LEAD BULLETS?

[Merle]

Greetings,

I'm not all that familiar with Glocks, but I have my eye on a 9mm LE trade-in at a very attractive price.

My concern is about using lead bullets. I am hearing stories about kabooms that cause me to wonder how serious the danger is. The stories claim that the bullets strip off lead with every shot, due to the rifling form, until dangerous pressures result.

My question is; is this true or just more internet wisdom?

If it is true, are there any general guidelines about how many rounds of lead "should" be safe? Would it be wise to shoot jacketed after 50 rounds, etc? Or does bullet hardness play any part? I have been using both cast & swaged bullets in other calibers as an economy move, so this is of interest to me.

Thanks.

       

[Bigeasy]

A lot of people report the Glocks polygonal rifling to be cast bullet unfriendly.  I shot quite a few out of my old model 19.  Key was to make sure they were sized .001 over bore, and cast hard.  Some Glocks seem to have tight chambers, and if you size to big, the slide will not close all the way.  Size to small or soft, and it will not grip the rifling properly.  Never tried cast in my 26 as I have a large supply of fmj ball to practice with.  There are aftermarket barrels available for Glocks that have normal cut rifling for easier cast use.

Larry

[Merle]

A lot of people report the Glocks polygonal rifling to be cast bullet unfriendly.  I shot quite a few out of my old model 19.  Key was to make sure they were sized .001 over bore, and cast hard.  Some Glocks seem to have tight chambers, and if you size to big, the slide will not close all the way.  Size to small or soft, and it will not grip the rifling properly.  Never tried cast in my 26 as I have a large supply of fmj ball to practice with.  There are aftermarket barrels available for Glocks that have normal cut rifling for easier cast use.

Larry

OK, thanks. I suspected that bullet hardness plays a part, as many report using cast bullets with no problems. I have had some bitter lessons about alloys & bullet diameter. There is also the possibility of defective handloads.....

I'd be curious as to the loads used - possibly there is a common thread there.

       

[Savage]

Some shoot lead bullets in Glock barrels with no apparent problems. Some have bad experiences in just a few rounds. I have Glocks in 9mm/.40/.45. I bought Lone Wolf barrels for them all as I shoot lots of lead. It simply isn't worth taking a chance with the Glock barrels when the Lone Wolf barrels can be had for <$100.
Savage

[sgtt]

I have no problems with my 23 with the Glock barrel.  My 17 on the other hand is another story. Doesn't like lead with neither the Glock barrel or the Lone Wolf.

[Merle]

Some shoot lead bullets in Glock barrels with no apparent problems. Some have bad experiences in just a few rounds. I have Glocks in 9mm/.40/.45. I bought Lone Wolf barrels for them all as I shoot lots of lead. It simply isn't worth taking a chance with the Glock barrels when the Lone Wolf barrels can be had for <$100.
Savage

Sounds like a good idea - thanks!

    

[Merle]

I have no problems with my 23 with the Glock barrel.  My 17 on the other hand is another story. Doesn't like lead with neither the Glock barrel or the Lone Wolf.

Do you have accuracy problems, fouling or what with the lone Wolf?

 

[Savage]

My LW barrels in the 9mm lead a bit with my loads. The barrel is still "IDPA" accurate after a 100rds or so. The lead is easily removed by using copper scouring pads wrapped around a brass cleaning brush followed with a good solvent cleaning to remove any copper deposits that might remain. My 125gr LRN at a Bn 18 hardness are the worst offenders. I am changing over to the 147gr at Bn 12 which hardly leads at all. I normally load Bulls Eye, but I have 24# of Promo I am loading now. I don't think primer choice is a factor in loading range/plinking ammo, so I use what I can find. In this case it's Wolf primers. I bought those in bulk back when they were cheap and still have 15k or so to use. I previously used Winchester primers with similar results. If you don't shoot a lot, the cost advantage of lead is small, but if you shoot a thousand or two a month, it pays off.
Good Luck!
Savage

[sgtt]

Some leading. Mostly failure to feed issues. I suspect a factory crimp or some adjustment with oal might tune it. I only use them for plinking so I don't have a big issue with the occasional jam.

[Savage]

I suspect a factory crimp or some adjustment with oal might tune it

Exactly right!
Properly loaded, lead bullets feed as well as anything else. I consider the Lee Factory Crimp die a must using mixed range brass. I can't tolerate malfunctions even in range ammo. In action pistol games, malfunctions = lost time. I'm slow enough with everything running!
Savage

[Merle]

My LW barrels in the 9mm lead a bit with my loads. The barrel is still "IDPA" accurate after a 100rds or so. The lead is easily removed by using copper scouring pads wrapped around a brass cleaning brush followed with a good solvent cleaning to remove any copper deposits that might remain. My 125gr LRN at a Bn 18 hardness are the worst offenders. I am changing over to the 147gr at Bn 12 which hardly leads at all. I normally load Bulls Eye, but I have 24# of Promo I am loading now. I don't think primer choice is a factor in loading range/plinking ammo, so I use what I can find. In this case it's Wolf primers. I bought those in bulk back when they were cheap and still have 15k or so to use. I previously used Winchester primers with similar results. If you don't shoot a lot, the cost advantage of lead is small, but if you shoot a thousand or two a month, it pays off.
Good Luck!
Savage

Thanks for the feedback.

    

[Merle]

Some leading. Mostly failure to feed issues. I suspect a factory crimp or some adjustment with oal might tune it. I only use them for plinking so I don't have a big issue with the occasional jam.

OK, thank you.
    

[Coup De Grāce]

Wow!  You guys are going to be tough to keep up with.  I can add very little to the excellent information posted in this thread.  It's all, pretty much, 'spot-on'. 

Lead bullets used in a Glock should be between 12 and 20 BHN.  Any softer and they'll shed lead; any harder and gas blow-by (and lead removal) can occur.  Powder charges should, also, be kept at mid-range or lower. 

You've got to do a little experimenting.  If you don't have a Brinell Hardness Tester (copper hammer) you can do a simple fingernail or knife edge test.  Try to press your nail or the edge of a knife into the lead bullet.  If it dents easily the lead is too soft.  Experience is the best teacher. 

Until you know what you're doing, you should check your Glock's barrel for excessive leading every 25 rounds, or so.  If you discover too much leading something has to be changed either up or down.  Lead bullets oversized by .001" are right for most bores.  Some of the earlier Glock barrels can handle .002". 

I've fired a fair amount of lead in my Glocks.  It's all been too hard to easily scratch with a knife blade.  Haven't had a problem yet. 

[Merle]

Wow!  You guys are going to be tough to keep up with.  I can add very little to the excellent information posted in this thread.  It's all, pretty much, 'spot-on'. 

Lead bullets used in a Glock should be between 12 and 20 BHN.  Any softer and they'll shed lead; any harder and gas blow-by (and lead removal) can occur.  Powder charges should, also, be kept at mid-range or lower. 

You've got to do a little experimenting.  If you don't have a Brinell Hardness Tester (copper hammer) you can do a simple fingernail or knife edge test.  Try to press your nail or the edge of a knife into the lead bullet.  If it dents easily the lead is too soft.  Experience is the best teacher. 

Until you know what you're doing, you should check your Glock's barrel for excessive leading every 25 rounds, or so.  If you discover too much leading something has to be changed either up or down.  Lead bullets oversized by .001" are right for most bores.  Some of the earlier Glock barrels can handle .002". 

I've fired a fair amount of lead in my Glocks.  It's all been too hard to easily scratch with a knife blade.  Haven't had a problem yet. 

I do have a Lee bullet hardness tester that I have played with, so it looks like I need to put it to serious work.

Thanks for the info.