Reloads and Pistol Semi Autos?

swagg68

Are there any other brands other than Glocks(from what I've read on this forum) that are prone to having problems with reloads with lead bullets? Especially in 9mm or .45's?

fordsix

any firearm that has polygonal type rifleing should not use lead bullets only jacketed

Laredo Lefty

Glock warns against the use of lead bullets in its guns due to the design of the rifling. It tends to get excessive lead build up which can cause over pressure and a resultant gun failure.

However, one of my shooting team members shot lead in his model 17 for years with no problems. It may depend on the make up of the lead used in the reloads. Softer lead tends to leave more deposits in the barrels than lead mixed with harder metals.

RCrosby

My 1911 loves lead; either round nose or semi-wadcutters. It is pretty opinionated about needing a highly polished feed ramp, though.

v35

I suspect the type and quantity of lubricant figures in.

kc5gxc

I hear the Kahr also has the polygonal rifling that is a no no for lead bullets. But Ruger P models shoot 'em good.
Pete

haroldchrismeyer

Don't use them in a Desert Eagle, it will plug up the gas port. I had a S&W 5904 that didn't like lead either, it would keyhole. I looked at the rifling, and it didn't seem to have much.

Dave45-70

The H&K USP 45 also has polygonal barrels and do not recommend lead bullets.My springfield XD likes lead or jacketed.

perry shooter

Hello I have over 300,000 rounds through my series 70 Colt I replace the barrel about every 100,000 rounds but not because of any problem with the bore only because the Lock up starts to show some increase in match grade tolerance. Both Kart and Barsto barrels are great. And I feel lead loads are MUCH easier on a barrel.That said I have never owned a [:I]tupperware[:I] Pistol with Polygonal rifling .

beantownshootah

quote:Originally posted by swagg68
Are there any other brands other than Glocks(from what I've read on this forum) that are prone to having problems with reloads with lead bullets? Especially in 9mm or .45's?


As already mentioned, polygonal rifling is more prone to lead buildup.

The most common guns to feature this form of rifling are: Glock, Heckler and Koch, CZ-82, Magnum Research (Jericho/Baby Eagle and Desert Eagle), and Kahr Arms pistols. There are probably others.

Still, drop-in standard rifling replacement barrels for the Glock are so inexpensive and easy to come by, that this is really a non-issue if you want to use lead bullets in your gun.

Since this thread has turned into one about barrel leading in general, I'd like to make one more relevant point.

In addition to the quality of the lead alloy, barrel leading is HIGHLY dependent on the VELOCITY of the bullets in question.

Low-velocity target type rounds (eg wadcutters that only travel at 600fps, for example) don't tend to lead barrels very much. As Perry shooter alluded to, these soft-lead bullets with low powder loads barely contribute to wear of hardened steel barrels.

On the other hand, high velocity rounds like 9mm luger (eg 1200+ fps with 115 grain bullets) can lead up barrels pretty quickly with non-jacketed bullets. That's even more true of the superfast 9mm-like rounds like .38 super, 9x23, 357 SIG, and of course the old standby .357 magnum, which is notorious for leading up barrels with soft lead reloads.

swagg68

Thanks for all the info. Does any know a good cheap source for Barsto or Kart replacement barrels for a Glock 19?