Glocks and hand loads

[Allen]

I just got a G30 and have been warned by several people not to shoot hand loaded ammo. I remember seeing something on here before but not the details. Is this fact or myth. I like the pistol and dont want to damage it or myself.


Allen

[gumpokc]

new handloads within factory specs are probably fine, but the glock has a partially unsupported head.

this makes it unwise to fire hot handloads or reloads, as if there is a case rupture the gas exits out the unsupported area.

(in other words, there is a small area of the brass around the head that is not fully enclosed by the chamber).

It can be done, and alot of people do it, but if you decide to do so, be aware of what _could_ happen.

It isnt a myth, and is easily verifiable, best bet is to simply use factory ammo with the glocks.

[jmarriott]

The 40 S&W I thought was the main offender. I was unaware of all glocks being reload poor. You can get a barsto replacement barrel to solve the problem.

[gumpokc]

The 40S&W is the worst offender to my knowledge but that notch exists across the board in the design to the best of my knowledge.

anyone else have any further info?

good info on the aftermarket barrels, i have heard of them, but don't know enough about them to comment.

[TreeDoc]

The issue is with reloaded brass. Start with new brass and keep close track of how many cycles it has seen. .40 S&W was the biggest offender due to the high pressures generated. Don't just scoop up the remnant cases at your gun range unless you know it's once-fired. Expect to retire your cases after maybe 3 cycles.

When I was shooting the 40 for IDPA, I'd buy 1000 empty cases of Starline Brass. It's good stuff and easy to ID when you're picking up off the range. I'd get many more cycles since I was building "Mouse-loads" to meet power factor but eventually dumped the caliber and went to a G17 for better shooting.

[Allen]

I took apart the Glock and the Colt 1911 and looked a the barrels with a round in each and now see what you were talking about.


I load on the light side for my Colt 1911, that is what it likes the best. I think I will try some in the Glock that is once fired. I will compair it to some factory loads and see which it likes best.


Thanks for info
Allen

[Rocky Raab]

There is also an issue with cast bullets due to the Glock's polygonal rifling: the two aren't compatible. Stick with jacketed bullets and moderate loads with low-cycle brass and you should be fine.

[TreeDoc]

As per usual, Rocky is right about the rifling in the stock barrel. Most of us involved in the competitive sports use double struck Copper Plated bullets. Again, most Glunk shooters have gone to the Barsto Barrels.

Also, I did a little experimenting with my Glock 22 and other 40 S&W chambered pistols I have with supported chambers. Shooting the same batch of new factory loads and measuring with calipers at the web, you will find a noticeable difference in the expansion at this area of the case when it comes out of the Glunk when compared to the other guns.

[Allen]

Rocky, thanks for the info on the cast bullets. I only load jacketed bullets, it is a personal preference thing, no real reason. As for the case expansion, I want to measure them before shooting, after shooting and after resizing just to see what is happening to the cases.

Thanks

Allen

[Rocky Raab]

You'll likely find a bulge -sometimes even a visible one- on one side of the case just above the extractor groove. Then you'll find that it's the area of the case that's covered by the lip of the shellholder, and doesn't get sized back down at all.

[muskrat30]

I recently bought a Glock 22(40S&W) that I plan to handload for. I compared the barrel/chamber support area to my H&K USP 40 & did not see any noticable difference in cartridge support. I have shot reloads in my USP that I thought had the same type barrel groves. For reloads I load 'plated' bullets to a modest velocity,(165 grn H Univ. for powder). The Glock came my way via a family discount, if not for that I was very content with my USP.

At 1st I planned to get an after-market barrel, but after some research I plan to use the factory for my reloads. I am also a relatively low volume shooter & clean after each outing. I can understand the warnings but that is my plan. I have some 165 grn GDHP's factory loads if I need full power.

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