It is relatively easy to forget to clean your Glock 21 handgun after you use it, and you don’t necessarily need to clean it after every time you fire it, although it’s advisable to do so. However, after two or more uses, it’s essential that you clean and lube your gun to remove any powder residue.
Carbon buildup can cause your Glock to malfunction or to stop functioning. So to be on the safe side, clean your gun as regularly as you use it. You don’t always need to strip the gun down to give it a clean, but it’s necessary to do so if you use it regularly.
You should also clean and oil your gun if exposed to certain weather conditions or conditions for an extended amount of time. Failure to do so and certain problems may develop with the gun.
With that in mind, there are specific steps to cleaning a Glock 21. If you are a new Glock owner and have no idea of how to clean and care for your gun, here is how to go about it.
Step 1: Remove the Magazine
As a safety precaution, you must always remove the magazine from a firearm before you go ahead and clean it. Also, ensure there is no live ammunition in the area where you will do your cleaning.
Once you have removed it, lock the slide back to ensure that the chamber is empty.
Never clean a loaded gun, even if you are merely wiping it down to remove dust and dirt for safety purposes.
Step 2: Dry-fire your Glock and remove the slide
Point your Glock in a safe direction, and pull the trigger. Then grip your Glock and pull the slide back slightly. You are going to hear a click. Then, while you are still gripping onto your gun, pull down the release tab that’s on the side of your Glock, and hold it down, and the slide will come off.
Once you have done that, you should have two pieces, the slide, and the frame.
Step 3: Clean the frame
Clean the frame with a clean rug and some oil. You should put some oil in the trigger mechanism as well. Don’t use too much oil as that may cause your Glock to malfunction, and make sure that you use the right gun oil. There is a wide variety of gun oils in the market, specifically for Glocks and other similar guns, and many of them are affordable.
Step 4: Disassemble the slide
Take your slide, pop out the spring and the guide rod, and then pull out the barrel. Everything comes out easy. You don’t need any tools or special techniques to disassemble the slide.
Step 5: Clean the slide
Apply some oil on the slide and wipe it down with a clean rug to remove any powder residue. Make sure you apply some oil to the grooves inside the slide. Next, clean the firing pin with a cleaning patch or clean rug to remove any powder residue.
Avoid applying any gun oil on the firing pin because oil collects grime and dirt. Lubing the firing pin may also cause your Glock to malfunction or not to function at all.
Step 6: Clean the barrel
Take a cleaning patch, wet it with a few drops of gun cleaning oil, and then attach it to your cleaning rod. Slide the rod through the barrel and then move it backward and forward to loosen any powder residue or fouling buildup.
Then take a bore brush, attach it to your cleaning rod, push the rod through the barrel and then scrub the entire bore vigorously. You’ll want to remove all the fouling, so take your time and do a thorough job.
Once you are happy and satisfied with the results, wipe down the barrel’s exterior with an oil-soaked rug or patch. Then dry the interior part of the barrel with a clean, dry rug or dry patch.
Step 7: Do a function check
Check the Glock’s barrel for cracks, obstructions, and bulges. Also, check that there is no residue left inside. Check the rest of the parts to see that they are thoroughly clean and functioning correctly. If you notice that there is some damage to either part, take your Glock to a gunsmith to have the damage fixed.
Step 8: Reassemble your gun
Once you are done with the function test, and you are satisfied that all the parts are clean, reassemble the slide, then attach it back to your Glock.
Make sure to check every single part of your gun for rust and corrosion.
Step 9: Oil your Gun
Once you have reassembled your Glock, wipe it down with an oiled rag and then store it in a safe place.
Glock maintenance tips
To ensure that your Glock functions properly every time you use it, make sure to clean and oil it regularly. Proper maintenance can extend the life of your gun and prevent malfunctions.
Most new gun owners may not know this, but you should clean and lubricate a new Glock before you fire it for the first time and do the same every time after you use it.
Even if you go for some time without firing your Glock, make sure to clean it at least once a month. It’s also important that you clean and oil your gun if it has been exposed to saltwater, rain, dust, dirt, snow, or perspiration.
Wrapping Up
Using a dirty Glock can be dangerous. Fouling and powder build-up can cause the moving parts of your gun to malfunction or to stop functioning altogether. It can also cause serious injury, especially if it malfunctions.
In light of that, make sure to clean your gun after you use it, as this can help prevent fouling build-up and keep your gun functioning properly. It does not take a whole lot of time to strip your gun and clean it. Thirty minutes to an hour is enough to give your precious Glock 21 a thorough clean.
