Glock Basic Disassembly/Assembly

 
This disassembly/assembly procedure was done on my Glock 30 (compact .45ACP). Regardless of frame size or caliber, all Glock pistols can be disassembled and assembled in the same manner. My Glock 30 has two aftermarket parts installed, a "clip grip" (clip removed), and a 3.5lb trigger connector. The read plate of the slide, due to the clip grip attachment, is different from a standard Glock but does not affect the way the pistol is disassembled. To the untrained eye, the 3.5lb trigger connector  is no different than the original factory trigger bar. With that out of the way, on we go!
 

1. PERFORM BASIC DISASSEMBLY

If you do not know how to do this, see this page first.
2. DISASSEMBLE SLIDE

Press down on the back plate of the slide and push it downwards off of the slide. You may have to depress the firing pin a little bit to do this, but I've never had a problem.
The firing pin will pop out of the end as well as the extractor spring assembly. Pull them both out.
Push down on the extractor plunger (the little silver button on the slide) and wiggle your extractor loose. There's a tiny spring below the plunger so take caution not to misplace it.
Grab your firing pin as shown. Placing your finger behind the rear of the firing pin, depress the spring and shake the spring retainers loose. (Some people like to cheat and use a bit of cleaning cloth or something to stuff the plastic with).
Photo of firing pin taken apart
Photo of slide completely stripped.
2. DISASSEMBLE THE FRAME

Photo of the frame. Punch out the top pin right-left, and then the larger bottom pin.

The button pin may or may not be harder to take out than the top pin. Just be careful, use a good punch, and a non-marring hammer--it'll come out.

On 9mm models, the top pin doesn't exist--so obviously there's nothing to punch out!
Pull your slide release up and out of the frame as shown in the photo to the right.
Take the locking block out of the frame. If it seems "stuck", use a small screwdriver or punch to gently pry it up.
Using a punch, tap out the pin in the rear of the pistol grip.
Grasp the rear rail, and pull the whole guts out of the frame! (It's my favorite part)
Photo of the other side of the trigger mechanism.
Twist out the trigger bar as shown. A small spring attaches the trigger housing and bar together.
Gently pry the trigger connector out of the trigger housing.
Press down on the slide stop, indicated by the red arrow in the photo on the right, and push it out from either side. There is a small spring clip you may have to depress just below the slide stop.
Photo of slide stop coming out of the pistol.
 

Okay, detailed disassembly is now complete! Figure out how to put it back together yourself!

 

No, just kidding! Onward to assembly!
1. ASSEMBLE THE FRAME

Start out be putting the trigger connector back into the trigger housing
Attach the trigger bar to the spring on the trigger housing. Rotate the bar into its proper position,
Photo of correct position.
Replace trigger and trigger housing back into the frame. Once all the "guts" are in there, replace the pin at the rear of the pistol grip.
Replace the slide stop into the pistol from either side while depressing the little spring clip. The "notch" should face the rear of the pistol.
Slide the locking block back into the frame as shown on the right.
Replace the smaller top pin into the frame (obviously, 9mm's skip this step)

Place the lower, large pin about half-way into the frame as shown on the photo to the right.
With the lower pin only half inserted, replace the slide release back into the pistol. It's proper position is in between the frame and the trigger, as indicated by the red arrow in the photo on the right. The little wire spring of the slide release sits underneath the first pin, which is why it is replaced first.

Once the slide release is in position, press the larger pin into place. It should not stick out of one side more than the other.
Photo of assembled frame.
2. ASSEMBLE THE SLIDE

Start out by putting the firing pin back together. Place the firing pin in it's plastic sleeve as shown in the photo on the right.
Place the spring over the firing pin as shown in the photo on the right.
Depress the spring (you can also cheat on this step by using cleaning cloths or whatever) and replace the two parts of the collar. The spring should slide over the collar and hold it in its proper position.

Photo of firing pin assembly.
Replace the extractor plunger and spring. Press down on the plunger and replace the extractor. Release the plunger. It it was inserted correctly, the extractor should stay in position when the plunger is released.
Place the firing pin assembly and extractor spring assembly back into the slide as shown on the right.
Press down on the firing pin assembly and begin to slide the backing plate back on. Use a small punch to push down the extractor spring assembly and fully replace the backing plate. Ensure the plate is fully seated.
 

The slide is now assembled!
 

Test the slide for function before replacing.

Press down on the extractor plunger and ensure the firing pin can move freely back and forth. Release the plunger and ensure the firing pin cannot be pushed forward far enough to be exposed. If everything works out--you've done everything correctly!
 

You may now assemble the pistol in a normal manner.