The video opens with a lighthearted introduction to part two of the “things not to do to your Glock” series, stressing that while owners can modify their pistols as they wish, some choices seriously hurt reliability. The hosts spotlight the Glock 45 Gen 5 and the broader Gen 5 lineup, praising features like the true ambidextrous slide release and overall popularity of these models. They quickly pivot to a major mistake: trying to mix generations, such as dropping a milled Gen 4 slide onto a Gen 5 frame. Internal differences in trigger housings, slide lock interfaces, and other components mean the parts simply are not designed to work together. The Gen 5 safety plunger, for example, is more rounded compared to the rectangular style in Gen 3 and Gen 4 slides, reinforcing that cross-generation parts swapping is not plug-and-play and can easily result in a nonfunctional or unsafe pistol.
The discussion continues with more detail on why mixing Glock generations is problematic. Internal parts like the Gen 5 safety plunger and extractor do not line up correctly with Gen 3 or Gen 4 components, so even if they physically fit, they often will not function as intended. In custom builds, trying to run a Gen 3 recoil spring and guide rod assembly in a Gen 4 slide requires adapters, adding cost, complexity, and more potential failure points. The speaker also addresses confusion around the Glock 47, clarifying that users should not expect SIG P320-style modularity. It is not as simple as putting a Glock 19 slide on a Glock 17 frame and assuming it will work flawlessly. The message is that Glock generations and models have specific engineering differences, and forcing mismatched parts together is a poor practice that undermines reliability.
Attention shifts to ammunition selection and how it affects Glock performance. The speaker distinguishes between cheap steel-case or budget range ammo, which is fine for practice, and higher-quality defensive loads in 115, 124, or 147 grain, including hollow points. Defensive ammo should be tested in the specific gun to confirm reliable feeding, since some platforms, like certain older 1911s, can be finicky with hollow points. Glocks generally feed hollow points well, but verification is still important. The video then warns against careless reloading practices, joking about drinking while reloading and highlighting the risk of squib loads. A squib that leaves a bullet lodged in the barrel can destroy a Glock or injure the shooter if another round is fired behind it. For training, the recommendation is to use cheap range ammo, treat malfunctions as learning opportunities, and discard any suspect rounds rather than trying to force them to work.
The hosts move into the realm of DIY customization and the many ways it can go wrong. They mock extreme home gunsmithing, especially drilling and tapping or milling a slide for an optic in a garage. Instead, they recommend sending slides to professional shops such as Jagerwerks or DP Customs, which understand proper depth, footprint, and structural integrity. Excessive metal removal or sloppy cuts can compromise reliability and safety. The video also criticizes amateur stippling jobs done with soldering irons or wood-burning kits on Glock polymer frames. A badly melted, uneven grip can effectively ruin the frame and, by extension, the gun, unlike the clean, functional work seen from professional outfits like Salient Arms. Poor paint choices are another issue: thick, brush-on coatings and non-Cerakote finishes can interfere with slide movement, cause feeding problems, and make the gun too slick to manipulate, especially when wet.
The segment emphasizes that optic mounting is not the place for shortcuts. Factory and professional optic cuts, such as those on Shadow Systems pistols, are precisely engineered for screw depth, recoil lug engagement, and optic footprint. By contrast, home drilling, tapping, or even attempting to JB Weld an optic to the slide is portrayed as reckless and likely to ruin the slide or the entire gun. Reliability and safety suffer when mounting surfaces are uneven or screws are improperly anchored. The hosts revisit an example of a heavily painted Glock where the owner failed to tape off critical areas before painting. Thick paint on slide rails, contact surfaces, and gripping areas led to rough slide operation, feeding issues, and a slippery feel that made racking the slide difficult. The takeaway is that if a Glock is going to be painted, internals and friction surfaces must be carefully masked, and light, appropriate coatings should be used.
The video then addresses a surprising trend: people running Glocks with no sights at all. One example is a firearms instructor who both trained with and carried a flat dark earth Glock completely devoid of sights. The hosts stress that in a defensive context, shooters are legally and morally accountable for every round fired, making a proper aiming system essential. While some competition or specialized training setups use red-dot-only configurations, the speakers strongly prefer co-witnessed iron sights as a backup. Red dots can fail due to dead batteries, broken glass, or electronic issues, and irons provide a critical fallback. Sightless training at very close range can help build muscle memory, but for realistic defensive carry, a Glock should retain functional sights. Even factory plastic sights, though not ideal, are far better than running the gun completely sightless in real-world encounters.
Building on the sight discussion, the hosts note that factory Glock sights are serviceable but far from optimal, and there are many superior aftermarket options. They highlight Trijicon Suppressor Height Night Sights as a preferred upgrade, explaining that the taller, glowing sights are easier to pick up visually and work well even without a suppressor, especially when co-witnessed with a red dot. The conversation then shifts to holsters, emphasizing the importance of quality, gun-specific designs. A Safariland level 2 leg holster is showcased, featuring active retention and robust polymer construction suitable for duty use. Other reputable makers like Alpha Omega Kydex are mentioned, along with Safariland’s various retention levels for different roles. An anecdote illustrates the danger of poor holster fit: using a holster designed for an FNX-45 Tactical with a SIG P320, over-tightening it, and failing to close the hood during a sprint drill resulted in the pistol being flung from the holster, fortunately without a negligent discharge.
The speakers tackle the topic of carrying a Glock with a round in the chamber. They argue that reluctance to carry chambered usually signals a need for more training and familiarity with the firearm’s safety features. Glocks are designed to be carried ready to fire, and adding extra steps under stress is dangerous. Holsters that are built to rack the slide from an empty chamber as the gun is drawn are criticized as gimmicky and counterproductive. Such systems introduce additional time, mechanical complexity, and opportunities for user error, especially when milliseconds matter. Under real stress, shooters may short-stroke the slide or lack the use of both hands, making any requirement to manually chamber a round a serious liability. The recommendation is to use quality, model-specific holsters that fully cover the trigger guard and support safe, chambered carry rather than relying on clever but flawed mechanical tricks.
Holster selection remains a focus as the video criticizes poor-quality or generic options, including many pocket holsters and universal nylon rigs. The speaker notes that with today’s gun culture and industry, there is little excuse not to own a holster specifically molded for the firearm, given the wide availability of Kydex, polymer, and hybrid designs. Generic sleeves and pocket holsters may be acceptable for basic storage or finish protection, but they are not ideal for serious carry, retention, or consistent draws. Modern holsters offer better ergonomics, concealment, and safety features tailored to particular models. As the “five more things not to do to your Glock” segment wraps up, viewers are invited to share additional bad practices they see with Glocks, other pistols, rifles, and various setups. This opens the door for further discussion of common mistakes and encourages a community focus on safer, more reliable configurations.
The video closes by showcasing the camera operator’s customized Glock 45 as an example of a well-thought-out build. The slide has been professionally cut by Jagerwerks to mount a Trijicon RMR red dot, paired with Dawson Precision suppressor-height sights that co-witness as a robust backup system. Up front, the pistol wears a Radian Afterburner compensator, which is tuned primarily for 115-grain 9mm ammunition. The host notes that, in practice, the setup runs reliably not only with 115-grain but also with 124- and 147-grain loads, demonstrating that a properly tuned comped Glock can still be versatile. A SureFire X300 Turbo weapon light is mounted, providing a focused, high-candela beam for better target identification. The factory trigger remains in place, with the comment that it has smoothed out over time and now feels better than the trigger on an FN 509, underscoring that not every part needs aftermarket replacement.
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