Glock .40 blow-ups?

[goon]

What is the story with Glock .40 blow-ups? I have read quite a bit about this here and there but I still don't know whether it is actually something to really worry about or not. Has anyone on here had or seen one blow up? What is the cause of this whole thing? I have read that Glock clambers aren't as supported as some others which could lead to this problem with the .40 S&W round, and that it is a result of either out of spec ammo, handloads, or of a round being repeatedly chambered and having the bullet pushed into the casing too far as a result. I also know that only jacketed bullets should be used in a Glock (or anything else with polygonal rifling).
The reason I ask is because after handling a Commander sized 1911 next to a Glock 22 and 23, the Glock has taken the place of the commander on "the list". They just fit better.
Anyhow, thanks in advance.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/glock-kb-faq.html

 

[Coronach]

Some reasons why Glocks might be "more prone" to kBs than other pistols (note the quotes):

1. Glocks are one of the largest, if not the largest, segments of the LEO market.

2. Cop kBs, being duty guns, will have a close to 100% reporting rate. JoeBob and Cooter blowing up a Beretta 92 FS playing "lets see if it will shoot this" is less likely to be reported.

3. Cops also tend to chamber and rechamber rounds a lot. One of the leading contributors to overpressure is, apparently, bullet setback. Hmm. 2+2=...

4. Glocks are also intolerant of lead bullets, and due to the "Glock Perfection" marketing hoopla, tend to attract people who like to push the envelope. And publish the results.

Can there also be a structral/design component to this? Sure. But these factors alone can make for "trend" of Glocks detonating.

Mike

 

[1911 guy]

My "facts"

I put facts in quotes because I'm not a balistician and am merely recalling what I've read. The .40 is aparently very succeptible to extreme pressure changes with minor variations in bullet seating depth. Probably a case where the modern cartridge was developed with modern components to fit maximum power in the minimum package and not taking to any change very well at all, powders and pressure curves being what they are. Combine this with the facts (not in quotes) that Coronach points out and there's probably your answer.

 

[chopinbloc]

i don't think there is any definitive data that shows a glock to be more likely to kaboom than any other quality pistol, especially in the same chambering. guess what? the venerable 1911 can even kaboom. i'd wager that you are FAR more likely to experience a squib load than a kaboom with even cheap guns. i don't consider it a significant issue in considering a choice of defensive pistol.

 

[Moonclip]

I feel Glock kb issues are"overblown" but I do feel it is more likely with a Glock. I do own and operate 2 Glock 40 cal pistols though and just stay away from lead bullets. Other pistols like my IMI baby eagle have a polygonal bore too and I hear of no kb issues.

Why, it could be the all steel construction but as mentioned, it is not like the most popoular duty pistol in the USA and I bet there is one Baby Eagle 40 for every 100 Glock 22's in the world therefore less kbs!

Subject has been done to death, a search will turn up a lot. Also the Glock book they sell at Borders,can't remember the author, has a lot of info on it.

I was involved with a range once, never saw a kb but I did see cracked Glock slides. With all the Glocks on the range and being rented, I'm surprised I never saw at least one kb.

 

[goon]

Thanks.

 

[usp_fan]

Goon,

I've had one kB! on me. PM me if you'd like details. I do think they are more prone to spontaneously disassemble themselves, I also think the things mentioned above can contribute.

--usp_fan

 

[HSMITH]

I agree with Coronach and will add that the Gunzone is DRIVEL.

 

[phantomak47]

Do you guys think that Glock 20s in 10mm have the same kb problems that the Glock 40 cals have? Or that Glocks in 10mm might be more prone to kbs ?

 

[Nobody]

I don't feel that the Glock 20 is as likely to KB as a .40s&w simply because it is the parent cartridge. The .40 is an alteration of the 10 where the designers tried to max out as much omph as they could in a shorter case. I personally feel this leads to less tolerance in bullet setback changes in the .40s&w. Just my opinion. I've not heard of a G20 KB. The G20 is a substantial frame and slide for 10mm, not the compact trimmed down frame to fit the compact trimmed down stepchild .40. Again, just my opinion.

 

[nextjoe]

The Glock 20 and 29 should be more capable of dealing with an overpressure situation (due to bullet setback, lead buildup, overcharge of powder, whatever) than the .40 S&W models because the 20 and 29 were designed from the very beginning to take the 10mm cartridge. In contrast, the .40 Glocks are built on frames originally designed around the 9mm cartridge.

 

[goon]

But if you go to a bigger frame and slide you lose the feel of the smaller gun. I have big hands to start with but I find the large frame 10mm and .45ACP Glocks to be too large for my hands. I have never shot one but I have handled them and they truly do feel like trying to wrap your hand around a 2x4.
If it comes to that, I would probably end up just sticking with 9mm and keeping the same feel.

 

[mec]

"I agree with Coronach and will add that the Gunzone is DRIVEL."

Yes, but it's nasty, overbearing drivel.

That factor made me tend to discount all the KB! talk but Glocks and others in the high pressure chamberings do blow up occasionally. I saw a SIG Pro fractured in several different directions . The empty was wired to the trigger guard and had the classic blow out just above the case head. Ive also seen a 10mm glock with fired case that had a near-full- term pregnant buldge just ahead of the casehead . Recently, at the range, a glock 9mm tied up because of the same sort of bulge. This case swelled out and cracked just in front of the casehead. Load was white box WW ball.
This gun belonged to a local police detective who works with the training officer. They have contacted a number of police departments around the country documenting glock blow-ups and disbelieve the common explaination of "bad ammo."

 

[Longbow]

I've seen a .40 cal blew up, but it was a custom 1911 not a Glock. I've never seen a .40 Glock blow up (yet?).

 

[Rinspeed]

I hardly ever say this but use the search function, this issue has been hashed out way beyond the puking stage for the last 10 years. We need another Glock KB thread just about as bad as another 9mm vs 45 ACP thread.

 

[USPCompact45]

I think the kb in the 40 glocks are overstated. It doesn't really happen that much. If there is data supporting the proportion of glocks kb'ing compared to others kb'ing, it shouldn't be that different. Anyways, just use factory spec ammo and check it before firing. If it worries you so much, just get a bar-sto barrel which are fully supported and it would reduce kabooms since those barrels can are stong enough to shoot lead bullets.

Anyways, I saw a cross section of the 40 s&w cartridge and the 10mm cartridge, and the 6 o clock position on the 40 s&w was thicker and stronger. 10mm and .45 acp kaboom as well but there are much less of them in glocks than the 40 s&w. I had a glock 22 but ended up selling it because it was too big. Just get springfield xd-40 which I never heard a kaboom of.

 

[duncan]

phatomak47: Do you guys think that Glock 20s in 10mm have the same kb problems that the Glock 40 cals have? Or that Glocks in 10mm might be more prone to kbs ?

The Glock 20 and 29 in 10mm have heavily reinforced chambers and beefy support on the feed ramps compared to the Glocks in 40 cal.

Over the past six years over at GlockTalk, I cannot recall one kaboom on a 10mm Glock. Could happen to any gun - seen some 1911 in 45 ACP go kaboom - overcharge, undercharge, oversized bullet = ouch!

Three or so years ago, a couple of the Glock 40s would have some kabooms.

It was a less than best feed ramp design that did not support the feed ramp and the rear lip of the case area so hot rounds could buldge and the case would fail.. I've had about a dozen case failures in my Glock 20 KKM 6" hunting barrel and my Federal Arms 40 cal barrel but I was using range brass loaded maybe 15 times. No problems - cases even cracked and the barrels and ramps held - I just noticed when cleaning up my brass.

The older Glock 40 stock barrels may have had some problems - hot ammo - inexpensive PMC, Wolf or other crappy thin brass cases - but that was years ago.

I only see an occassional kaboom over there in 40 cal.

Just get an aftermarket Federal Arms, KKM or Barsto barrel and don't look back. Better accuracy, can shoot lead, and the case is really supported well.

 

[duncan]

Goon: But if you go to a bigger frame and slide you lose the feel of the smaller gun. I have big hands to start with but I find the large frame 10mm and .45ACP Glocks to be too large for my hands. I have never shot one but I have handled them and they truly do feel like trying to wrap your hand around a 2x4.

when you are shooting full power house 10mm loads, you need a lot to grip on

Thinnk about it, you can hunt for 20 yards shots and inside with a 10mm handgun like a Glock 20. That grip helps suck up the snap and recoil from those DoubleTapp ammo loads throwing 200 grainers at 550 plus FPE.

Yeah, they are platsic bricks but you get used to them.