Polymer80 | 3CR Tactical

Posted on June 20, 2021September 20, 2021 by Chris

Common Troubleshooting Tips for Polymer80/80% Pistol Builds

Building your own functional pistol from an 80% frame and parts can be a very rewarding endeavor. It can also be frustrating when your new build doesn’t function flawlessly upon completion. In most cases, some minor fitting, polishing and adjustments will need to be made to have a reliable firearm. A functional pistol can break itself in under action, but tweaking things while you build does help move things along.

The parts we sell are intended for install by a licensed gunsmith. We cannot troubleshoot the issues you may run into when building or modifying things on your own. The links below are a good start to help resolve common issues, but are not comprehensive so performing your own research is strongly encouraged. Reddit, Youtube and Google are just a few places where you can find information on people who have come across, and resolved most issues.

We’ve compiled the list below on common troubleshooting and fitting steps. This list will be updated periodically.

Good Subreddits to follow participate (use the search function first to see if your issue has been addressed)

General information and troubleshooting resources

What everyone should know regarding fitment: https://www.reddit.com/r/polymer80/comments/dpyrcm/what_everyone_should_know_regarding_fitment/

/r/Polymer80 General Troubleshooting Issues and Solutions: https://www.reddit.com/r/polymer80/comments/lo3z4h/welcome_to_rpolymer80_start_here_rules_and/
- Locking block issues are very common with Polymer80 subcompact frame kits (PF940SC)

Fitting a replacement barrel in a semiautomatic pistol: https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/fitting-a-replacement-barrel-for-a-semiauto/357579
- Even with drop-in barrels, some minor fitting may be required to ensure a perfect fit and matching to your slide.

How to clean and oil your Glock: https://youtu.be/OM-46luQ3OY
- Common maintenance video to ensure that your pistol is functional and reliable

MarineGunBuilder Polymer80 Glock 19 Pro Gun Build: https://youtu.be/WvDu5MqMGNM
- An all-around great channel for tips on getting your build done right

Improving upon the Glock 25 cent trigger job: https://youtu.be/zr3aT8JDvFA
- Even OEM kits require some polishing to operate smoothly

How-To: Polishing a Glock feed ramp: https://youtu.be/9pwt8Q9Vzgw
- Useful for cutting down on FTF issues

How a Glock Pistol works: https://youtu.be/V2RDitgCaD0
- Visualizing the action can help in figuring out the components and surfaces that are involved in minor issues

Hand fitting and installing iron sights: https://youtu.be/Og9D68aTbao

Fixing a dead/non-resetting trigger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nFk5bxtXeU

Build Kits

Posted on January 8, 2020July 18, 2021 by Chris

Installing Glock 17/19 Slide Parts Kit

If you’re shopping around for a slide for your Glock or Polymer80 build, you’ve probably seen them categorized as ‘stripped/bare’ or ‘complete’. Usually stripped means that it’s just the main slide, without internal parts, barrel or sights. Complete is, or should be, ready to mount on the frame with all major components installed or included with the slide.

If you do end up buying a stripped slide, you’ll need to have a compatible parts kit to build it out. A couple things to note here, usually Glock 19 and Glock 17 slide parts kits are interchangeable, except for the recoil rod (if it comes with one). A lot of kits don’t ship with a recoil rod, so it’s worth looking at the kit description to see if it does if you don’t have one. We carry slide kits that come with or without the recoil rod if depending on your need. Recoil rods are another thing based on the generation of Glock, but we won’t get into that in this article.

Building out a slide isn’t as involved as say a LPK install on an AR, but you’re still dealing with small, spring loaded components, so keep a plastic bag handy. Installing the plunger in a plastic bag can save you some grief in case you lose your grip and the top of the plunger goes flying off.

The tools you’ll need to get this done are pretty basic. I’ve put some possible substitutes below in case you don’t actually have the specific tool. This is controversial as the right tool for the job is always the way, but if it’s Sunday night and you just want to get this done, there are other options. Proceed at your own risk.

Jewelers/gunsmith hammer with flat and rubber tips. (In a pinch you can use the back of a screwdriver handle, but tread lightly)
Punch set, nylon tipped or steel (in a pinch I’ve used the tip of s torx screwdriver)
Channel liner install tool (After installing my first slide without this, I ended up getting one of these for subsequent builds as it makes things so much easier and less prone to damage. I did use the body of a Bic ballpoint pen and dowel for my first channel liner install. It worked, but I had to take it really slow to avoid crushing the edge of the liner.)
Glock sight install tool (If you’re installing iron sights. If you’re putting in a RMR sight, then those usually ship with a wrench)

Ok, so instead of writing out all the steps you would take, I’m linking the the Youtube video I send to folks who ask for help. This isn’t our video, but it’s well paced so it’s pretty easy to follow without all the hype.

Posted on August 11, 2019July 18, 2021 by Chris

A Better-than-basic Glock 17 Clone Build List for Under $500

The Glock 17 has been around for almost 40 years now and is one of the most popular handguns chambered in 9 x 19 Parabellum, which is a round in itself that has it’s own measure of popularity. Glock’s modular nature and the plethora of 3rd party parts and accessories have made this firearm a staple with many gun owners and Law Enforcement.

It’s this popularity that has given rise to the frame clone kits offered by Polymer80 that take Glock parts and allow you to build a fully functional, customizable clone for around what you would pay for a new OEM Glock 17. All parts mentioned below are compatible with Glock OEM frames, slides and most other parts. If you’ve built an AR before, this isn’t as involved and we kit most of the internal small parts to ensure compatibility.

Introductions aside, lets get to breaking down the major components of the Glock 17. We won’t go into details on each internal part, as we sell those in kits.

Here are the major pieces to our Polymer80 Glock 17 kit that you can build with simple hand tools to produce a fully functional pistol in a few hours. Our list does not include sights or magazines. Add your own sights based on your needs and magazines based on your state’s regulations.

Part	Description	Price
Frame	Polymer80 PF940V2BL 80% Frame Kit – Textured Grip	$109.99
Slide	Brownells RMR Cut Black Gen 3 Nitride FInished Glock 17 Slide	$179.99
Barrel	9mm Stainless Steel Glock 17 Threaded Barrel	$79.99
Slide Parts Kit	Lone Wolf 9mm Slide Completion Kit	$79.95
Frame Parts Kit	Lone Wolf Universal Lower Parts Kit	$65.95
Total		$515.87

So if you’ve gotten this far and saw the total above, you’re probably wondering WTF? This was supposed to be a build list for under $500. This is some bait-and-switch ish. It’s true that if you purchase these components individually, you’re looking at a shade north of $500, which is normally in the range of LEO turn-in OEM Glock territory. We do however offer a complete builder’s bundle for less than $500. Check out the link below.

Polymer80 Glock 17 Complete Builder’s Kit with RMR Cut Slide and Threaded Stainless Steel Barrel – $464.29

So for under $500 nets you a Glock 17 clone, with a threaded barrel, premium part kits and an RMR cut slide. All of which are non-standard on OEM Glocks (see where we get the better-than-basic from?).

If that’s still a lot of cash to plunk down in one sitting, my wife would kill me if I did that, then you can still pick up the major components in bundles over time, or snipe individual components from the above list to piece together a build.

Here are some smaller build kits we offer that will get you to the same spot

Polymer80 Glock 17 Bare Bones Build Kit with RMR Slide and Threaded Barrel – $332.97
Lone Wolf 9mm Glock Slide and Frame Combo Parts Kit – $131.31

Disclaimer: All products described above are trademarked by their respective manufacturers. Some states do not allow us to ship frame kits (looking at you NJ). Threaded barrels are restricted in some states. Please be aware of your local laws before ordering. We accept no responsibility for orders shipping to states with these restrictions. We cannot accept returns on Polymer80 frames. Please contact Polymer80 directly for warranty replacements.

Update:

Polymer80 has recently released it’s own kit with all parts and a magazine to build a fully functional pistol. We usually carry these and can’t recommend them enough. Check out the linls below:

Tag: Polymer80

Common Troubleshooting Tips for Polymer80/80% Pistol Builds

Good Subreddits to follow participate (use the search function first to see if your issue has been addressed)

General information and troubleshooting resources

Build Kits

Build-Your-Own Glock 17 Gen 3 Complete Slide

9mm Polymer80 Compact Glock 19 Frame-Slide-Barrel Builders Kit

Custom Glock 19 RMR Cut Slide and Black Nitride Barrel Combo

Glock 17 Gen 3 Blank Slide and Slide Completion Kit Combo

Polymer80 Glock 17 Bare Bones Kit – Threaded Stainless Steel Barrel – RMR Cut Slide

Polymer80 Glock 19 Bare Bones Kit – Threaded Stainless Steel Barrel – RMR Cut Slide

Polymer80 PF940Cv1 80% Glock 19 Frame Kit with Frame Completion Kit Combo

Polymer80 PF940SC 80% Glock 26 Builders Kit

Polymer80 PF940V2 80% Glock 17 Frame Kit with Frame Completion Kit Combo

Installing Glock 17/19 Slide Parts Kit

3CR Tactical Glock 17 / PF940V2 Slide and Frame Completion Kit Combo

3CR Tactical Glock 17 Slide Completion Kit with Recoil Rod

3CR Tactical Glock 19 / PF940C Slide and Frame Completion Kit Combo

3CR Tactical Glock 19 Slide Completion Kit with Recoil Rod

Anderson Glock 17 Slide Completion Kit with Recoil Rod

Anderson Glock 19 Gen 3 Slide Completion Kit with Recoil Rod

Polymer80 Glock Gen 1-3 Slide Completion Kit and Guide Rod Combo

Polymer80 PF Series Glock Gen 1-4 Slide Completion Parts Kit

A Better-than-basic Glock 17 Clone Build List for Under $500

Build Kits

Build-Your-Own Glock 17 Gen 3 Complete Slide

9mm Polymer80 Compact Glock 19 Frame-Slide-Barrel Builders Kit

Custom Glock 19 RMR Cut Slide and Black Nitride Barrel Combo

Glock 17 Gen 3 Blank Slide and Slide Completion Kit Combo

Polymer80 Glock 17 Bare Bones Kit – Threaded Stainless Steel Barrel – RMR Cut Slide

Polymer80 Glock 19 Bare Bones Kit – Threaded Stainless Steel Barrel – RMR Cut Slide

Polymer80 PF940Cv1 80% Glock 19 Frame Kit with Frame Completion Kit Combo

Polymer80 PF940SC 80% Glock 26 Builders Kit

Polymer80 PF940V2 80% Glock 17 Frame Kit with Frame Completion Kit Combo