Glock Guide Rod Question

[Rule10b5]

Much as it galls me to admit it, I have a Glock question. Can those who know follow through my logic, tell me if it makes sense, and then let me know if I'm on the right track (or offer advice)?

I recently purchased a Glock 34 (actually traded my wife's 35 for it, if you must know) that has been tarted up for IDPA (fiber optic adjustable sights, trigger too good to be stock, smoothed mag release).

Shoots great, with one issue:

Ejection with 115 gr. fmj American Eagle ammo (standard pressure) was less than brisk. The gun still worked 100% and was balls-on accurate, but the brass was kinda being limp wristed up and back (where on 4-5 occasions it smacked me in the glasses, and twice got caught between the ear piece frame thingy and my temple, burning the heck out of me).

Ejection was perfectly normal with 124 gr. Speer Gold Dot (standard pressure), brisk, up and off to the side.

I equate the difference being due, primarily, to the fact that the Gold Dot is loaded a little hotter and has more weight. To my logic, this means that the slide moves faster, the extractor pulls the case faster, and it slaps the ejector harder, kicking it out more than the AE ammo.

So, here are my steps for resolution:

1. I haven't tried UMC -- maybe it's only an AE issue. If UMC works fine, I'm not going to worry about it, I just won't shoot AE anymore.

2. If that doesn't work, I suppose I could try to find some way to lower the spring weight (the spring is like-new and very heavy) to get the slide velocity up. I could do this by either shooting the hell out of the gun to wear the spring out a bit, replacing it with a worn spring (presumably I can bug someone for this at the range).

3. Or I could replace it with a lighter weight factory spring. Does anyone know if they offer these?

4. Or I could disassemble the factory spring assembly (I have seen this done) and replace the stock spring with an ISMI 13 lb or 15 lb spring. This is legal for IDPA, right, because the guide rod is the same material as stock, as I understand it.

Assuming 1 doesn't work, has anyone done 2, 3, or 4, and do you have a preferred method?

Finally, if I'm completely off base on the above, do you think I could resolve the ejection issue by replacing the extractor depressor plunger, plunger spring, and spring loaded bearing to increase tension on the extractor (hopefully holding the case tighter and thus making it slap the ejector harder)? I had a G32 that was dribble ejecting like the G34 (but worse), and once I replaced these parts it was fine...

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long rambling post.

[Rule10b5]

One additional comment:

I looked up the ballistics for the two types of ammunition (both using 4" barrels).

AE lists 115 gr. @ 1180 fps

GD lists 124 gr. @ 1150 fps (their 115 gr. runs 1200 fps)

Is that right, or are the AE numbers wrong? That's not much of a difference -- like 12-15 ft-lbs. of energy, on paper, but the GD feels MUCH hotter than the AE.

[Punisher]

i have a glock 34 and it had that problem with AE and Sellier and Bellot in the beginning, but my spring has lightened up now that it's not new and now i can happily shower my range buddies standing next to me with shells again .

if you want to trade springs, i'll trade with you and you can see if it works better for ya...........if not, trade back...... my buddy's glock 34 is brand new and i'm pretty sure his still sends the occasional shell into your face/ on your head.........

[Rule10b5]

Thanks, Punisher! Check your rep.

I feel like a bonehead, now, though I'm at least a relieved bonehead. I didn't realize the issue was common to the G34 -- I was a little afraid that I had a borderline lemon.

I'll just shoot the heck out of it to wear in the spring.

I'm really surprised that the G34 is so new -- it was obviously worked on by someone who knew exactly what he wanted the gun to do, and how to get it to that point.

You'd think that someone who knew that much would have shot it a bit. Or maybe he was just a guy with money who shipped it to someone to do the work for him (it appears that he oiled the striker channel, so he isn't a complete genius).

Anyway, I'll put 500 or so rounds through it and see if the problem persists.

[Punisher]

no problem - i love the g34, but when they're new, they're pretty stiff. i shot my buddy's and mine side by side and mine feels so nice and smooth, it's just a beautiful thing, lol. i got some light white grease and put just a little bit on all four slide rail contacts and it feels even better. it's what my gunsmith recommended and he really knows his stuff. but anyway, good luck and have fun......