Been down this road a whole bunch!!

[Coldfinger]

So I have always wanted a 10mm. My wife allowed a layaway in time for Christmas so I put my 25% down on a Glock 20 Gen 4. I have several auto`s and the Glock won't be my first polymer framed. I also love my 1911s, and I am not a glock hater. Odd hu? My argument with a Glock is that they are ugly to me but outdoors rugged. I will start my questions with a few facts....
I reload and have for over 10 years .380, 9mm, 40, 45, and some rifle.
Glock doesn't like people to shoot reloads outta their guns. I assume it has something to do with the rifling as well as case support. Or just support. Or just liability. So here they are. I'm sure the answers are in the forum somewhere but my search function won't work on my tablet at work.

Polygonal rifling requires that I load only plated or jacketed projectiles?
I don't push the limits in any of my loads, I load only to afford to shoot. Plus I like reloading.

Can/should I load 10mm for use in a Glock 20 Gen 4? Near as I can tell the barrels are the same in Gen 3 and Gen 4.

Is case support still a hot button issue?

Should I consider a LoneWolf barrel?

Thank you in advance for any insight you provide. :banghead:

 

[Blade First]

"Polygonal rifling requires that I load only plated or jacketed projectiles?"

That's what the mfr. recommends and it is, after all, the company which is responsible for your "limited warranty". Why not get the aftermarket barrel and load whatever you please?

 

[JDR]

Anybody with 10 years experience reloading knows what he's doing, I know people who shoot reloads through their stock barrel Glocks, no problems I know of. I shoot Tula and WWB through mine all the time so I've heard all the tribal knowledge about avoiding "substandard" ammo, and I think a lot of what you hear is bunk.

 

[rbernie]

I shoot a lot of reloads through my Gen4 20 and Gen4 29. In fact, I can't recall the last time that I bought factory ammo for it; I took delivery of 2K Starline cases a while back and that's keeping me well stocked.

As a general rule, I use only plated or jacketed bullets in Glock barrels. I've been known to shoot a wee bit of cast through them (100 rounds max at a time), but only if I know that I'm going to clean the barrel well after shooting. The stock Gen4 and Gen3 barrels have good case support, and I can assert with absolute confidence (since I've bought them) that the Storm Lake and EFK and LW barrels offer no better case support. Of the aftermarket barrels, LW are the cheapest and BarSto is the best, with Storm Lake and EFK in the middle. I've standardized on EFK as the best compromise of fit, finish, case head support, and cost for those Glocks in which I feel the need to shoot cast bullets.

I use an EFK 40S&W and 357Sig barrel in my G20. I am particularly fond of the 40S&W conversion it gives me the option to plink using cast loads that are made from readily available (free!) 40S&W brass.

 

[hardluk1]

coldfinger The Hi-Tec coating used by bayou bullet and sns can be shot in numbers thru glock barrels. I use it in a polygonal barrel in my kahr tp40. My loads use there 155gr rn and what your say but I had to see for my self is NO smoke .

Somewhere I saw a bayou bullet melting. The lead ran out a small cut mark in the green coating. The coating did not melt.

Some photos I have seen gen4 barrels do look to offer a better chamber than earlier barrels but you may want to go over to glock forum and see what the reloaders are doing. Theres also a 50page and ongoing tread on the KI-TEC coating bullets and at home coating .

For defense or hunting load underwood does have some good loads. My 155gr 40sw gd load from them in my 4" kahr gets along at 1302fps. 1292fps in a 3 1/2" cw40

 

[Coldfinger]

Thank you for the replies. I have reloaded for many years yes and I do think I know what I am doing but I'm always eager to learn more and ask the public for their opinion and knowledge. I have never owned a Glock and eagerly await the payoff day to receive mine. With that said I have read a bunch with regard to case support and what not. Granted most of that I read in threads with 1911 somewhere in the title. I am a huge 1911 fan...So I suppose the case support thing was my greatest question. I also remember feeling a bit of anxiety when I started loading .40. In hindsight the lead bullet thing it moot due to my indoor range not allowing for lead ammo. So gentleman if I hear you right I should load just like I would any other round. Following published guidelines and all should be well.
By no means does this response mean I do not desire more insight into the 10mm round or the Glock because I certainly welcome data, opinions, options
Number 5 put it best...... INPUT
Thank you again guys

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Glock doesn't like people to shoot reloads outta their guns.

No manufacturer does. I would bet every manual that comes with a new gun these days says that handloads will void the warranty.

Polygonal rifling requires that I load only plated or jacketed projectiles?

That's the rumor. However many shoot cast through them. My brother has a G22 that we've shot a ton of cast in and never an issue. We check the barrel often too, and have no leading issues.

Should I consider a LoneWolf barrel?

I've heard too many horror stories about LW barrels for me to ever buy one. Stories about horrendous accuracy and barrels that won't simply drop in. Now remember, this is not personal experience, but something I've heard through the grapevine.

 

[Cherokee]

Don't know about the Glock but the 10mm is a great cartridge.

 

[ATLDave]

1. 10mm is a great reloader's caliber. You can load it hot, or you can load it down to make a .40S&W round with slightly less blast and more forgiveness on setback issues. Or anything in between.

2. To my knowledge, the only tricky part about loading 10mm for Glocks is that some Glock barrels have very limited case support. I have heard that gen4 Glock barrels have fixed this, but check out the case support above the feedramp. If there's not much support, you may want to take it easy on re-using brass fired with hot loads through it, or stay shy of the very hottest max loads.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

My glock have never seen anything but lead reloads and it's fine working just fine. I'm pretty sure they fixed all the support issues but it wouldn't hurt to pop the barrel out and take a look if they will let you drop a round or case in the chamber(barrel out) and take a look.

I thought about getting a 20 instead of my 17 but even tho glocks aren't know for there looks or fell I just couldn't handle the fell of the 20.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I thought about getting a 20 instead of my 17 but even tho glocks aren't know for there looks or fell I just couldn't handle the fell of the 20.

Yeah, I want a 10mm desperately but the handle is so freakin big on the G20. The SF is a little better but still too large for me.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I finally broke down and bought my first Glock last year, a G20SF. It will serve as my all-around outdoor sidearm. Glocks are known for their reliability and relatively loose tolerances, so I don't want to compromise this by switching out the factory barrel, just for a little more case support or to allow lots of lead bullets down the tube. I typically only reload jacketed bullets for all my semi-autos anyway.

I have noticed the "Glock belly" on some fired factory Federal cases, but not with my mid-range reloads using brand new Starline brass. So maybe different manufacturer's brass have different thicknesses, but it is something I do keep a close eye on. The tiny bulges go away when run through the sizing die.

IMO, the Glock 20 has no equal when considering autoloaders for wilderness sidearms. Reliable, durable, simple, weather-resistant, and with 15+1 rounds of .357 Magnum level power. Plus, it's so ugly I don't care about scratching it up or dropping it in a mud puddle.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

coldfinger The Hi-Tec coating used by bayou bullet and sns can be shot in numbers thru glock barrels. I use it in a polygonal barrel in my kahr tp40. My loads use there 155gr rn and what your say but I had to see for my self is NO smoke .

Somewhere I saw a bayou bullet melting. The lead ran out a small cut mark in the green coating. The coating did not melt.

Some photos I have seen gen4 barrels do look to offer a better chamber than earlier barrels but you may want to go over to glock forum and see what the reloaders are doing. Theres also a 50page and ongoing tread on the KI-TEC coating bullets and at home coating .

For defense or hunting load underwood does have some good loads. My 155gr 40sw gd load from them in my 4" kahr gets along at 1302fps. 1292fps in a 3 1/2" cw40

Beat me to it. Coated is the way to go period imo. Lower cost than jacketed or plated, no copper fouling, no lead fouling if loaded correctly, no lead smoke (just a tinge of burning plastic that is only noticeable indoors), slightly higher velocities than any other bullet type for the weight cuz they are super slick. Then you top it off with they just look cool (what other bullet can you get a bunch of dif colored SWCs for to make a box of crayons to shoot lol). Whats not to love.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Yeah, I want a 10mm desperately but the handle is so freakin big on the G20. The SF is a little better but still too large for me.

Ya I can't say I love the fell of my 17 but the 20 was like a brick dressed up as a gun. If the grip doesn't brother you tho I think it would be great.

IMO, the Glock 20 has no equal when considering autoloaders for wilderness sidearms. Reliable, durable, simple, weather-resistant, and with 15+1 rounds of .357 Magnum level power. Plus, it's so ugly I don't care about scratching it up or dropping it in a mud puddle.

What about 460 rowland? Can convert any ramped and fully support 45 acp with not much work and hass more power and bigger hole then the 10mm just short of the 44 mag but from a autoloader. I'm gonna have to get me one of these sometime.

 

[OregonJohnny]

What about 460 rowland? Can convert any ramped and fully support 45 acp with not much work and hass more power and bigger hole then the 10mm just short of the 44 mag but from a autoloader. I'm gonna have to get me one of these sometime.

Yeah, I looked into the .460 Rowland, along with .45 Super and some other boutique cartridges and conversions. But when I said the Glock 20 has no equal when comparing autoloaders for an outdoor sidearm, I meant when you take all factors into consideration, not just pure energy of the round it fires. Things like capacity, durability, reliability, light weight, modest recoil, quick follow up shots, decent trigger, etc.

When you take all these factors into consideration, I still think the Glock 20 is the "Goldilocks" of wilderness sidearms - outside of Grizzly country.

 

[Merle1]

Anybody with 10 years experience reloading knows what he's doing, I know people who shoot reloads through their stock barrel Glocks, no problems I know of. I shoot Tula and WWB through mine all the time so I've heard all the tribal knowledge about avoiding "substandard" ammo, and I think a lot of what you hear is bunk.

It seems as if bullet hardness has a LOT to do with fouling build up, which causes high pressure, then (maybe) a ka-boom.

 

[JDR]

It seems as if bullet hardness has a LOT to do with fouling build up, which causes high pressure, then (maybe) a ka-boom.

It's only common sense to clean & oil a Glock after shooting RNL reloads or dirty FMJ factory ammo, to avoid fouling build up!

 

[Coldfinger]

I too consisted the 460. The relative high cost of the kit coupled with the unavailability of cases I decided on the Glock 20. If that wildcat maintains its popularity the components may become more widely available. Then I will invest in the kit. It seems like a whole bunch of fun but not every day practical so from where I stand it would only be used to look like the big man on campus at the range.
How is the availability of after market parts for Glock?
Would it be useful to replace factory parts in one like I do with most 1911s? Is/are there specific parts to replace to improve reliability/function/life span?
Thank you in advance. Like I said I'm not a block guy per se but I look forward to getting mine. I might e a rare hybrid 1911/Glock guy

 

[wow6599]

I only use my LW G20 barrel when shooting really hot loads. I have a small FTFeed % with the LW barrel, but that's using my hand loads, so who knows....

As far as this statement -

I've heard too many horror stories about LW barrels for me to ever buy one. Stories about horrendous accuracy and barrels that won't simply drop in. Now remember, this is not personal experience, but something I've heard through the grapevine.

This hasn't been my experience, but YMMV. Here is a link to someone who seems to think a LW barrel in a G20 is good to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m0satEkGjw

 

[silicosys4]

The best 10 shot group I've ever gotten out of an auto loader was with a gen3 G21 with 230 gr. RNL cast handloads. Cast from wheel weights, they gave very little leading. 200 gr. cast swc's lead more and are less accurate out of that gun, but I don't hesitate to shoot cast lead out of the factory glock barrel once the load has been dialed to produce minimal leading, providing I check the bore regularly at the range as a habit, and scrub the bore whenever it starts looking fouled, usually after 200 rounds or so. I could go many more between cleanings but personally don't wish to.

My g19 leads more with lyman 124 gr. cast ww bullets, but I am still dialing that load in as the 9mm load runs a few hundred fps more than the .45 load.

I would be mindful in developing a load for the 10mm at higher levels due to leading, I don't personally have experience with lead, glock barrels, and 10mm velocities.