While on vacation at the beach this past week, I got to thinking a out all the glock torture tests I have read over the years. So since I had my g26 with me I decided to test the seawater exposure test my self . So for the whole time I was there , I carried my g26 on the beach, often times getting it wet in the surf. I always rinsed it off at night with freshwater, and noticed no effect on the gun, other than the lube completley washing off. I did not relube, just did a function check and made sure it was working properly
On Wednsday night, I decided to unload it and with the slide locked back, completely submerge it in the shallow part of the surf where all the sand is churned up. This is where I had my only issue. The sand infiltrated every part of the gun, effecting trigger pull and not allowing the slide to snap forward. I could strike the slide with my hand, and it would go into battery, and the firing pin was still striking with enough force to propel a pencil from the barrel. Not feeling that the pistol would be reliable in the condition, I completely rinsed it out, function tested it and everything worked fine. Still no lube was applied.
Not one to leave well enough alone, on Thursday night, I unloaded the glock, took it out in the surf in waist deep water where there is not as much sand in the water, and held the gun under water for about a minute. My goal here was to test the long term effects of seawater exposure, while not causing any sand induced problems, as this was my only carry gun. I let it dry out overnight in the ocean air on our balcony. The next morning I checked it for proper functioning, and loaded and holstered it. This is now the fourth day with no lube or cleaning. The only rust is in the recoil spring guide rod, and a very tiny place on the inner part of the slide. I will disassemble it this afternoon for a good cleaning and lube, and post pictures for you to see.
Lessons learned is that this gun has amazing corrosion resistance. But another lesson is that an overdose of fine sand will even jam up the slide of the mighty glock. But, the quick fix is a simple rinse. I am even further convinsed that this is the most durable pistol made. Even my Cold Steel neck knife succumbed to the effects of sea water, and it is stainless steel.
Guess I had an itch that needed to be scratched, but I hope some of you find this interesting and imformative. Sometimes I just have to see for myself.:bier:
On Wednsday night, I decided to unload it and with the slide locked back, completely submerge it in the shallow part of the surf where all the sand is churned up. This is where I had my only issue. The sand infiltrated every part of the gun, effecting trigger pull and not allowing the slide to snap forward. I could strike the slide with my hand, and it would go into battery, and the firing pin was still striking with enough force to propel a pencil from the barrel. Not feeling that the pistol would be reliable in the condition, I completely rinsed it out, function tested it and everything worked fine. Still no lube was applied.
Not one to leave well enough alone, on Thursday night, I unloaded the glock, took it out in the surf in waist deep water where there is not as much sand in the water, and held the gun under water for about a minute. My goal here was to test the long term effects of seawater exposure, while not causing any sand induced problems, as this was my only carry gun. I let it dry out overnight in the ocean air on our balcony. The next morning I checked it for proper functioning, and loaded and holstered it. This is now the fourth day with no lube or cleaning. The only rust is in the recoil spring guide rod, and a very tiny place on the inner part of the slide. I will disassemble it this afternoon for a good cleaning and lube, and post pictures for you to see.
Lessons learned is that this gun has amazing corrosion resistance. But another lesson is that an overdose of fine sand will even jam up the slide of the mighty glock. But, the quick fix is a simple rinse. I am even further convinsed that this is the most durable pistol made. Even my Cold Steel neck knife succumbed to the effects of sea water, and it is stainless steel.
Guess I had an itch that needed to be scratched, but I hope some of you find this interesting and imformative. Sometimes I just have to see for myself.:bier: