When you buy a stripped slide for your Glock or Polymer80 build, you will find that you need to install a Firing Pin Channel Liner – Glock part number 1148. For some reason this worries a lot of folks but it is actually extremely easy to install.
Do I really need it?
This question pops up from guys who feel intimidated by having to install the liner. The short answer is, “Yes, you do really need it”. The liner serves a couple of purposes. First, it is a buffer that isolates the firing pin from the steel slide so you do not have metal on metal wear. Second, because the system was designed with that spacer, leaving it out will cause alignment problems. Note, stick with OEM Glock plastic liners. I’m not recommending brass, stainless, etc.
Do I need a tool?
I’d recommend it and they are dirt cheap. Basically the tools are a metal rod with a shoulder. The channel liner slides on and you tap it into place. Some are threaded to enable removal. I use the following simple tool for installation:
Ok, how do I install the liner?
The first step is to inspect the channel liner. On the end with the straight cut you will usually see some waste plastic, known as “sprue”, left over from the casting process. Use a razor blade or sharp knife and just cut that off so it doesn’t hang on anything or get in the way.
Slide the liner onto the tool. The straight cut edge rests on the shoulder of your tool.
Then you insert the liner into the big hole in the rear of the slide. You and usually push it a bit of the way. Rest the nose of the slide on your bench and tap lightly with a small hammer. You will hear and feel the difference when the liner is seated all the way. It really is that easy.
A Video To Help
Brownells put together a real nice to-the-point video on how to do this:
Sources For Liners and Tools
The Glock firing pin channel liner is definitely nothing to fear and I hope this helps you out.
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