How many shooters that read this blog own a Glock pistol? How many of you actually know how to completely disassemble it? Until earlier today I didn’t. Today I started reading the Ptooma Productions Complete Glock Reference guide.

The guide offers an independent look at all aspects of Glock pistols, from their history to modifications for performance enhancement and customization. The authors also end the book with the “ultimate Glock torture test”, involving such extreme tests as being shot out of a cannon. I pretty much agree with the editor of American Handgunner Magazine, Roy Huntington, that “if there’s anything you want to know about Glock, it’s in this book”.

The book starts out with a chapter to introduce you to the world of Glock handguns, form the history of the Glock to a few do’s and don’ts about ammo to put in your Glock. Chapter two informs you of all the different safety mechanisms on your Glock, as well as a few ways to safely test them.

Chapter Three is all about how to field strip your Glock. If you own a Glock handgun you probably know how to field strip it. That’s all well and good, but can you clean the darn thing? If not, chapter 4 will show you how! Chapter 4 contains instruction on important spots to keep clean, how to remove lead from the barrel, and where to lubricate (YES, these plastic pistols DO need to be lubricated!). While you have your gun taken apart, you might as well see Chapter 5 to function test a few parts, including the firing pin safety.

Now, I know most Glocks always work no matter if you drop ‘em in mud, run ‘em over with a tank, or have Chuck Norris roundhouse-kick ‘em. But maybe yours has decided it absolutely hates you and decides to jam up. Or you can’t hit the broad side of a barn. If this happens, Chapter 6 is all about how to diagnose what the problem is and how to fix it. If you can’t figure out the problem, you probably need to have a gunsmith look at it, or send it back to Glock. If accuracy is a problem and you think it might just be you, see the handy chart of shooter-caused problems(trigger jerk, flinch etc.).

If you are an IDPA, GSSF, USPSA/IPSC shooter, use a Glock in competition, and think it needs a little something more, and you have spent a couple hundred dollars on a fancy trigger, recoil spring, etc. Now what? How do you install it? How do I disassemble a trigger group, captured recoil spring/guide rod assembly, etc. If you, like me, are mechanically uninclined, then Chapters 7 and 8 detail how to completely disassemble and reassemble every part of your Glock handgun. Don’t worry, these chapters are a step by step guide, with lots of pictures.

Personally, I HATE the funky “U-Dot” sights that come from the Glock factory. I am definitely not alone. If you hate these sights, you might be considering some aftermarket sights. Chapter 9 of the Ptooma Productions Glock Guide is completely dedicated to the removal and installment of sights, as well as a few recommendations for aftermarket sights.

Glock factory “U-Dot” sights VS. Dawson Precision fiber-optic

Have you ever wondered if you could use your Glock 34 barrel was compatible with your G17? Can I use my G22 magazine in a G23? These and questions like them are answered in Chapter 10. Also in Chapter 10 is a handy Common Glock Parts Reference Chart.

Glock pistols are definitely good guns, but for GSSF, IPSC, and USPSA shooting they need a little work. Countless modifications can be made to the Glock pistol to gain a competitive edge, from trigger jobs to compensating for recoil. Customizing your Glock for competition as well as to maximize the enjoyment of shooting is the purpose of Chapter 11. The third largest chapter in the book, Chapter 11 contains information on trigger jobs, grip modifications, carbine and caliber conversions, and every boy’s favorite, full auto conversions.

Earlier I mentioned that Glock handguns will work no matter what you do to them. There is possibly no better proof of this than the Ultimate Glock Torture Test that the Ptooma Productions crew put a Glock 23 through. If you’ve ever worried about circumstances that could cause some part of your Glock to fail, the Ptooma productions crew have taken it to the extreme. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but if you hate to see good guns abused, DO NOT READ THIS CHAPTER!

At the end of the book there are two handy appendixes, one of which includes every Glock model of pistol ever made, as well as one that gives information on serial numbers of Glock models so you can date your old Glock up until 1999.

In conclusion, if you own a Glock, your police department issues a Glock, or you work on Glocks for other people, you need this book! Here is the link to amazon.com to buy it. You will not be disappointed!