Glock 40 S&W Kaboom warning

[WildBillD]

I know this is a Smith & Wesson forum but we all own other brands (don't we?) and need to share what happened at the range yesterday where I work part-time as a range safety officer.

One of our members blew up his Glock 22 shooting reloads. Barrel came apart, hit the rafters, bulged the slide, and blew the trigger to pieces. (Sorry no pictures, I'm glad I wasn't shooting it).

Basic rule is do NOT shoot reloads in a Glock in 40 S&W because the cartridge is unsupported in the chamber. Even if the brass is resized, it will still be a weak spot in the brass and can blow out, as it did. Lucky the fellow was not hurt but did get some powder burns on his hand. Ruined what was once a nice gun. If you want to shoot reloads in a Glock 40, get a different barrel.

 

[505Gibbs]

I know this is a Smith & Wesson forum but we all own other brands (don't we?) and need to share what happened at the range yesterday where I work part-time as a range safety officer.

One of our members blew up his Glock 22 shooting reloads. Barrel came apart, hit the rafters, bulged the slide, and blew the trigger to pieces. (Sorry no pictures, I'm glad I wasn't shooting it).

Basic rule is do NOT shoot reloads in a Glock in 40 S&W because the cartridge is unsupported in the chamber. Even if the brass is resized, it will still be a weak spot in the brass and can blow out, as it did. Lucky the fellow was not hurt but did get some powder burns on his hand. Ruined what was once a nice gun. If you want to shoot reloads in a Glock 40, get a different barrel.

Bill - this is sound advice that I'll 'temper' a bit.
I believe newer Glock barrels are much better than the early ones from a support standpoint.
Perhaps the gun was second hand and the person didn't do any Glock research before making the purchase and it was an early vintage.
Aftermarket Glock barrels are, I believe, fully supported regardless of the caliber. The 40 is by far the worst offender for this issue.
I'm glad the person wasn't injured other than their wallet. It was not one of their better experiences with a handgun.

 

[ronnie gore]

reloads

i have been shooting my reloads in my glock 40s and my sig 40s for years, sounds like someone just overloaded the cartridge, just a weak case would have all blown out the bottom, with the barrel going into the ceiling it sounds like an overload to me.
I NEVER SHOOT ANYONE'S RELOADS EXCEPT MINE AND I NEVER LET ANYONE SHOOT MINE.

 

[dla]

This is how the internet rumor mill works - somebody repeats something with only fragments of useful information and then caps it off with a wide-ranging proclamation - unsupported by the data in their story.

Then it gets repeated over and over and over.

 

[bluetopper]

Yes, an overload or double charge is what it sounds like to me.

 

[Maximumbob54]

This one time... in band camp...

 

[Fishslayer]

Another 10mm Kurz kaboom. Any chance those reloads were made with Titegroup?

I would own a Glock in any other caliber, & wouldn't own a .40 by any maker with the exception of a S&W wheelgun.

Seems the majority of kaboom stories with handloads involve Titegroup. I could be wrong there.

 

[MbWolf]

... sounds like someone just overloaded the cartridge, just a weak case would have all blown out the bottom, with the barrel going into the ceiling it sounds like an overload to me.

^^^^ X2 here, either that or a squib load that stuck in the barrel.

FWIW...Up until very recently our local PD reloaded all their training ammo in house for the G22 with no KB's to my knowledge (this is from talking to the guy actually doing the reloading). Every case was re-sized and loaded on commercial grade equipment though.

Titegroup in itself is not the real issue, it simply that it is a low volume/high energy powder that can be double or even triple charged in a case IF the person is not paying attention. Also being a very popular powder it gets used (and mis-used) more than others.

I believe the later G22's improved the support around the feed ramp, but it is still not full.
In the Springfield XD, the cartridge sits flush in the chamber and has complete support. I've actually had one case (obviously an old one) split from the mouth almost to the base during a match.
Found it while collecting my brass afterward but never noticed anything while shooting or even when reviewing the video of the stage.
Kind of un-nerving to look at though !

 

[Shadow1006]

I suspect a Progressive press being used to load ammo, too many processes going on at the same time. Powder charge may bridge the funnel, double drops are what come to mind.

Squib in barrel maybe to cause the situation...

Uber fast powders can be problematic if not being extra careful!

 

[Deacon KC]

I have had a 23 KB on me. Split the breech, blew the mag out and scared me to death. There were many such instances when the Glock 40s came out and everyone was starting to reload. The most common culprit was a bad combination of facts. First, the rifling in Glocks [and HKs too] is polygonal, not cut. This contributes to a different pressure curve. Secondly, you CANNOT use cast bullets in Glocks, only ones with a jacket, as the barrel seems to lead very quickly. Accurate #5 seemed to be the worst powder for these KBs. I was shooting reloads from an experienced reloader at the time, and it was on the second magazine that it went off. Illinois State Police had switched to the 22 at the time and had several do this "spontaneous disassembly" while using cast bullets after switching from the S&W 5906.

 

[dla]

I have had a 23 KB on me. Split the breech, blew the mag out and scared me to death. There were many such instances when the Glock 40s came out and everyone was starting to reload. The most common culprit was a bad combination of facts. First, the rifling in Glocks [and HKs too] is polygonal, not cut. This contributes to a different pressure curve. Secondly, you CANNOT use cast bullets in Glocks, only ones with a jacket, as the barrel seems to lead very quickly. Accurate #5 seemed to be the worst powder for these KBs. I was shooting reloads from an experienced reloader at the time, and it was on the second magazine that it went off. Illinois State Police had switched to the 22 at the time and had several do this "spontaneous disassembly" while using cast bullets after switching from the S&W 5906.

Classic - just what I was talking about. And on and on it goes.....

 

[couleeflyfisher]

I've shot hundreds of my reloads in .40 Glock 23, 2nd gen. with nary a problem. Jacketed 165 and 180gr. hp's w/ w231 primarily. I check my brass and haven't noticed any case swelling, always check my powder iin the loading block. Considering 60% or so of LE's carry Glocks and popularity among other shooters, I'm leaning more to reloader error than a Glock problem.

 

[dirty gary]

We used to find blown out brass alot, in 9mm and 40, that had been fired in a Glock. The base would erupt and open up, leaving a jagged exit. However, I don't think these rounds caused the catastrophic damage described here. Without all the particulars its not fair to blame the Glock barrel, the ammo seems more likely.

 

[Titegroups]

More like "Bad .40 reload blows up a glock". Pretty good chance it was titegroup, very high energy density, this guy should be loading with Trail Boss or black powder. We have a pool and a pond, the pond would be good for you. Caddyshack.

 

[TNFrank]

Yes, an overload or double charge is what it sounds like to me.

Ditto. Having hung out on Glock Talk for a number of years I've read all about the dreaded "Kaboom" syndrome that is suppose to plague the Glock G22, 99.9% of this was caused by a double charge being fired in the Glock's unsupported chamber. The newer G22's are suppose to have more support then the older ones but either way as long as you shoot a standard pressure load you should have zero problems.
Also, the polygonal rifling doesn't lend it's self to shooting lead bullets so you should also stick with jacketed bullets.

 

[Goldstar225]

I've been reloading the .40 S&W for 15 years for use in 2nd & 3rd generation glock model 22's & 23's. This was with once fired range brass fired in our department Glocks. I have had no 'Kabooms" or splits from my loads.

 

[wheelgun28]

I must be close to 10K rounds of 40 that I have reloaded for my and a friends Glockenspiels. They are all gen 3 guns the chambers are loose but not lacking support, this has been shown a zillion times on Glock Talk.

Also it seems when an older Glock does have a case rupture it blows the mag out the bottom. Some folks have been able to put the mag back in and keep shooting with no other problems...

I have used mostly Unique powder and plated bullets, 165 and 180s.

I have made some powder puff loads for fun and some FMJ pushing the limits loads for steel plates.

All made on a Dillon 650 or a Square Deal, year after year...

 

[fredj338]

I have had a 23 KB on me. Split the breech, blew the mag out and scared me to death. There were many such instances when the Glock 40s came out and everyone was starting to reload. The most common culprit was a bad combination of facts. First, the rifling in Glocks [and HKs too] is polygonal, not cut. This contributes to a different pressure curve. Secondly, you CANNOT use cast bullets in Glocks, only ones with a jacket, as the barrel seems to lead very quickly. Accurate #5 seemed to be the worst powder for these KBs. I was shooting reloads from an experienced reloader at the time, and it was on the second magazine that it went off. Illinois State Police had switched to the 22 at the time and had several do this "spontaneous disassembly" while using cast bullets after switching from the S&W 5906.

More internet BS. Your KB was likely a bad reload; dbl charge or severe bullet setback Either can be catastrophic. The early GLocks had no such admonishment about reloading or lead bullets. Shooting lead bullets in ANY GLock has been safely done for years. Yes, you have to clean more regularly, yes you have to watch your loads more closely, but it can be done. Should it be, probably not, as most will not heed the warning to clean often & not do things like chase lead bullets w/ jackted to "clean" the bbl. All that does is risk an over pressure event.
Loading for the 40 or for the GLock is not really diff than other guns or calibers. Most KBs are guys using the wrong powder for the wrong application. Powders like TG, Clays, BE, etc, should NEVER be pushed to major, just no room for error. COnsider a setback of 0.060", less than 1/32", can raise pressures to KB levels if you are already running the ragged edge, foolsih at best. CHoose a good medium burner, stay off the max loads & reloading the 40 in any gun is a simple & safe task.

 

[rasmith3442]

Was shooting a friend's reloads in a 1911 style 45 a few years ago and had a KB (also a boiler engineering term). Blew the mag out and scared the **** outta me. No other damage done. He said he was using Bullseye - more than likely a double charge. I still have not let him forget it.

For that reason, I will only use bulky, slow powders so that there is no way to double charge - it physically will not fit.

In another thread, a member is asking about a Dillon 550 vs. a 650. I bought a 650 solely because of the powder check station.

S/F, SST,

RAS

 

[fredj338]

Was shooting a friend's reloads in a 1911 style 45 a few years ago and had a KB (also a boiler engineering term). Blew the mag out and scared the **** outta me. No other damage done. He said he was using Bullseye - more than likely a double charge. I still have not let him forget it.

For that reason, I will only use bulky, slow powders so that there is no way to double charge - it physically will not fit.

In another thread, a member is asking about a Dillon 550 vs. a 650. I bought a 650 solely because of the powder check station.

S/F, SST,

RAS

BTW, you can mount a powder COP or Dillon check on othe presses. The LNL is 5 stn, the 550b would require you seat & crimp in one step. The 650 is a great press, just use the powder check as back up to your visual check.