NYPD “Phase Three” Malfunctions (Glock Problems)

The Gun Zone ^ | 2002 | Sean L. McMahon, Lieutenant, NYPD, Retired

[45Auto]

So begins the typical conversation about an annoying gremlin that has been irritating the New York City Police Department Firearms and Tactics Section (FTS) and Glock, Inc. for approximately six years. When NYPD began experiencing a specific type of malfunction, apparently endemic to the Glock Model 19 service weapon, sometime in 1996, the FTS coined the term "Phase Three" to identify this particular non-reducible stoppage, described as basically a jam where a fired casing is partially extracted, the case rim still solidly lodged under the extractor with the mouth of the casing firmly wedged against the barrel hood. The casing is not vertical in position as in a stovepipe malfunction, but rather horizontal, exactly on the same plane as would be a cartridge loaded in the chamber but higher.

[Pistolshot]

My favorite semiauto is the Model of 1911 in caliber .45 ACP. Its no accident that gun has been in the hands of millions of Americans for nearly a hundred years. Its design is nothing short of genius.

John Moses Browning WAS a genius. I have a Gold Cup that has gone through about 300,000 rounds, most of that while competing in IPSC for 7 years. In that time I have replaced 3 parts, 2 extractors and a mainspring.

Lately, I have had some "failure to feed" problems, the problem is the feed ramp has worn down and the timing is off. My solution will be to machine out the ramp area and replace it with a ramped barrel. It should last another few 100,000 rounds don't you think?

[Mr. Mojo]

(Glock Problems)

A redundancy if there ever was one.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Heckler and Koch a far superior weapon.

[VOA]

bump

[boris]

"I doan like em never will."

Yeah, me too. My objection has to do with ergonomics. It just does not "feel right" in my hand; too blocky and square. Also I hate the silly trigger with the silly lever.

Many friends tell me Glocks are fine weapons. Just not for me.

--Boris

[boris]

"Heckler and Koch a far superior weapon."

Yeah, and Sig.

[gc4nra]

"There's a lot of information and also a lot of personal opinion in this site. The poster does not necessarily agree or disagree with
the opinions expressed in this article."


Right, I can see by your screen-name that they're your favorite!

[Travis McGee]

I dunno.

[Eaker]

I had a Glock 22 and currently own A Glock 27. The only problem that I have ever experienced was a failure to feed caused by weak, single hand shooting.

Glock will figure the problem with the 19 out.

PS: My 27 is accurate enough to shoot a decent pattern at 100 yards.

Artillery brings dignity to an otherwise vulgar brawl.

[humblegunner]

PS: My 27 is accurate enough to shoot a decent pattern at 100 yards.

So I have seen.

[Joe Brower]

Interesting. I actually have a G19 that was bought used from the NYPD in mid-1998. Came with two hi-cap, er, regular-cap mags for $350. It has the extra-heavy trigger pull that the NYPD likes, which I find to be quite manageable. Dirtier than a dirt road when I got it. I scrubbed it thoroughly and ran over 1K rounds of about five different ammo types through it (Nato hardballl, 115gr & 124gr Federal, Cor-Bon and Rem. Golden Sabres) with zero malfunctions, and a fair bit of that shooting was rapid-fire self-defense regimen, shoot on the move, etc. I cleaned it after that, and have since run about another 2K through it with no problems.

Individual mileage, I suppose, will vary.

[AdamSelene235]

I had a Glock 22 and currently own A Glock 27. The only problem that I have ever experienced was a failure to feed caused by weak, single hand shooting.

Also have a 27 with a finger extension. Love it. It is the only handgun I own that has never jammed.

PS: My 27 is accurate enough to shoot a decent pattern at 100 yards.

Still working on that trick .

[archy]

..a Model 19 that suffered Phase Three stoppages so consistently that he had no choice but to get rid of it.

May have to stay away from used Glocks for a while.

Note that after the Israeli *Shin Bet* [General Security Service* began using the Glock 17 and 19 on a regular basis, the Israeli special unit YA'MAM began using them as well, primarily the Model 17, which they now issue to each of their antiterror unit operatives.

The Israelis have also reported difficulties with the Model 19 with its shorter and lighter slide when firing 9mm ball ammunition, though that may not be the cause of the problem at all- and their few thousand Glock pistols in service are likely not as statistically significant as the NYPD issue. Nevertheless, it's interesting to note the Israel preference for the longer pistol, and something less than an overwhelming landslide of demand for the Glock pistols in general there.

I've owned about a dozen Glock handguns over the last decade, now down to a Glock 17 9mm and a Glock 30 .45. I've experienced minimal problems with either, but prefer others for serious uses.

-archy-/-

[glock rocks]

I've owned about a dozen Glock handguns over the last decade, now down to a Glock 17 9mm and a Glock 30 .45. I've experienced minimal problems with either, but prefer others for serious uses. -archy-/-

yup. the G30 is the most reliable piece i've owned... for years, for thousands of rounds...
however, it will not teach you to recover quickly in the event of a jam like a 1911, kimber or wilson will...

i'm fond of the G26 when it comes to 9mm... it's my wife's piece... okay, she can carry the sp-101.

and, no, i carry a Sig P239. bigot? haw.

come on down to the next idpa utah state match, we'll trade war stories guys.

[R Sole]

I have a G21 .45 ACP. It has proven itself reliable, but it doesn't seem to like Chinese ammo.

[newwahoo]

Thanks for the ping. I actually came across this article while doing some research on my duty weapon selection. I find it to be even more credible then I did when I first read it, and it squares with what I have heard from various officers that I have come into contact with.

Basically it seems that its hit or miss when it comes to whether or not you get a "good one". Most never phase 3 and some are prone to it. If you have a good 19 I wouldn't worry about it. Lots of guys (probably the majority of the department)are still carrying it and have total faith in their individual Glocks.

As for me, I'm very close to range qualifying with my Sig P226. I've met some guys that are very happy with theirs, especially once they got the K-Kote finish. It might be a little too big for concealed off-duty carry (one of the strong points of the Glock 19 from what I hear), but we'll see.

[harpseal]

It sounds like a QA issue that Glock has to correctly diagnose and resolve.My personal take on the Glock is that it is generally a good reliable sidearm that has pretty much proven itself. I do not personally carry one or own one but know many who swear by them. Good to know about though.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[Cap'n Crunch]

Interesting article. I liked the Sig alot better.

[Rodney King]

Sounds like an ammo problem to me.