumbs right over left. Side crossed . You now can fire a polymer Glock frame no external safety in modified weaver.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top