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Let me start by saying this is not the same issue as the older P80 Glock 19 Size Frames failing to return to battery issue that left a 1/4" or more gap where you could see brass. That was caused by a manufacturing defect with the P80 frame. I sadly experience that with a batch of frames and never did get it solved. Had to destroy the frames and move on. This is different. Although initially I feared it was the same problem. In this case the slide only barely would not go back into battery. And only with a specific slide, and that slide did it on multiple frames that other slides ran on flawlessly.
The slide in question is an early model Zev Enhanced SOCOM Gen 3 Glock 17 slide that has been failing to go into battery by like a 1/16th of an inch every 4 or 5 rounds. At first, I assumed it was the Polymer 80 frame needing more material removed or the rails polished. I did all of that. No luck. Then I put my later model Zev Citadel slide on the frame, and it ran flawlessly. I put that slide on another frame. Same issue. Natural assumption there is there is something wrong with the slide. Then I saw a YouTube video where they suggested going up in weight to 20lb guide rod spring. This made sense to me. Zev is know for having very tight tolerances. Much more so in the early years than today. The SOCOM slide is from several years ago and the Citadel slide is only two years old. P80 frames are not known for tight tolerances and drilled by hand using a jig. Therefore, I am both extremes' tolerances wise. To compensate for a very snug fitting frame (that moves like butter when working it by hand) a heavier spring being needed makes sense. They were certainly cheap enough, compared to the crazy expensive Zev slide. I pulled the trigger and bought one. Showed up in a few days. Took it to the range today and it ran great. 250 or so rounds through it without a single issue. Glad I did not give up on it and sell it. This is a super sexy slide.
I did read the increased weight of the spring may cause more wear and tear. Initially that might be a good thing. This slide could use some breaking in. Long term I hope that is not the case. But if it doesn't run then what good is it anyway? Others said it might dip on the follow up shots of a controlled pair or non-standard response. I have not seen that yet. But will keep an eye out for it.
Here is where I got the 20lb recoil guide rod assembly: https://ndzperformance.com/ndz-20lb-...a-g3-g17-gl20/
Here is what the completed gun looks like:
The slide in question is an early model Zev Enhanced SOCOM Gen 3 Glock 17 slide that has been failing to go into battery by like a 1/16th of an inch every 4 or 5 rounds. At first, I assumed it was the Polymer 80 frame needing more material removed or the rails polished. I did all of that. No luck. Then I put my later model Zev Citadel slide on the frame, and it ran flawlessly. I put that slide on another frame. Same issue. Natural assumption there is there is something wrong with the slide. Then I saw a YouTube video where they suggested going up in weight to 20lb guide rod spring. This made sense to me. Zev is know for having very tight tolerances. Much more so in the early years than today. The SOCOM slide is from several years ago and the Citadel slide is only two years old. P80 frames are not known for tight tolerances and drilled by hand using a jig. Therefore, I am both extremes' tolerances wise. To compensate for a very snug fitting frame (that moves like butter when working it by hand) a heavier spring being needed makes sense. They were certainly cheap enough, compared to the crazy expensive Zev slide. I pulled the trigger and bought one. Showed up in a few days. Took it to the range today and it ran great. 250 or so rounds through it without a single issue. Glad I did not give up on it and sell it. This is a super sexy slide.
I did read the increased weight of the spring may cause more wear and tear. Initially that might be a good thing. This slide could use some breaking in. Long term I hope that is not the case. But if it doesn't run then what good is it anyway? Others said it might dip on the follow up shots of a controlled pair or non-standard response. I have not seen that yet. But will keep an eye out for it.
Here is where I got the 20lb recoil guide rod assembly: https://ndzperformance.com/ndz-20lb-...a-g3-g17-gl20/
Here is what the completed gun looks like:
