Glocks and Lead

[Centaur 1]

I cast and shoot flat nose lead bullets in my Glock 26, Kel-Tec PF-9, Ruger LCP and S&W 380 bodyguard. My bullet of choice is the Ranch Dog TL358-100-RF. Ranch Dog molds are no longer in business, but luckily he is allowing LEE to produce his bullet designs. I initially bought the mold so I could cast for the .380's, it didn't take long to realize that the lighter bullets have less recoil and my finite lead supply will last longer. When it comes to shooting lead in a Glock you need to take the time to understand what is happening to the bullet during the reloading process. I take the time to trim all my brass to the same length. This insures that every case gets expanded properly and receives the same exact crimp when seating the bullet. Crimp is actually a bad word, I adjust the die to remove the flare, nothing more. The case can't shave any lead if you don't crimp it inward. Remember that I trim all my brass before I use it, part of trimming is deburring the sharp edges that are created. That small chamfer combined with the uniform length, guarantee that the case mouth doesn't turn in and shave lead. Also never make any assumptions when it comes to bullet diameter, slug the barrel and size your bullets accordingly. My Glock has the smallest diameter at .355", and my LCP has the largest at .3573". Bullets sized to .356" don't lead the Glock, but I need to size to .358" for the LCP. Some barrels won't chamber a case with a bullet that large, but my Glock does so I just size everything to .358". Go slow and check the barrel for leading, if you see signs of lead stop shooting and clean the barrel. Here's a pick of my Glock's barrel after approximately 300 rounds.

This is the bullet I use. http://leeprecision.com/mold-6-cav-tl356-95-rf.html

 

[BSA1]

A few years ago I organized a couple of Cops vs. Cowboys shoots for Toys for Tots. Since CAS shooting is on steel targets the range master of a large metro P.D., a officer and myself thoroughly investigated this subject. I personally called Glock and they told me their concern is officers would not bother to clean the lead out of the barrel before shooting jacketed rounds out of it. They said this would result in excessive pressure. (Imagine officers being too lazy to clean their guns). We discovered that the Glock barrels actually leaded less than rifled barrels.

Shoot lead but clean before uses jacketed bullets.

 

[RealGun]

Thanks in advance for any practical information other Glock owners who shoot lead can offer!

If intent on confining the variables and getting truly pertinent responses, you might want to pursue replies from .380 Glock shooters.

Note that you also call into question the many purchases of aftermarket barrels.

The Kahr .380 would be a comparable gun to include, if any of them are shot with lead.

 

[d4xycrq]

Lots of feedback in this post - and here's one more;

All I shoot out of my Glocks is lead. I cast them, and I buy them. I do have jacketed bullets - but those are strictly for carry.

Specifically, I cast 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP. (G17, G23 and G21)

Ray

 

[sexybeast]

If intent on confining the variables and getting truly pertinent responses, you might want to pursue replies from .380 Glock shooters.

Note that you also call into question the many purchases of aftermarket barrels.

Does Glock even make a 380?
Aftermarket barrels? The only reason Lone Wolf is in business is because of the perpetuation of the myth that lead can't be shot out of stock glock barrels.
After shooting lead through glock barrels for 25 years my opinion is that aftermarket barrels are only necessary for a caliber conversion. I have a Storm Lake 40barrel for my Glock 20.

 

[RealGun]

my Wife's up and coming G42 in .380

I was referring to this quote without knowing whether Glock did, in fact, offer such a thing. I allowed the benefit of the doubt.

 

[chbrow10]

I own a G34 that is shot for competition. I would guess that we have 15,000-20,000 lead bullets through the factory barrel. I have not experienced any dangerous leading in that barrel.

However, in his book The Glock in Competition, Robin Taylor mentions that he has seen some factory barrels experience dangerous levels of leading while others experience none. You should proceed carefully with your barrel until you know which category it falls into.

 

[sexybeast]

Quote:
my Wife's up and coming G42 in .380

I was referring to this quote without knowing whether Glock did, in fact, offer such a thing. I allowed the benefit of the doubt.
__________________

Glock makes three of them! No idea, but they only sell one to the general public. The other two are LEO for some reason!
With all of the pocket guns like the LCP, Bodyguard,Keltecs, etc... I guess its about time Unlike the others I have never seen the Glock .380

 

[abq87120]

Lead aside, I recommend you carry whatever ammo your local police department is issued. In most states, the plaintiff's lawyer in the civil suit that always follows even a righteous shooting SD situation will make hash of your defense otherwise. You are a gun-crazy nut case who couldn't wait to plug someone.

I bought a Lone Wolf Distributing stainless steel barrel for my G23. Three of them, actually. A 40-9 conversion, a 357 Sig and a 40 S&W. I bought the 40 after having a fizzled reload bullet lodge half way down during an IDPA shoot. If I'm going to trash a barrel, it's not going to be the one with a matching serial number, lol. All drop in and, except for 9mm mags, no other modifications. No issues except for my poor reloading, lol.

Seriously, consider your CCW rigging before you have to defend your self in court. Keep it stock and be aware of what's down the road beside the BG.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I appreciate all the input - I'm not asking about lead thru other pistols in .380 as I'm not familiar with all of them and whether or not the manufacturer specifically states to not shoot lead bullets.

I shoot lead in my .32 acp Colt's and shot lead years ago in my Wife's .380 Walther and several Beretta's in .32 and .380 without issues. My initial desire was to develop a flat nosed lead round for the Glock 42 and have since been referred to plated flat noses which seals the deal.

I'm not a big believer in hollow points in smaller less powerful guns and prefer flat nosed bullets to FMJ round nosed as an alternative. There is a lot of information here at THR and about the 'Net in general that is very...contrary in nature and did not give me enough input about shooting lead in a Glock barrel.

VooDoo