SEE VIDEO PAGE FOR DETAILED INSTALLATION VIDEOS
TOOLS REQUIRED:
- GLOCK ARMORERS TOOL OR 3/32" PIN PUNCH
- SMALL ARMORERS HAMMER
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
PRIOR TO INSTALLING THE GRIP FORCE ADAPTER, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU SMOOTH THE OUTSIDE EDGES OF THE GRIP ADAPTER WHERE IT MATES UP AGAINST THE PISTOL FRAME.
THIS REMOVES THE EXCESS MATERIAL ON THE ADAPTER CAUSED BY THE PARTING LINE OF THE MOLD. YOU CAN USE A FINE EMERY BOARD FOR THIS PURPOSE.
REFER TO THE CIRCLED AREAS IN THE ILLUSTRATION.
1 - DO NOT REMOVE THE FACTORY OEM TRIGGER ASSEMBLY PIN UNTIL THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE COMPLETED!
2 - Make sure the firearm is unloaded and the chamber empty before proceeding.
3 - If the firearm is cocked (trigger in the forward position), verify that the chamber is empty, return the firearm into battery (slide closed), and then decock the weapon by dry firing it in a safe direction.
We have found that if the factory OEM pin is removed with the firearm cocked (trigger in the forward position), the spring tension in the trigger assembly pulls the trigger housing mechanism out of alignment with the holes in the frame. Thus, it is important to release the spring tension from the trigger assembly before removing the factory OEM pin.
This ensures that the holes are still in alignment when the Grip Force pin is installed. Our retention pin is a (one time only use pin). If you choose to detail strip your pistol, please install a brand-new retention pin when reassembling it.
4 - Use a 3/32" pin punch/Glock Armorer's tool and remove the original trigger assembly pin.
5 - When installing the extended retention pin, make sure the pin hole in your receiver is clean and clear of any debris which could reduce its diameter. Also, make sure that the trigger mechanism housing is properly seated within the frame so its pin hole is properly aligned.
To verify this, you should have an unobstructed view through the pin hole in the frame. If you are not sure if you have this, you can take your Glock Armorers tool and push it all the way through the hole in the frame. Then push it up and down and side to side inside the hole to make sure it is clear and the trigger housing mechanism is properly seated.
6 - Place the grip adapter on the handgun and hold it there with hand pressure. Look through the pin holes in the adapter and make sure it is a clean through view.
If significant force is required to get a clean view through the holes, your adapter will fit somewhat snug onto your pistol frame.
If you use significant force in pushing the adapter against the frame in an attempt to align the holes, and you cannot get a clear view through the holes, you may have to remove some material from the horizontal ribs on the underside of the adapter. If you discover this is needed after attempting the regular Installation procedure without success, refer to section 10. (cont.)
7 - If the adapter is ready as is, or the ribs have been modified for proper fit and you have verified an unobstructed can be obtained through the pin hole, remove the adapter from the back strap and set it aside.
Next, insert and install the Grip Force installation pin into the pin hole on the left side of the frame. You should be able to start it by hand, then either press it into position using a flat edge of a tool (Glock Armorer's tool), or gently tap it into position using a very light plastic, wood, or very small metal hammer.
Be sure to push or tap the tip of the pin straight down into the frame. Do not push or tap the end of the pin at an angle as this could cause it to break.
If you have a difficult time doing this, you could add a small amount of plastic lubricant, silicon, gun oil, Armor All, or something similar to the end of the pin to aid in installation. Do not forcefully hammer the retention pin into position, as this could damage the pin if the above steps have not been followed.
*If the pins need to be hammered very hard into position inside the frame, instead of them going in fairly easily and gently, this is the first indicator that something is not correct in the installation process.
8 - Once installation of the retention pin is nearly complete, ensure that close to an equal amount of the retention pin is protruding from either side of the grip.
9 - Snap the Grip Force adaptor into position. Snap in one hole at a time, starting by sliding the left side hole of the grip adapter on first, then rotating the part over to properly align and snap the other side into place.
*10 - MODIFICATION: To reduce the ribs on the underside of the adapter, sparingly use a Dremel tool, or use some medium to light grit sandpaper or emery cloth. Sand the horizontal support ribs, working from the pinhole area of the adapter down to the bottom of the part.
You should not need to remove any material from above the pinhole area of the part. It is possible to use a rotary tool/dremel with a light sanding drum to remove some material from the ribs. If this is attempted, work slowly and check your progress multiple times to avoid removing too much material.
Only remove enough material to ensure that when you push the adapter against the back strap with medium to light pressure, you can get proper alignment of the pin holes. If you remove too much material and get a sloppy fit, you can shim the adapter with RTV Silicone Adhesive.
Simply apply some to the underside of the adapter and install it per the instructions. Allow the RTV silicone to cure. Do not press the grip on too hard, allow the RTV to assume and fill the gaps on the part to mold the underside of the adapter to the pistol frame.
See demonstrations of this installation procedure on our video page.
RTV SILICONE SEMI-PERMANENT INSTALLATION
GEN 123 AND GEN 123SC ADAPTER INSTALLATION ON GEN 4/5 PISTOL IN ITS SF FRAME CONFIGURATION
(WITH NO FACTORY GRIP PANEL INSTALLED ON THE RECEIVER)
1. Work in a well-ventilated area and use disposable rubber gloves.
2. Follow the above listed steps for installing a Grip Adapter.
3. Use the RTV Silicone Adhesive (sold separately) Avoid getting any adhesive in or near the retention pinhole area of the Grip Adapter or the pistol frame/receiver. Apply a bead of silicone adhesive to the primary contact areas of the Grip Adapter, and proceed with the final steps of the install procedure as listed above.
4. Once the Grip Adapter is installed, using the fingertip of your gloved hand, wipe off any excess silicone adhesive that presses out from between the Grip Adapter and the pistol frame/receiver.
If needed, a rubber band can be applied to the lower section of the Grip Adapter to secure it tightly up against the middle to lower section of the back strap of the pistol.
This will secure the Grip Adapter up in its proper position and assure that the beavertail section of the Grip Adapter will be correctly positioned on the pistol. This will also allow the RTV Silicone Adhesive to properly fill any gaps between the Grip Adapter Beavertail, and the pistol.
SPECIFIC INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR GEN 4 GRIP FORCE ADAPTER (THIS CAN ALSO BE DONE ON A GEN 123 ADAPTER)
1. If you are considering semi-permanent installation (as described above), complete that installation process before contouring the retention pin for the GEN 4 Adapter.
2. To install the GEN 4 Adapter, follow the above listed steps.
3. Having installed the GEN 4 Adapter, it is recommended to take a small emery board/nail file and contour the ends of the retention pin, on an angle, flush with the outside edged of the Grip Adapter.
Once the ends of the pin are properly contoured, they will follow the outside radius of the Grip Adapter pinhole area. This will properly fit the retention pin to the GEN 4 Adapter. This step is necessary due to the length of the retention pin and the difference in width between the Grip Adapters.