Author Topic: RELOADING FOR A GLOCK 40 S&W (Read 2873 times)

1GLOCK · « **on:** February 28, 2003, 09:10:55 AM »

Anyone here acctually do it? I shoot a few thousand rounds a year and would like to start reloading them. Ive heard a lot of stuff about the "kaboom" crap and am skeptical as to the safety issue. The main reason im asking is because Im thinking of buying a Dillon progressive but if i cant reload the 40s for my glock then its poinless to go progressive, for me anyway. Any reloading info would be helpful. btw the model 22 i have is only about 2 years old if it matters.

Roger_Dailey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2003, 11:07:41 PM »

Cruise over to http://www.glocktalk.com/ you'll find lots of info. there. My own experience is several thousand handloads through a 22. The main issue is that Glock 40's have a fairly large chamber. The large chamber provides a lot of "wiggle" room for the round being loaded and that promotes reliability of function in the tight confines of the 22's frame. Upon firing the brass will expand to fill the chamber. During the reloading operation, the standard sizing die reduces the brass more than is needed for a Glock 22. Repeat this cycle a few times and the brass fails. The higher the pressure, the quicker the failure. Things that have worked for me:

1) I don't full length resize. I just resized the brass to slightly below where the base of the bullet will be located. Standard sizing dies have to reduce the case enough to grip the bullet, we don't need that for the entire case. BTW, I do this for all handgun rounds, not just those for the Glock 22.

2) I use lighter (shorter) bullets. The shorter bullets take up less case space. The 40 S&W is a small case operating at high pressure. With bullets that consume a lot of case space, slight variations in overall length will cause large variations in pressure. My choice is to use bullets of 165 grains or less. I've had some real good performance with the 135's.

3) I use the maximun overall length that will function in the Glock 22 magazine and gun. That gives me the max amount of expansion space in the case

4) I use the Lee factory crimp die on all straight wall handgun rounds. The Lee factory crimp die has a stepped profile crimp sleeve that does a nice crimp and isn't picky about case length.

5) The Lee factory crimp die has a carbide sizing ring in its base. This sizing ring removes any bulges created during crimping and makes sure the brass will chamber. This sizing ring is larger than a standard sizing die and works the brass a lot less. By using the factory crimp die, I take care of any "oversize" brass from my short length sizing operation.

1GLOCK · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2003, 10:49:08 AM »

WOW THANKS A LOT FOR THE INFO ROGER, ITS GREATLY APPRECIATED. ALL IVE BEEN HEARING IS NOT TO DO IT AT ALL.
THANK YOU

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2003, 12:37:18 PM »

1GLOCK,
Roger gave you some good info. In addition, I would say get an aftermarket cut rifiled barrel for your 22. These have a little tighter chamber the the factory ones and will allow you to shoot lead as well. I have reloaded and fired thousands of rounds through my Glocks with good results. I would also advise loading as light as possible to reliably cycle your gun and make power factor. The .40 operates in the same pressure range as the 9mm so overall length is critical in the pressure curve. Load out to max OAL and if necessarry shorten untill you have a round that functions properly. There is nothing that makes the .40 more difficult to load than any other straight wall rimless case. By the way, the Lee Factory Crimp Die is a must!
Stay Safe,
Savage

KING · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2003, 05:55:18 PM »

:-D Evening gentleman. I could not help but to but a little bit of info into the reloading question in ref to the .40 caliber. I have been reloading for just about 30 years on handgun rounds. I probably shoot more of that that anything other than me single shot BPCR rifles. In the early 90s,around 94 i was at an armourers class and this discussion came up. Several of the instructers stated it was a bad idea. First and foremost is that any reloading will cancell the warrantee on a Glock,or for that matter and handgun or rifle that I know of. The second thing is that the .40 has a very strong pressure curve to it,and is endemic to this round in particular. What I was told,and shown on pressure curve tests,is that the .40 has a very sharp,as in right now,pressure spike. This spike is what causes the problem if the round is not reloaded correctly. A simple mis measurment of as little as 1(one) mm is enough to make this pressure curve spike to above safe limits. Now many handguns will shoot this over pressure spike for a long time before problems may develope,or ... it can cause the gun to come apart as in the Glock test. It makes no differance what gun you are shooting it in ,in this caliber or weapon manufacturer. Since that time I have not loaded any .40 for anything that I own,but prefer to purchase the ammo. I will not reload this round until I am satisfied that the round can be reloaded with a better safety margin. Stay safe. King

Savage · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2003, 01:25:11 AM »

King,
I don't know of a manufacturer who does approve the use of reloaded ammo in their product. The warranty disclaimer is pretty much SOP.
I have read with great interest of all the (known) variables that can cause extreme pressure spikes in ammo. The pressure curve of the .40 S&W is very simular to the 9mm and is very sensitive to subtle changes in seating depth, bullet weight, and powder burn rates. The use of a medium burn rate powder with 165gr or lighter bullets at midrange velocities is as safe as going to the mailbox as long as NORMAL safe reloading procedures are followed! I don't know what the big deal is with loading the .40. Those of us who have been reloading for more than a few years have a little experience with the 38 Super and various wildcats know a little about pressure curves and spikes! High pressure cartridges are not new, I suspect poor reloading procedures are the problem. I say if anyone is not willing to educate themselves in reloading then by all means stay away from it! All of it, from the 17000cup .45ACP to the 40,000+ Super!!!! Anyone remember the old detonation crap with Bullseye powder in the 38 Spl?? (3.3grs BE--148gr HBWC)
Stay Safe,
Savage
Savage