Reply...
"R&J,
Isn't it the unsupported chamber in the Glock that makes reloads hazardous?
I don't see how the aftermarket barrels would solve that."
*****
Ninja42's got it right--the chamber walls are beefier on the aftermarket barrels.
It's done all the time--shooting reloads from Glocks with an aftermarket barrel. You don't want to hot rod it too much! As in the case of any gross reloading error, you'll pretty much blow any gun up!
I have an old friend that has a Gen-1 G17 and G20, and has loaded his own ammo since, well, forever! KKM, Bar-Sto, Storm Lake--all will serve you well for reloading, and firing naked lead bullets. Visit a Glock forum and you'll find it's common practice.
Since we're talking a TEOTWAWKI 9 mm, I'd stock at
least one spare barrel!
There are some excellent 9mm alternatives offered here. But the question wasn't what's the coolest, what's the cheapest, what's the best handling?, etc. The question was, what's the best full-size 9 mm for a TEOTWAWKI scenario, and I will maintain it's the Glock 17, for the reasons I've mentioned.
Even better, would be the G18 (G17 with full auto capability), if you can get one!
Get your 33-round mags from Natchez:
http://www.natchezss.com/index.cfm
--Ray