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While I have always been a bit suspect when it comes to using a .22 conversion kit, I finally decided to take the plunge and purchased one to use on my Glock 34 from the Glock Store in San Diego, ($318.59 delivered) https://www.glockstore.com/ . My first impression was very positive, professionally packaged, quality workmanship and timely delivery.
As a Glock Armorer, I am familiar with Glock products, and after a detailed examination and wipe down, I attempted to install it on my Glock 34. I could not get it installed. I immediately called the Glock Store and was told that they could/would not help me and that I had to contact the manufacture directly.
My next call was to Advantage Arms, where I spoke to a very pleasant lady who immediately diagnosed the problem. She told me that a few of the recently manufactured kits had a bit too much lock tight used in one area and that it had migrated into the extractor grove and locked the extractor in place. She then offered to send me a return shipping label, and further explained that it was in fact a very easy fix, and if I wanted to do it myself, she would send me a free magazine for my troubles.
I told her I would give it a try. The fix was in fact more than simple, and within about 10 seconds I had what appeared to be a working conversion kit.
I planned on going to the range the following day, so everything was packed in preparation.
Once on the firing line, I loaded the magazine with 10 rounds of CCI Mimi Mag, (the recommended ammunition) and began shooting, the first round fired and I had an immediate jam. Cleared the jam and fired one addition round and another jam. The entire session went that way. I was on one occasion able to fire 3 rounds without a jam, but out of 100 rounds total, literally every other round jammed.
I packed up and while in the car I called Advantage Arms, in an attempt to speak with the same person I had talked to previously. No luck, it was 1:05PM, and their phone business hours are from 9:00am to 1:00PM daily. Seeing as how I was at Oak Tree Range in Newhall, and Advantage Arms is 15 minutes north in Valencia, I decided to drive there and speak to someone in person.
Upon arrival, I spoke with a pleasant older gentleman, who at first told me there was nothing they could do at that time and I would have to leave my kit. I replied “fine, I didn’t expect an immediate fix". He then said "oh let me take a look" and disappeared into the back with my kit. A few minutes later, he came back and asked for my Glock lower, as he wanted to test it on my gun.
I indicated that I would like to watch the test fire, he agreed and we walked to the back of the building to a small test range. He loaded a magazine and immediate experienced similar failures and jams as described above. A bit more fiddling and he was able to fire 4 full ten round magazines without any issue or failure.
I asked him what the issue was and he indicated that there is a small recess machined into the top of the chamber at the 12:00 position and that it needed to be cleaned up a bit. I thanked him and left with two additional magazines “for my trouble”.
Lessons learned:
1. I am still suspect when it comes to conversion kits, we will see if my now repaired/serviced kit works as advertised.
2. I am not very happy with the lack of support and response I got from the San Diego Glock store. I would expect a retailer to stand behind a product they sell, and not blow me off and tell me I had to contact the manufacture directly.
As a Glock Armorer, I am familiar with Glock products, and after a detailed examination and wipe down, I attempted to install it on my Glock 34. I could not get it installed. I immediately called the Glock Store and was told that they could/would not help me and that I had to contact the manufacture directly.
My next call was to Advantage Arms, where I spoke to a very pleasant lady who immediately diagnosed the problem. She told me that a few of the recently manufactured kits had a bit too much lock tight used in one area and that it had migrated into the extractor grove and locked the extractor in place. She then offered to send me a return shipping label, and further explained that it was in fact a very easy fix, and if I wanted to do it myself, she would send me a free magazine for my troubles.
I told her I would give it a try. The fix was in fact more than simple, and within about 10 seconds I had what appeared to be a working conversion kit.
I planned on going to the range the following day, so everything was packed in preparation.
Once on the firing line, I loaded the magazine with 10 rounds of CCI Mimi Mag, (the recommended ammunition) and began shooting, the first round fired and I had an immediate jam. Cleared the jam and fired one addition round and another jam. The entire session went that way. I was on one occasion able to fire 3 rounds without a jam, but out of 100 rounds total, literally every other round jammed.
I packed up and while in the car I called Advantage Arms, in an attempt to speak with the same person I had talked to previously. No luck, it was 1:05PM, and their phone business hours are from 9:00am to 1:00PM daily. Seeing as how I was at Oak Tree Range in Newhall, and Advantage Arms is 15 minutes north in Valencia, I decided to drive there and speak to someone in person.
Upon arrival, I spoke with a pleasant older gentleman, who at first told me there was nothing they could do at that time and I would have to leave my kit. I replied “fine, I didn’t expect an immediate fix". He then said "oh let me take a look" and disappeared into the back with my kit. A few minutes later, he came back and asked for my Glock lower, as he wanted to test it on my gun.
I indicated that I would like to watch the test fire, he agreed and we walked to the back of the building to a small test range. He loaded a magazine and immediate experienced similar failures and jams as described above. A bit more fiddling and he was able to fire 4 full ten round magazines without any issue or failure.
I asked him what the issue was and he indicated that there is a small recess machined into the top of the chamber at the 12:00 position and that it needed to be cleaned up a bit. I thanked him and left with two additional magazines “for my trouble”.
Lessons learned:
1. I am still suspect when it comes to conversion kits, we will see if my now repaired/serviced kit works as advertised.
2. I am not very happy with the lack of support and response I got from the San Diego Glock store. I would expect a retailer to stand behind a product they sell, and not blow me off and tell me I had to contact the manufacture directly.
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