Posted: 6/27/2014 12:30:24 AM EDT
|
Background, Glock 22, all factory parts prior to this install. Not even a .25 trigger job.
Ok, so I bought this a few weeks ago and just got it in last week. After I installed it (yes, I put the top pin in first, before the trigger pin), it felt great on my hand. So, after a few mags at the range, I kept getting 'loaded lockbacks.' After field stripping my Glock, I noticed the Vickers part didn't have the same amount of tension as the factory one. I know most of the time it's 'operator error.' So I made sure my hand was NO WHERE near the slide stop, still got the lockbacks. Just to be sure, tried some left handed shooting, and continued to get lockbacks. It seems to occur around the first 3-6 rounds of the magazine. As a diagnostic, I put the factory Slide stop back in, and zero loaded lockbacks from then on. So, it was obvious the problem lies with the vickers part. So, I sanded and polished it, no changed. I got out a screwdriver and opened the mouth slightly to increase clearance space, no change. Tried changing ammo to 3 other brands, no change. Tried changing magazines, no change. Tried pulling the spring back further to create more tension, no change. I noticed the Vickers slide stop seemed to NOT move freely in the slot. So, tried filing it thinner, no change. Then I tried playing with slightly different angles, no change. It still doesn't snap down with the same speed/force as the Glock Factory part. After comparison back and forth between both parts, the Vickers seems like it has some sort of resistance/friction in the slot. I noticed 2 things: 1. When it locks back, slingshot only works half the time; the other half sticks on the slide stop. 2. When the slide is locked back on the LAST round, if I remove the magazine, and remove the slide; the Vickers Slide Stop just hangs in the upward position. It doesn't snap down like the factory. It feels like its too thick for the slot. But, I can seem to find out where it's hanging up on. I don't have calipers to compare thickness between both parts. I wish I did. For a 20.00 part, I'd expect better QC than this from TD. It's too bad, because it feels great. I assume its a fluke, all the other reviews I could find on Amazon, various forums etc seem to work just fine. Put the factory back in, fired 300 rounds, and the lockbacks disappeared. VERY VERY frustrated. 
I would greatly appreciate any ideas, theories and or suggestions. Thanks! |
| I know several experienced guys who use the Vickers slide stop/release. Having said that, I still believe they are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Return said part if you can for a refund, and use the factory one. Glock knows what they are doing when it comes to building a fighting handgun. |
|
Quoted:
As a diagnostic, I put the factory Slide stop back in, and zero loaded lockbacks from then on. So, it was obvious the problem lies with the vickers part. So, I sanded and polished it, no changed. I got out a screwdriver and opened the mouth slightly to increase clearance space, no change. Tried changing ammo to 3 other brands, no change. Tried changing magazines, no change. Tried pulling the spring back further to create more tension, no change. I noticed the Vickers slide stop seemed to NOT move freely in the slot. So, tried filing it thinner, no change. Then I tried playing with slightly different angles, no change. It still doesn't snap down with the same speed/force as the Glock Factory part. After comparison back and forth between both parts, the Vickers seems like it has some sort of resistance/friction in the slot. I noticed 2 things: 1. When it locks back, slingshot only works half the time; the other half sticks on the slide stop. 2. When the slide is locked back on the LAST round, if I remove the magazine, and remove the slide; the Vickers Slide Stop just hangs in the upward position. It doesn't snap down like the factory. Wow, instead of going through all that why not try contacting Tango Down? I once had a problem with a Vickers slide stop and they sent me a replacement ASAP. |
|
Quoted:
There. I fixed that for you. Quoted:
Quoted:
Remove it, bend the spring up a bit to add tension and re-install it. Common problem, super-easy fix. There. I fixed that for you. Didn't fix nothing for me. They work perfectly on my guns. The packaging does warn it may take a gunsmith to install it. |
|
I finally got it working; it seems like it was a 2 part problem.
The first part of the problem was that the slide stop doesn't lower on its own without the mag. And with the slide removed, it doesn't have the same degree of tension, and moves like it has excessive friction. Again, this part of the problem relates ONLY when the magazine is removed. The fix for the first part was in fact the spring tension, but only the upper arm of the spring. If the lower angle of the spring is disturbed; it makes the problem worse. The second part of the problem manifests when the magazine is present BUT feels like its the same problem. Attempts to fix this part of the problem can interfere with the function of the first part. I think this is what complicated my attempts to get it functional. The fix for the second part involves the angle of the part of the slide release that contacts the frame side and has the lever that folds over the left frame. NOT the angle that inserts below the locking block. When the mag is inserted, it hits/rubs against the Vickers part. When the stock part is present, that mag clears the part completely. The angle is only deviated by maybe a half millimeter, but that half millimeter interferes with the entire function. So, after some tweaking with needle nose pliers, I was able to get the slide release flush with the frame side; allowing the mag to clear it completely. As it does with the stock part. As of now, it's functional. But, the stock part is still smoother and snappier. After close side by side comparison, the thickness of the actual metal appears the same. But the width is different. The Stock part is significantly thinner at the arm that folds over the left frame side (where it rubs on the magazine), making the Vickers part heavier. Although probably not economically feasible, it would be nice if TD actually checked form and function before packaging. |
|
If you have a Vickers Ext Slide Release, here's a test to determine if its as reliable as the stock part. (In lieu of firing hundreds of rounds)
Lock the slide back, load a full magazine into your Glock WITHOUT releasing the slide, point in a safe direction, then turn the gun upside down while still maintaining a firm grip. Attempt to slingshot the slide into battery. Do this 10 times. If it snaps into battery every time, I speculate your probably GTG. If the Slide release does not release the slide on any of the 10 attempts, then it's may not be as reliable as the Glock OEM part. The Glock slide release works just as reliable upside own as well as right side up. The Vickers seems to continue to either have a restriction due to increased surface area on the rotating arm, have a weaker spring or yet unknown design flaw. Not sure. Although my Vickers is now functional, about 1 out of 10 attempts to slingshot the slide into battery upside down fails. It simply doesnt release the slide. The Glock OEM Slidle release functions flawlessly, as designed. And, seems to move in the slot freely and feels unimpeded. Although I did not use calipers, the pin diameter of both the Vickers and OEM appear exactly the same. When the parts and trigger pin is out of the Glock lower receiver, they appear to move around the trigger pin within the same range of motion. Neither is 'more loose' than the other. A subsequent trip to the range revealed 'loaded lockbacks' about every 5-7 rounds. And it didn't matter how I held the grip, fire rate or mag round count. |
|
The response I received from 'Tango Down'
Dear Fred, Thanks for your email. However, we are a little dismayed that, according to your attached link you have extensively modified your VT part without contacting us first. For future reference, we not honor any returns on modified/hacked parts. Since you have stated that you are a certified Glock Armorer, I would have looked at the slide stop pin groove diameter. We have found that both the OEM pin groove width, depth and overall diameter vary to a large degree. That’s the one thing that would prevent free travel of the slide stop, and create the lock back issue you experienced. However, other issues may be at play as well. I understand that you didn’t purchase the product from us or from a reputable dealer, but from Ebay. We currently have an ongoing case in cooperation with the FBI concerning knockoff TD, Inc product on that venue. That’s another possibility. Please call us Monday, and we’ll try to get to get your pistol sorted with better information. Regards, Jeff Jeff Cahill TangoDown Inc 4720 N. La Cholla Blvd Suite #180 Tucson, AZ 85705 520.888.3376 p 520.888.3387 f www.tangodown.com |
|
Ok, got my new Vickers/TD Ext slide release in the mail. (Win it on a bid on EBay for .99). The packaging compared together appear IDENTICAL. So, I'm not sure if the 'dysfunctional' slide lock was a fake. I don't think so at this point.
I applied and installed the new on, and it functions perfectly. I applied the 'test' and it passed and performed identical to the stock part. If you get a Vickers/TD Ext slide lock that causes a 'slide lock back', try the test I posted above. And if it fails, then you will know what is wrong; and how to fix it. |
|
Quoted: Ok, got my new Vickers/TD Ext slide release in the mail. (Win it on a bid on EBay for .99). The packaging compared together appear IDENTICAL. So, I'm not sure if the 'dysfunctional' slide lock was a fake. I don't think so at this point. I applied and installed the new on, and it functions perfectly. I applied the 'test' and it passed and performed identical to the stock part. If you get a Vickers/TD Ext slide lock that causes a 'slide lock back', try the test I posted above. And if it fails, then you will know what is wrong; and how to fix it. No way you bought a genuine item for .99 0% chance.  |
|
Quoted:
No way you bought a genuine item for .99 0% chance.
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ok, got my new Vickers/TD Ext slide release in the mail. (Win it on a bid on EBay for .99). The packaging compared together appear IDENTICAL. So, I'm not sure if the 'dysfunctional' slide lock was a fake. I don't think so at this point. I applied and installed the new on, and it functions perfectly. I applied the 'test' and it passed and performed identical to the stock part. If you get a Vickers/TD Ext slide lock that causes a 'slide lock back', try the test I posted above. And if it fails, then you will know what is wrong; and how to fix it. No way you bought a genuine item for .99 0% chance.
first thing i thought. |