How Much Velocity Is Lost with G-30

[corbon1]

I was wondering how much velocity you lose with the G-30 from the G-21 specs ? has anyone found out?

Thanks! :)

[PaleGreenHorse]

I average 60-80fps from my G20 to my G29. I imagine it will be around the higher of that end due the the .45's weight. PGH~

[corbon1]

Thanks for your input !

[DHart]

When going from a longer barrel to a shorter one, velocity LOSS is greater with the lighter bullets... 230 gr. bullets will retain velocity a little better than lighter weight bullets will.

[rich52us]

The octagonal rifling of the G30 barrel helps keep velocity loss to a minimum as compared to standard rifled barrels. I've heard 50 fps quoted before. I don't think a BG will be able to tell the difference:thumbsup:

[jbremount]

Originally posted by corbon1
I was wondering how much velocity you lose with the G-30 from the G-21 specs ? has anyone found out?

Thanks! :)


You don't lose enough velocity with the shorter barrel of the Glock 30 (3.78") vs the Glock 21 barrel(4.60")to make any practical difference if the gun is used as a self defense pistol at handgun range. Difference brands of ammo have differenct velocities. You can always use a faster ammo, therefore ammo selection is important if you want to achieve a certain velocity.(linky (http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_34) )

Then again, I personally think, ammo that you can shoot accurately is number "1". It all goes back to shot placement. You do your part and most accurate self defence ammo will do it's part.

The compact glock 30 is much more concealable than the Glock 21.

[DHart]

.45 acp is a caliber which does less well from a short barrel than calibers such as .40 or 9mm do. The velocity drop does have a negative impact on terminal performance... to quote DocGKR from Tactical Forums:

"...shortening .45 ACP barrels is problematic. For a variety of reasons, we have never tested a 3" .45 ACP--the shortest has been 3.5". Using our old duty RA45T in bare gel, a 5" 1911 had a velocity of 854 f/s and expansion of 0.76”, a 4.25” LWC had a velocity of 825 f/s and expansion of 0.76”, while a 3.5" LWOM had a velocity of 798 f/s and expansion of only 0.48”. Obviously a 3” would be worse…_"

Obviously bullet placement is critically important and I sure wouldn't want to be shot with a 230 gr. at 800 fps, but .45 acp JHP's at that speed lose a fair bit of their potential performance. Beefing up charges a bit to keep 230 gr. bullet velocity to at least 850 with the short 3.8" G30 barrel is advisable.

For my G30, I prefer 230 gr. Gold Dots pushed a bit to 950 fps from a 5" barrel to yield around 875 or so from the G30's 3.8" barrel. Or Winchester Ranger 230 gr. +P which is around 980 or so from a 5"er, yielding around 900 fps or so with the G30 barrel. Also Corbon DXP or 185 gr. PowRBall - these have been shown to have very effective terminal ballistics when fired from the short 3.8" G30 barrel.

[GlockBaby]

:agree:

Excellent reason to shoot 45 Super out of your G30.

:wave:

GB

[slammed89swb]

So yall are saying to get the most out of the G30 230gr is the way to go. I just switched from 230 speer gold dots to TAP 200. I guess i was thinkin lighter bullet would make it a little faster i guess that only applys to a 5" barrel. Damn it!!! back to the good old speers!!! :sad:

[DHart]

slammed... if you reload, just boost velocity to 940 fps or so when fired from a 5" barrel and, when fired from the 3.8" G30 barrel, your velocities will be a perfect 875-ish.

Or for factory made ammo, shoot Winchester Ranger 230 gr. +P, CorBon PowRBall, or CorBon DPX and you're shorty G30 will have potency equal to a 230 gr. JHP when fired from a full size 5" barrel.

[jbremount]

Originally posted by rich52us
The octagonal rifling of the G30 barrel helps keep velocity loss to a minimum as compared to standard rifled barrels. I've heard 50 fps quoted before. I don't think a BG will be able to tell the difference:thumbsup:


IMO, a BG will not be able to tell the difference of 50fps+/- at close handgun range. Actually, I have never felt undergunned with my G30 and standard factory ammo. Call Glock if you want a reputable answer. Ask them what their engineers think of the glock 30 and standard factory ammo. I would think the glock engineers are smart enough to take into consideration the terminal effects of the .45acp factory ammo in the shorter barrel.

[BoroTech]

You have to keep the differences between conventionally rifled barrels and Glock's octagonal barrel in mind when thinking about velocities. The 3.8 inch barrel of the G30 is probably comparable to a 4 or 4.25 inch commander barrel; just like the 4.6 inch barrel of the G21 has velocities like a 5 inch 1911.

[Ak.Hiker]

Some velocity information from the book Living With Glocks. The UMC 230 ball did 810 out of a Glock 36. The CorBon 230 JHP+P did 900. The Winchester 230 SXT did 833. The 36 and the 30 both have the same length barrel.

[epsylum]

I chronoed some standard pressure Federal HST 230gr. out of my G30. IIRC it was just under 800fps. It is probably around 850fps out of a 5" 1911, so the 50fps loss is pretty close. Some people choose to carry a lighter bullet in shorter barreled .45s (either a 200 or 185gr.), but I just love the big heavy 230gr bullet and carry it in all my .45s.

A 230gr. bullet going 790-ish fps will still do some damage.

[jbremount]

I chronoed some standard pressure Federal HST 230gr. out of my G30. IIRC it was just under 800fps. It is probably around 850fps out of a 5" 1911, so the 50fps loss is pretty close. Some people choose to carry a lighter bullet in shorter barreled .45s (either a 200 or 185gr.), but I just love the big heavy 230gr bullet and carry it in all my .45s.

A 230gr. bullet going 790-ish fps will still do some damage.


Personally don't think the velocity loss is ever going to be a problem with the glock 30. The Military hardball velocity was @ 880+/- for years with no negative after action reports. That was with hardball ammo and the 45 still got the job done for the operator. For years there have been 1911 45acp guns with short barrels and I have never heard of problems with velocity. What I like about the Glock 30 is it's shootabilty. It is a very soft shooting gun that you can shoot accurately. IMO, the double spring recoil setup and maybe the wide grip have something to do with this.

The most common (#1) problem with shooting a pistol is getting the rounds fired on target.

[G. Glock]

I would agree with the sentiment that the bad guy won't notice the difference. It's always a bit funny to me the way we split hairs over velocity and bullet weight out of a pistol. Attempting to stop somebody immediately with any handgun is a tricky proposition at best; a few hundred fps or grains of lead is likely to have little effect.

[DHart]

G30 is a great pistol. Soft shooting, accurate, reliable, decent capacity. For best performance with JHP bullets, use the stock Glock barrel and boost the power of the load just a bit to keep the velocity at optimum (around 880 fps) and you'll get the best performance from the G30. If you shoot standard load JHP's with the G30 you can expect decent performance, but don't be surprised if expansion isn't quite what the bullet was designed to do. Still wouldn't want to stand in front of one being fired! eek!~

[jbremount]

I would agree with the sentiment that the bad guy won't notice the difference. It's always a bit funny to me the way we split hairs over velocity and bullet weight out of a pistol. Attempting to stop somebody immediately with any handgun is a tricky proposition at best; a few hundred fps or grains of lead is likely to have little effect.



I agree.....My standard go to gun is an AK47 ( I love that gun!!).......pistol is used to fight my way to the AK!

[CanyonMan]

So yall are saying to get the most out of the G30 230gr is the way to go. I just switched from 230 speer gold dots to TAP 200. I guess i was thinkin lighter bullet would make it a little faster i guess that only applys to a 5" barrel. Damn it!!! back to the good old speers!!! :sad:



slammed89swb,

Just to try and help ya here bud....

Man, To put your mind at rest. Don't be afraid to use the 230gr. GD's, or the 230gr GS. non +P. Both are plenty good in a G30, or equivalent sized .45

You do not want to use reloads, unless you are a glutton for trouble, (this is bad advice). Don't listen to it. I don't give a rats behind what the "expert's" think they know. You will be ham strung if you are using reloads. The reasoning, behind the "I use my reloads bit," is..... "that it don't matter if I use reloads, or modify my gun, (as in polishing things up, lighter springs, lighter trigger pull etc), because it "only matters if I am justified in said shooting......"

The greeK word for this is, BS !

These people have never been to a trial, they have never seen the reams of forensic paper work, they have never had a prosecutor tear them apart, and convince the gun hating jury of 12, that you are a modern day Charles Bronson, running around out there with your own "home rolled power bullets," when even the LEO's don't use home rolled, nor do those in even most high ranking government positions.

YES, the jury and proscecutor do look at this stuff, and it makes your defense much more difficult.

The velocity loss in 45acp from a "shorter barrel," is not enough with a good 230gr. brand name ammo, to be concerned about at SD distances. Elite forces use "mostly," a 5" 1911, and that is what i prefer as well, BUT, I also use, and carry a commander size, and a G30, when needed.

I usually don't give out personal stuff much, but hey, I even carry a NAA 22mag mini revolver as a BUG, and have all the confidence in the world with it, if a hand to hand, toe to toe, or 3-5ft senerio take place. Knowing where to hit, and staying as focused as you can, and not loosing your head, even this latter weapon, is "extremely lethal."

The 45acp was never designed, or meant to be any shorter than 5".... But, that being said, non +P ammo, is 'still plenty enough' even in these short barrels.

NO... +P, sure ain't a sin, but it is NOT necessary.

Reloads, and slick trick gun mods, are boasted on by those who do not truly understand the working of the law. Sure, a few folks can have gun mods, and reloads, and by golly they are "no billed." Hooray ! Some people to a drug called cheeze, and don't die! I guess the point is clear. ;)

Go to a reallly good lawyer, and ask if he wants to represent you, with your billy bob hot shot home rolled, and slicked tricked gun mods, or would things be "much better," if you carried a stock gun, and ammo used by the majority of professionals, like the GD, GS etc. et.

Let me make this "real clear." I do not, at all even, always agree with the so called ballistic pro's, on guns, caliber, or ammo selection, for leo's/armed forces etc. I truly would rather use MY own reloads. I trust them more than factory, and can tailor them to suit my SD needs. But i will never do it for SD. I tell you, it will come back and bite you in the butt!

+P 230gr for G30? Fine, great........ But good greif, it is not magic, and not needed!

"CanyonMan," simmer down Hoss, and get off your bandwagon......"

(thought I'd say that before someone else does). ;)

No bandwagon here, no simmering down needed.... Just Irks the bark of of me, to keep hearing the "MYTH," that the 45 ain't so great in a short barrel. Functionally, this can be true, but not in it's lethality.

5" is better, yes, at more than toe to toe ranges.... But, there is NOT enough loss of veloscity to matter in "close SD situations," with a shorter barrel e.g. 3-7-8 feet !

We'll all use what we want to, but do not fear the 230gr, non +P in the G30.
If you feel you need it, do it, cool, all is well, no harm. The point is, it is not needed! Don't worry about "not using," the 200 grers. The G30will be fine with 230gr non+P, OR +P.





Hope that helps ya FWIW
Good shooting to all.


CanyonMan