Glock is offering a free replacement recoil spring assembly to all Gen4 pistol owners. There have been widespread reports of reliability issues with the Glock Gen4 pistols, especially the 9mm models when using lower-powered ammunition. While they are not admitting to any actual problems, Glock will send owners a replacement recoil spring assembly if they send in their existing spring.

The Gen4 Glock 26 and Glock 27 models do not require this modified recoil spring assembly as they use the same spring as their 3rd-generation counterparts.

In addition to improving reliability, the new recoil spring assembly will also reduce the effort required to rack the slide. The replacement spring is marked "02" on the rear, and has 18 turns on the outer spring instead of the 20 turns on the original.

From the press release:

SMYRNA, GA – September 7, 2011 – GLOCK Inc. announces that it is voluntarily exchanging the recoil spring assembly (RSA) on its new Gen4 pistols shipped since August, 2009, to ensure each pistol's performance meets the company's demanding standards. With several variations of the RSA in the market today, GLOCK's goal with this voluntary exchange is to standardize the RSA to gain the best possible performance in each pistol.

GLOCK's product development team has modified various elements of the RSA. The new RSA compensates for all design modifications made to the Gen4 and allows the pistols to function up to GLOCK's rigid quality standards and reliability goals.

Consumers should note that Gen4 G26 and G27 models will not require a modified recoil spring.

"We are moving proactively and quickly to standardize this part of the pistol. This is a voluntary exchange specifically for the new Gen4 models," said Gary Fletcher Vice President GLOCK Inc. "We have developed a program for consumers to send in their existing recoil spring assemblies and receive new ones at no cost."

The replacement of the Gen4 pistol RSA can be performed as part of the regular field-strip process; consumers do not need to take the Gen4 pistol to an armorer. Consumer's wishing to participate in the exchange program are urged to call 1-877-745-8523 to order their new recoil spring.

For more information on the details and shipping requirements on the replacement program, visit TeamGLOCK.com.