I understand there is some issue regarding Glock "polygonal rifling" and a recommendation NOT to use lead bullets.

Is there any factual basis for this recommendation ?

What about lead plated bullets ?

Polygonal rifling doesn't have the sharp rifling that cut rifling has. You will smear lead down the barrel if you aren't very sure what you are doing. Plating is much thinner than a jacket and you still risk shearing it off if you push them too hard, but I have done it and had no issues. But I don't push them even close to max.

This question has been answered literally thousands of times across the internet. Please read:

https://www.google.com/search?q=cast+bullets+glocks

I've shot thousands of cast bullets through my Glock 23 with absolutely zero issues. If/when I get some minor leading in the barrel, it comes out very easily with a brass brush wrapped with Chore Boy.

Lou

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

Glock cautions against using non-jacketed ammunition. That said, I believe that the problem is correctly sizing the bullets for the polygonal rifled barrel and not the bullet itself. The main cause of leading is blow-by of hot gases around incorrectly (too small) sized bullets and the polygonal rifling exacerbates the situation. I have shot a good number of cast bullets thru a 10mm Springfield Armory Omega. This exercise has proved uneventful. That gun features a Peter Stahl linkless upper with polygonal rifled barrel. I think that the admonition by Glock not to use cast bullet ammunition is based in part on the fact the the guns are aggressively marketed to LEO's, many of whom view the weapon as a tool and treat it as such. At any rate, whether this is the case or not, it seems that the cast bullets can be used safely if the ammunition is carefully prepared and the operator is diligent in cleaning and maintenance of the gun. I believe that other experienced Glock cast bullet shooters will confirm this to be true. Remember, S&W warns everybody not to shoot reloaded ammunition of any kind.



Bruce

Plated bullets would work just fine in your glock.

I have an EAA Witness Match in 45ACP with polygonal rifling (One of the VERY few ever imported) and it shoots lead bullets like they were laser-guided, with zero leading. Proper bullet fit seems to be the key.

After reading the Forensic breakdown on 'why' and 'how' and 'what' happens far too often, I resolved to NOT use lead in factory glock barrels.

Replacement Wolff and other mfgers are cheap enough, and gives excuse to buy more stuff.

I don't recall the author's name, but he's widely known in the Glock competition world, and seems to have unsurpassed scientific credentials. At least convincing enough for me to change my own behavior.

He's published books on techniques and training in competitions with Glocks, as well as this study done around 10 years ago.

I don't have time to google it myself.

Just a word FYI.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

Actually, excessive leading isn't the issue, it's the cause of the issue.
Glocks will fire if slightly out of battery and excessive amounts of leading may get into the chamber in front of the case mouth and prevent the slide from locking up properly. The real issue is that it may cause excessive headspace.

Cast bullets can be used if you keep your barrel clean and check it often.

I bought an aftermarket barrel for the sole purpose of shooting lead in my G30. It had issues feeding the reloads, so I went back to the OEM barrel. It's feed fine since and there's been no leading issues (at least no more than any other firearm).

I also shoot lead reloads in a poly-barreled CZ-82 and have no issues with leading in it.

I have a about 3,500 Berry's plated bullets through my G23, no issues yet. I only go 100-150 rounds between cleaning so that helps. I have never found any leading with plated bullets so I think I will stick with those.