[Dak]

I just purchased a Glock23 almost two weeks ago and then after I bought it I started hearing about Kabooms.I've did a bit of reading since then and read most of Dan Spier(may have the name wrong but you probably know who I mean) articles and it seems they are almost always from reloads,except that batch of Federal Hydra-shoks.I doubt I'll be reloading anytime soon if ever.Most everything I shoot will probably come from Wally-world.Is this something to be that concerned about or has it been blown out of proportion?Thanks

[rock jock]

No more so than being savaged by Bigfoot.

[JohnKSa]

You're pretty safe already. If you want to reduce the chances of problems to virtually non-existant, then here are some suggestions.

Read the manual.

Glocks are hard on cases--if you reload you will need to be very careful about case inspection. Don't push maximums especially with the heavier bullets and make sure your crimp is sufficient to make sure that bullet setback is minimized. Don't use unjacketed bullets.

If you don't reload then avoid lead bullets, aluminum cased ammo with the heavier bullets, poor quality ammo and commercial reloads.

Issue 1:
It turns out that the .40S&W cartridge is unusually sensitive to bullet setback--especially with the heavier (180gr) bullets. Even a relatively small amount of bullet setback can cause chamber pressures to skyrocket.

Issue 2:
The Glock chambers are cut on the generous side and put more stress on cases as a result.

Issue 3:
Glock barrels are polygonally rifled which is much less tolerant of leading than other rifling styles. Even a lightly leaded bore can cause much higher pressures than one might expect. Shooting a jacketed bullet down a leaded Glock barrel is an excellent recipe for disaster.

The combination of these issues results in the cautions I gave above. Reading it all at once makes it sound a lot worse than it is, but most of these cautions are either in the manual or are fairly commonsensical...

[George Hill]

Don't panic.

[GLOCKT]

I've shot nearly 40k through my 3 Glocks (G-27 and 2. G-22s one is a G22c)
I shoot from 135 to 180gr all factory ammo,Fiocchi by preference.
I have the Glocks inspected every 6 months by the local Glock armorer.
Fires and functions flawlessly,in all elements of weather.
Now if my Walther P99 was this reliable.

[cratz2]

I think you have a far less than a 1 in 10,000 chance of having a problem.

And if you 1. Don't shoot reloads, 2. Don't shoot lead from the factory barrel, and 3. Don't chamber the same few rounds several times over and over again, probably less than 1 in 1,000,000.

[jc2]

Make sure you keep the chamber clean.

[Phantom Warrior]

I...might have shot a case of round nose lead reloads through my Glock before I knew better. It's still kicking today. Except I'm wise enough to only shoot FMJ now.

Like everyone says, shoot good factory ammo, don't shoot lead bullets, you'll be fine.

[valor1]

Don't worry just shoot them a lot. If they go KB, call their customer service. If they don't replace it, get another. You won't enjoy any guns if you think of any other KB issues. Glocks have already shown a good record. I'll worry if I buy any of those Lorcins or Jennings.:)

[HD]

had a g30 being fired with a-merc ammo let go at our indoor range tonight ...
damaged the mag , hurt the guys hand , every glock fired case showed signs of casehead seperation starting...
same ammo functioned just fine in a 220 and a 1911a1...
this is the 5th kboom i've seen in 5 years ...
9mm/40/10mm/45 it doesn't matter they all do it...

[pauli]

If they go KB, call their customer service. If they don't replace it, get another.
if they don't replace it, buy something else. and write them a letter about it.

anyway... if you're worried about a kaboom, buy an aftermarket barrel.

[JohnKSa]

a-merc ammo ...is almost certainly THE worst quality new commercial ammunition currently on the U.S. market. The general consensus is that it is not only very poor quality, it is very likely dangerous in many cases. The number of "incidents" that involve this brand of ammunition is very high--especially when you consider that it's not a particularly common brand.

I mentioned that the Glock chambers are harder on brass--that means that if the ammunition uses really poor quality brass, a case failure is much more likely. American/A-merc definitely fits the bill in that respect.

[Jeepin' Lawyer]

a-merc ammo. . .

We accidently got a quite a few a-merc (s) in our reloading brass recently. Well, the result was lots of training at a match. . .HOW TO CLEAR A FTF.

The a-merc brass would expand in the chamber and cause a failure. Pistol was a Kimber 1911.

a-merc should be bannned, I believe it is worthless and dangerous. :cuss:

Just my .02

[jrpeterman]

I have owned 2 Glock 23s that I bought 3 years ago. Both guns have had aproximately 2,000 factory rounds fired through them. Never had a problem with either one. Another thought on bullet set back, if carrying on a daily basis and unloading the weapon daily, you may want to rotate the chamber round so the same bullet is not being fed in the chamber numerous times over.

[jc2]

I think HD and Jeepin' Lawyer may have hit on the real problem with Glocks--ammo (in this case a-merc) that another design (1911) could handle caused a kaboom in a Glock. There seems considerably less tolerance (margin of error) in the Glock than in other designs. I wonder how many times when a Glock kabooms (particularly with factory of ammo) that another design would have shrugged it off and kept going--a whole lot more than a few I'm sure.

[Edward429451]

If you had bought a 1911 or a Sig you wouldn't be on here asking if it might KB.

Like they say...If you gotta ask, you already know (you shoulda bought a different pistol)

All this stuff about don't use this ammo in Glocks, no reloads, etc is disconcerting in this day & age. No magnums in Streetsweepers, no silvertips in seecamps, no lead in Glocks.:rolleyes: BS. We want guns that will shoot anything, especially with SHTF looming on the horizon.

Glock Perfection is a lie for these reasons. My Colt will gobble up anything that the Glock gags on.

[CZ52GUY]

Glock Perfection is a lie for these reasons. My Colt will gobble up anything that the Glock gags on.

Respectfully, the marketing gimmick is just that.

"Sig Perfection" would be a lie
"Kimber Perfection" would be a lie
"Springfield Perfection" would be a lie

and so on, and so on, and so on...

Glocks don't react well to certain ammo'. If you are going to use a Glock...then don't use ammo' that has been reported to cause problems and expect good results.

Because of this "dietary sensitivity", some won't buy a Glock, and that's fine. I have 3-40's. I keep them clean, feed them nothing but factory ammo', and watch my cases for signs of issues.

I also have other platforms that I enjoy, some signficantly more than the Glock line. It's a tool, it performs within its design limitations and I set expectations based upon that. Overall, I've been pretty happy with mine, but if you want to shoot lead, reloads, or very cheap brass...maybe you should be looking at a different autoloader.

An aftermarket barrel can be a good investment if in all other respects, you like the Glock line. KKM, for instance, makes a barrel that several THR members have had good luck with. Drops right in, reliable, and you can expand your Glock's diet.

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

[walking arsenal]

we'll this another post thats got me all concerned

i put up a post on corbon ammo and found out that corbon isnt all that great. solution: bought gold dots

so i shouldnt rechamber the same round like ive been doing for year. solution: i leave that round in the barrel

dont reload the mags over and over. solution: i leave em all loaded

Glocks are ammo sensitive and blow up?!?!?

ok, now i carry this thing every day every where, am i carrying a weapon i can bet my life on or am i carrying a self triggered grenade. should i be concerned about this? Or are the glock haters just waving their flags.

IMHO i think it'd be a step backward if i pulled my g33 on a bad guy and promptly blew my hand off. just a thought.

[auschip]

I always get the defective products, at least I suspect as much because my Glock never blew up (and it is a .40!) my Beretta 92 never shot the slide through my brain, and my 10/22 functions flawlessly. What am I doing wrong?

[jc2]

We can probably safely say the Glock is a little more ammo sensitive than many competing models, and that careful ammo selection is more important for Glocks than for many competing models.

[Redlg155]

I'd venture to say that the millions of rounds shot through glocks by Military, Police and Civilians can attest to their safety record. You would be hard pressed to find very many handguns that have been issued as widely or tested as much as the Glocks are. A second close runner would be the Beretta, and there are even naysayers about that model.

I'd suspect that the vast majority of KBs reported are from users using reloaded ammunition or second rate ammunition. No handgun ever designed would be immune to this problem.

Again..look at the sheer numbers of Glocks that are currently in service by police agencies as well as individual owners. If a few incidents are enough to make you lose confidence in carrying the weapon, then by all means, get a different model.

I almost came home with a G19 at this weekends gun show but instead got a sweet deal on a HK USP 9mm Compact. :D

Good Shooting
Red

[CZ52GUY]

Glocks are ammo sensitive and blow up?!?!?

737's sometimes crash...perhaps as often as a Glock goes KB

Ford Explorer's had tire issues, people still drive them

It's about risk acceptance and confidence. Many folks drive Explorer's without dying. Many get on 737's without crashing. Many carry a Glock with confidence.

If you fear a Glock KB, don't buy it or carry it. A CCW that you are afraid of makes a better paper weight. I carry my Glocks routinely because my research says that if I keep them clean and use good ammo', they will treat me right. After sending several thousand combined rounds through 3 of them this year and using them in multiple competitions which are likely to stress them beyond simple indoor bench shooting, I am more confident in them than I have ever been.

That being said, I don't expect to impose that view on anyone else. I wouldn't urge a squeamish THR member to carry a piece they aren't comfortable with. I can only post my experience and rationale...each THR member reading threads like these will need to draw their own conclusions.

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

[magsnubby]

Glock .40's are very dangerous guns. They'll blow up if you use anything but factory hardball.

Send it to me postage paid and i'll make sure it's disposed of properly.

[walking arsenal]

magsnubby- very funny, if im going to get rid of it ill trade it off and let someone else blow themselve up.


so what brands of ammo are no no's then and what ones are quality carry brands?

[9x19]

Over-pressure blow outs and detonations happen in more than just the Glock line, such as...

[9x19]

Even wheel guns aren't spared...

[Edward429451]

CZ52, I know it's just a marketing gimmick but there are those out there that believe what they read...maybe they'll also see it in print that it's a lie.:)

It IS about risk acceptance and confidence! I have tons more confidence in my Colt than I do my Glock. All guns will blow up under the right (wrong) circumstances, even Colt's. But we hear about more of the Glocks blowing up than any other pistol. With reloads AND factory ammo. I don't buy into the argument that I've heard that since there are so many Glocks on the street that it's just a numbers thing. There has to be way more Colts out there than Glocks. having been around since 1905/1911.



so what brands of ammo are no no's then and what ones are quality carry brands?

It's a trial & error thing.:uhoh: LOL.

[9x19]

There has to be way more Colts out there than Glocks. having been around since 1905/1911.

That's not an assumption I'd bet on, but even if it were true in terms of production numbers... how many of those old Colts are in mothball status?

I am inclined to believe there are more Glocks in daily use, than there are Colts. :scrutiny:

[auschip]

It's a trial & error thing. LOL.

Well if by trial and error you mean no lead then you are correct. The only KBs I have heard of with proper factory ammo (by proper I mean no lead) have been with recalled Federal ammo.

I like 1911's, I think they are a fine pistol, but that doesn't mean they can'tsuffer a failure like any other firearm can.

[Edward429451]

9X19, :) , if you want to go that route...then lets include all calibers of Colt *style* guns including 9mm, 40S&W, 10mm, 45ACP, Super, 460R, and all copycat makes, Sig, SA, Wilson, Baer and all the rest. I'm not just talking about Colt 45's!

Maybe alot of original Colts are in mothball status, agreed. But from what I see on the range, and read about, and gunsmithing guys and gunrags and so forth, I'd say it's a safe assumption that the 1911 style pistols are being sold like hotcakes like never before sans military contracts. And just where is our resident GlockTuner, eh? Eh?:neener:

auschip, jus bein funny (I think). I've heard of KB's with Win White box and A-Merc also.

[CZ52GUY]

Hi,

Do you enjoy Glocks? Probably not. Even if they were "Perfection" I doubt you would like them. That is your right and your choice. I respect that. That's a matter of taste and subjective decision making based on your perspective. That's the criteria we all should use when considering the blaster we put on our belt.

Do you believe that anyone should enjoy Glocks? Your posts indicate that you believe that Gaston is close to the Devil incarnate ;) and that all Glocks should be collected and burned (something the anti's would delight in I'm sure) my tongue firmly implanted in cheek :D.

I am not a Glock enthusiast or a "Kool-aid drinker" as some describe those who are Glock fans.

I'm offering this THR member (and all who are reading) the best objective advice I can based on my experience with 3 Glock 40's that I carry, practice, and compete with. They are not my favorite pieces. However, they are useful tools to me.

No one is asking you to take the risk. This member is already invested.

You should consider the laws of probability when you dismiss the market penetration impacts. 1M guns * .001 issues = 1000 reported issues per million. That adds up. Are Colts used for similar duties in similar #'s to Glocks? I don't think you can rationally argue that they are.

Should civilian gun owners ignore the known issues when deciding whether a Glock is for them? Absolutely not.

Can they take some comfort that with the right choice of ammo', maintenance, or by customizing with a new barrel (customizing being something that the 1911 platform is immune from ;))? I contend there is an enormous body of objective evidence that they can.

Each shooter needs to decide for themselves. I wouldn't recommend a Glock for everyone, nor would I a 1911 (even though I very much enjoy my 1911, more than my Glocks).

Stay Safe,

CZ52'

[9x19]

Edward,

IF we're going that route, then lets include world-wide sales figures for all models and calibers of Glocks... .380, 9x19, .357Sig, .40 S&W, 10mm, .45 GAP and .45ACP... we could even include those Glock-inspired guns as well, such as the S&W Sigma, Walther P-99, the Springfield XD, the Steyr S series, and Sig Pros. :what:

Now you sleep on it and dream up your production figures, and I'll dream up mine and tomorrow we'll see who has the biggest... imagination!!! :neener:

The Glock gets beat up by alot of those professional screw turners simply because it doesn't require their services... its easy to dote on the models that put food on the table and the kids thru college. :evil:

[NMshooter]

I had over 30K rounds through the one I used to own when the trigger return spring broke. When I stripped the pistol to see what the problem was I noticed the locking block was split in half. Glock fixed everything. Worked fine for several hundred rounds afterward, then I noticed I was paying more for .40 than .45 and decided that maybe 9mm wasn't so bad after all.:)

[magsnubby]

I have atleast 10,000 rounds through my 23, 5,000 through my 27 and i don't even know how many i've shot through other peoples Glocks. Ain't none went kaboom yet.

Don't use reloads.

Don't use lead rounds.

Don't use reloads

Don't use ammo marked A-MERC (or something like that). It has a very bad rep.

Don't use reloads.

[Edward429451]

:uhoh: I'm outflanked I see.:uhoh:

OK OK, I'll come clean. Hi, I'm Edward429451 and I'm a Glock owner.:D

Yes, I enjoy my Glock 21. Yes, I'm more accurate with the Glock than my Colt. at distance. No, it's never jammed on me with factory ammo.

So what the heck is my problem with it?:scrutiny:

I'm more intimate with my Colt, had it longer, it's slimmer and therefore easier to carry, cheaper magazines, eats even my reloads without a bobble, and it's ok with lead. I'm a poor man and cast 95% of what I shoot and it just bugs me to no end that I'd have to buy ammo for it.

I've shot alot of lead in my G21 and do not advise anyone else to. I'm meticulous about cleaning it and always shoot the jacketed first. Still though the spectre of KB looms. Lead notwithstanding, there's still the unsupported chamber.

I need/want more than one 45. In my mind, they should be able to shoot the same reloads, even lead. Magazine compatibility would be a plus as well as holsters which I have extras of. Manual of arms, takedown, spare parts. *I* shouldn't have bought the Glock for *my* needs and situation. There. Happy now? (sob):D

CZ52, the stuff you say...must you be so...so...(whats the word I'm looking for?....lookin for just the right word here...) Must you be so....um, correct?! Yes, you're right and I totally agree with what you said. A little facitiousness and subtle humor coupled with my inner desires and needs made me speak lowly of the Glock while holding up my Colt, and my apologies if I offended anyone or caused concern where there may not be much in your own personal niche of needs.

Sometimes I forget the underlying seriousness of the thoughts and posts and get a lil humerous and I'm wrong about that. But it was fun till you guys outflanked me! I do think that Glock missed the boat with the polygonal rifling and unsupported chamber though. Sorry if I hijacked the thread. I stand down now.

:D :neener:

[CZ52GUY]

Your posts indicate that you believe that Gaston is close to the Devil incarnate and that all Glocks should be collected and burned (something the anti's would delight in I'm sure) my tongue firmly implanted in cheek .

I enjoy some overt humor myself :D.

Stay safe and in good humor ;),

CZ52'

[JohnKSa]

Problems with American/a-merc ammo are not limited to Glocks by any means.

I've had "A-Merc induced" jams in a Ruger P89 that was otherwise faultless, and a friend of mine had severe problems at a CHL qualification course trying to qualify using American ammo and a 1911A1 pistol.

I think a search of this site would turn up more. For example:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95810&highlight=american+ammo

This thread points out an important fact--most American Ammo bullets are not jacketed--they are thinly plated with copper. That means that they will lead almost as badly as a pure lead bullet. The worst leading problem I EVER encounted was as the result of shooting copper-plated lead bullets in a Beretta 92FS.

Anyway, we all know that lead bullets aren't such a great idea in Glocks--neither are cheap, thinly copper-plated lead bullets...

[Dak]

Thanks for the replies.From what little I've shot it(about 80rnds.)I really like it.Like someone mentioned I'm already invested so I'm gonna keep it and hope for the best.I will say from the cases I recovered after shooting that I have to look really close to see any bulging at all.It was WWB.

[Edward429451]

;)

But if anyone had taken my post to heart and NOT got a Glock, and instead got a 1911...would they really have made a bad decision??:D

In fairness, that I'm stuck with a gun that wasn't the best choice for me...Is is really a bad gun? Naw, I could've done worse. At least its not a Hi point or Jennings.

If I'da got a KKM barrel instead of the uber tactical 300 dollar laser, I'd be a happy camper, eh? I do like the trigger once I got used to it. Super short reset means pretty darn fast followup shots.

[CZ52GUY]

Did you get the M6?

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

[Edward429451]

No, I got the Laser Devices Mdl BA2. It clamps around the front of the TG and makes the already blocky Glock even moreso. Good laser but not as useful as a decent barrel would've been.

Anybody need a laser? Fits G20's & 21's...Trade for KKM bbl? Hmmm?:D

[CZ52GUY]

LDI makes quality stuff, but you pay for it. My SP2009 has a proprietary light only made by them...fortunately I was able to trade some after market full caps and for me it was about $80 out of pocket...batteries are sometimes proprietary too (as is the case with mine).

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

[magsnubby]

Geez Edward....you make me wanna go to the safe an apologize to my 1911's for even owing Glocks.

The Colt Defender sure does look nice....

[Edward429451]

I know, me too. I gotta buy some under thingys for my Colt to make it uo to her. Prolly why she got made mad at me and broke her collet bushing.:D

[RichardinNC]

"Glock .40's are very dangerous guns. They'll blow up if you use anything but factory hardball.

Send it to me postage paid and i'll make sure it's disposed of properly."

Very interesting. I've made the same exact offer on several forums for those hideous POS Kel-Tecs that people complain about. Offered 75% of what they paid and postage. No takers - not one.

Look - has anyone considered the percentage of the civilian and LEO market that Glock has? Other manufacturers would love to have the same market share. Are all these LEO's insane and do they have a death wish? I don't think so.

Glock owners send 1000's of rounds down range with few problems. Let's not buy into either the myth of "Glock Perfection" or the myth of the "Dangerous, Life Threatening Glock". Both are pure BS. No weapon is perfect and Glock's are different as are Kel-Tecs. If a Glock is not the weapon for some people then they should stay away from them. Same for Kel-Tecs - many people, including experienced shooters, find them too demanding and can not handle them. I appreciate comments based on fact but the comments based on hearsay and rumor are best left unsaid.

I own both Glock and Kel-Tec and have exactly zero (none, nada, zip) problems with them. Whenever Dean Whatshisname and some other "gun writer/experts" pull their heads out of their rear ends they will also see the light.

[Coronach]

3. Don't chamber the same few rounds several times over and over again, probably less than 1 in 1,000,000.This is the one that will get cops. Cops are constantly loading and unloading the same two rounds over and over and over and over and over and over and over. Heck, I rotate my carry ammo more than most, and am more conscious of the condition of my ammo than many, and I put a lot of wear and tear on those two rounds.

No surprise that:

Wildly Popular Gun

+

Twitchy Caliber for Bullet Setback

+

Large group of minimally trained gunhandlers

+

Scenario where ALL kBs! will be reported

=

A rep for blowing up.

I would not worry at all.

Mike

[walking arsenal]

phantomwarrior brought it to my attention the other day that the first 300 rounds he ran through his glock where a case of those cabelas reloads, lead bullets even(we didnt know any better) and guess what, its a G23.