Get to Know Your Firearm: Frontier Justice’s Guide for How to Disassemble a Handgun

How to disassemble a handgun

Knowing how to disassemble a handgun is a crucial part of responsible firearm ownership. Through proper disassembly, you learn a lot about your firearm and can diagnose potential issues before they become potentially dangerous hazards. 

However, each firearm is a little different (even ones from the same manufacturer). That’s why the firearm experts at Frontier Justice put together this blog about how to disassemble many popular handgun models. 

For more specific guidance on how to disassemble a handgun, you can reach out to our firearm experts or schedule a private lesson, where we can tailor our training to your specific equipment. 

Follow the Fundamental Firearm Safety Rules

The first rule for how to disassemble a handgun is to keep the four fundamental firearm safety rules in mind. These rules are:

• Always assume the firearm is loaded
• Always point the firearm in a safe direction
• Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire
• Always know what you’re shooting at and what’s beyond your target

Following these rules ensures both your safety and the safety of those around you at all times while using a firearm. For most modern handguns, you’re actually required to hold down the trigger to disassemble the tool. So, making sure your firearm is unloaded before disassembly is incredibly important.

How to disassemble a Glock handgun

Glocks are among the most popular handgun models on the market today. Their reliability and ease of use makes them a top choice for many police departments across the country, as well as firearms newcomers. Here is a quick guide to disassembling a Glock handgun. 

• Make sure the Glock is unloaded: You will do this by pushing the magazine release and removing the magazine. Next, you will lock the slide back by pulling the slide to the rear of the firearm and pushing up on the slide stop.
• Pull the slide back slightly and pull down on the takedown notches: These takedown notches are on both sides of the firearm and must be pulled back simultaneously. You will then slowly release the slide. 
• Pull the trigger: Some people feel this is an unsafe way of taking a firearm apart. This is how Glock has designed their handguns to disassemble, and there is no other way to take them apart. It is completely safe if you abide by the 4 firearm safety rules and make sure that the firearm is unloaded. Once you pull the trigger, the slide will come right off. 

How to disassemble a Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0

The affordability and reliability of Smith & Wesson handguns make them a popular choice for many firearms enthusiasts. Below are two ways to disassemble the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 and most other Smith & Wesson handguns:

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 disassembly option 1

• Make sure the firearm is unloaded: You will do this by pushing the magazine release and removing the magazine. After that, you will lock the slide back by pulling the slide to the rear of the gun and pushing up on the slide stop. You will want to look inside the gun to make sure there is not a round in the chamber.
• Push the takedown lever down: This lever is located on the left side of the firearm. It will move downward in a clockwise direction.
• Release the slide slowly: You will do this by pulling slightly back on the slide and letting the slide release slowly forward
• Pull the trigger: This method requires you to pull the trigger to release the slide. Once you do that, the slide will slide forward off the frame of the firearm. Many people do not like having to pull the trigger to release the slide, so there is another way to take this firearm apart, which we will discuss now.

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 disassembly option 2 

• The first two steps from option 1 remain the same in option 2. 

• Push down the takedown lever retaining wire: This is inside the handle of the gun by the trigger. The instructor will show you exactly where that wire is in the video. 
• Release the slide: You can release the slide in the same manner as stated above, but this time the slide will slide completely off the frame. Many consider this option safer since you do not have to pull the trigger.

How to disassemble a Sig Sauer P365

Sig Sauer handguns have gained in popularity in recent years thanks to their quality make and dependable function. The Sig Sauer P320 is actually now the official sidearm of the US Military. This disassembly guide applies to the Sig Sauer P365/P365xl:

• Make sure the firearm is unloaded: You will want to push the magazine release and drop the magazine. Then, you will want to pull and lock the slide back by pushing up on the slide lock. You should not see any round in the chamber.
• Push the takedown lever down: This lever is located on the left side of the firearm. It will rotate downward in a clockwise direction.
• Pull the slide back slightly and slowly let the slide come forward: The slide will now just slide off the front of the frame.
• Push the recoil spring forward and lift it out: This will allow you to remove the recoil spring and barrel.

Have further questions about how to disassemble a handgun? Come to Frontier Justice!

If you’re still not sure how to disassemble a handgun or you have specific questions about your personal firearm, the Frontier Justice firearm experts are always happy to help. You can visit us in store or even schedule a private lesson, where we can teach you about your specific firearm in a one-on-one environment. 

Learn more about what makes Frontier Justice different by reaching out to us, signing up for our membership club, scheduling a firearms class, or simply stopping by and checking out our store, boutique, and indoor shooting range for yourself!