Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

Why Should You Replace a Factory Glock Slide?

Glock pistols are known for their durability and reliability, and the company even highlights that their polymer frames and slides can be interchanged across certain models. However, many gun owners still choose to replace their factory slide. Glock recommends using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, but the company does not guarantee performance when aftermarket components are installed.

Many shooters change their slide simply to upgrade the appearance of their handgun. Aftermarket Glock slides come in a wide range of colors, materials, and finishes, allowing full customization. Others replace the slide to enhance performance. Optic-cut slides, for example, allow fast installation of red dot sights to improve accuracy and accessibility. Some owners upgrade for both reasons — improved looks and improved function.

What Does the Slide Do?

A pistol contains two main components: the slide and the frame. The slide works similarly to an AR-style rifle’s upper receiver because it houses the action. Components like the firing pin, extractor, and barrel are built directly into the slide, which is machined from a solid billet of steel. Full disassembly usually requires a gunsmith due to the precision of these internal parts.

The slide rides on metal rails attached to the frame, which houses the trigger and magazine well. When you fire the pistol, the slide cycles in a back-and-forth motion. As it moves rearward, it extracts and ejects the spent casing. As it moves forward again, it strips a new round from the magazine and chambers it, preparing the pistol for the next shot.