Posted: 8/27/2002 4:29:04 PM EDT
| I wanted to ask this question to someone other than Glockheads. Is the Glock barrel in the 357 Sig fully supported? Are the stories I hear about Glock chambers not being safe true? I'm interested in getting a Glock 32 but I am starting to have second thoughts...I have always been a Kimber man! Can anyone shed some guiding light for me? |
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Well, there is all ways something going around about any type of firearm. Glocks are no exception. First of all, Glocks are good weopons. If they weren't good, I don't suppose they would be where they are now? Right? Glock chambers are, by any other word, loose. They are on the looser side then most (larger end of the specs). Aids in their reliability, so some say. Now, the fully supported 'Q'.... well, I too have heard this question about barrel support. Mainly, it was with the 40SW barrels. From the way that the barrels are constructed, a slight (SLIGHT) portion of the case is showing. Others say, so what? I reload my 40SW and having the chamber on the larger end of the specs will have its toll on the brass. Resize, shoot, resize will have its affect, depending on the load (how hot). That is a lot of stretching and squeezing back everytime. That's why so people who reload for say rifle cases, only resize the neck and not the entire body of the case. Do you plan to reload 357 Sig? I have an aftermarket drop in barrel for my G27. I don't load hot loads, slightly "on the warm side". If you plan to shoot factory ammo, don't worry about it. The G32 (compact) is a good gun. You do know that 357 Sig ammo is slightly higher priced then most. Box of 50 for 'plinking' can easily run 13+ a box (Winchester). CCI does make aluminum cased ones, but I have no idea on their price. My suggestion, get a G23 (40SW) and then pick up a 357 Sig barrel (aftermarket or factory, your choice). The 40SW is cheaper to feed. If $$$ is not a probl, get the 32. |
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wombraider, Yes, they are. That is referring to the way the barrel is rifled. Instead of lands and groves, like in most barrels (like our beloved black rifle) the Glock has multiple facets, turning at a set rate to act as the riffling. Us Glock heads (yes, I'm biased)like to point out that this gives a better seal between the barrel and the bullet. This increases velocity. DISADVANTAGE: Because of this seal, if one was to shoot lead reloads, the barrel would lead up faster, increasing pressure, and, well, lets just say its BAD (BOOM!). That's why I have always shot FMJ or JHP though mine. (all .40) What is being referred to here is wether the barrel fully supports (surrounds) the case of the loaded round of ammo its full length. The more that case is supported, the more pressure is being contained by the case and the chamber. I agree with Kaliburz, this is more so with the .40S&W then the others. Flatapple, I don't think you will have any problems. If you reload, just use mid line loads if you are worried about it. The only reason I don't have one in .357sig is due to the price on ammo, and I HATE reloading bottle neck cartridges. Oh, and I am issued .40 ammo  Art in KY |
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I own a Kimber Gold Combat II (.45) & a Glock 20 (10mm) The 10mm round is very potent, more so than the .40 SW & the .357 Sig. I have over 7000 rounds through the G20 with very little FTF or FTE problems. I have always fired factory ammo. I have heard numerous rumors about the Glock barrel being unsupported, but they have always been made out of context. I may be wrong on this, but I think in comparison to a rifle, all handguns have unsupported chambers. Maybe, in comparison to the Kimber it is a looser design. The 1911 design has the pin through the barrel lug. The SIG & Beretta barrels float the same way the Glock barrel does. Overall I have found the G20 to be a very reliable handgun. I added 22lb springs and a tungsten guide rod. This has improved the performance of the gun even more so. My only complaint was with my Trijicon brand night sights. They were too low & the width of the slide caused me to loose focus. I fixed that problem with a sest of Heinie Straight-Eight sights. Taller, thinner front sight post. Slat-rear sights with just enough tritium to see in low light. Fuji |
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what maybe 92 percent fully supported? Best support glock ever offered. Do I worry about my G32 or G33 having a case failure? NO. Not really the issue folks make it up to be. Even 1911s and other guns with fully supported chambers have case failures and kabooms. Just an added safety feature but then again, Glocks are real reliable and that helps with feeding. |
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Good to see another 10mm shooter. Have a G20 with a 6" KKM 10mm hunting barrel, Federal Arms 40Sw and 3578 SIG barrels, Wolff recoil springs from 20-24# and steel guide rod, and MMC adjustable target sights on mine. Can shoot 1-2" groups at 25 yards offhand and 3ish" groups at 50 yards with my handloads.I hope to take a deer this year with it close in. |
Federal has made a .40 S&W cartridge with a lead bullet. The Glock representative stated that there should be NO problems with this ammo. The key IMO is the hardness of the lead and velocity at which the bullet is driven for reloads. |
Officially from Glock? lol NO! I know of NO firearm manufacturer that states reloads can be used in their firearms. In My Opinion from reloading and shooting handguns. If the lead bullet goes too fast it will try to go through the rifling, instead of being spun by it. The softer the lead the less velocity it can be driven at. That is how leading happens in a barrel. |
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The problem isn't in the looseness of the chamber; in fact my Glocks seem to have a tighter chamber than any other pistol I own. They won't fully chamber reloads with heavy bullets. The KB problem is often blamed on an unsupported case head due to the undercut feed ramp on factory Glock barrels. Personally I think a lot of failures have been due to the relatively thin chamber walls on the .40's. There just isn't that much material there, and the tiniest flaw could be enough to cause the metal to let go. |