[TXXDCC]

Picked up a new G29 recently and I love it. I've been shooting Remington factory ammo and all is well. I've done a bit of reading and would like some opinions on whether or not I need an aftermarket barrel to shoot some of the hotter stuff from Swamp fox, Buffalo Bore, or Double tap. I keep reading about chamber support issues and though I feel pretty comfortable with a stock barrel, I have plans for a KKM or Lone Wolf at some point. I guess the question is do I need the barrel first or not? I've got Wolff springs in both 19# and 21# already. Thanks for the input!

This forum has already been a big help.

[_The_Shadow]

I am shooting my heavy handloads Hornady 200 XTP's running 1130 fps from my factory barrel using the Wolff non-captured recoil system and the 21# spring set and every thing is running great. I also have the 23# spring set but racking the slide shows just how strong these are so I only use them for load development. Case support is fairly good with mine but am seeing some case expansion. I also have a Storm Lake barrels in 10mm & 40S&W (good chamber support) to test some loads with and shooting cast bullets as well.

The Lone Wolf 9x25Dillon barrel has the best chamber support being almost as tight as the cartridge case gauge!

Good luck with your decision!

[bmoore]

I like the added insurace of a Lone Wolf for my reloads. Im sure I could shoot thousands of reloads through it and never have a problem. I shoot plated bullets in my reloads so for 110 bucks it was a no brainer. I put all factory stuff through the glock barrel. 700rnds down my 20SF and not a single failure with any factory stuff, only the first 2 of my reloads needed the slide to barely be nudged into battery when the lone wolf was brand new. I run a wolf 22lb recoil spring/rod combo that is excellent. Also have a lone wolf 40 conversion barrel, not sure why i bought it though lol?

[21Carrier]

You will be fine with the Glock barrel. All of that ammo (Big-name-brand, Double Tap, Buffalo Bore, Swamp Fox) is made to shoot out of a stock barrel. A few of Swamp Fox's loads are for aftermarket barrels only, but they are marked as such. The factory barrel is not that bad. I've shot nearly a thousand hot reloads through mine with only 6 Glocksmiles (all from Cor-Bon FACTORY ammo, of all places). My reloads, even slightly over-book loads, have never even ruined the brass.

That being said, I will buy an aftermarket barrel for insurance while working up hot loads. Also, I will likely get a longer barrel for additional velocity. But for shooting factory stuff, you are fine with factory.

Another advantage to an aftermarket barrel is that it doesn't allow the brass to bulge much, and results in less damage to the brass. This, in turn, allows the brass to be reloaded more. Last, you can shoot lead in aftermarket barrels.

[Kegs]

Factory ammo works in factory barrels.

If you think you are going to reload, get your aftermarket barrel now - it will be easier on the brass from day one.

Also: if you think you are going to shoot hardcast with decent precision, the aftermarket barrel will prove to work better for that purpose.

Personally, I wouldn't bother shooting my 29 without the aftermarket barrel in it anymore. One of the best aftermarket values there is in my opinion.

[TXXDCC]

Thanks for all of the input fellas. For now I'll be happy to shoot the factory ammo and set aside a little cash now and then for an aftermarket barrel. They aren't terribly expensive anyway and as with most 10mm shooters, I'll most likely begin reloading pretty soon. Happy shooting!