Glock G30 Malfunctions (am I limp-wristing??)

[Faulkner]

I'm guessing a G30 wasn't the best choice for my entry into the Glock world.

^^ I couldn't agree more.

I would have recommended a compact sized G19 (9mm) or G23 (.40 S&W) as a first Glock. Glock does not make a compact size .45 ACP. Personally, I am NOT a fan of the G26, G27, and G30 subcompacts. They're just not my thing.

I'm not there to watch you shoot so all of my comments will be anecdotal, but I lean towards limp wristing. I can't count the number of times a new LE recruit is having a problem with FTF's with their Glock (not being sexist, but it is often women) and I hand that same gun to another recruit and they have zero issues with it. Once we get them lined out on a proper grip while shooting the problem invariably goes away.

On the very rare occasion where the problem does indeed persist, we have tracked it down to ammo. I frown anytime shooters pull out a box of Monarch ammo from Academy because we have seen a number of weak loads causing FTF's in all guns, not just Glocks.

I do recall a officer having FTF problems with a duty sized G21 (.45 ACP) a while back. Took us a while to realize he was using aftermarket magazines, once we swapped them out with Glock magazines the problem went away.

I've never had to send a Glock back for repair other than for abuse in 25 years.

 

[Bill Bates]

I did clean and lube the gun before use. A light oil, though, not grease. Per the manual's direction, I left the copper-colored factory lube in place.

Strangely this may be the cause of your problem.

Glock recommends not cleaning and lubing while breaking in your pistol. They use a copper colored hi temp anti seize grease that aids in break in. I can't say that cleaning it out would have caused a problem but...maybe or maybe it will just take longer to start running smoothly.


I've had a Glock 30SF for 11 or 12 years. I've put a lot of rounds down range using a lot of different brands and loads with never a hiccup. I only have one minor complaint with it and that is the magazine tends to pinch my pinky finger at times when firing.

 

[shawn mccarver]

First, a new Glock should work. Leave the factory gold colored anti seize grease. Let it wear out.

Second, having heard of “limp wristing,” I have intentionally tried to induce a failure by limp wristing every Glock I have ever fired. I have never been able to induce such a failure.

Third, the tenth round in the magazine creates a great upward force on the pickup rail on the underside of the slide. It could be slowing things down enough to cause a problem. Have you tried putting 10 in the magazine, chambering the top round, and leaving 9 rounds in the magazine?

Fourth, are you using HOT ammo? Try it and see if it runs. If not, back to Glock for inspection and service.

It SHOULD run with full magazine and one in the chamber.

Good luck.

 

[Krogen]

A follow-up to my post on 10 Feb 2025:

You may recall, I was bemoaning the unreliability of my new Glock 30. Today, I met a buddy at the club intending to have him shoot it to see if it was the shooter or the gun. Before we did that, I put a box of a different ammo through the gun without a single problem. I guess I had expected it to eat anything. After all, it's a Glock. But instead, it made its preferences known. I now know of one type it doesn't care for. Although I will shoot it a lot more before packing it, I am greatly encouraged. And it would seem my original concern about me limp-wristing it, is unfounded. (whew!)

 

[LVSteve]

What was the bad ammo, and what was the good stuff?

 

[Krogen]

It didn't like LAX 230gr FMJ. Admittedly that's remanufactured ammo, but I've used it in my other guns without issue. I know I'm taking on some risk with remanufactured ammo. It was happy with Remington 230gr FMJ. After a few more boxes of FMJ, I'll run some Federal HST and Winchester Ranger through it. Both are more suitable for defensive use than FMJ.

 

[Brian Parrish]

A follow-up to my post on 10 Feb 2025:

You may recall, I was bemoaning the unreliability of my new Glock 30. Today, I met a buddy at the club intending to have him shoot it to see if it was the shooter or the gun. Before we did that, I put a box of a different ammo through the gun without a single problem. I guess I had expected it to eat anything. After all, it's a Glock. But instead, it made its preferences known. I now know of one type it doesn't care for. Although I will shoot it a lot more before packing it, I am greatly encouraged. And it would seem my original concern about me limp-wristing it, is unfounded. (whew!)

Over on the Glock Forum this seems to be the consensus, do not top off the mag. Did you notice if the failures were with the second round always?
There is such a thing as the "Glock Hold". I have had to learn this with my G42 in 380.
I totally agree with the poster who says you should not have to do this!
But I depend on and use S&W 3rd Gen autos which are very forgiving in every way. The hold feels like a squeeze at the top of the pistol between the thumb and first finger and a firmer wrist than you have been used to. Try it and let us know OK?

You are gonna make this work, you just were not told about the learning curve.

Best to All!
BrianD

 

[Krogen]

Over on the Glock Forum this seems to be the consensus, do not top off the mag. Did you notice if the failures were with the second round always?
There is such a thing as the "Glock Hold". I have had to learn this with my G42 in 380.
I totally agree with the poster who says you should not have to do this!
But I depend on and use S&W 3rd Gen autos which are very forgiving in every way. The hold feels like a squeeze at the top of the pistol between the thumb and first finger and a firmer wrist than you have been used to. Try it and let us know OK?

You are gonna make this work, you just were not told about the learning curve.

Best to All!
BrianD

Interesting points, Brian. It seems to me now that it's all ammo-related. I didn't have any issues with a full mag and one in the tube - with Remington ammo. More rounds will be sent downrange before I proclaim victory.

I will say, though, that I won't be content with a gun that has to be held "just so." If it's so touchy that it can't be trusted with a weak-side hold and less than perfect grip, it will be relegated to range toy status. In a defensive situation, we shouldn't count on assuming a textbook position.