The Glock 19 is one of the most popular pistols in the world, and with good reason. It’s compact, dead reliable and simple, and is also one of the most customizable handguns ever made.
The easiest way to get a Glock 19 is simply to purchase a factory standard model from the shelf. But some people (possibly including yourself, since you’re reading this article) like to customize their Glock 19s by acquiring the parts for them separately and then building the gun from there. This is very similar to how AR-15s can be built by purchasing the parts for them separately as well.
One way to build and customize your own Glock 19 is to purchase a stripped slide, acquire the components you need in the form of an ‘upper parts kit’ for that slide and install them, and then combine the slide with a customized grip of your choice.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to do it.
What is a Glock 19 Upper Parts Kit?
A Glock 19 upper parts kit are the components you need to complete a stripped Glock 19 slide. A stripped slide refers to a slide that consists of only the slide itself and has each of the functional internal components removed. The components from the upper parts kit need to be installed so you have a functional gun. When these components are installed, the slide is considered ‘complete’ and is ready to be combined with a frame.
Take note that the parts kits between a Glock 19, 17, and 26 are identical except for the recoil spring and guide rod, due to the longer or shorter length of the slides respectively. So if you see a Glock upper parts kit labeled as a ‘Glock 9mm upper parts kit’ it means it will have most of the components to complete your Glock 19 slide, but not all.
Buying a parts kit labeled as a ‘Glock 19 upper parts kit’ will guarantee that you have everything you need.
What Parts Are Included In A Glock 19 Upper Parts Kit?
You can either purchase a Glock 19 upper parts kit as a package or you can acquire each of the components individually yourself.
Regardless, you will need the following components to complete your slide:
- Barrel
- Guide Rod
- Recoil Spring
- Firing pin
- Firing pin spring
- Firing pin spring cup
- Firing pin safety
- Firing pin safety spring
- Spring cups
- Extractor (designed for 9mm Parabellum)
- Extractor depressor plunger and extractor depressor plunger spring
- Channel liner installation tool
- Spacer Sleeve
- Cover plate
- Guide rod and guide rod spring
- Punch set
- Gunsmithing hammer
Once you have each of the above items acquired, in addition to your stripped slide, you can begin the installation process.
G19 Upper Parts Kit Installation Process: Step-by-Step
You’ll be glad to hear that installing the components from a Glock upper parts kit is significantly less work than doing so on an AR-15.
Before we begin, make sure you have a good-sized plastic bag of some sort on hand. This will help to stop the plunger from going flying just in case it does.
To install the components from an upper part kit into your Glock 19’s stripped slide, follow these steps. We’re going to start with the firing pin assembly:
- Gather the firing pin, the firing pin spring, spring cups, and the spacer sleeves.
- Place the spacer sleeve over the pin.
- Then take the cut-out in the sleeve and sip it over the pin.
- Slide the spring over the pin, and compress the spring.
- Sip both spring cups over the spring while the spring is compressed; this enables the cups to capture the spring and hold it.
Your firing pin assembly is now complete! Now let’s put together your extractor assembly:
- Gather the extractor rod, spring, and the plunger bearing.
- Press the plunger bearing into the spring; either end will work.
- Now take the opposite end of the spring and press it into the extractor rod; you should hear a distinct ‘snapping’ noise.
That completes your extractor assembly! Now we need to get your channel liner into the slide:
- Gather your gunsmithing punch and hammer and the channel linder.
- Take note of the flat end of the channel liner; you want the opposite end to be insured into the slide.
- Use your punch and hammer to gently tap the channel liner into the slide; continue until the liner is resting completely inside the slide and then stop.
Now we’re going to install your firing pin safety:
- Place the firing pin safety spring into the bottom of the pin safety.
- Now insert the pin’s spring into the hole that is present next to the channel of the firing pin.
- While depressing the pin safety, insert your firing pin assembly into the channel liner; note that the spacer sleeve will be sticking out from the back of the slide; but this is normal.
Now we need to install the extractor:
- Place the extractor into the slide in the notch where the extractor goes.
- While holding the extractor down, place the extractor depressor plunger; make sure that the metal end of the plunger is inserted first.
Now we’re going to install your cover plate on the back of the slide:
- Compress the springs of both the firing pin and the extractor depressor plunger.
- Using your punch, press down on the plunger and the firing pin to compress them within the slide.
- While doing so, press down on the cover plate to seat it into the rear of the slide; it should fit in tightly but naturally.
And that’s it! Your Glock 19 slide is now complete and should be functional if everything has been installed correctly. All that’s left for you to do is to place in your barrel and guide rod/recoil spring, and then attach the now complete slide onto the frame.
If your Glock 19 still needs a frame then don’t worry the Geisler G19x 80% Frame + Jig is compatible with all Glock Gen 1-3 slides!
Just like that, you have a Glock 19.
Conclusion
Don’t think you have to hire a gunsmith to assemble your customized Glock 19’s slide for you. By following the above steps, you can easily assemble it on your own at home.
