Sidearms & Scatterguns Glock match barrel

[Andy Warhog]

I'm looking to get a barrel for my glock 17 for uspsa and 3 gun and I'm looking at lone wolf and kkm, bar sto seems like more than I need and I don't want to have to send my pistol off. This barrel will be for match only and shoot 125gr fmj handloads mostly. With a tighter chamber I'll probably go with a better recoil spring.
Any issues, concerns or other considerations?

 

[KM375]

Re: Glock match barrel

Wilson Combat Match Barrel
3.5 lb Glock Trigger Bar Connector
Dawson Precision Adjustable Rear Sight
Dawson Precision Black Front Sight
Vickers Extended Tactical Glock Magazine Release
Glock Factory Extended Slide Release

This is what the guys at Tiger Swan use for basic mods on their Glocks.
I use BarSto in my 1911 and have used KKM in some Glocks, I was happy with the KKM for a basic upgrade.

 

[Graham]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SlowNoisyDeadly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any issues, concerns or other considerations? </div></div>Depending on the tolerances of your pistol, the amount of upward pressure placed on the slide by the magazine spring, and how much that changes from full mag to empty mag, might shift the POI more than a match barrel will reduce its deviation.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Glock match barrel

The best Glock barrel is a Glock barrel.

Instead of changing the barrel, do the 25 cent trigger job, install a Jäger or GlockWorx steel striker and a competition spring kit, Lone Wolf or GlockWorx ejector housing with over travel stop, and underwater spring cups, this combination has netted me 2.5lb trigger in my G35, as for the recoil spring I run a 15lb one for minor loads on a Jager steel rod, in a 9 I would think 11 or 13 pounder would be perfect for 125-130 PF loads.

 

[GunKnowledge]

Re: Glock match barrel

Unfortunately if Bar-Sto is too much then so is Storm Lake. The only non-stock Glock I have has a Storm Lake which I've been very happy with.

Definitely agree on replacing the recoil assembly as well, I've got a solid extended guide rod and a poly recoil buffer for load variety.

 

[GunKnowledge]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depending on the tolerances of your pistol, the amount of upward pressure placed on the slide by the magazine spring, and how much that changes from full mag to empty mag, might shift the POI more than a match barrel will reduce its deviation. </div></div>

What??? I haven't heard this before.

Checked mine and the pressure to lift the slide fully upward is practically nothing. I think this would only hold true for the last round with an empty mag. Otherwise, even a single round in the magazine has enough exertion on the cartridge guide rib of the slide to push fully upwards in battery.

Which is a moot point anyway, since in competitive shooting you'll train to never run the gun dry if possible.

I'm going to have to go test this next time I'm at the range, I've never noticed it before. It might be more noticeable on guns with very thin frame rails and wide slide rail recesses, obviously.

 

[excess]

Re: Glock match barrel

Glock 17 - I assume you are shooting Production class then? I doubt an aftermarket barrel will earn you one single point more than the factory barrel will.

I'd only spend the money if my handloads were using lead bullets.

 

[Andy Warhog]

Re: Glock match barrel

lead bullets are a possible option. I'm hoping with a more supported chamber it might help with brass life a little and make re loading smoother. I'm not sure I understand the upward pressure on the slide and how it would be an issue or how it would differ from stock to after market, can you shed some light on that?

 

[Andy Warhog]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSwift</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unfortunately if Bar-Sto is too much then so is Storm Lake. The only non-stock Glock I have has a Storm Lake which I've been very happy with.

Definitely agree on replacing the recoil assembly as well, I've got a solid extended guide rod and a poly recoil buffer for load variety. </div></div>
by too much I meant more than I need. I just want something potentially more accurate, more supported chamber and NOT have to send anything off to be fitted

 

[excess]

Re: Glock match barrel

brass life? You are going to lose more brass in a USPSA match than you will ever lose from something to do with chamber support. And the cost of the aftermarket barrel will never outweigh any potential life savings in brass. As far as accuracy, USPSA is not a precision sport. That factory G17 has plenty of accuracy. Just get out and shoot, save your money for brass, bullets, powder, and primers.

 

[Andy Warhog]

Re: Glock match barrel

I come home with more brass than I fired. I'm pretty good at police calling. I'm not solely concerned on saving money on brass, if I can get a couple of those C's to A's then I'm happy, I want precision, I'm happy with my speed.

 

[Graham]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSwift</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Checked mine and the pressure to lift the slide fully upward is practically nothing. I think this would only hold true for the last round with an empty mag. Otherwise, even a single round in the magazine has enough exertion on the cartridge guide rib of the slide to push fully upwards in battery... I'm going to have to go test this next time I'm at the range, I've never noticed it before. It might be more noticeable on guns with very thin frame rails and wide slide rail recesses, obviously. </div></div>Use a mchine rest, and note the POI shift in the vertical.

 

[21Bravo]

Re: Glock match barrel

I've been shooting USPSA Production Division with a Glock 34 for quite a few years. My 34 has right around 30,000 rounds through it. Yes, that's 30,000 rounds. Sounds like a lot but it's really not.

I have a Storm Lake aftermarket that I have about half those rounds through with this gun. I purchased the Storm Lake barrel purely for running lead bullets. However, I primarily shoot FMJ now and went back to my Glock barrel as it has a somewhat more forgiving chamber, therefore enhanced reliability. Don't get me wrong, I had excellent reliability out the Storm Lake but, I've had nearly perfect performance with the factory barrel.

The Storm Lake is a good barrel but when comparing groups between both barrels there was no identifiable improvement in the accuracy with the Storm Lake.

I did have more malfunctions with the Storm Lake barrel related to range pickup brass with a slight "Glock" bulge the dies could not get down far enough to resize. I saved these same rounds and they would chamber and fire in the Glock barrel.

My recommendation. If you plan on shooting lead bullets go with any of the bigger manufacturers, ie Storm Lake, Lone Wolf, KKM. I would not buy an aftermarket barrel with hopes of increasing accuracy to gain the extra 2 points between a A zone vs C zone hit. Reason being, you'll likely have an occasional malfunction with the aftermarket barrel you wouldn't have had with the factory barrel resulting in an entirely blown stage along with the frustration that will likely have at least some impact on your performance on subsequent stages.

Hope this helps.

 

[300WSM]

Re: Glock match barrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56H6BBkZgEQ

 

[Andy Warhog]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 21Bravo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been shooting USPSA Production Division with a Glock 34 for quite a few years. My 34 has right around 30,000 rounds through it. Yes, that's 30,000 rounds. Sounds like a lot but it's really not.

I have a Storm Lake aftermarket that I have about half those rounds through with this gun. I purchased the Storm Lake barrel purely for running lead bullets. However, I primarily shoot FMJ now and went back to my Glock barrel as it has a somewhat more forgiving chamber, therefore enhanced reliability. Don't get me wrong, I had excellent reliability out the Storm Lake but, I've had nearly perfect performance with the factory barrel.

The Storm Lake is a good barrel but when comparing groups between both barrels there was no identifiable improvement in the accuracy with the Storm Lake.

I did have more malfunctions with the Storm Lake barrel related to range pickup brass with a slight "Glock" bulge the dies could not get down far enough to resize. I saved these same rounds and they would chamber and fire in the Glock barrel.

My recommendation. If you plan on shooting lead bullets go with any of the bigger manufacturers, ie Storm Lake, Lone Wolf, KKM. I would not buy an aftermarket barrel with hopes of increasing accuracy to gain the extra 2 points between a A zone vs C zone hit. Reason being, you'll likely have an occasional malfunction with the aftermarket barrel you wouldn't have had with the factory barrel resulting in an entirely blown stage along with the frustration that will likely have at least some impact on your performance on subsequent stages.

Hope this helps. </div></div>
That's what I was after. Thanks

 

[turbo54]

Re: Glock match barrel

I've found the Lone Wolf chambers to be pretty darned tight. Not looking to start an argument over the "reliability" of a LW barrel, but hopefully we can all agree that you are more likely to get a fail-to-feed with a tighter chamber.

 

[GunKnowledge]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hopefully we can all agree that you are more likely to get a fail-to-feed with a tighter chamber. </div></div>

By the same token, we should all agree that you're going to get better accuracy & consistency from a tighter chamber.

Ammo should be chosen specifically for the weapon and application in mind. Although 9x19 Parabellum fits in a lot of guns, certain loads are highly undesirable for a competition handgun.

If you are smart about your ammo, a tighter chamber isn't a problem. If you're uber cheap and pick up brass off the floor...

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Glock match barrel

all you need for USPSA matches are lots of mags, excellent holster, good sights, a trigger job and tons of ammo, the glock barrel is just fine and you'll never wear brass out at the low power factor needed, you'll loose he brass before it worn out and 9mm brass is cheap and everywhere anyway.

 

[355sigfan]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SlowNoisyDeadly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm looking to get a barrel for my glock 17 for uspsa and 3 gun and I'm looking at lone wolf and kkm, bar sto seems like more than I need and I don't want to have to send my pistol off. This barrel will be for match only and shoot 125gr fmj handloads mostly. With a tighter chamber I'll probably go with a better recoil spring.
Any issues, concerns or other considerations? </div></div>

Stick with the stock barrel. Reliablity is more important than glint edge accuracy in USPSA and I had a Wolf Barrel for my Glock 17 for shooting lead. It worked ok for my uses but it was less reliable than the factory barrel (which has been 100%). In USPSA if you have a handgun that can shoot 3 to 4 inch groups at 25 yards your fine. My factory 17 barrel does around 3 inches.
Pat

 

[turbo54]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSwift</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are smart about your ammo, a tighter chamber isn't a problem. If you're uber cheap and pick up brass off the floor... </div></div>

This is true.

However, how many USPSA, IDPA or IPSC shooters are "smart" about their ammo when they're running thousands and thousands of rounds through their pistols? How many of these folks don't use range pickup brass?

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but to load PISTOLS, I use range pickup brass, and my "quality control" includes keeping a keen eye on station 2 of my press at all times to visually verify the powder charge is there, and not looking like a double.

Precision rifle ammo, on the other hand, I'm more careful about.

 

[Adam B]

Re: Glock match barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSwift</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are smart about your ammo, a tighter chamber isn't a problem. If you're uber cheap and pick up brass off the floor... </div></div>

This is true.

However, how many USPSA, IDPA or IPSC shooters are "smart" about their ammo when they're running thousands and thousands of rounds through their pistols? How many of these folks don't use range pickup brass?


Perhaps I'm in the minority, but to load PISTOLS, I use range pickup brass, and my "quality control" includes keeping a keen eye on station 2 of my press at all times to visually verify the powder charge is there, and not looking like a double.

Precision rifle ammo, on the other hand, I'm more careful about.</div></div>

I found that running a lee undersized die will eliminate most of the ammo related issues, I use once fired range brass in my production setup and have zero issues with a KKM barrel

 

[21Bravo]

Re: Glock match barrel

I load a lot of 9mm. I run the same load for USPSA Production and for registered receiver suppressed M16 9mm. This includes Vitivhori powder and Precision Delta 147s. All of my match ammo is case gauged. Because I absolutely hate to have an ammo related problem jack up a stage. You are correct about how many USPSA shooters are smart about their ammo. I've seen many veteran shooters have ammo issues that cost them in their overall standings but they don't seem to get it. It's like tolerance stacking in engineering, do what you can to minimize it.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Glock match barrel

I use KKMs for my threaded barrels, but use the stock barrel for USPSA matches. I've had zero issues with either barrel so far.