Glocks and Kabooms....Straight from my Glock Book

[phantomak47]

My Glock book states that out of all the different rounds that Glock makes pistols in, the .40 sw seems to have the most problems, which is probally because of the .40 case. Anyways, I dont want to start a Glock war here, and I fully understand that the chance of a well cleaned and maintained Glock in .40 kabooming is one a several million.

Anyways, I was wondering if Glocks in .357 Sig would have the same problem as the .40 does? yet again no dissing on Glocks here. Just wondering if .357 Sig Glocks are as prone as the .40s.

 

[Cousin Mike]

Well, for me it's this simple. You hear about KB's, but not often... When you do, it almost always ends up being the result of some crazy handload... and, as you stated, it's usually with the .40 models.

I've never heard of a Glock in .357Sig blowing up... doesn't mean it hasn't happened, just means I haven't heard about it. Furthermore, I don't reload - so personally I worry about my G33 blowing up about as much as I worry about an anvil falling out of the sky and hitting me on the head, a la Wyle E. Coyote.

 

[Geronimo45]

From the sketchy info I've read, .40 kbs had something to do with an unsupported chamber - which newer Glocks fixed. Don't have a clue whether that's the case or no, never had a Glock, never seen one blow up, never met anybody that did.

 

[Mortech]

Portland Ore PD had a rash of 40 cal kabooms related to the unsupported chamber issue . Glock was quick to replace the pistols affected

 

[Onmilo]

Portland Oregon,,,,,,heh, heh, heh.
That place is even goofier than Los Angelas, no wonder the guns started blowing up.

 

[JAMES77257]

From the sketchy info I've read, .40 kbs had something to do with an unsupported chamber - which newer Glocks fixed. Don't have a clue whether that's the case or no, never had a Glock, never seen one blow up, never met anybody that did

+1, the 6 o'clock point in the chamber is kinda weak.

 

[HighVelocity]

I've seen photo's of KB'd G22's, a G21 45acp or two, an HK USP in 40 and a Kahr P40. It does look like the 40SW chambering is more likely to have a case failure but it's not just a Glock issue.

 

[JohnKSa]

Portland Ore PD had a rash of 40 cal kabooms related to the unsupported chamber issue . Glock was quick to replace the pistols affected.

The Portland PD had problems with .45ACP Glocks and Glock did not replace the pistols because the PD wouldn't turn the affected pistols over to Glock for examination. So Portland PD switched to 9mm Glocks.

 

[Stachie]

If you keep your Glock clean and don't reload you should worry more about inflation and cancer than kaBOOMs.

 

[silversport]

...wouldn't turn their GLOCKs over to GLOCK for examination...yet kept GLOCK as their pistol...I wonder what that says about whom they believed was at fault for those Kabooms...
Bill

 

[mete]

The proper term is "not fully supported chamber" rather than "unsupported chamber " Try to speak english !! Glock chamber dimensions have changed and the case hardness and thicknes of at least one maker [Federal] has changed also.Many of these problems go back to the early days of the 40 S&W and it's learning curve which we have with any new item .There has been overwhelming acceptance of the 40 by LEOs and others .It's really a nice cartridge !!

 

[Shipwreck]

Actually, the 40 is such a high pressure round. It is my understanding after reading something lately, that using lead bullets actually causes the pressure to rise a little higher than a plated bullet would. So, its not just Glocks that can have a Kaboom. It doesn't have to be some "crazy handload" as stated above. Also, another frequent cause of kabooms is the case failing. With the higher pressure, the brass fatiques faster. If U reuse the brass too often, it can fail.

Probably not a great idea to use reloads and/or lead rounds on any 40. Doesn't have to be a gLock. Sure, there are tons of 40 reloaders out there. But your slight chance of an issue seems to climb a bit when using those types of rounds, no matter the gun. Combine that WITH a Glock,a nd the chances go up even higher...

 

[possum]

use relaods only you trust, ie your own, or good factory ammo and you won't have any problems, or you could use the glock kabooms as a good excuse to buy an xd that has a fully supported chamber!

 

[PzGren]

I handloaded way over 100,000 rounds without issue but I also never caused a traffic accident, despite a hot tire.

I am more concerned about the ammo than the gun and in reloads for Glocks I am more careful with 357 SIG due to the bigger chance of bullet set back.

There are still a lot of people that do not know what a case failure is!

 

[gudel]

I've bought two Glock 22. I haven't had any explosions, and I'm not gonna hold my breath for it.

Compared to those guys, for obvious reasons, I think it's clear that Darwinism is not on my side.

 

[CountGlockula]

Just don't use reloads, but if you want to use reloads and get a Jarvis barrel to be safe.

You should be good to go.

Regarding Kaboom's, never seen one live...only on the web.

But also, I've seen a 1911 Kaboom on the web also.

 

[Geno]

1911?! You must mean Kimber

I have never heard of a 1911 kaboom. You must have been thinking of a Kimber. Psych!

I understand Glock has corrected the kaboom problem with the .40 S&W. What I have read is that many people were shooting lead through the standard Glock barrel, and that will not work! If you shoot lead, get a cut rifling barrel.

I have my hopes set on getting a G22 and a G23C. I HOPE they have them fixed. I was pleasantly surprised last week to learn that on average .40 S&W ammunition costs not much more than 9MM.


Doc2005

 

[CountGlockula]

I have never heard of a 1911 kaboom. You must have been thinking of a Kimber. Psych!

I understand Glock has corrected the kaboom problem with the .40 S&W.

I'll try to find the photo of a 1911 kaboom...Here it is: http://www.thegunzone.com/1911a1-kb.html
But honestly, when I read through the Glock .40 caliber kabooms, they happened in the early 90's. I have yet to see a report on them recently. I'm sure Glock HAS improved their guns since then.

 

[James NM]

Beware the Glock Fo-tay. Are you professional enuf?

 

[Reservecop55]

Glock Kabooms and Portland, Or

For the Record, PPB has never used .40 Cal Glocks. The problems were with two Glock 21's-Never mind, just noticed that some one else already brought up this point

 

[bclark1]

for some reason, glocks as well as some other .40s (the p99 is one of them) do not support the entire case. i guess it's not "some reason" -the reason is feeding reliability from what i understand. in any case, if you're shooting fresh brass at normal pressures, you'll only see a slight deformation in the case (shouldn't even jam) once in a while and perhaps a little burning around the outside of the case from gas that gets vented back if the case does not expand to block it. should almost never cause a KB still. the risk lies in reused brass that is already stressed and reloaders that might overcharge even slightly. i had a particularly bad p99 barrel (armorer asked if i had dremel'd it) and i sent it back to the factory for a new one which is slightly better but still exhibits some of the same issues. i'd assume glock's in the same boat.

what do i know, though? this is just my version of the story that i've put together through my reading and what i've heard from a bunch of folks.

 

[Arc-Lite]

stock Glock barrels blow up, one or two...is a few too many...I shoot a G20 10mm, first thing I did, was replace the stock barrel, with a 5.4" ported Bar-Sto.. over cautious ? maybe....but who cares !!! If and when I buy more of these ugly, 100% functionable/reliable weapons.... I WILL replace the barrel (Bar-Sto, KKM, Fire Dragon)...over cautious, ahhhh...... who cares !!!! If I ask 100%, I give 100%.

 

[JohnKSa]

Glocks, 40S&W and kB!s.

• The .40S&W is the same pressure as the 9mm.
• The .40S&W in the 180gr loading is sensitive to setback. If the bullet is seated too deeply or is pushed into the case by repeated rechambering, the pressure rises dramatically.
• The Glock chambers tend to be oversize which stresses the brass. (I've heard that this is changing.) Anyway, it's not a problem with new, good quality brass. But it can become a problem if you shoot hot reloads with brass that's already been though a Glock chamber once.
• The Glock rifling tends to lead a bit more than other kinds of rifling. If used with lead bullets (something that Glock recommends against) the barrel leading can result in higher pressures.
• While many manufacturers recommend against reloaded ammunition, the Glock recommendation was backed by more than just a desire to CYA. They really meant it--but people just didn't believe them. Yes, you CAN reload for a Glock, but there are some special considerations that should be taken into account.
• Federal initially had some problem with their .40S&W brass and had to redesign it. There were several incidents with pistols from different makers involving this brass.
• Glock, at one time (according to a Beretta Representative) had around 70% of the LEO market. Probably the majority (certainly a good percentage) of those guns were .40S&W. Lots of guns being shot by lots of people (especially when you consider all of the above points) means lots of incidents. And PDs tend to publicize their incidents.

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

Actually, the 40 is such a high pressure round. It is my understanding after reading something lately, that using lead bullets actually causes the pressure to rise a little higher than a plated bullet would. So, its not just Glocks that can have a Kaboom. It doesn't have to be some "crazy handload" as stated above. Also, another frequent cause of kabooms is the case failing. With the higher pressure, the brass fatiques faster. If U reuse the brass too often, it can fail.

Probably not a great idea to use reloads and/or lead rounds on any 40. Doesn't have to be a gLock. Sure, there are tons of 40 reloaders out there. But your slight chance of an issue seems to climb a bit when using those types of rounds, no matter the gun. Combine that WITH a Glock,a nd the chances go up even higher...

Actually Ship, the polygonal rifling causes issues with the lead bullets. To the best of my knowledge, Glock and H&K use polygonal rifling in their pistols. Reloaders examine all their brass. At least the ones I know(myself included). That takes care of the fatigued brass problem. You can also get overpressured rounds from reputable ammunition manufacturers(albeit rare). This is another advantage of reloading. Personalized QC.

 

[shooter71]

so is it just safe to say if you have a older Glock in 40SW and you shoot reloads..just by a good aftermarket barrel ??