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Replace your Glock slide backplate

Close-up of a Glock slide showing the backplate being removed with a punch tool

How to Replace Glock Slide Backplate: A Simple DIY Guide:

So you got an awesome new Glock backplate from Schiwerks. Maybe you’ve never replaced anything like this before and it’s a bit intimidating. Well, let me assure you, it is super simple. I’m positive I could train a monkey to do this. This guide will walk you through the process in just a few easy steps. If you’re more of a visual learner, there’s a quick video at the bottom.


What You’ll Need

Before starting, gather these tools:

  • A small punch tool. (A screwdriver will work, but we recommend a punch.)
  • A soft cloth or gun mat to protect your work surface. Or not, you do you. We personally do everything on a gun mat.
  • Your new slide backplate.

Step 1: Clear Your Firearm and Remove the Slide

Safety first. Remove the magazine and unload your Glock completely, ensuring there’s no ammunition in the chamber. Check visually as well as with your finger. Double check. Always a good habit to get into. Remove the slide from the frame by pointing the firearm in a safe direction and pulling the trigger. Then pull the slide back just slightly and pull down on the slide lock lever on either side of the frame. Release the slide and remove it from the frame. You can download Glock’s official safety and disassembly instructions here.


Step 2: Access and Remove the Backplate

pushing down on the glock spacer sleeve to remove the backplate
Pushing down on the space sleeve

Turn the slide upside down and locate the backplate at the rear and the spring loaded spacer sleeve, which is what the backplate holds in. Press down on the spacer sleeve using your punch tool or screwdriver.

Maintain steady pressure on the sleeve while carefully sliding the backplate downward with your thumb. Keep your thumb on the back of the slide to ensure the striker spring and the extractor spring (that little button looking thing on the right) don’t go flying out. Once the backplate slides free, set it aside.

close up of removal of a Glock 19 Backplate

Step 3: Install the New Backplate

Align the new backplate with the grooves on the slide. While pressing the spacer sleeve down with your tool, gently push the backplate upward until it covers the spacer sleeve and holds it in. You can release the spacer sleeve at this point. Press down on the exactor spring and slide the backplate overtop of it as well, then continue pressing the backplate up until feel the snap into place.

Ensure the backplate is seated securely and that all internal components remain properly aligned.

sliding an American flag Glock backplate into place

Step 4: Reassemble and Test

Reattach the slide to the frame and perform a quick function check. Rack the slide and dry-fire the gun (following all safety protocols) to confirm everything operates smoothly.


Why Replace Your Glock Slide Backplate?

Many Glock owners swap backplates to personalize their firearm with custom designs, swap out the plastic piece for a metal one, or refresh the look of their pistol. It’s a great addition to add to a custom cerakoted project as well for that extra touch that really puts it over the top. It’s an easy way to make your Glock feel truly yours without breaking the bank.


Swapping out your Glock slide backplate is a quick and affordable project that adds a touch of customization to your firearm. With just a few simple tools and a little attention to detail, you can easily upgrade your Glock in just a few minutes. Hope this helped!

~Sam

Super quick video showing the process below.👇

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Topographic Cerakote

topgraphic tan and black cerakote AR

Lately, we’ve been diving into topographic Cerakote, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a crowd favorite—it looks so dang sharp. This technique combines precision, creativity, and a little bit of science to produce awesome results. If you’ve been following our work on Facebook, you’ve probably seen a few examples in our gallery.

The usual method we’ve been using for topographic Cerakote involves spraying one or two colors, then adding darker outlines to define the lighter tones. Afterward, a laser is used to bleach the Cerakote, changing the color. Basically, it burns the cerakote slightly, leaving all the protective properties, but slightly changing the color in that specific area. While this method looks great, certain color combinations, like tan and black, deliver a contrast that is truly badass.


Taking Topographic Cerakote to the Next Level

We wanted to push the boundaries a bit. Instead of the typical single-layer approach, we layered black Cerakote on the base, followed by a tan topcoat, and finished it off with a dark brown outline. Once the layers were flashed, we used a laser to burn through the tan top layer, revealing the black beneath. It’s a process that take a lot of testing to achieve, but it allows you to do far more intricate work that the usual methods just using stencils can ever achieve.

This process wasn’t without its challenges. Unlike flat surfaces, uneven levels on the firearm can make consistency a little trickier. And while the design speaks for itself, we owe a big shoutout to Ballistic Imagery for capturing these pieces so beautifully in photos.


What’s Your Take on it?

What do you think of this topographic cerakote style? Is it something you’d rock on your edc, maybe just hang it on the wall, or are you a “guns are black” kinda guy? Let us know below.

~Sam

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The Resurgence of Lever Action Firearms: Old West Meets Modern Tech

Modern lever action rifle with custom modifications and optics"
Modern lever action rifle with custom modifications and optics"

In recent years, there’s been a noticeable uptick in the popularity of lever action firearms. These classic rifles, long associated with the American Old West, are experiencing a renaissance among modern shooters. But what’s driving this trend, and how have these traditional firearms adapted to the 21st century? Modernized lever actions are playing a big role.

A Blend of Nostalgia and Innovation

Lever action rifles have always held a special place in American gun culture. Their connection to frontier history and their iconic status in Western films give them an undeniable appeal. However, today’s renewed interest goes beyond mere nostalgia.

Modern manufacturers and custom shops, especially Midwest Industries and Mad Pig Customs, have breathed new life into the platform, updating these classic designs with contemporary materials and features. Lightweight alloys with modern machining techniques, improved optics, and enhanced ergonomics have made lever guns more practical and versatile than ever before. We just had the pleasure of doing a “modernized” lever action. This particular one was a Henry Model X 45-70, customized with Midwest Industries parts, shown in the pics on this article.

The Mad Pig Customs Effect

One of the companies that’s played a significant role in this lever action revival is Mad Pig Customs, owned by Steve Tyliszczak. This innovative custom shop has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with lever action rifles, creating eye-catching and highly functional builds that have captured the imagination of gun enthusiasts.

Mad Pig Customs has become known for their unique approach, which often includes:

  • Modern optics mounting solutions
  • Custom cerakote finishes
  • Enhanced furniture and ergonomics
  • Improved action work for smoother operation

Their builds, showcased all over social media, and even making it onto the big screen in John Wick 3, have inspired both individual gun owners and other manufacturers to explore the potential of modernized lever actions. And let’s be honest, have caused a lot of drool on phone screens from gun guys who’ve stumbled across their awesome designs. Check out more about Mad Pig on their website and an article from Free Range American here.

Why Lever Actions Now?

Several factors contribute to the current popularity of lever action rifles:

  1. Versatility: Modern lever guns have became huge for hunting, target shooting, and we’ve even seen them used by some for home defense, although that’s not something we generally recommend in the age of semi-autos and higher capacity options.
  2. Legal considerations: In some regions with strict gun laws, lever actions face fewer restrictions than semi-automatic rifles.
  3. Ammunition compatibility: Many lever actions can use common handgun calibers, simplifying ammo logistics for some shooters.
  4. Shooting experience: The unique manual of arms provides a different and often enjoyable shooting experience compared to semi-autos.

As more shooters discover the potential of these updated classics, it’s likely we’ll continue to see innovation and growth in the lever action market. The fusion of Old West charm with modern firearm technology has created a category that appeals to a wide range of enthusiasts, bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary shooting sports.

So while we here at Schiwerks can’t think of a reason we really NEED a modernized lever action, it’s more of a issue of want for us. And we definitely see one of these in our future. How about you?

~Sam


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AR Mag Holders Produced in House!

AR magazine holder

For the past several months I’ve been posting about AR mag holders. Well, they’re finally live on the website. Check ’em out here. And for a limited time, you can get one free! Just spend $50 on the website and write in the order comments, or message us that you would like one. That’s it.

They’re designed and printed by us, all in house. Now you may be saying to yourself “phft, it’s just 3d printed crap.” And a year ago, I would have agreed with you. But now, seeing how far technology has come in the last few years, I’m absolutely amazed at what these machines can produce.

I got into 3d printing exactly a year ago now. Initially I was interested in it as a way to learn 3d modeling and eventually transition into CNC milling, which has always been something I’ve been interested in. That’s still in the plans. But I became absolutely fascinated that you could design a 3d model on your computer, and in a few short hours, sometimes less, be holding the physical product in your hands. What a world we live in.

I started with the usual entry level 3d printer, a Creality Ender 3v2. They can be had for a few hundred bucks, but I will say that I was blown away at the quality this thing could produce. I even printed a few pistol frames that I’m still using to this day. Yes, you can print gun parts on them, and yes, they are absolutely functional. (Joe Biden be damned.)

The more I learned and the more I printed, the more impressed with the technology I became. And the more I wanted to somehow incorporate 3d design and printing into Schiwerks. My printer is by far and away my favorite piece of equipment in the shop. And that’s saying something, as I have some awesome equipment. Freakin’ lasers man. But that’s a post for another time.

I’ve made jigs that save me a ton of time and effort. Specialty tools for specific projects. An entire attachment system for tools that goes above our workbench. So it just seemed right to make something in house that our customers would enjoy as well.

We invested in a new printer a few months back: a Bambu Labs X1 Carbon. I’ve been absolutely blown away by this thing. It prints 4-5 times faster than our other printer, with some features that make it an absolute dream to run.

This is where all those mag holders will be brought to life. My plan is to expand our offerings to include holders for other magazines (pistol, AR10, etc) and eventually even mounts to mount rifles and pistols on your walls.

It’s not that I’m just looking for stuff to sell. It’s the fact that I absolutely love designing something from scratch and seeing it come to life. And these are things that I personally use and love. So it only makes sense for me to bring these products to Schiwerks.

Wrapping this rather long post up, I would like to encourage you to check out 3d printing. Dip your toes it. It’s a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s an awesome hobby that can transition into so much more. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have. And until then, happy printing!

~Sam

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Black Box Edition Guns

black box edition glock

We do guns for customers. It’s what we do. Take their idea of how they want their gun to look and make it a reality. And we love it. But recently, we decided we want to do some guns the way WE want them. And the “Black Box Edition” line was born.

We take a new gun, add stippling, cerakote, optic, maybe a new slide, whatever makes it a truly custom, one off piece that will live up to the Schiwerks name. Then we put it in a black box with laser cut foam and a laser engraved brass coin with it’s Black Box serial number and then offer it to our customers.

These will be extremely limited numbers. We figure anywhere from six to a dozen a year. Keep your eye out for these, we’ll push them out on social media and email when they drop. See if you can get your hands on one of these extremely limited edition firearms.

~Sam

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Spike’s Warthog & Samurai

Spikes Tactical Warthog Receiver

Spike’s Tactical is one of the companies putting out these awesome face lowers.

They’re extremely popular, especially in the cerakote industry. There have been countless cerakote jobs put on them, but we like to think ours is a bit different from all the rest. We spent a lot of time on the details of this and are extremely happy how they came out.

What do you guys think? How’d we do?

As usual, props to Ballistic Imagery for the photos.

~Sam

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Craftsmanship: Woodworking, Kydex, Cerakote, And What Drives Us.

holster wallet
Over the past five generations, this family’s style of craftsmanship has changed. But the quality has always been there, and always will be.

The Schiwerks Way

(1/28/2018) – First things first, thank you thank you thank you for being interested enough in our company to click on this. We’ve worked hard and come a long way, and along that way, every single person that’s “liked”, “shared”, bought, or commented on any one thing that we’ve done has meant more to us than you’ll ever realize. In today’s world of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc., you would think building a website and driving enough traffic to it to generate an income wouldn’t be all that hard. But I’ll tell ya right now, it has not been easy. It has been hard, it has been frustrating, and at times, even a little maddening. We’re not even close to achieving what we know we can, and without you, none of it is even possible. So, sincerely, thank you.

Now, to the reason I’m writing this. We want you to know who we are. What we stand for. Why we’re “different”.

If you’ve had any interest in us prior to this point, you’ve probably figured out that this company consists of Sam, the owner, and myself, Jesse. We’re a couple of brothers who are probably more alike than we’d like to be.

Growing up, we spent a lot of time in Dad’s wood shop. And he did the same with his dad. Four generations of this before us. Somehow, in a town of less than 400 people, he managed to make a living and provide for Mom and their four children. A woodworker. In a town of less than 400. And he made it work. Churning out some of the best damn woodworking you’ll ever see. Hell, his projects have even made the newspaper! It was a horse-drawn hearse, and it was frickin’ impressive. He’s the purest definition of a craftsman.

Sam and I, while we did “dabble” in wordworking a little bit, it just wasn’t for us. Out of high school, Sam went to college for collision repair and mechanics. Up until January 1, 2018 that has been his life.

I don’t know how much you know about automotive paint. But it can be a real pain in the ass. Now, we’ve both been doing it long enough where it just kind of comes naturally, it’s not really something we have to think about. Of course, there are still times when we’ll get our ass kicked by color-matching a white pearl tri-coat, but that’s a whole different story.

What we’ve developed an eye for throughout the years are tiny little imperfections. Imperfections that most people would never notice, or if they did notice, probably wouldn’t even care about. Not only did we develop an eye for these things, we both grew to REALLY hate having an imperfection in our paint. We both know we can create a perfect finish with relative ease. So why let that one little thing fly?

Body work and paint translates perfectly to what both of us do. For Sam, cerakote is just another day in the shop.

Myself, I was kind of a computer guy. I decided to go to college for Computer Aided Drafting. Sam was working in Kansas City, and I had just been accepted down there. A few hours after I graduated high school, I drove down there and moved in with him. That went….poorly, to say the least, and before I even started school, I moved back home and started working construction.

After about a year of that, we were on vacation, and I still had no idea what I was doing with my life. We were sitting on a dock at the Lake of the Ozarks, and my oldest brother said, “Well, why not do what Sam does?”

Yeah, why not? I’d had an interest in cars before, I had just never really thought of it. A couple months later, I was done working construction, and I’ve kind of been unintentionally following Sam’s footsteps ever since.

I’ve been doing collision work now for eight years. I loved it, for a long time. And I probably will for a long time to come. But at this point, I need a challenge. I need a change. I need something bigger, something that matters. I can’t speak for Sam, or why he chose to start Schiwerks. But I do know that he is passionate about what he does, and that neither of us will quit until we succeed.

At first, making holsters was just a nice change of pace from the monotony of beating out dents. A nice hobby. Then Sam asked if I’d like to sell them under Schiwerks. There’s the challenge. An even bigger challenge: helping him create a brand that can make a difference.

Although expert craftsmanship has been in our blood for five generations now, and we’ve both learned to be maybe a little bit over-critical of our work from our time as body-men, giving you a superb product isn’t our lone top priority.

We put everything we have into our products. Our time, our money, and on multiple occasions I’ve put quite a bit of blood into it, never cried though. Man stuff, ya know. And when we’re done putting in, we put out. Err….donate. Sorry.

We recognize that without our military, we wouldn’t be where we are, doing what we’re doing. We aim to give back to those who deserve it most. To support those who defend us. Who’ve literally given their everything.

We’re just a couple of freedom-loving brothers, and we’re just getting started. Just wait until you see what we can do.