So the question here is as the title says, can I shoot lead projectiles out of Glock 21, .45 ACP. I'm fully aware of big no no for 9mm and .40 cal's due to their polygonal barrels that foul up and may blow the gun up but not sure if the same applies to .45ACP. I would assume the barrel is of the same polygonal design but cannot find any official info. I'd like to switch from XDm .45 to Glock 21 due to lack of accessories & mags etc. but still have some reloaded lead ammo. Thanks for any info.
Glock 21 & lead projectiles
- Thread starter IMR4320
- Start date
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
not this again......it's fine to shoot lead in any glock, as long as you monitor and clean. If you get a good load/lube combination, they barrel won't lead in 1000 rounds......that said, it can lead, with too hard bullets and too hard lube. just monitor after each range session and clean when needed.
ambishooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southeastern Canuckstan
Technically, YES. Though Glock is against this, I've seen them in 9 and .40 with hundreds of rounds before cleaning. BUT, you have to frequently check the bore for leading, and stop as required. Frequent cleaning than when using a FMJ is suggested.
Last edited:
i shoot lead in my glock 17 all the time without issue, as others have said check the barrel every so often.
from my experience that doesn't work 100%, although i haven't tried it in a while. i wonder if plated vs jacketed would make a difference.
from my experience that doesn't work 100%, although i haven't tried it in a while. i wonder if plated vs jacketed would make a difference.
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
er, not the cleaning technique i'd use, nor really recommended anywhere. It will scrape some out, and then lay a layer of copper fouling over the rest that will make it twice as hard to remove. It will also leave a rougher surface that will lead up faster in the future. But in a pinch i suppose it would keep you shooting.
Barrel makers and those who shoot for accuracy recommend a good barrel cleaning before switching between jacked/unjacketed bullets. The better/smoother the barrel, the less time it takes.
A great internet theory that is oft parroted, much like 'decapping live primers is dangerous!' or 'tumbling live rounds will cause the gunpowder to break down and burn faster!'.
In reality, jacketed bullets strip out the lead and the barrel cleans up like a barrel that has been shot with jacketed bullets. It's just a pistol barrel for Pete's sake.
I always wonder what magical space these 'layers' of lead and copper are going into. If it's a normal, reasonably smooth barrel, the I.D. does not decrease.
But whatever, use your copper Chore Boys to remove lead if you wish.....Oh, Wait! Won't that leave a layer of copper over the lead!!?? ... never mind, as you were, I'm done.
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
well, i'd have no issues with decapping live primers, done intelligently or with tumbling live rounds, but i'd not use FMJ as scrappers. Each to their own. Other then glocks, i've never had enough lead to need a chore boy, and i'd just pick up a normally rifled barrel if i was going to shoot lead in a glock alot. Good shooting
That's not a bad idea either. Good shooting to you as well.
DeadlyKamikazy
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
Just shoot lead in you glock. Do your researches size and lube properly and you won't have a bit of leading with normal use and cleaning.
I only shoot lead trough my g17 and without issue. Lee tumble lube design sized to .356 lubed with minwax floor finish.
I only shoot lead trough my g17 and without issue. Lee tumble lube design sized to .356 lubed with minwax floor finish.
When I come home from the range I squirt some solvent in the barrel of each gun and give it a few strokes with a bronze brush, followed by a clean patch wrapped around the brush.
The patch shows a bit of lead. I shoot only DRG brand lead bullets in all calibers. I have never noticed that the Glocks yield any more lead than the other makes, but because I clean the barrel after each session, lead build up has never been an issue in any gun.
The patch shows a bit of lead. I shoot only DRG brand lead bullets in all calibers. I have never noticed that the Glocks yield any more lead than the other makes, but because I clean the barrel after each session, lead build up has never been an issue in any gun.
Buy a after market barrel to shoot lead just to be safe. IGB barrel's are the best but they are hard to come by, they have a mix between polygonal and tradition rifling so good to shoot cast out of and a fully supported chamber so it doesn't bulge brass its the ultimate reloaders barrel but its also 100+ dollars more then a storm lake or lone wolf. Bar sto barrel's is viable option to.
