More Glock Upgrades

    This round we test Crimson Traces LG laser and LGT weapon light, a Seattle Slug gun weight, and a stainless guide rod.

    0

    In the April 2014 issue, we took a look at a few of the upgrade and part options for Glocks, including sights, triggers, and barrels. This time we add a laser guide rod and a weight to balance the polymer pistol. We placed these accessories on one Gen 4 Model 17 and two Model 22s, one a Gen 4 and one a Gen 3 former police issue. We tested all of the parts individually to evaluate what difference they would make, considering ease of installation, performance difference, and price as the main grading points. All the parts were supplied by Brownells, and the stock numbers and pricing reflect recent citations rounded to the nearest dollar.

    In the previous test, we gave an A grade to a 5.19-inch-long threaded stainless barrel from Storm Lake ($197, #842-000-096WB, Mfr. Part: GL179MM51901TT) and a C grade to a match-grade 4.49-inch stainless tube made by Wilson Combat ($160, #965-397-017WB, Mfr Part: 379). We also gave an A grade to Zev Technologies GlockWorx adjustable fulcrum trigger system, the Ultimate kit ($250, #100-006-566WB, Mfr. Part: ZTFULULT4G9BLK). We thought both sight kits were better than the standard Glock sights with the squared U-shaped rear sights and front dots. The test units were a Brownells Glock 17 Sight Upgrade Kit ($200, #080-000-919WB), which included a Meprolight (Kimber) ML-10224 Tru-Dot Night Sight System for Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39; an MGW Glock Sight Adjustment Tool, and an Ed Brown Front Sight Tool for Glock. We also ordered a set of TruGlo tritium fiber-optic Brite-Sites ($90, #902-000-107WB, Mfr. Part: TG131GT1Y), yellow rear and green front. Both gained our top mark. Heres how the next set of upgrades fared:

    Laser, Gun Light
    Crimson Trace is one of the premier laser-sight manufacturers for firearms, and Brownells sent us both the LG-617 laser grip (#100-002-603WB, Mfr. Part: LG617 $199), and the LTG-736 flashlight (#100-008-841WB, Mfr. Part: LTG736, $129) attachment. Both lived up to expectations when we tested these two on a Gen 4 Glock 22, both individually and combined.

    The two attachments are compatible to fit on a pistol at the same time while adding only 2.3 ounces total weight. The flashlight weighs 1.5 ounces and the laser is a paltry 0.8 ounces. Installation is quick and simple.

    The flashlight is split down the middle and clips around the rail and trigger guard, running all the way back to the front strap. The laser requires removing the trigger housing pin and replacing it with a longer pin. Crimson Trace provides a punch and the longer pin. The assembly holds the laser securely around the back strap. Both laser and flashlight come with the appropriate batteries, so the box is all inclusive for immediate use. The laser and flight are both turned on and off by squeezing a pressure switch, the flashlight with the middle finger right below the trigger guard and the laser on the back strap.

    The laser protrudes out near the slide above the grip and can slightly interfere with a strong grip while racking the slide, we found. The flashlight is not adjustable other than an on/off switch below the LED, while the laser is adjustable for both windage and elevation. During our tests, the flashlight didnt affect accuracy, and the 100-lumen max output LED makes for clear, well lit targets even in relatively well lit areas. The laser was visible on all test distances even with the flashlight on, making for quick and easy target acquisition. Overall accuracy was not improved with the laser in our bench test on a well-lit indoor range, but when we dimmed the lights and tested offhand, our groups were much tighter and faster with the laser than without. In the bench test, our groups were consistently centered below the bull, despite adjustments to the laser to raise elevation, while in the offhand, groups were centered around the bull.

    Our Team Said
    For a self-defense or training pistol, the laser and light make a great addition, allowing for easier target acquisition and better lighting in dark houses. Their low weights make adding them to a EDC gun possible, if a suitable holster can be found. The laser fits on Glock Models 17, 17L, 22, 24, 34, 35, 37, 20SF, 21SF, while the flashlight is limited to Models 17,19, 22, 23, 37, and 38.
    Gun Tests Grade: A, LG-617 Laser Grip
    Gun Tests Grade: A, LTG-736 Gun Light

    Gun Weight
    Glocks, like many other polymer pistols, have a very different balance point and felt recoil than that of a steel-frame pistol, and those who seek to make the switch from 1911 to Glock can be in for an uncomfortable change in handling. The Seattle Slug made by Taylor Freelance shown at left (#100-000-013WB, $35) is a 3-ounce brass magazine guide that quickly installs into the grip to change the balance, felt recoil and provides an extended ramp for quick magazine changes. This slug will not fit a Gen 4 Glock, so we tested it on our Gen 3 former police issue Glock 22.

    The slug has two methods of install, and depending on your Glock, you can use whichever one works. First is a set screw that holds from the outside in through the lanyard loop at the base of the frame and protrudes out from the frame. The other is a smaller set screw that starts out flush with the slug and is then unscrewed into the lanyard loop to hold the slug in place from the inside of the frame. Our Gen 3 22 loop hole was not big enough for the external option, but it did allow us to use the internal screw. Because this did not leave a bump on the base of the grip, we didnt mind. Overall, the fit and feel of the Glock was changed considerably with the added weight of the slug, although our accuracy was not drastically improved from the bench rest.

    Our Team Said
    We like the way the Seattle Slug changed the handling of the pistol, and we will probably keep it in the Gen 3. But we would like to have been able to fit it to a Gen 4 model as well.
    Gun Tests Grade: B

    Standard Spring Assembly
    A recent change to Glock pistols is the dual-spring recoil assembly in the Gen 4s. Brownells sent us a stainless steel guide rod (#100-006-811WB, $13.99) from Glockparts.com, along with a recoil conversion insert (# 100-006-810WB, $8.49) to allow a Gen 4 to use a standard guide rod and spring assembly, shown at left.

    The stainless-steel guide rod and conversion kit didnt quite fit our Gen 4. The guide rod is well machined and threaded on top, so springs can be changed often without ruining the plug, like on the factory rod. The conversion kit fit nicely into the slide of the Gen 4 and held the spring just like its supposed to. The problem occurred at the other end of the guide rod. The Gen 4 Glocks dual spring guide rod assembly is bigger on both ends of the guide rod, and when replaced, the new rod sits at an angle severe enough to make us question how long this set up would last.

    We tested the steel guide rod and recoil conversion kit in our Glock 22s, since we have both a Gen 3 and a Gen 4, having cannibalized the spring from the Gen 3. To install the guide rod is simple, and this is a great opportunity to change recoil springs, although the guide rod doesnt come with one, so youll have to buy one ($8 each).

    Reusing the factory spring requires some work, although a C-clamp makes short work of holding the spring down while some pliers pull the plug out of the factory guide rod. The recoil insert slides into the frame just above the muzzle from the inside of the slide and holds the new guide rod in place, again only necessary on Gen 4 models.

    Our Team Said
    The new guide rod functioned well in both models, but were hard-pressed to see why 95 percent of the shooters would ever need one. Accuracy and recovery were not improved. Perhaps the steel guide rod would be something useful for Glocks that see heavy use or need spring changes often.
    Gun Tests Grade: C

    Items installed and tested by Austin Miller. Written and photographed by Austin Miller. GT

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here