All else being equal, your Glock 17’s barrel is the most important piece of the equation in imparting accuracy.
Short, but with a relatively fast twist rate, it’s the core component that puts your rounds where you aim.
It is also arguably the most important piece of the gun to keep clean. Here’s what you should know from a very high level.
Important Notes for Cleaning Your Glock 17 Barrel
There are some people that don’t clean their guns. Why is beyond us. You might be able to get away with that if you’re shooting a break action shotgun, but anywhere else, it’s not a good idea.
In the latter, there are minimal moving parts, generally no ejectors, and since there’s no rifling, it’s not possible (realistically) for fouling to muck up accuracy.
With a Glock 17, the firearm’s cleanliness is a factor in feeding, accuracy, extraction and ejection, and a major one at that.
Powder fouling is one culprit here. If there is an advanced accumulation of fouling around the breech end of the barrel, or in the chamber, it can increase friction on the casing, making extraction and ejection difficult.
These small parts are fragile, too. Stressing them can cause them to break and then you’ll have a separate and bigger problem.
But beyond this, there are also accuracy and longevity to contend with.
Powder fouling may be ugly, but most modern primers and propellants are non-corrosive, and many Glock 17 barrels are made with coatings that help prevent corrosion.
Copper fouling is another problem. Over time, small amounts of a bullet’s jacket (which is generally copper) will strip off and get left behind in the barrel.
Powder fouling can be problematic, but copper fouling is insidious. When left in the bore for a prolonged period of time, copper fouling can result in pitting.
And, even if that were not the case, an accumulation of copper fouling (if it’s particularly bad) will cause aberrations in accuracy, too.
So, in order to ensure proper feeding, extraction and ejection, as well as to safeguard accuracy and the longevity of your barrel, keep it clean.
Here are some general pointers:
- Always clean your Glock 17 barrel from the breech end. Cleaning from the muzzle end can damage the crowning of the rifling which is critical to accuracy as it is the last section of the barrel that contacts the bullet as it leaves the bore.
- Do not leave any solvent or lubricant residue in the bore. If you use solvent to remove fouling, make sure to dry up any residue after you’re done cleaning the gun. Either run a series of patches or a bore mop through, from breech to muzzle, until they come out completely clean on the other side. Leaving residue in the barrel can combine with future fouling to produce tar, which is much harder to remove.
All in all, a basic cleaning of your Glock’s barrel is not a hard process, but it can have a big impact on performance and longevity.
Here Cause You Want to Upgrade Your Glock 17 Barrel?
Interested in getting an upgraded Glock 17 barrel? Make NineX19 the first place you check.
They carry both threaded and non-threaded Glock 17 barrel upgrades available with advanced coatings like black nitride and gold-tone titanium nitride, which offer superior wear and corrosion resistance as well as permanent dry lubricity, making them easier to maintain.
Their Glock 17 barrels are also fluted, which saves on weight and aids in heat dissipation, and made with updated hood designs and deep-cut target crowns for superior accuracy.
This just scratches the surface. If you’re interested, you can learn more on their website. Just make sure if you get one you keep it clean, for the reasons outlined in this article. They’ll perform better and last longer.
For more information about Glock 17 Slide and Glock Night Sights please visit:- NineX19, LLC
