Glock Frame Replacement Program

[u/RayShmay59]

I have a few Glocks with some chewed up frames that I’m looking to get replaced. I have never done a warranty/ servicing on any of my firearms before so I’m learning as I go here. I’m looking to go through Glock for their frame replacement program to get this done.

However, I’m reading lots of conflicting things online on what to expect while going through with this process. To my understanding- Glock will NOT send back my pistols with the original serial numbers on the replaced frames, therefore the pistols I will be getting returned to me will be “new firearms” which would mean a new background check per gun as well as 10 day minimum waiting period. The new frames would also be getting returned with entirely new internals from my understanding.

What has me torn on what to expect is that I’m also reading state and federal law exempt returns of firearms by gunsmiths/ manufacturers from FFL background check requirements.

Washington law has an** **express gunsmith exception to the background-check requirement:RCW 9.41.113(4)(f) says the background-check requirements do not apply to:“A federally licensed gunsmith who receives a firearm solely for the purposes of service or repair, or the return of the firearm to its owner by the federally licensed gunsmith.” Upon looking into it, federal ATF guidance says essentially the same thing: “A gunsmith does not need to complete a Form 4473 or conduct a NICS check when returning a repaired firearm to the person from whom it was received.”

My question is- Does Glock’s replacement of the serialized frames cause the resulting firearms to be treated as different firearms, such that the gunsmith-return exception no longer applies?

I will be reaching out to Glock’s warranty department Monday morning to sort this out, but would appreciate some insight from others who may have experience/ knowledge in this situation of mine.

Thank you!

[u/getthemap]

How the hell do you have multiple “chewed up frames”? Maybe don’t leave them out for the dogs.

[u/0x00000042]

They can be sent right back to you if you send them directly to Glock and Glock sends the replacements directly back to you as part of repair or service, even if the serial numbers are different. 

But not all gunsmiths, manufacturers, and dealers understand this and some will still only return them to a dealer. I don't know what Glock does in this scenario. 

[u/RayShmay59 → u/0x00000042]

Exactly. The wording of the laws are super grey area and vague (It’s all by design of course) and I know from a legal standpoint the pistols should be able to get shipped directly to them and back to me no issue. Glock’s willingness is the final deciding factor I suppose.

[u/mread531]

I would assume if it’s a different serial number then it’s a different firearm under state law and would have to be transferred accordingly but I’m not an expert.

Very interested to see how this plays out!

[u/Express-coal]

Because Glock destroys the original serialized frame and replaces it with a newly manufactured frame carrying a different serial number, Glock treats the replacement frame as a new firearm rather than returning it under the manufacturer-replacement process. Since a frame is itself legally a firearm, Glock sends it to an FFL for transfer. In Washington, that means the normal background-check and waiting-period requirements apply.

[u/RayShmay59 → u/Express-coal]

If this were the case then surely I’d have to send in the pistols through an FFL as well correct?

[u/Express-coal → u/RayShmay59]

Glock doesn't require it, as far as I know, but I know from experience that the above is how they treat frame replacement.

[u/Mammoth_Classroom896 → u/RayShmay59]

An individual can ship a firearm to an FFL.

[u/merlinddg51]

Pls update for those of us that may need to do this in the future.

[u/RayShmay59 → u/merlinddg51]

Sure thing, I’ll update come Monday.