Polygonol bores

[tbtrout]

I keep reading about lead and not using them in these bores. Is there a list of pistol manufacturers who use these barrels? Thanks

 

[Waldog]

I had the exact same question. Glock, H&K and Springfield XD's use this type of rifling. I found this site: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php. you can see my post on "Polygonal Rifling".

Some said don't use lead, othesr said it works perfectly in their pistols. Those that said it worked ok all agreed that you need HARD cast bullets. Some recommended a "water quench" while you cast the bullets. And, you need to work up a load that shoots without leading the bore.

 

[usp_fan]

You should also keep an eye on your bore and clean frequently if you detect build up of lead in a poly barrel. Just looking and cleaning can prevent a lot of unhappiness if you need to shoot lead in these pistols. Some things not to do: Shoot lots of lead and then shoot some FMJ to "clean out the barrel". Shoot lots of lead, then shoot lots more without cleaning fully. Shoot soft lead and loads known to lead excessively.

--usp_fan

 

[The Scandinavian]

Is there a list of pistol manufacturers who use these barrels?

You could alternatively look into the barrel (removed from gun of course )
and.. see.. for yourself... if the rifling is polygonal or conventional

Edited to add: This isn't much help though is it, if you don't have the pistol in your hand
There might be times though when it's the only option - for example my USP has polygonal rifling,
but there are ones with conventional rifling too.

 

[nitesite]

I disagree about the Springfield XD line have polygonal rifling.

 

[Ares45]

Manufacturers have claimed that as few as a half dozen shots can leave enough lead behind to increase pressures dramatically. Why not err on the safe side and buy an aftermarket from Jarvis or CCF. Or just shoot jacketed.

 

[tbtrout]

Thank you, last thing I want is a larger than expected boom in my hands.

 

[Hazzard]

Nitesite has it right. The XD has conventional rifling unless they have changed in the last year or so.

The whole lead bullet in a ployagonal barrel thing has been debated all over the net. I'm not sure what the right answer is. I really don't see much difference in polyagonal vs conventional as far as the possible KBOOM goes caused by lead fouling. You are still asking a bullet that is a certain diameter to swage down to a smaller diameter with a corresponding increase in pressure. The poly barrel will have a tendancy to foul more because of the design of the rifling. Perhaps there is no right answer. Just my $.02