The Glock Smile

foxeye · Oct 12, 2016

I just started to reload .40S&W for my son. Up until this point I never looked at or had a .40 in my hands. He has a Sigma. So one day he comes home with a big bag of brass he bought cheap. I resized and deprimed it and loaded up a few (155gr XTP w/7.5 gn Unique) and went out back to try them out. Only 2 out of 12 would chamber. Doing some checking I found out that Glock fired brass retains a slight bulge when resized at the base of the cart is not supported in the chamber. So all the brass has to be run through a bulge eliminating die. I have seen them listed (Lee) for $18, all the way up to $129.00 for RCBS. I think you need to use the debulger with the lee die in conjunction with another die. My question is what Glock debulger would you go with. It appears the top of a die is cut off, and the case is pushed all the way through and out the top of the debulger die. Could one not cut off the top of a Lee sizing die and get the same results? I am not keen on Lee dies and prefer Hornady or RCBS so buying another set of dies is in the works anyhow. Or is there something else special about the debulger die? I have also been told the Sigma model Smith is not the greatest model and to keep loads moderate. The 7.5 gr of Unique is midway between the high and low loads listed for Unique. Any suggestions on the turning the resizer die into a bulge remover or on loads for the .40 is appreciated. I probably have 1,500 cases that were fired from a Gen 1 Glock and the bulges are noticeable.

824tsv · Oct 12, 2016

I'm a RCBS fan but I have and use the Lee Bulge Buster on some 9mm and .45acp brass. The Lee Bulge Buster kit requires that you purchase their factory crimp die to use in conjunction with the Bulge Buster. It works great.

MN2944 · Oct 12, 2016

I have the Redding bulge removing die, but have never used it. I've never had a problem with bulged Glock brass from either factory or my own loads when resized with a regular die. I have to think that the range brass with serious bulges has either been fired a LOT or loaded way too hot.

Ole Joe Clark · Oct 12, 2016

I have resized many 40 cal with the telltale smile, using Hornady dies. No problem. I do the plunk test with each loaded round in my sigma before storing them.

Lou_NC · Oct 12, 2016

I have the Redding die and find it to be of very high quality and works well. It came with a small tin of imperial die wax, which is what I use with it. I run my brass through it before I run it through the standard process on my Dillon 550.

OKFC05 · Oct 12, 2016

I just took the guts out of a Lee .40 FCD and use it as a push through die with a pusher made for the Lee bullet sizing die, just because I already had all these pieces.
Works fine on range trash brass from USPSA matches, but be SURE to LUBE the cases.

RDub · Oct 12, 2016

Hello
The Lee product works well.
The Redding GRx die comes in steel or carbide. The steel requires some case lube, while the carbide does not.

What these do is what is known as 'pass though' sizing. It takes the base of the case back down to factory dimensions or very close to that. In any event after sizing go ahead and load the way you normally do and you wont have any more chambering issues. It will completely takes the 'Glock bulge' out.

Now the bulge is not an issue, but if you are referring to a 'smile'.. that's something else again.

Here is a very good description of what a 'smile' is and what it means.

Cross section of a smiley - 10mm-firearms.com

A discussion about the Lee product;

Pass-Thru Sizing using LEE FCD - 10mm-firearms.com

Hope this helps

rg1 · Oct 12, 2016

I started loading 40 S&W only a couple years ago. I bought once fired brass from a couple good vendors. I found that my RCBS carbide sizing die did not size down far enough and was leaving a bulged radius where the carbide ring stopped. Seems that all the different guns that the once fired brass came from that many cases appeared to be fired in generous sized chambers. Not the unsupported so called Glock smile but just oversized chambers. Neither of my 40's a Glock 23 and a Beretta Storm Carbine leave swelled cases and they size normally. So, I bought a Redding Carbide GR-X push through die. Wouldn't load 40 without it. I run all cases through the GR-X die then size and expand normally. The carbide is more expensive but you need no lube with it. I had so many cases with the bulge where the die stopped that were bad enough that I scrapped them so my Redding GR-X saves a lot of good cases. Plus it will make your 40 loads more reliable. Buy carbide. Well worth the price. 40 S&W is the only pistol caliber I've had with this issue.

rwsmith · Oct 13, 2016

Did the later generations.....

Didn't Glock redesign the feed ramp in later generations to eliminate this??

MyDads38 · Oct 13, 2016

I use all Lee dies, and use the Bulge Buster kit for 40 S&W. I have 3-40 cal. handguns, all S&W and the brass fired from them could be loaded normally and be okay. Range brass I don't take that chance. Once deprimed and cleaned, all 40 S&W brass goes through the Bulge Buster die, then it is loaded normally. I also have a Lyman case gauge that I check the rounds with; if they fit in the gauge, they will work in any of my pistols. 40 S&W is the only caliber I have to do this to, the extra step insures the rounds will chamber/fire/function without issue.

shocker · Oct 13, 2016

rwsmith said:
Didn't Glock redesign the feed ramp in later generations to eliminate this??

I believe the redesign was done for Gen 3.
My Gen 3 Glock 29 barrel doesn't bulge cases.

STORMINORMAN · Oct 13, 2016

Interesting comment by OKFCO5 re: the use of the LEE FCD minus the "guts", so: two questions...

1) Would a "normal" but cut off carbide sizing die also work, or is there some problem with the carbide ring? (Obviously, there goes any warranty)

2) Will the FCD still be operable with the guts replaced?

As a comment, I have found a lot of 40 S&W brass at the local range which I thoroughly inspect and clean. Virtually none of it shows any bulging and although I don't think I have ever noticed a case with a "smile" I'm certainly going to continue to look for any... Maybe there are not a lot of GLOCKS being shot in this neck-o-the-woods, or maybe just not a lot of shooters with other 40's (anymore?) that "bother" to pick up their brass?

Oh, and re: the SIGMA not being "not the greatest model" there are some who might not exactly agree: certainly not the MO$T EXPEN$IVE nor the most "feature-laden", but I really love mine, always works reliably & accurate. I've not heard of many complaints about the SIGMAS being any less capable of safely & reliably handling any ammunition that is within spec than any other S&W products. Never a bulged case in my experience. O/Poster might want to check out the SIGMA forum, but it would be news to me...

Cheers!

ostlund · Oct 18, 2016

OKFC05 said:
I just took the guts out of a Lee .40 FCD and use it as a push through die with a pusher made for the Lee bullet sizing die, just because I already had all these pieces.
Works fine on range trash brass from USPSA matches, but be SURE to LUBE the cases.

Out of the box thinking and application....excellent.

fredj338 · Oct 18, 2016

I have a Redding pass thru die but never used it. I load range pickup 40, mostly Glock fired, tons of it at the places I shoot. It all gets loaded on my Dillon dies, no issue feeding in my snug XDM5.25 chamber. IF you find an actual Glock smiley, it is either an out of battery firing or someone running nuclear 40. I have several 40s, diff manuf, none bulge the brass with factory loads or equiv handloads.

gen3guy · Oct 18, 2016

This seems like a generalization to me. I have 2 Glock .40 S&W pistols, a Gen 2 and a Gen 3, and a Smith & Wesson 4013. I have never had this problem with any of my .40 brass...EVER. I resize all of my brass normally and my reloads feed/fire/eject just fine. I don't get it. I have always considered the talk of Glock "unsupported chambers" somewhat of an urban legend.

OKFC05 · Oct 18, 2016

Interesting comment by OKFCO5 re: the use of the LEE FCD minus the "guts", so: two questions...

1) Would a "normal" but cut off carbide sizing die also work, or is there some problem with the carbide ring? (Obviously, there goes any warranty) Don't know.

2) Will the FCD still be operable with the guts replaced? Yes.

hdwhit · Oct 18, 2016

RDub posted:

Cross section of a smiley - 10mm-firearms.com

Thank you. That picture illustrates the problem with cases fired in unsupported chambers. Even if the side is pushed back in, the piece of brass at the top of the bulge will remain displaced. Any time I size a case and see even a hint of smile, the case goes in the recycling bucket.

BruceM · Oct 19, 2016

.40 S&W and 10mm cases with true "Glock Smileys" are not suitable for reloading regardless if you run them thru a push thru die or roller sizer. Will the cases run thru the above dies chamber-yes. Are they safe-NO. The problem is that the Smiley stretches the brass to the point that in will not flow back into the stretched area and create a usable case. Threads on both Glock Talk's The Ten Ring and other Forums feature photos of sectioned cases illustrating the issue. It has also been discussed in this sub-forum.

Everybody will do what they feel is best for themselves but the photos in the above mentioned threads speak volumes.

Bruce

P.S. It appears my comments are redundant. I made them after trying to access the links included with comment #18 which do not work correctly.

zeke · Oct 19, 2016

STORMINORMAN said:
Interesting comment by OKFCO5 re: the use of the LEE FCD minus the "guts", so: two questions...

1) Would a "normal" but cut off carbide sizing die also work, or is there some problem with the carbide ring? (Obviously, there goes any warranty)

2) Will the FCD still be operable with the guts replaced?

As a comment, I have found a lot of 40 S&W brass at the local range which I thoroughly inspect and clean. Virtually none of it shows any bulging and although I don't think I have ever noticed a case with a "smile" I'm certainly going to continue to look for any... Maybe there are not a lot of GLOCKS being shot in this neck-o-the-woods, or maybe just not a lot of shooters with other 40's (anymore?) that "bother" to pick up their brass?

Oh, and re: the SIGMA not being "not the greatest model" there are some who might not exactly agree: certainly not the MO$T EXPEN$IVE nor the most "feature-laden", but I really love mine, always works reliably & accurate. I've not heard of many complaints about the SIGMAS being any less capable of safely & reliably handling any ammunition that is within spec than any other S&W products. Never a bulged case in my experience. O/Poster might want to check out the SIGMA forum, but it would be news to me...

Cheers!

Am using a lyman carbide sizer (45 acp/.40 s&w) with the bottom lip peened over. Sizes closer to the case head.

Also use the Lee Bulge buster for .40/380 range pick ups, which works well, but additional step.

Homie · Oct 19, 2016

Had more problems with the 10 mm brass (two Colts and a Glock) than with three .40s ( Glock, Glock/ Barsto, HK). The Reddingpush thru solved that issue-.423".

The Glock Smile

Member

Member

Member

Absent Comrade

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Similar threads