19 May 03

Of Reloads and Glocks...

At a course in Michigan last weekend, we had a case rupture in a Glock 22. Gas pressure blew out the slide-lock lever and half the trigger. The shooter received a gas cut on his hand but was not otherwise seriously injured. With the addition of some Band-Aids, he continued with the course. With the replacement of the trigger and slide-lock lever, the pistol can probably be returned to service.

In my judgment, the case in question had been reloaded one time too many. It blew out at the unsupported portion, just as one would expect. I believe that progressive brass flow toward the front had thinned out the rear of the case, to the point that it could no longer contain the pressure.

Reloading 40S&W cases, even ones that have only been fired once, may be a bad idea. Nine millimeter and 45ACP cases can be reloaded, it seems, numerous times with little concern. Not so with the 40S&W, and particularly not so with the 357SIG. I don't recommend reloading either. Better that fired cases be discarded (and you thus shoot only new, factory ammunition) than you see you pistol ruined.

/John