Glock Bulge Cases Quick Fix

[gunprofit]

My son owns a Glock 36 (45ACP). He showed me his fired factory ammo cases were bulging. I have seen this numerous times with the 40 S&W caliber. Not so much with the 45 ACP caliber. So, I asked him when was the last time he changed the recoil main spring. Of course, he has not ever changed it since purchasing it 3 years ago. He decided to take my advice, changed the spring, and no more bulged cases.

In the past, I have read threads where Glock owners brag about how they have never cleaned or performed any maintenance on their guns. I thought it would be a good idea to pass along the importance of doing some basic maintenance to the Glock owners that could prevent a case rupture and perhaps shooter injury.

My son, now 39 years old, grew up in my gunshop/indoor shooting range. Whenever he was a bad boy, I made him clean the range rental guns. Needless to say, he cleaned lots and lots of guns. And, he knows he is suppose to clean, lube, and replace worn parts. How he ever fell into this Gocks don't need anything attitude, I will never know. LOL

[ElDub1950]

What's the theory on how a weak recoil spring causes brass bulge? I can't connect the cause and effect.

[CWDraco]

What's the theory on how a weak recoil spring causes brass bulge? I can't connect the cause and effect.

I second that...

the bulge is due to the small unsupported portion of the chamber....

[Robert1234]

I second that...

the bulge is due to the small unsupported portion of the chamber....

And was supposedly addressed by Glock. I've checked brass from my 2009 G35 and it shows no appreciable bulge.

[ElDub1950]

And was supposedly addressed by Glock. I've checked brass from my 2009 G35 and it shows no appreciable bulge.

Not sure when they did the redesign but I've have 4 .40 Glocks and 4 9mm Glocks since 2010 and reloaded a lot of both and never spotted any buldge.

But even with an older barrel, still wondering how a weak recoil spring can add to the bulge problem.

[randomBytes]

I showed my g34 to glock amorer at a gssf match once - thinking it should be due for a new recoil spring...
He tested it and said it was fine.
I said ok - but that gun's had 20k rounds through it - he replaced the recoil spring ;-)

[gunprofit]

Here's a link to test your Glock to see if a recoil spring is in need of replacement.

Toward the bottom of the article, they speak of the issues associated with weak recoil springs.

http://btguiderods.com/spring-test/

The unseen looming danger is a gun whose slide moves out of battery during the trigger pull. This can cause light primer strikes. A weak recoil spring may allow the gun to fire out of battery which can allow the pressure that should be in the barrel and chamber to exit rearward, into the gun, causing a KB.

I'm sure there are a lot of guys who will argue. My proof is that once a new recoil spring was installed in my son's gun, the bulges were eliminated.

[Robert1234]

Here's a link to test your Glock to see if a recoil spring is in need of replacement.

Toward the bottom of the article, they speak of the issues associated with weak recoil springs.

http://btguiderods.com/spring-test/

The unseen looming danger is a gun whose slide moves out of battery during the trigger pull. This can cause light primer strikes. A weak recoil spring may allow the gun to fire out of battery which can allow the pressure that should be in the barrel and chamber to exit rearward, into the gun, causing a KB.

I'm sure there are a lot of guys who will argue. My proof is that once a new recoil spring was installed in my son's gun, the bulges were eliminated.

If our gun is firing out of battery you have bigger problems than a weak recoil spring.

[NapalmCheese]

What's the theory on how a weak recoil spring causes brass bulge? I can't connect the cause and effect.

I second that...

the bulge is due to the small unsupported portion of the chamber....

I'm sure there are a lot of guys who will argue. My proof is that once a new recoil spring was installed in my son's gun, the bulges were eliminated.

If our gun is firing out of battery you have bigger problems than a weak recoil spring.

The theory is that the weak recoil springs allows the action to unlock and the slide to start moving back before the cartridge develops enough pressure to obturate the chamber with the brass which leads to the brass partially backing out before expanding to obturate the chamber which leaves a good portion of the case head unsupported leading to bulged/smilied brass and lower velocities.

I don't know where I read about it being a major cause for smilies, but buffalo bore's website is where I read about in relation to velocity.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=114

This glocktalk thread alludes to the breech unlocking too early as a cause of smilies: http://www.glocktalk.com/threads/a-t...rrels.1516057/

I don't know if any of this is true, but the idea that it could happen is certainly out there.

[meanrock]

Weak springs create more time with the action open during cycling, and less resistance maintaining chamber pressure during ignition. They also allow a slide to bounce when it closes. Striker pistols get cocking issues too.

[Fishslayer]

I'm sure there are a lot of guys who will argue. My proof is that once a new recoil spring was installed in my son's gun, the bulges were eliminated.

You'll get an argument around here if you said the sun will rise in the east tomorrow...

I sort my pickup brass by headstamp & occasionally find a .45 case with a square striker dimple & a bit of a bulge. Always puzzled on those.

[G-Man WC]

[randomBytes]

Here's a link to test your Glock to see if a recoil spring is in need of replacement.

Toward the bottom of the article, they speak of the issues associated with weak recoil springs.

http://btguiderods.com/spring-test/

Thanks that's different to the way the glock armor checks it, which was simply holding the gun vertically pulling the slide back a mm or so (there's a click when the barrel and slide unlock) and checking it returns to battery.

My recoil springs are all relatively new - couldn't tell the difference testing either way - holding the trigger rearwards presumably puts a little extra load on the spring though.

[mjmagee67]

FWIW My G21 had more chamber support than my Kimber 1911!!!! Not sure about my Sig 1911. On the Kimber there is more case showing at the feed ramp area than my G21 and my G21 is a Gen2.

[Johneracer]

You'll get an argument around here if you said the sun will rise in the east tomorrow...

I sort my pickup brass by headstamp & occasionally find a .45 case with a square striker dimple & a bit of a bulge. Always puzzled on those.

Sun does not rise anywhere, earth spins and creates illusion of sun rising in the east......j/k