Lead 45 ACP in Glock / 1911

[blarby]

Thinking about it.

( Reloading cast lead 45 ACP for use in Glocks and 1911's)

Brainstorming.

THR.... Do your thing..........

 

[Marc257]

200 gr lead SWC is the only bullet I've loaded for 1911s. Shot thousands of them. Not sure about in a Glock.

 

[ljnowell]

I load the MBC 230gr LRN "softball" over 5.5gr of AA#2 and shoot it through 1911s, XDs, and yes, even a Glock 21. I shoot nothing but lead, with the exception of my SD loads, which are still handloads, just using JHPs. My G21 loves the lead bullets and shoots the same as my other 45s, with no more leading either.

 

[LiveLife]

Brainstorming ... THR.... Do your thing..........

Remember that 45ACP is a lower pressure round than 9mm/40S&W. I shot 230 gr lead RN out of my G30 with very good accuracy.


Preparation:
Test load lead bullet weight/nose profile/OAL of your choice that will feed/chamber well and range test them to determine the most accurate bullet weight/nose profile/OAL with minimal leading in the barrels. My current reference 45 loads are Missouri Bullets 18 BHN 200/230 gr SWC/RN with 5.0 gr of W231/HP38 at 1.25" - 1.27" OAL (Shoots single hole shot groups out of various 1911s at 7-15 yards all day).


Option 1 - smaller number of lead reloads shot each range session (OK, I guess this is a relative term as 200-300 rounds is not "small" for some reloaders )

Shoot your most accurate loads and inspect the Glock barrel every 200-300 rounds and clean fouling buildup as necessary (I have a mini cleaning kit in my range bag with bore brushes/Hoppes #9/Kleenex Viva PT). No worry for 1911.




Option 2 - larger number of lead reloads shot each range session (say 300+ rounds):

Drop in Lone Wolf barrel in your Glock and shoot to your heart's content. Same for 1911.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Hoping for the Darwin award Glocks and lead many mention it...

Wolf barrel, lands and groves, yes...Glock standard no!!!

 

[ljnowell]

Wolf barrel, lands and groves, yes...Glock standard no!!!

Have you ever tried it? Many of us here shoot lead exclusively in our 45acp glocks. You really shouldnt accuse people of being stupid when you dont seem to have all the evidence before you. 45acp is known to not have the leading problems in glocks that people talk about. There are many here on this board who do it all the time.

Please keep your darwin insults to yourself.

 

[Harley Quinn]

I don't care how many here say they do it...Not a good thing, why so many barrel makers, make barrels for Glocks, to shoot lead...

 

[ljnowell]

I don't care how many here say they do it...Not a good thing, why so many barrel makers, make barrels for Glocks, to shoot lead...

Again, personal experience? I doubt it. You can say what you want, but you are merely repeating what you have heard.


OP, its your call, do what you want. I can tell you with 100% certainty that my G21 does not lead anymore than my 1911 or my xd or any other 45 I own with the load that I published above. The leading issues that glock barrels are famous for having are in 40 and to a lesser extent, but still present, in 9mm. I have yet to find anyone that shoots a 45acp glock that had problems with lead. Although, the chicken littles with continue to preach what they have heard blindly online, even though they have no experience with the matter at hand.

 

[blarby]

One of the many reasons I was looking at loading 45 in lead for the family glocks is that many on the range recommended it.

Carry on THR, I welcome all of the comments- even the skies are falling ones.

The more info, the better... I can sort verbal data

 

[saltydog452]

Disclamers about lead in some barrels are plentiful. I don't recall reading any reasons for 'why not?'

Don't want to sidetrack this thread, so I'll ask a similar guestion in another.

salty

 

[Harley Quinn]

No, I have not tried it, even a little bit in std Glock barrels...

I don't shoot lead in my DE either...They tell me not to for starters, seems reasonable to be honest...Is that chicken little, I don't think so

I believe you can get away with it some, just not what I do...I have many after market barrels for shooting lead, if I care to...

Regards

 

[ljnowell]

I don't shoot lead in my DE either...They tell me not to for starters, seems reasonable to be honest...Is that chicken little, I don't think so

I believe that is because they use a gas port for operation no?

 

[Harley Quinn]

True about DE, but someone could say I have shot lead in my DE not a biggie make sure it is hard and use a copper gas check

But I will concede those who are stipulating certain parameters and precautions...like several have said, very hard lead...Hardness scale comes into effect, and that is another situation

Like how often do you clean, bore check and clean? Is it going to be 50, 200, 300, variable to hardness, of the lead, I guess...

So, I say, stick with copper coated or jacketed...Just stating an opinion that has some merit I feel...

I believe that is because they use a gas port for operation no?

 

[ljnowell]

True about DE, but someone could say I have shot lead in my DE not a biggie make sure it is hard and use a copper gas check

Thats still a false argument. The lead would still impact the gas system on the gun. Face it, you are out of argument, except that you heard and think its a bad thing. Cant we just leave it at that, and let experience speak for itself?

 

[Old krow]

200 gr lead SWC is the only bullet I've loaded for 1911s. Shot thousands of them.

Same here. I've shot 230 gr LRN.

 

[blarby]

so, hard lead.

Ok.

What kind of BH are we talking here ?

 

[ljnowell]

What kind of BH are we talking here ?

I shoot the Missouri Bullet Company 230gr LRN "Softball" which is an 18BHN, without any issues at all. I have also shot the MBC 12BHN 200gr SWC before without any leading. I run my 230gr loads at near published max for the powder I am using, AA#2. Thats where the load seems to burn the cleanest as far as powder residue.

 

[Harley Quinn]

It is a situation that is getting resolved, now all you have to do is come up with a BH

Marlin was concerned with those shooting in micro grove and the hard cast filled the ticket you might think but...

All this is now academic as far as current production Marlin leverguns go. All three of "new" .45-70's tested do not have Micro- Groove rifling but are furnished with six grooves and lands and Ballard type or cut rifled barrels for the best accuracy with cast bullets. The extra added bonus is the fact that they also shoot jacketed bullets just fine.

http://www.sixguns.com/range/4570mrln.htm

DE and lead...It has been argued the problem with lead is at the end of the bullet and jacketed with base not covered are bad news (known fact) So some have mentioned hard lead, and copper gas checks (the location of gas release going to piston being important) but imho bad idea...

I mentioned lots of people will go and do what they want, no matter the manufacture's recommendations or legality...Some even, after going against the rules, (manufacture) shoot lead and try to get barrel replaced...LOL it really is a interesting situation with reloaders and backyard mechanics, been that way as long as humans have been on this earth I would think...

Thats still a false argument. The lead would still impact the gas system on the gun. Face it, you are out of argument, except that you heard and think its a bad thing. Cant we just leave it at that, and let experience speak for itself?