Calguns.net  

Home My iTrader Join the NRA Donate to CGSSA Sponsors CGN Google Search
CA Semiauto Ban(AW)ID Flowchart CA Handgun Ban ID Flowchart CA Shotgun Ban ID Flowchart
Go Back   Calguns.net > INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES > Ammo and Reloading
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Ammo and Reloading Factory Ammunition, Reloading, Components, Load Data and more.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-13-2017, 1:20 AM
SamC SamC is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 51
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default Glock Smile

So I've been spending a few hours each day soaking up info on reloading. One thing that seems to stick out is the famous Glock Smile. I have a Glock 17, 20, and 27. I wanted to check this out with the 10mm cases from my Glock 20 and sure enough every case has a small bulge on one side near the head. The cases ranged from Armscor to Underwood. Is it drastic? No, far from it, but it's there. Should shooting reloads be a problem through my Glocks or will extensive case inspection as preparation be enough?

Thanks for all the help so far btw. Good community here.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-13-2017, 1:40 AM
1957alex0's Avatar
1957alex0 1957alex0 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Sunnyvale CA
Posts: 85
iTrader: 15 / 100%
Default

I removed the bulge with this:
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/88...saAoeQEALw_wcB

before replacing the barrel in my G20 with the KKM Precision barrel:
https://kkmprecision.com/product/20-match-10mm-2/
__________________
TIMENDI CAUSA EST NESCIRE - Seneca
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-13-2017, 3:13 AM
the86d's Avatar
the86d the86d is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: The FREE STATE of Texas
Posts: 9,541
iTrader: 5 / 100%
Default

This is why some say reloading for Glocks is bad.

Won't an aftermarket barrel, that supports the whole case fix this (like you don't have to buy for any other MFR's 9mm)?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-13-2017, 8:02 AM
stilly's Avatar
stilly stilly is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Achieved God Status on 11/28/2022
Posts: 10,674
iTrader: 51 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1957alex0 View Post
YEah but you also need to buy a Lee FCD as well. WHICH only doubles the total cost WHICH is STILL have the price of the Redding GRX carbide...
__________________
7 Billion people on the planet. They aint ALL gonna astronauts. Some will get hit by trains...

Need GOOD SS pins to clean your brass? Try the new and improved model...



And remember- 99.9% of the lawyers ruin it for the other .1%...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-13-2017, 10:34 AM
SamC SamC is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 51
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1957alex0 View Post
I removed the bulge with this:
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/88...saAoeQEALw_wcB

before replacing the barrel in my G20 with the KKM Precision barrel:
https://kkmprecision.com/product/20-match-10mm-2/
Awesome. Looks like I'll be buying the bulge buster since I really don't want to spend $700 swapping out all my barrels. Thank you.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-13-2017, 10:51 AM
noylj's Avatar
noylj noylj is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 713
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

I consider any case where I can SEE the bulge to be over-stressed and I throw it away.
Is this an old Glock, as I thought they had corrected their chambers/feed ramps to be fully supportive?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-13-2017, 11:47 AM
ar15robert ar15robert is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Peoria az
Posts: 2,269
iTrader: 3 / 100%
Default

Armscor brass In my experience hasn't been to strong it's fine for medium loads at best. I have pushed the same loads on armscor that showed expansion not enough for smile but measured vs starline with not sure how many times reloaded that showed very little. The armscor was once fired brass
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-13-2017, 1:16 PM
trackcage's Avatar
trackcage trackcage is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Roseville
Posts: 1,777
iTrader: 24 / 100%
Default

In my experience, a bulge only really occurs in high pressure rounds. I would not worry about it in your 9mm. The only Glock I have replaced my barrel for one with more chamber support is my G20. The rest (G19, 17, 34, 22) seem to be fine without a barrel. That said, I also run my 10mm reloads pretty hot.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-13-2017, 6:08 PM
wbunning's Avatar
wbunning wbunning is offline
CGN/CGSSA Contributor
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 808
iTrader: 6 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1957alex0 View Post
I removed the bulge with this:
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/88...saAoeQEALw_wcB

before replacing the barrel in my G20 with the KKM Precision barrel:
https://kkmprecision.com/product/20-match-10mm-2/
First thing I do before loading range brass is run it through the Lee bulge buster.
First thing I do after purchasing a Glock at a good price from my LGS is replace the barrel. I use Wolf.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-13-2017, 6:34 PM
jimmythebrain's Avatar
jimmythebrain jimmythebrain is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 427
iTrader: 60 / 100%
Default

The smile "bulge" is in the web of the brass. That brass is compromised. While you can push it back into place with a bulge buster type die, the brass has been weakened.
If you are not creating high pressure reloads you will probably be fine...but if that brass blows out the side at that spot it will damage your gun (and maybe your hand, eyes, face,etc.) therefore I chuck all my bulged 40 caliber and 10 mm "glocked" brass. New 10 mm brass is not that expensive and I shoot 10 mm in my sig p220. Sig Sauer's have fully supported barrels so reloaded brass from this gun is not compromised the same way.
If you only have Glock 10 mm guns then the pre-weakened brass is more an issue.
The bulge buster was not created to take Glock smiles out of brass. It was to remove the muffin top circumferal bulge that builds up in cases over time with multiple resizing events. The brass "flows" down toward the head of the case as it resized, but the resizing ring stops above the edge of the case extractor groove. These gradually results in a non-resized small section. If that gets large enough it prevents easy cartridge insertion into the chamber.
Taking out bulges from non-supported chambers (from Glock pistols, 1911's) was someone's creative problem solving.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-13-2017, 6:43 PM
SoCal1911 SoCal1911 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Orange County
Posts: 255
iTrader: 14 / 100%
Default

Change the G20 barrel to one that is fully supported. My G20 now has a KKM 6 inch barrel and is fully supported and the brass after shooting is bulge free. Very accurate barrel.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 09-13-2017, 6:58 PM
Fatcat Fatcat is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: La Mirada, Whittier, Buena Park
Posts: 1,248
iTrader: 133 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by trackcage View Post
In my experience, a bulge only really occurs in high pressure rounds. I would not worry about it in your 9mm. The only Glock I have replaced my barrel for one with more chamber support is my G20. The rest (G19, 17, 34, 22) seem to be fine without a barrel. That said, I also run my 10mm reloads pretty hot.
I have personally witnessed (3) KB's with .40 S&W Glock 35's with 2 of the shooters having to go to the emergency room for shrapnel removal. That made me change out the stock barrel on my then new Glock 35 for a KKM barrel.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 09-13-2017, 6:59 PM
MrElectric03's Avatar
MrElectric03 MrElectric03 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Coeur d'Alene ID
Posts: 1,591
iTrader: 39 / 100%
Default

I use the redding grx die on brass when I buy it and I changed the barre to a lone wolf so I don't have to worry about it as long as I keep the brass separated.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by ar15barrels View Post
So you are throwing out 95% of reality to select the 5% of reality where you are actually right?
We must be on calguns...
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 09-13-2017, 8:22 PM
rg1 rg1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ky.
Posts: 274
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

My view is that if you can see a bulge it's not good but if you can only measure the bulge to identify it that is normal. I have no issues with Glock 9MM, 40 S&W nor 45 ACP either factory or reloaded. I have bought once fired brass with an unsupported area OR fired slightly out of battery that shows the "guppy belly" swelling. Scrap this brass. It's common that rifle and pistol brass will measure a few thousandths expansion on one side of the brass. I believe it's from the cartridge lying in the bottom of the chamber when expansion starts and the excess chamber clearance at the top of the chamber. I do like my Redding GR-X push through die for sizing purchased once fired brass for 40 S&W. Just because the 40 case is nearly straight walled versus tapered cases in 9 and 45.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 09-13-2017, 8:50 PM
9mmepiphany's Avatar
9mmepiphany 9mmepiphany is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: River City
Posts: 8,076
iTrader: 1 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SamC View Post
Awesome. Looks like I'll be buying the bulge buster
While that will work for your 10mm, once you've also bought the FCD, it won't work for your 9mm...note that 9mm isn't a listed caliber
__________________
...because the journey is the worthier part...The Shepherd's Tale
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 09-13-2017, 11:34 PM
SamC SamC is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 51
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by noylj View Post
I consider any case where I can SEE the bulge to be over-stressed and I throw it away.
Is this an old Glock, as I thought they had corrected their chambers/feed ramps to be fully supportive?
Mine is a G20 Gen 3


Here is a pic of the barrel and a once fired casing. Like I said the bulge is no where close to some of the smileys I've seen, but I guess my question is if I keep reloading these cases will it get worse over time?

IMG_4725 by Sam Colt, on Flickr

IMG_4727 by Sam Colt, on Flickr
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 09-14-2017, 8:53 AM
robert101 robert101 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: southern CA
Posts: 1,997
iTrader: 1 / 100%
Default

I have a Gen 4 G27 and don't see any signs of Glock Smiles. If I did, I would reduce the powder weight and carry on. If it should show signs of smiles with factory loads, I would change the barrel.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:11 PM.




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Proudly hosted by GeoVario the Premier 2A host.
Calguns.net, the 'Calguns' name and all associated variants and logos are ® Trademark and © Copyright 2002-2021, Calguns.net an Incorporated Company All Rights Reserved.
All opinions, statements and remarks made by Calguns.net on this web site and elsewhere are solely attributable to Calguns.net.



Seams2SewBySusy