Glock 26 Cleaning and Maintenance Master Class

1. Press the magazine catch (left side of frame, above trigger guard).
2. Remove the magazine and set it aside.
3. Rack the slide to eject any chambered round.
4. Visually and physically inspect the chamber.
5. Lock the slide open using the slide stop lever.
6. Inspect the chamber and magazine well.
7. Release the slide stop and let the slide return to battery.
8. Pull the trigger to release the striker (trigger remains rearward; it returns forward only when the slide is cycled).

1. Grip the slide with four fingers across the top.
2. Retract the slide approximately 3mm (about 1/8 inch). Do not pull back more than 3mm. Pulling back further resets the trigger forward and prevents slide separation.
3. Simultaneously pull down both sides of the slide lock using thumb and index finger of your other hand.
4. Push the slide forward until it separates from the frame.
5. Set the frame aside on a clean surface.

1. Push the recoil spring assembly slightly forward.
2. Lift the recoil spring assembly away from the barrel lug.
3. Remove the recoil spring assembly and set it aside.
4. Grasp the barrel at the chamber end.
5. Raise the chambered end slightly and move the barrel forward.
6. Lift the barrel clear of the slide.

The pistol is now separated into:

• Slide Assembly (with internal components still installed)
• Barrel
• Recoil Spring Assembly
• Frame Assembly
• Magazine Assembly

The barrel is removed from the slide as part of the field-strip procedure described above. No additional tools are required.

1. With the slide removed from the frame and placed muzzle-down on your work surface.
2. Push the recoil spring assembly forward and lift it away from the barrel lug.
3. Grasp the barrel at the chamber end, raise it slightly, and move it forward.
4. Lift the barrel clear of the slide.

Bore:

1. Run a solvent-soaked patch from chamber to muzzle. Do not pull patches backward through the bore.
2. Allow solvent to work for 2 to 5 minutes.
3. Run a bronze bore brush through the bore 10 to 15 times. Always brush from chamber to muzzle.
4. Run dry patches until they come out clean.
5. Inspect the bore for remaining fouling.
6. Run a lightly oiled patch through the bore for protection (remove before firing).

Exterior:

1. Apply solvent to exterior surfaces.
2. Scrub with nylon brush.
3. Wipe dry.
4. Clean barrel hood and feed ramp thoroughly.

Crown: Visually inspect for damage. Do not use abrasive tools on the crown.

• Apply a thin film of oil to the barrel exterior, particularly the barrel hood contact area.
• Do not leave excess oil in the bore before firing.

• Visually inspect bore for obstructions
• Check crown integrity
• Verify feed ramp smoothness
• Confirm barrel moves freely in slide with normal lug play

The recoil spring assembly is removed from the slide as part of the field-strip procedure.

1. With the slide removed from the frame, place it muzzle-down.
2. Push the recoil spring assembly slightly forward to release tension from the barrel lug.
3. Lift the recoil spring assembly away from the barrel lug.
4. Remove it from the slide.

1. Wipe the RSA with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Remove carbon buildup from the guide rod.
3. Inspect the spring coils for kinks or gaps.
4. Do not apply solvent or oil to the RSA. A dry wipe is sufficient.

• The RSA is a wear item. Follow the maintenance or replacement guidance for the applicable GLOCK model/manual, and use observed condition and function to identify reasons for earlier evaluation.
• Do not stretch or kink the spring during handling.

• Compress the spring manually, verify smooth operation
• Check captive retention (spring stays on rod)
• Verify straightness of guide rod
• Install in slide and confirm proper seating in barrel lug

1. Place the muzzle end of the slide on a smooth, flat surface.
2. Insert the non-marring punch under the firing pin lug and on top of the firing pin spacer sleeve.
3. Place your thumb firmly over the slide cover plate.
4. Push downward (toward the muzzle) on the spacer sleeve.
5. While maintaining downward pressure, slide the cover plate forward and off the slide.
6. Release pressure slowly under your thumb.
7. The firing pin assembly, spacer sleeve, and spring-loaded bearing will now be accessible.

1. Remove the firing pin assembly from the slide by pulling it straight back out of the channel.
2. Wipe the striker body with a clean, dry cloth.
3. Inspect the striker tip for damage.
4. Do not disassemble the firing pin spring from the striker body. Do not remove the spring cups.
5. Wipe the striker channel in the slide with a clean, dry patch. Do not apply oil or solvent.
6. Reinsert the firing pin assembly into the channel.

Important: The striker channel must remain clean and dry. Oil in the striker channel attracts debris and can cause light strikes or misfires.

1. Insert the firing pin assembly into the striker channel from the rear.
2. Ensure the firing pin lug is properly oriented.
3. The spacer sleeve and spring-loaded bearing will be addressed during slide cover plate reassembly.

• Striker moves freely in the channel when the firing pin safety is depressed
• Striker tip protrudes from breech face when safety is depressed
• Striker retracts when safety is released

1. With the slide cover plate removed and firing pin assembly set aside.
2. While depressing the firing pin safety, remove the extractor. The extractor may need to be pushed from the extractor groove by using a pin punch in the rear of the extractor groove and lifting the extractor from the groove.
3. Remove the extractor depressor plunger assembly.
4. The extractor depressor plunger assembly consists of: the extractor depressor plunger, extractor depressor plunger spring, and the spring-loaded bearing.

1. Wipe the extractor with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect the claw edges for damage.
3. Clean the extractor groove in the slide.
4. Wipe the depressor plunger and spring.
5. Inspect the spring-loaded bearing for smooth surface.
6. Do not apply oil to the extractor area. A clean, dry extractor functions more reliably than an oiled one.

1. Install the extractor depressor plunger assembly into its channel.
2. While depressing the firing pin safety, install the extractor into its groove.
3. Ensure the extractor seats fully and moves under spring tension.

• Extractor moves inward under finger pressure and returns under spring tension
• Extractor claw is properly oriented to grip the case rim
• Depressor plunger provides consistent pressure

1. With the slide cover plate removed and firing pin assembly set aside.
2. The firing pin safety should drop out of the slide. If it does not drop out, tap the slide on a non-metallic surface to free it.
3. Be careful not to lose the firing pin safety spring while removing the firing pin safety.
4. The firing pin safety and spring will now be accessible.

1. Wipe the firing pin safety with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect the safety surface for burrs or damage.
3. Clean the safety channel in the slide.
4. Wipe the safety spring.
5. Do not apply oil to the firing pin safety or its channel.

1. Insert the firing pin safety spring into its channel.
2. Insert the firing pin safety into the channel.
3. Ensure the safety moves freely under spring tension.

1. Depress the firing pin safety. The tip of the firing pin should move forward and be visible protruding from the firing pin hole.
2. Release the firing pin safety. The firing pin should be blocked.
3. A second method: depress the firing pin safety and shake the slide. The firing pin should be heard moving freely. When the firing pin safety is not depressed, the firing pin should be nearly silent.

1. Insert the firing pin safety spring into its channel.
2. Insert the firing pin safety into the channel from the bottom.
3. Ensure the safety moves freely and returns under spring tension.

1. Install the extractor depressor plunger assembly (plunger, spring, and spring-loaded bearing) into its channel.
2. While depressing the firing pin safety, install the extractor into its groove.
3. Ensure the extractor seats fully.

1. Insert the firing pin assembly into the firing pin channel from the rear.
2. Ensure the firing pin lug is properly oriented.

1. Hold the slide cover plate partially in its place.
2. Press down on the spacer sleeve with a finger or pin punch.
3. Press down on the spring-loaded bearing while continuing to press the slide cover plate inward.
4. The slide cover plate will snap into position.

Note: The slide cover plate will not seat properly unless both the spacer sleeve and spring-loaded bearing are depressed while maintaining tension.

1. Extractor function: Press the extractor from the side. It should move inward and return under spring tension.
2. Firing pin safety function: Depress the firing pin safety. The firing pin tip should protrude from the breech face. Release the safety. The firing pin should be blocked.
3. Striker movement: With the safety depressed, shake the slide. The firing pin should move freely.
4. Slide cover plate: Confirm the plate is fully seated and flush with the slide.
5. Visual inspection: Confirm no tools or debris remain in the slide.

Required: Non-marring pin punches (various sizes), Glock armorer’s manual for reference.

1. Trigger Pin Removal: Use a pin punch to drive out the trigger pin. Always remove the trigger pin from left to right.
2. Slide Stop Lever Removal: With the trigger pin removed, withdraw the slide stop lever by pulling it back. When reinstalling, ensure it locks into the groove in the trigger pin.
3. Trigger Mechanism Housing Pin Removal: Use a pin punch to drive out the trigger mechanism housing pin.
4. Locking Block Removal: Use a pin punch or screwdriver to pry up the locking block. Pry from the left side to prevent damage to the trigger bar. Then remove the locking block by hand.
5. Trigger Assembly Removal: The trigger assembly can now be removed from the frame.
6. Trigger Assembly Disassembly: The trigger assembly consists of the trigger, trigger bar, trigger spring, and connector. Disassembly requires knowledge of spring relationships.
7. Slide Lock Removal: While pressing the slide lock spring down as far as possible, remove the slide lock. Hold the frame on its side while depressing the slide lock spring.
8. Magazine Catch Removal: Remove the magazine catch and magazine catch spring.

1. Wipe the trigger bar with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect the connector for wear or damage.
3. Clean the trigger mechanism housing with a dry cloth.
4. Do not apply oil to the fire-control components. Oil attracts debris and affects trigger function.
5. Apply one drop of oil where the connector and trigger bar meet (Glock Armorer’s Manual identifies this as the most important lubrication point).

Reassembly is the reverse of removal. Ensure:

• The trigger bar is properly routed through the frame.
• The connector is fully seated in the trigger mechanism housing.
• The trigger pin is installed from left to right.
• The slide stop lever locks into the groove in the trigger pin.

1. Trigger safety test: Attempt to pull the trigger without depressing the trigger safety. The trigger should not move.
2. Trigger function test: Pull the trigger. Feel for consistent takeup, crisp break, and audible reset.
3. Reset test: Rack the slide to reset the trigger. The trigger should return to its forward position.
4. Connector engagement: Verify the connector engages the trigger bar properly.

1. Wipe the locking block with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect for cracks or chips.
3. Do not apply oil to the locking block. The barrel engagement surfaces should be clean and dry.

1. Insert the locking block into the frame.
2. Ensure the locking block pin is fully seated.
3. Verify the locking block is secure.

• Barrel engages the locking block smoothly when the slide is installed
• No unusual wear patterns on the locking block surface
• Locking block is secure in the frame

1. Wipe the slide stop lever with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect the spring for damage.
3. Do not apply oil to the slide stop lever.

1. Insert the slide stop lever into the frame.
2. Ensure the lever locks into the groove in the trigger pin.
3. Verify the spring provides upward pressure.

1. Push up on the slide stop lever. It should lock into position.
2. Release the lever. It should return to its rest position under spring tension.
3. With an empty magazine inserted, rack the slide. The slide should lock open.
4. Press the slide stop lever down. The slide should return to battery.

1. Wipe the slide lock with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect the spring for damage.
3. Do not apply oil to the slide lock.

1. Insert the slide lock spring into its channel.
2. While pressing the spring down, insert the slide lock.
3. Verify the lock moves freely under spring tension.

• Slide lock engages the slide when retracted approximately 3mm
• Slide lock holds the slide during disassembly
• Spring returns the lock to its rest position

1. Wipe the magazine catch with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect the spring for damage.
3. Do not apply oil to the magazine catch.

1. Insert the magazine catch spring.
2. Insert the magazine catch.
3. Verify the catch moves freely under spring tension.

1. Insert a magazine. It should lock securely.
2. Press the magazine catch. The magazine should drop free.
3. The catch should return to its rest position under spring tension.

1. Insert the magazine catch spring.
2. Insert the magazine catch.
3. Verify the catch moves freely.

1. Insert the slide lock spring into its channel.
2. While pressing the spring down, insert the slide lock.
3. Verify the lock moves freely under spring tension.

1. Insert the trigger assembly into the frame.
2. Ensure the trigger bar is properly routed.
3. Verify the trigger moves freely.

1. Insert the locking block into the frame.
2. Ensure the locking block pin is fully seated.

1. Align the trigger mechanism housing.
2. Insert the trigger mechanism housing pin.
3. Ensure the pin is fully seated.

1. Insert the slide stop lever.
2. Ensure it locks into the groove in the trigger pin.
3. Verify the spring provides upward pressure.

1. Insert the trigger pin from left to right.
2. Ensure the pin is fully seated.
3. Verify the slide stop lever locks into the pin groove.

1. Trigger safety test: Attempt to pull the trigger without depressing the trigger safety. The trigger should not move.
2. Trigger function test: Pull the trigger. Feel for consistent takeup, crisp break, and audible reset.
3. Slide stop test: Lift the slide stop lever. It should lock into position and return under spring tension.
4. Magazine catch test: Insert a magazine. It should lock securely and drop free when the catch is pressed.
5. Visual inspection: Confirm all pins are seated and no tools remain.

Skill Classification: OWNER

The magazine is disassembled as part of the field-strip procedure described in "Disassembly to Major Assemblies."

1. Remove the magazine from the pistol.
2. Hold the magazine with the baseplate facing away from you.
3. Press inward with thumb and first finger while pushing the floorplate forward.
4. As soon as the floorplate starts to move, reposition your hand so your thumb retains the magazine spring.
5. Remove the floorplate, spring, and follower.

For reinforcement plates: Insert a punch into the indentation in the floorplate, push the reinforcement plate inside the magazine tube, then remove the floorplate.

Warning: The magazine spring is under tension. Maintain downward pressure with your thumb during disassembly.

1. Wipe the magazine body interior with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Clean feed lips with a cotton swab.
3. Do not apply oil to the magazine body.

1. Wipe the follower with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect for cracks or chips.
3. Ensure proper orientation before reassembly.

1. Wipe the spring with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Inspect for kinks or corrosion.
3. Do not stretch or kink the spring during handling.
4. Do not apply oil to the spring.

Skill Classification: OWNER

1. Insert the follower into the magazine body in the correct orientation.
2. Insert the spring onto the follower post.
3. Maintain downward pressure on the spring.
4. Slide the floorplate onto the magazine body.
5. Ensure the floorplate locks securely.

1. Load several dummy rounds and verify smooth feeding by hand.
2. Check follower movement under spring pressure.
3. Verify floorplate security.
4. Insert the magazine into the pistol. It should lock securely and drop free when the magazine catch is pressed.

1. If the barrel was removed from the slide, insert it now.
2. Insert the barrel into the slide from the front.
3. Lower the chamber end into position.
4. Ensure the barrel lug seats in the slide cut.

1. Place the front end of the guide rod into the half-moon cut in the bottom of the barrel lug.
2. Ensure the back end of the recoil spring tube rests in the half-moon cut in the barrel lug.
3. The RSA should seat firmly with spring tension.

1. Align the slide rails with the frame rails.
2. Push the slide rearward onto the frame.
3. Pull the slide back approximately 3mm (about 1/8 inch).
4. Pull up on the slide lock lever.
5. Push the slide fully forward to battery.
6. The slide should lock into place.

1. Insert the reassembled magazine.
2. Verify it locks securely into the frame.
3. Press the magazine catch.
4. The magazine should drop free.