View Full Version : Reloading the .40 S&W
Glock39 Fan
06-20-2010, 18:12
Is it safe to reload the .40 S&W?
I just purchased a new Glock 27 and intend to reload my used brass. I've reloaded thousuands of .45 ACP, GAP, and .357 Magnum in the past with no issues; however, I'm just a bit concerned after reading that the .40 isn't reloader friendly in terms of blowing up. Or, is that just anti-Glock propaganda?
I checked the 27's chamber and it appears to fully support the brass (just like the ACP and GAP).
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.
Yes, as long as you use your head.
‘Reloading the .40 S&W’ would warrant a separate article and it would be one which has already been written, by authors much more knowledgeable than myself. One need only reference the various powder manufacturers’ websites, for more loads than you’ll ever care to try. I took my usual simplistic approach to reloading it- which means W231, lead bullets and velocities more in line with the .45 ACP. My 'general use' .40 loads consist of a lead SWC and just enough W231 to work the action reliably. I put these up in range pick-up brass and because much of that shows signs of being previously hot-loaded and fired in, er, 'ample' Glock chambers- I wouldn't load those casings hot anyhow.
Link. (http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-post.html)
Montana Gold 165 JHP's in the .40 S&W (http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/2010/05/montana-gold.html#links)
Glockin26
06-20-2010, 18:42
That's all I shoot out of my g27
shotgunred
06-20-2010, 19:27
Is it safe to reload the .40 S&W?
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.
No shooting reloads in a glock will cause a small nuclear explosion that will take your arm off at the elbow. Do us all a favor and only reload 380 for SW revolvers.:rofl:
DWARREN123
06-20-2010, 19:39
My thoughts on reloads in 40 caliber Glocks. I have 3 Glock 40's, Gen4 G22, Gen3 RTF G22 and a G23, all get reloads to include lead, plated and jacketed bullets.
To me it seems the larger frames take reloads and factory ammo a little better than compacts or subcompacts. I have not had a problems with reloads but I do not go crazy either.
My Gen4 G22 has had nothing but reloads shot thru it and it runs just fine with them, now at about 2,000 rounds.
I do use Hodgdon's Longshot powder which when checked against most other powders seems to have lower chamber pressure and higher FPS plus it has been clean and accurate for me.
Start safe and stay safe!
GioaJack
06-20-2010, 19:44
No shooting reloads in a glock will cause a small nuclear explosion that will take your arm off at the elbow. Do us all a favor and only reload 380 for SW revolvers.:rofl:
It would appear that someone's been nipping at the Fathers Day cheer. :supergrin:
Jack
like you i had some concerns. i spent alot of time researching and calling people that should know. the bottom line is that i reload for my 27. i load a light load, right around 900 fps with jacketed bullets (precision delta). i use a slower powder, hs-6. i have measured my cases and see no abnormal activity. the light load shoots great and really accurate. i think that some people have tried loading lead and had problems. glocks got a bad rap. the 40 can be a tricky load. some of the problems have been because of the lead bullets sending the pressures out of sight. bullet setback can be a problem. just watch what you do. keep in mind that the pressures of the 40 are almost the same as a 9mm, the difference is that the 40 is usually shot in a gun that was designed for a 9. i think thats the rub. i think that shooting a 9 +P+ will have the same results if care isnt taken. go ahead and reload, use caution as usuall and dont worry about it. btw, a nice reload is alot more fun to shoot in the 27 than factory loads.
robin303
06-20-2010, 20:26
I have been reloading 40 S&W for my G23 with 5 differant powders since day one. I have little over 5000 shot through it and I doup't I have no more than 800 factory loads ever shot through it. 100% Berry's boolits thus far.
I have been reloading .40 basically since it was born. Seeing how the FBI couldnt handle a 10 mm and the manufacturers cut it down and called it a .40. Load it up and shoot it.
Bullfighter
06-21-2010, 08:30
I have a couple of Glock 40's that have never been tainted with a factory load. Use common sense and stay at the low end of the load books and you will be fine.
freakshow10mm
06-21-2010, 09:56
Seeing how the FBI couldnt handle a 10 mm
False.
Anyhow, the .40 S&W is like any other cartridge. Don't be silly with your load and you'll be fine.
That about sums it up (except, just maybe, the nuclear comment). Common sense and attention to what you are doing at the reload bench should allow you to keep your fingers.
Glock39 Fan
06-21-2010, 16:59
Thanks for your replies. I'll stick with the low end on powder and use my common sense. That's what I've been doing with the other calibers I reload. Appreciate your responses.
Hey Freak...try reading an article on www.absoluteastromy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto (http://www.absoluteastromy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto).
The FBI firearms training unit concluded that its recoil was excessive in terms of training for the average agent/police officer competency of use. This led to the creation and adoption of a shortened version that would evolve into the .40 S&W. Take a look my friend.
Hey Freak...try reading an article on www.absoluteastromy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto (http://www.absoluteastromy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto).
The FBI firearms training unit concluded that its recoil was excessive in terms of training for the average agent/police officer competency of use. This led to the creation and adoption of a shortened version that would evolve into the .40 S&W. Take a look my friend.
The link should be http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto
Hey Freak...try reading an article on www.absoluteastromy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto (http://www.absoluteastromy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto).
The FBI firearms training unit concluded that its recoil was excessive in terms of training for the average agent/police officer competency of use. This led to the creation and adoption of a shortened version that would evolve into the .40 S&W. Take a look my friend.
All I see is an unattributed quote, with no mention of who said it.
1glockfan23
06-21-2010, 18:50
I have loaded over 10,000 rounds of 40cal ammo, and, fired it through my Glock 23 with no issues. I have loaded 135grain up to 200grain loads. The "bulge" in the brass seems more of an issue with Gen 1 and 2 barrels, from what I have read. If you are scared of it, use a Lee Factory Crimp Die to iron out the bulge.
... If you are scared of it, use a Lee Factory Crimp Die to iron out the bulge.
Plus one to this but use the Lee carbide sizing die as the first stage in the process. Cured out of spec cases for me.
freakshow10mm
06-21-2010, 23:57
Hey Freak...try reading an article on www.absoluteastromy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto (http://www.absoluteastromy.com/topics/10_mm_Auto).
The FBI firearms training unit concluded that its recoil was excessive in terms of training for the average agent/police officer competency of use. This led to the creation and adoption of a shortened version that would evolve into the .40 S&W. Take a look my friend.
The FBI never tested full power 10mm. They did not do it for the infamous test in the late 1980s and they never did since then. I personally spoke on the phone with the FBI agent that handloaded the 10mm ammunition for the FBI test for several hours. One of the requirements was the gun and ammo could not recoil more than the .45 ACP GI ball loading in a M1911-A1 pistol. The 10mm was testing using a 180gr JHP loaded to 980fps. This is the load that beat the others and the load that was adopted and used by the FBI (and still used today in their MP5 10mms in arsenal). That was also the original specification of the .40 S&W.
The fact that the FBI load for the 10mm issued had the same exact ballistics as the .40 S&W they adopted later has nothing to do with recoil.
The FBI dropped the S&W pistol due to politics, not ballistics nor recoil. I've posted this more in detail on this and other forums.
If you are scared of it, use a Lee Factory Crimp Die to iron out the bulge.
Working overworked brass further is not the answer. What you can't see can hurt you. The atoms don't magically go back where they came from. It's not like ironing a shirt.
The fact that the FBI load for the 10mm issued had the same exact ballistics as the .40 S&W they adopted later has nothing to do with recoil.
Bingo. I suspect it had to do with meeting the test requirements for penetration, flash, noise, etc. The fact that they have the same ballistics is because they've both been set to pass the same test.
Working overworked brass further is not the answer. What you can't see can hurt you. The atoms don't magically go back where they came from. It's not like ironing a shirt.
Isn't that what annealing is all about? Of course, some people consider that black magic. :supergrin:
shotgunred
06-22-2010, 05:03
It would appear that someone's been nipping at the Fathers Day cheer. :supergrin:
Jack
I can't even blame the Fathers Day cheer, Even though I come from good old Irish peasant stock I don't drink. I swear that was the third time in a week that someone asked the same question.:steamed: I thought I threw enough sarcasm in my reply. I will try harder next time.:cool:
Great information Freak...thanks !!
GioaJack
06-22-2010, 09:58
I can't even blame the Fathers Day cheer, Even though I come from good old Irish peasant stock I don't drink. I swear that was the third time in a week that someone asked the same question.:steamed: I thought I threw enough sarcasm in my reply. I will try harder next time.:cool:
Just screwin' with ya ...Red, but it seems to me if you're gonna get blamed for doin' something ya didn't do... ya might as well do it. :supergrin:
Jack
SPIN2010
06-23-2010, 21:38
Hey All!
New reloader here as well. I started out on the .40 S&W and I still have all my fingers after ~500 rounds loaded/shot (granted, I used an M&P.40).
On to 10mm reloads!
Thanks to all the regulars here for the good pointers thus far.
SPIN2010
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