Lead bullets in a Glock 30 mmmm, I wonder...

[Katana8869]

I know that according to most lead and Glocks don't mix. But way back in the 90's before anyone knew any better I used to shoot whatever was at hand in my Glock 22 and my Glock 27 as well as my Glock 17. My Dad did alot of reloading so I ended up putting alot of lead down both with no trouble, some times as many as 100 - 150 at a time.

Now I will be the first to admit that I wouldn't be to eager to push a .40 or a 9mm Glock like that these days, I even witnessed a Glock 9mm Kaboom at a IPSC match several years ago, but what about a .45? It has lower pressure, lower velocity and it is not generally thought of as being as prone to KB's as 9mm and .40.

I clean my gun after EVERY range session so I don't see excessive lead build up coming into play.

I know there are other barrels with standard rifling ect, ect, but I wonder if it really is neccesary. It seems like good gun maintenance would do the trick.

Does anyone do it? I'm thinking that short sessions of 100 rounds or so oughta be okay. Thoughts?

 

[GRIZ22]

The polygonal rifling in Glocks and other handguns tends to lead faster than conventional rifling. I don't know how many lead bullets will make your pistol kaboom. I've heard it said that it doesn't take many (less than the 100-150 you shoot before cleaning). This would be dependent on the velocity and the hardness of the lead.

I have fired lead bullets in Glocks and H&Ks (maybe 15-20) and didn't notice any change in accuracy.

However, with the information out there and being all manufacturers who use polygonal rifling saying not to, I don't do it. I use lead bullets in conventional rifled barrels only.

 

[PzGren]

I also used to shoot swaged bullets out of 9mm Glocks long before the gun forums started.
I stay with hard cast now and the accuracy is better in extended range sessions. I shoot lead out of .40 SW and .45 ACP and have good results. Sometimes I also shoot 9mm out of stock barrels.

When I go shooting, I can't stop at 100 or 150 rounds. I occasionally check my spent brass for signs of high pressure - and did never find any sign of it.

No matter what manufactureres say about lead bullets, they just don't recommmend reloads at all. I have my views, YMMV.

 

[ninja45]

Hardcast lead bullets (that I reload myself) are what I use for practice in my G19, G23, G30 and G34 to save in ammo cost. In the hundreds of rounds I shot, I never had any problems (praise God).

Just clean your pistols after each range sessions and pay attention when you reload, you'll have no problems too.

Ninja45

 

[Viking88]

I think the Glock .45s have octagonal rifling.