Building your own Glock-style pistol at home is a great way to skirt long lines and wait times at the gun shop, learn more about how your gun works, and potentially even save money.
Here are some high-level things you need to know about building a Glock from a kit.
What’s Included?
Most Glock kits contain pretty much everything you need to make a Glock-style pistol minus the frame (also referred to as a lower by some).
Some kits are subdivided into “upper” and “lower” parts kits but this is mostly reserved for builders of sporting-style rifles.
Here’s what most Glock kits contain:
● A slide
● Barrel
● Firing pin, spring, cup, and safety spring
● Extractor, depressor plunger, and spring
● Chanel liners
● Spacer sleeves
● Cover plate
● A recoil guide rod, washer, screw, and guide rod spring
● Mag catch spring and release
● Slide lock and spring
● Slide stop lever and spring
● Trigger, trigger housing, and ejector
● Trigger bar, spring, and pin
● Connector
However, some kits come with fewer components than these, so it’s important to ask the seller what specifically comes with the kit (and what else you’ll need if you’re going to build the kit at home.
Note: while the ATF permits non-prohibited individuals to build firearms at home for personal use only, state laws vary and the possession (or creation) of unserialized firearms is illegal in some states. This post is not legal advice; always consult a knowledgeable firearms lawyer before proceeding with any project involving a home build.
What Else Do I Need with a Glock Kit?
You will notice that the kit mentioned above does not contain a magazine. Some builders’ kits do, but if not, you’ll have to buy one separately.
More importantly, build kits do not contain frames. To complete the build, you will either need to purchase a previously finished and therefore serialized Glock-style lower which will require an FFL transfer since completed Glock frames are considered firearms by the ATF.
Alternatively, you can buy an incomplete, unfinished Glock-style lower frame, also known as an “80% frame,” “80% lower,” or “frame blank,” and complete the build at home.
To do so, you’ll also need a special tool called a jig kit, which secures the frame and serves as a drilling template so you can drill out the portions of the frame that are not finished.
Specifically, to do so, you will need either a router, a drill press, or a handheld drill and whatever bits are recommended by the producer of the jig kit. Then, simply consult the manufacturer of the jig kit for instructional materials on how to complete the project.
Where Can I Get a Glock Kit?
We recommend MCS Gearup, only because they carry not only Glock kits (capable of producing Glock 17, Glock 19, Glock 22, and Glock 26 style pistols), but also a wide range of Glock-compatible parts, shooting accessories, and components.
For more information on their products, visit their website, email them at [email protected], or contact them at 239-848-6757.
