Glock fired .45 brass ok???

[Visionairy]

Having just bought a glock (36) with the intention of reloading 100% of my ammunition, I'm a bit worried since I've just heard about this 'unsupported chamber' issue and KB's and all that fun stuff. My question is, is this ONLY known to be an issue with .40S&W or is my .45 going to blow up in my face one day????

I apologize if this information is found elsewhere on the forum, the search function yields a blank screen for me and is therefore useless.

Thanks!

 

[tehweej]

I have a Glock 36 (currently out for repair, I will get to that in a minute). I have shot brass that has been reload 4-5 times though it without a problem. The one issue I have had was a double-charge from a round reloaded on a progressive (thus the repair). The cartridge blew out by the rim, blew out the mag, cracked the frame, broke the plastic covering on the trigger, and sent my mag catch who knows where. But that was loader error, and I am smarter now.

Sent it in beginning of April, haven't heard from them yet.....

Edit: Didn't mean to hijack, sorry for getting off topic.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Simply put, unless you hot rod load or load over max, then you will be fine. Just stick to the published loads and be careful not to double charge and you should not have any problems. Like all reloading, check your brass and make sure everything is in check.

 

[243winxb]

The 45acp works on a maximum of 21,000 psi, the 40 s&w much higher @ 35,000. You should be fine with any published data for the 45acp. For extra protection, buy some Starline 45 acp +P brass, its thicker, so they say. PSI chart > May not be up to date?? http://www.handloads.com/misc/saami.htm

 

[skipsan]

Having just bought a Glock 21, I had the same concerns. I contacted Dillon
CS and posed your question. The answer(s) I got were consistant with what I had read, namely, that the Glock chambers are intentionally oversize compared to a 1911, and proper sizing of the full length of the case is important. It might happen during sizing, that the sizing die would seize on the brass case, causing it to buckle and form a false rim near the bottom of the case. Obviously a deformed case like this wouldn't chamber or pass a case-gage test. He suggested that I use a small amount of case lube when resizing Glock-fired brass. I tried it, and it sure smooths things out.

He further suggested that loaded rounds be case-gaged to ensure that they had been properly sized and reloaded.

In short, he said that Dillon had no issues with properly processed Glock-fired brass.

 

[harmonic]

The one issue I have had was a double-charge from a round reloaded on a progressive (thus the repair). The cartridge blew out by the rim, blew out the mag, cracked the frame, broke the plastic covering on the trigger, and sent my mag catch who knows where

Yeah, that's a heck of a one issue.

For extra protection, buy some Starline 45 acp +P brass, its thicker, so they say.

Which introduces a conundrum, viz. thicker brass produces more pressure.

 

[nofishbob]

I have reloaded thousands of rounds of .45 fired through a Glock 21 with no issues. I load midrange loads and typically lose the brass before it fails. I know that some of my cases have more than 12-15 reloadings on them and they are still sound.

I have just about all common headstamps in the rotation

I do not use lube except to smooth the press operation slightly, usually I do not bother.

I feel that a lot of concerns that people have about .45 Glock brass are .40 issues that do not apply to the .45.

If you keep an eye on things and use accepted loads, you should have little to worry about.

Hope this helps.

Bob

 

[LiveLife]

If you choose to reload for your factory Glock barrels, keeping pressures below max load data will minimize case bulge from looser Glock chambers.

I think the comments about 40 Glocks being more prone to KBs than 45 Glocks is unfounded as I have seen 45 Glocks KBs as well as 40 KBs (I have yet to see a 9mm Glock KB at the range). Since 45 ACP is a lower pressure round than 40 S&W, many may draw that conclusion. I believe the greater number of 40 Glocks sold over the 45 Glocks may be the primary reason for greater number of 40 Glock KBs reported (and most of the personally witnessed KBs were due to double charged reloads).

 

[jmorris]

I have/had Glocks in about every chambering other than 45 gap and some have never had anything except reloads fed to them and I never had any problems out of any of them. If you happen to encounter “bulge” problems there are undersize or push through size dies that different folks use and like. I never have used them but I have a machine that roll sizes my brass after tumbling, before reloading.

FWIW It is generally understood by those “in the know” through out the reloading world that double charges negatively effect the firearm regardless of manufacture.

 

[tehweej]

Yeah, you can't chalk up reloader-error to a true problem with the brass/firearm. Moral of the story is that severely overpressured loads don't work so well....

 

[blackwalnut]

I am only chiming in because there is so much "common knowledge" about the unsupported Glock chambers. You should have no problem just read the reloading manual for the .45ACP cartridge and follow all proper reloading practices. All of us are telling you the right thing. Also like other the 40 operates at almost twice the pressure.

Some persons get a little info and they get dangerous. I have had other auto pistols and cartridges that also bulge at the case head. Hi pressure #s like the 38 super for instance do this . Im sure 10mm , 357 sigs and hot 9mm do it. And this can occur with government models too. keep your loads in the safe zone. Good luck. Shooting and reloading are supposed to be fun. keep it safe.