Tips & Techniques: Sticking Glock Mags

by
posted on July 26, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
sticking-glock-mags.jpg

Everyone who has shot a Glock has experienced it: You’re shooting a string of fire, the slide locks open and you go to perform an emergency reload only to find the magazine stuck in place—it can be quite frustrating. How can you fix it? Clean your gun differently. 

Many Glock magazines stick due to solvent or lubricant in the magazine well. To avoid this, clean the polymer frame with a baby bottle brush, dry scrubbing the dirt and debris out. These brushes have a wide but soft bristle that is designed to work well on plastic. You will see the crud come out quickly and easily compared to trying to get a cleaning patch into the nooks and crannies.

Once the frame is clean, apply a coat of car wax to both the inside of the magazine well and the exterior of the polymer magazine body. Just like on the body of your car, the wax will dry and become pasty. When it does, take a clean rag and buff both the magazine well and the magazine body. Make sure you get all of the dried wax away from the inside of the magazine release button. Your magazines should now jettison cleanly away on a reload.

Additional Reading:
Tips & Techniques: Rotate-To-Fire In Close Encounters

Tips & Techniques: Stay in the Scope
Tips & Techniques: "Take Out The Slack" To Keep Accessories In Place
Tips & Techniques: Stock Drag
Tips & Techniques: When Adjusting Sights, Remember "FORS"
Tips & Techniques: Cast Bullet Fit in Revolvers

Latest

013 Rrvstr Trio End 01
013 Rrvstr Trio End 01

What Should Ruger’s Future Revolvers Look Like?

Ruger’s revolvers would benefit from a few updates if the company ever decides to bring them back into production.

Savage Arms Expands Model 334 Line with New Chamberings & Compact Models

Initially introduced in 2023, the Savage Model 334 bolt-action lineup has been an affordable, no-frills platform for hunters and shooters, and in 2026, Savage has expanded the line with new chamberings and compact models.

Gun of the Week: Marlin Firearms Model 1894 Trapper 10 mm

One of the latest Marlin lever-action rifles on the market is the Model 1894 Trapper, and the company now offers the platform in a 10 mm Auto chambering.

Scout Rifle World Shoot Recap

There’s lot to learn about the Scout Rifle, and we tested one at the inaugural Scout Rifle World Shoot.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 6, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Six-Hour Gun: Saving a Family Heirloom

Simple math would have told anyone it wasn't worth fixing a $150 revolver. But to one family, this simple, common revolver meant everything.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.