Lead bullets in a Glock?

[MostlyHarmless]

If I reload my .40 S&W cases with lead SWC bullets, is my Glock going to jam when I shoot them? Am I better off spending the extra $$$ for FMJ?

 

[CoRoMo]

The problem isn't necessarily in jamming. Peole will tell you that polygonal rifling doesn't go well with lead bullets.

 

[dpwilson]

One of my manuals say to not use reloads in glock or similar guns with chambers that do not fully support the cartridge due to the intrusion of the feed ramp.

I would like to get others advice on this because I would like to own a glock...assuming It will shoot reloads.

 

[glockgod]

I put hundreds,if not thousands of lead bullets thru my Glock 19 before I learned I couldn't do it Seriously-lead will shoot well in SOME Glocks. I would advise not shooting lead in a .40 but I know of a few people who do. My solution was to go with plated bullets-the advantages of jacketed without the excessive cost. 9mm 147gr plated over 4grs Unique is a sweet load. Chronos at 980fps from a 17. Your mileage may vary. If it were not for reloading I couldn't afford to shoot!(4000 rounds +/- last season)

 

[oneounceload]

One of my manuals say to not use reloads in glock or similar guns with chambers that do not fully support the cartridge due to the intrusion of the feed ramp.

I would like to get others advice on this because I would like to own a glock...assuming It will shoot reloads.

I've only shot my reloads in my Glocks for years - they are jacketed, not lead, but have never had an issue

 

[Sinixstar]

One of my manuals say to not use reloads in glock or similar guns with chambers that do not fully support the cartridge due to the intrusion of the feed ramp.

As long as they're reloaded within acceptable tolerances for the gun - that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.
I know plenty of people that have reloaded 9mm and 45acp for glocks, for many years now.

 

[onehitwonder]

I think the issue may be the lead builds up in the grooves and when you go back to a high pressure jacketed bullet it creates too much pressure.

 

[rcmodel]

Not at all.
There are no grooves in polygon rifling.

The issue is that older Glocks were capable of firing out of battery by as much as 1/16" or more.

Lead shavings and packed bullet lube stuck in the headspace shoulder of the chamber will increasingly hold the slide further & further open, increasing the amount of case hanging out of the already unsupported chamber.

Lead is fine in Glocks, but the bullets must be cast really hard, like straight Lynotype, or leading in the poly rifling may be an issuue.

Then be prepaired to clean the chamber & barrel really throughly with a bronze bore brush every couple hundred rounds or so.

If you are not equipped to cast your own Lynotype bullets, or pay top dollar for commercial ones, you are better off to stick with plated or jacketed bullets. Many commercial cast bullets are too soft for use in Glocks, in my openion.

rcmodel

 

[Eyesac]

Buy an aftermarket barrel for you Glock and forget about it...

 

[Shoney]

MostlyHarmless
The comments by rcmodel are correct. If you wish to read a history of the Urban Myth of "Can't Shoot Lead in a Glock"; read this thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=408807

In a nutshell, you can shoot lead, but it must be hard cast, you must inspect the chamber and bore often, and scrub the lead out often.

Shooting the lead out with a jacketed bullet is argued back and forth, so I don't do it, because of the strong argument that it only irons the lead out smoothly, and increases pressure.

 

[oldgold]

While a RO for IDPA I personally saw three {3} Glock forties come apart. Tow were barrel bursts and the third was totally jambed and could not be opened at the range. The first two were definitely using lead bullets. Never saw the ammo from the third.

When my wife bought one I ordered an aftermarket barrel first thing so she could use my reloads. [lead]

It's your gun. Why take a chance?

 

[BigSlick]

Here's a definitive primer on the subject :

http://www.glockpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1284

 

[rfwobbly]

Precision coated bullets are supposed to shoot well in a Glock with no leading of the stock barrel.

http://www.precisionbullets.com/

 

[Claude Clay]

yet another reason for not having a glock

 

[RustyFN]

yet another reason for not having a glock

I haven't found a reason to not own a Glock. I have a G17 that I bought a year ago. It has never seen factory ammo. I haven't shot lead out of it and am getting ready to start casting for it but think I am going to buy an after market barrel, just a personal preference. I have a few friends that have shot lead in factory Glock barrels for years without any problems.
Rusty

 

[snuffy]

yet another reason for not having a glock

Nobody asked you if we should own glocks. No need to throw a wet blanket on us that choose to.

Lead build up in the poly rifling will result in increased pressure, if not cleaned well/often enough. Harder boolits are not the total answer, but boolits that fit AND are lubed with an effective lube will shoot without leading.

 

[45ACPUSER]

Buy an aftermarket barrel for you Glock and forget about it...

Great advice, and the bbl will be paid for in about 3K or so of lead reloads.