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Glock Bulge

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8K views 15 replies 12 participants last post by  RAJBCPA 
#1 ·
Is the Glock bulge unique to the 40 S&W, or does it occur in all calibers?
Thanks in advance and happy reloading!
 
#2 · (Edited)
It's only on the 40 caliber and it is not limited to Glocks
The older ones were much worse about it.
Here is an interesting picture for comparison and it shows the unsupported area at the top of the feed ramp


Here is another pic showing the progression of 40 cal Glock barrels compared to the Lone Wolf barrel


Many people still reload for the Glock 40 using a bulge buster die from Lee.
you will experience shorter case life though, but it is totally safe to reload for this.

You can also, purchase an aftermarket barrel from Lone Wolf and alleviate the problem
 
#10 ·
I have a S&W SW99 (shown above) and a G27 Gen3 (not shown). They both put the same slight bulge into the brass that is proportional to how hot the load is. Starter loads won't even bulge the brass at all. All of my resizing is done with a standard Hornady resizing die, no bulge buster needed.

Do be aware that the infamous "Glock bulge" is unique to the early Glock 40's and puts a smile shape into the brass that you can still see evidence of after resizing. These should get recycled.
 
#12 ·
Here is a photo of some range brass, source firearm unknown but typical of a "Glock smile" from an early model 40 S&W Glock. Case on the right is unsized and has a pronounced smile that juts out quite a bit. On the left is the result of a resizing, distortion of the brass is still obvious and there are areas of thinned and thickened brass.
Metal Brass Copper Bronze Cylinder


Here is some brass from the same box that I purchased new as 180gr WWB and has been reloaded using 180gr 950 FPS load data. Both cases below have been reloaded twice with the one on the right having been fired. Resizing was done with a standard Hornady die and no evidence of the bulge exists afterwards. My S&W SW99 creates this same slight bulge on the brass. That shiny ring just above the head is where the die's carbide ring stops at and is not related to the bulge/smile issue.
Metal Brass Copper Cylinder Ammunition


To reiterate, I feel that the older "smile" is not worth reloading to save $0.02 in brass while the bulge from many modern 40 S&W barrels is safe to reload.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Maybe the load is to hot and maybe the specs for the reloaded round are a little off. If the round is not going completely into the chamber or it is tight you might get more bulging do to it preventing full chamber in when fired . My 40 reloads drop in all the way and fall out easily, if yours don't then you might check your resize setup. I've used 1000's of reloads in my 23 and I don't have to much bulge. Take the barrel off so you can see how your reloads are fitting in the chamber, you shouldn't have to press them in they should fall all the way in. If they are ejecting without a problem and never misfiring then there probably isn't a problem.

I use the carbide RCBS dies no bulge buster die is needed.
 
#14 ·
I find that I get enough 40sw range brass that do not kerplunk after the sizer due to a bulge near the base. Rather than load then find out and have to strip the cartridge apart to resolve the subtle bulge in some cases, it's easier to just push all my 40's thru the Lee fcd and be done with it and then start the process to get them reloaded.
 
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