Lead in a Glock (any poly rifleing), why not?

[ljnowell]

Harley Quinn, I agree to a point.

I agree with that point too. I think that someone should know both sides of the argument, should take personal experiences, etc. into consideration when they do so.

 

[Hangingrock]

This subject is like putting a patch on a patch. That’s to say why yes you can shoot lead/alloy bullets but you must do so within certain parameters. If you must shoot lead then why not change out the OEM barrel to an after market barrel with conventional rifling and be done with it. To stay with the OEM barrel with lead bullets is it not an example of penny wise and pound foolish.

 

[LiveLife]

This subject is like putting a patch on a patch. That’s to say why yes you can shoot lead/alloy bullets but you must do so within certain parameters.

Believe me, I share the same sentiment. But this is THR.

I have been shooting several hundreds of thousands of reloads out of my Glocks to include lead reloads and over-max jacketed/plated loads. Part of my Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrel use in Glock 22 is so that I can shoot 9mm major power factor level loads with a bit of pressure insurance. Many say you shouldn't use faster burning powder in 40S&W and many more complain about "snappy" recoil of 40S&W. Well, I have shot plenty of Hirtenberger +P+ rounds in Glock 17s and even factory JHP 40S&W felt recoil is milder than bone jarring/hand numbing recoil of the Hirtenberger rounds.

But this is THR. Plenty of moderator posts have reaffirmed the disclaimer requirements for posting over max and unpublished loads. Since I help set up many new reloaders to this hobby/passion, I tend to stay on the side of safety and have them stick to published loads.

I am a curious reloader and try many things (test below start charge for example). I had my reservations about starting the Promo thread for 9/40 as there is no current published load data for 9/40 for Red Dot, which Alliant indicate that we can use by weight for Promo. With new reloaders unfamiliar with this fast burning powder in mind, I detailed the steps I used to range test my work up (I still have all of my fingers).

Ultimately, can you shoot reloads in Glocks? Glock won't endorse it, nor will they endorse shooting ANY reloads out of Glocks.

For me, I have and will continue to shoot lead reloads out of my Glocks but will continue to post qualifiers/disclaimers. My recommendation of "Inspect your barrel about 200-300 rounds for fouling build-up" may be a bit extreme, but keep in mind that we are recommending something already not endorsed by the manufacturer of the pistol ... a line needs to be drawn somewhere to guide new/unfamiliar reloaders to keep them safe as much as possible.

I will also continue to recommend using mid to high range load data to provide some buffer "headroom" from max load data as some reloaders won't realize the dangers of extra chamber pressure generated from shorter OAL, bullet diameter/bore fit, etc. etc. when using max load data and think they are safe - they are not as testing fixtures/barrel lengths/components used are often not duplicated by new/unfamiliar reloaders.

This is THR and I believe we have some responsibility to guide those new/unfamiliar along the safe reloading path. Later, if they so choose to deviate from published safe load data practices, they will be on their own but not on our/THR advisement.

Be safe, but do enjoy your Glocks!

 

[Harley Quinn]

Ok, not much else to say really, one will shoot lead, one won't, in Glock standard barrel...I just purchased a barrel for shooting lead 9mm, may never happen but I have the barrel...
Do your thing, be careful...

Regards

 

[Harley Quinn]

It is an observation

What is that supposed to mean? Your posts are "worth" more? Thats plain silly. Just post your experiences, post facts, but not opinions and what you have heard. Great, you posted what you read/heard/were told. Now, let others post what they know from practice and experience.

 

[RustyFN]

I was talking to a Glock Armor at a GSSF match about shooting lead in a Glock barrel. He told me it is fine but the biggest problem is people try to shoot jacketed ammo after lead to clean the barrel and that's when most of the problems start. He also said that you need to slug the barrel and shoot the correct size bullets. He said for a G-17 ( 9mm ) you will probably need to shoot a .357 or .358 lead bullet. Take this for what it's worth.

 

[blarby]

Very interesting.

Nice that the original thread got jacked over here under the guise of a rifling level dispute not lead in general...got bantered about back to basically the origanal thread, degenerated into wang waving, yet basically got my questions answered.

You guys have a weird way of doing things, but I'll take it.

Thanks for all the input.

Does it always turn into these personal battles for you guys....just curious?

 

[ljnowell]

Does it always turn into these personal battles for you guys....just curious?

NO, the High Road is generally a pretty friendly place with not a lot of arguing. Sometimes though it will develop into that. I think that this issue is like a caliber war. A lot of people wont see it the other way, and I can be one of them. I think people should be careful when using lead in Poly barrels, but when the blanket statement of NO is made, I will take exception to that. Many of us do so, regularly. In my case its 45 only. I will say that I have no desire to even attempt to try lead in a glock in 9mm or 40, though I know several who do.

Oh, yeah, I bought a lonewolf barrel for my G21, actually owned two of them, and have gotten rid of both. Neither were more accurate or leaded less. Neither were as reliable and I eventually sent one back to lone wolf to be remachined. I wouldnt buy another barrel from them at all.

 

[saltydog452]

Thanks all.

 

[Harley Quinn]

I have numerous barrels for my Glocks and some are Wolf... The thing about 45acp is...Low pressure and forgiving...Not the same with 40 S&W or 9mm, 357 SIG, 10mm...

I like the 400 Corbon for the reason it is a low pressure round, after market barrel and can spruce it up some and shoot it in my Glock 21... Bottle necked are more complicated for loaders and they are not as popular...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.400_Corbon

In order to know these things you have to ask, or been around the block and have some experience, here at THR it is generally mentioned, safety is prudent, some will tell you how many thousands they have shot and no problems... But buyer beware is best advise IMHO...

Regards

 

[atonguis]

Gawd, I get so sick of these arguments!

I have a glock 21 2nd gen and yes I shoot lead, but I also stop after x number of rounds and shine a light in there and just have a look see, just to be sure. If your shooting plain lead (not coated or plated) and you really dont know or are not sure, stop and look in the chamer and barrel and adjust from there, you will know if its too hot or the lead is too soft.

I started using coated bullets like Bayou Bullets (those green ones) in my 9mm and 45acp, the can be loaded to fmj specs with no issues, provided you didnt shave off the coating when seating or crimping! They are just as cheap as lead and I dont have to worry about leading in my glocks or any other pistol.

The reason I use Bayou Bullets is that he is close and I can drive over there and pick them up, or I would order from other companies as long as the coating thick and hard.

 

[ljnowell]

How much are the Bayou Bullets? I havent shot any of the coated bullets, as I have had good luck with Missouri Bullet. I would be willing to try them though, just for the heck of it.

 

[atonguis]

How much are the Bayou Bullets? I havent shot any of the coated bullets, as I have had good luck with Missouri Bullet. I would be willing to try them though, just for the heck of it.

I have not bought in a while since I buy thousands at a time for my 9mm and 45 acp. Send him an email and he will send you a sample pack (100 I think) to try here is his email [email protected]

 

[Afy]

Or you could simply use polymer coated bullets, like those from Ares.

 

[Harley Quinn]

This is a good read about the polymer bullet...

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/12/ares-color-coated-cast-bullets-from-slovakia/

“Please take into consideration that ARES Colored Bullets are more quick than copper plated/FMJ bullets. If you used to [shoot] copper plated/FMJ bullets, please start reloading Colored Bullets (CB) with approx. 5% less powder and adjust the final quantity of powder on basis of your own speed measurements. CBs keep the barrel clean.

 

[Sapper771]

Have the ARES bullets made it to the USA yet? Last I checked, they still hadnt crossed the pond.

 

[atonguis]

Or you could simply use polymer coated bullets, like those from Ares.

Where did you get those from? Trying to find some to test out