Reloading for Glocks

[kal2828]

I'm thinking of getting a G36, and was wondering if there is still an issue with re-using brass fired from a Glock...insufficient cartridge case support in Glock chambers leading to premature weakening of the brass. Is this still a potential problem when reloading for a Glock .45ACP?

Also, does the polygonal rifling of the Glock barrels still lead to severe leading and pressure increases in a bore partially obstructed by the leading?

I'll be using cast lead swc's coated with the Lee Alox/paste wax/mineral spirits concoction, and loaded to mid-range velocities for paper-punching at the range.

I haven't owned a Glock in several years, and then it was a 9mm which I just used WWB in.

Thanks for your help.

 

[LiveLife]

I'm thinking of getting a G36, and was wondering if there is still an issue with re-using brass fired from a Glock

Yes

insufficient cartridge case support in Glock chambers leading to premature weakening of the brass. Is this still a potential problem when reloading for a Glock .45ACP?

Yes

Also, does the polygonal rifling of the Glock barrels still lead to severe leading and pressure increases in a bore partially obstructed by the leading?

Yes

I'll be using cast lead swc's coated with the Lee Alox/paste wax/mineral spirits concoction, and loaded to mid-range velocities for paper-punching at the range.

When I am shooting lead bullets in factory Glock barrels, I take a mini cleaning kit to the range and inspect/clean the Glock barrels frequently. If you plan on doing a lot of shooting lead bullets, you could consider going with the Lone Wolf drop-in barrel that has conventional land/groove rifling more compatible with lead bullets and tighter chamber/better case base support that minimize case bulging for reloading.

 

[kal2828]

bds,

Thanks for your reply...I guess the guys at the local gun shop didn't know their stuff when it comes to reloading for the Glocks.

The way I see it, if I go with the G36, I'll just have to figure the cost of a Lone Wolf drop-in barrel and add it to the price of the pistol.

On the other hand, I could just go with another brand of semi-auto, or try to find a S&W 325pd or NightGuard...reloading would be a lot simpler, and I could use up a few hundred rounds of AR loads I put together for a 625 that I no longer have.

Well, thanks again, and have a great day today.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

Brand new Glocks are supposed to have fully supported chambers. Reloading for a new Glock shouldn't give you any problems with the brass. The polygonal rifling still doesn't like non-jacketed bullets though.

 

[RustyFN]

The only Glock that had a support problem was the older .40's. The 45 being low pressure should be no problem. I don't shoot lead in my Glock but have had friends tell me that the Glock 45acp is a lot more lead friendly that their other calibers. I have one friend that has shot lead in his G-17 for years without any problems.

 

[glockgod]

I must be.............

the exception to the rule. If it's brass and reloadable I pick it up. Only case I've had issues with is A-Merc. Anything else does just fine.

 

[oneounceload]

I've been reloading for my Gen-II G17 since I bought it with nothing but range-scrounged brass and have never had any issues whatsoever as far as FTF, FTE, etc, My G26 eats the same stuff equally as well

 

[Mr. Happy]

I'm shooting IDPA with reloaded brass and FMJ bullets in my 3rd gen G19 - no problems.

 

[LiveLife]

My responses were specific to the OP where he stated he'll be reloading and shooting lead bullets out of his factory Glock barrels, which aggravates the loose chamber/less than full case support near ramp area concerns.

I'll be using cast lead swc's coated with the Lee Alox/paste wax/mineral spirits concoction, and loaded to mid-range velocities for paper-punching at the range.

If you are shooting plated/jacketed bullets out of factory Glock barrels, that's another story. I have shot hundred and thousands of reloads (mid to near max loads) through my factory Glock barrels.

 

[Motownfire]

I have fired a few thousand+ of my reloads (all I load is lead http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?category=5&secondary=11 the 180 grain) through my G26 and G27 with stock barrels without an issue. At times I will fire 500 - 750 per session and have not had any leading issues or "Glocked" brass. You are good to go.

 

[skipsan]

I contacted Dillon CS and posed the question re: the reloading of Glock-fired 45acp brass either in a Glock or other (1911) pistol. It was apparent they had fielded the question before as the answer was almost scripted.

Paraphrasing the answer as best as I can recall ".... as long as the brass is properly sized (we were talking about using Dillon dies and press) and that the loaded rounds pass either the "plunk test" or case gage, there is no issue with the brass on reloading Glock-fired cases".

Plated/jacketed vs lead bullets is another issue. I choose to use plated bullets exclusively for indoor shooting, so that wasn't addressed in my question.

Its obvious making comparative measurements that the Glock-fired brass expands a bit more during firing, but the full-length case sizing brings it back and I've had no issues with using the reloads in any of the .45acps.

 

[ljnowell]

My glock does no more damage to 45acp cases than anything else, they last just as long. As far as shooting lead, it's all I shoot anymore, my glock goes 100-200 rounds sometime, with no more leadng than any other gun. Its all about load development.

 

[LiveLife]

When I am shooting lead bullets in factory Glock barrels, I take a mini cleaning kit to the range and inspect/clean the Glock barrels frequently.

The Gen3/Gen4 Glock barrels have improved chamber support near the ramp area to minimize bulging of case at the base. My Gen3 G27 barrels have similar case base support near the ramp area as the Lone Wolf barrels, but the chambers are still more loose which results in slight bulge 2/3 way down the case with near max and factory loads.

I believe the key is to not allow the fouling to build up in the Glock barrels (between the hills/valleys of polygonal rifling) when shooting lead bullets and frequently inspecting and cleaning the barrels as necessary. If you are shooting earlier generation Glocks, factory and aftermarket barrel replacement is available as an option.

For those wanting to shoot a lot of lead bullets in factory Glock barrels, I would still hesitate to give my endorsement and would caution with frequent inspection and cleaning as necessary. If they are newer Gen3/Gen4 barrels, I am less hesitant but would still caution with the frequent inspection and cleaning. Better to be safe than BOOM.

 

[Cosmik de Bris]

I'm thinking of getting a G36, and was wondering if there is still an issue with re-using brass fired from a Glock...

No.

insufficient cartridge case support in Glock chambers leading to premature weakening of the brass. Is this still a potential problem when reloading for a Glock .45ACP?

No.

Also, does the polygonal rifling of the Glock barrels still lead to severe leading and pressure increases in a bore partially obstructed by the leading?

No.

 

[Doogledog]

I've got a 23C that I tried lead in once. It made quite mess around the porting. I know....DUH!
I had to live and learn.

 

[kal2828]

Thanks to you all for your replies.

If I remember correctly, the Glocks' extreme reliability is one of the results of that feed ramp/chamber dimension relationship. In the past, especially in .40S&W, this reliability came with the potential for weakened brass cases used by reloaders.

From your responses here, it seems as if some Glock enhancements in later generation pistols combined with reloaders' fine tuning their loads for Glocks have maintained the reliability and minimized the risks of the past.

As for the use of cast bullets in the Glock barrels, apparently this is also becoming less of a problem, especially in relatively low pressure rounds like the .45.

When I get my Glock, I'll maintain a healthy respect for the reloading process, but perhaps with a little less concern for the past issues related to reloading for the Glock pistol. As for using cast lead bullets in the Glock barrel, I'll pay special attention to the pressure/velocity/Bnh/sized diameter relationships and how they might affect leading in my pistol.

Thanks again.