Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

[D Scott]

Any one here reload for their Glock ? I just picked up a glock 21 gen 4. I am reloading for it, using 230 gr, rn, with winchester brass and w 231 powder. I cant get the gun to cycle with any thing less than the max load listed at 5.3 gr of w231, anyone have experience with this powder? Even 5.1 gr (w231) wouldn't cycle the gun. I was hoping to come up with a target load, a little less than the max to shoot more without getting thumped to much. Any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated
Scott

 

[nso123]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

You might give Alliant Power Pistol a try. I have had good luck with it in 1911s and HKs.

 

[rng]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

I've been using 5.1-5.3g w231 w/win brass, 230g cast for years in my G21SF without any cycling issues. Might want to verify scale calibration with a check weight.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

Are you a limp wrister shooter, Glocks need something firm to recoil against. Double check your scale, and please let us know your equipment your using, and how about chronograph readings.

 

[insight3b]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

Apply more crimp

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

Did you buy this new or used? Someone may have swapped out the spring. Other than that, see 427Cobra's post.

 

[Bear24]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

5g of bullseye with 230g plated HP with federal primers works great for a target load in my sig, XDm, XDs, and glock. It's a little dirty but my guns all like it.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

I run 200gr RNs over 5.4gr W231. No functioning problems whatsoever. I'd check either the spring, or your recoil management (limp wristing).

 

[ksthomas]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

D Scott,

Glocks (especially the M21) don't really like anything less than full-power loads, and generally don't function well with reduced loads unless the gun's been altered. Use full power loads and get on with it. That said, I think you'll find that those same loads are a lot less objectionable than the same ammo would be in an M1911. The Glocks are very soft recoiling guns, one of the many things to love about them.

You know if you've got the original Glock Polygonal barrel in there not to use anything but jacketed bullets, right? If you ever want to use cast or swaged lead bullets, you'll need to replace the barrel with an aftermarket type that uses conventional rifling. The polygonal bores are definately not "lead friendly" and several blown up guns have resulted from using unjacketed bullets.

 

[D Scott]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

Thanks for the feedback, no I dont think Im limp wristing it, I dont think the recoil is bad, it shoots great with the full loads, this is my first pistol reload venture and was curious as to where the powder charge would shake out.
I did have questions about the crimp, I followed the data from RCBS setup for the seater/crimp die, was getting something like .469 at the case mouth. but it was a little inconsistent, I think I will go with the Lee FDC and just use the rcbs die for seating only. Is there an objective way to measure crimp other than this ? The brass is all within .001-.002 th in length, had to trim a few in 200 rounds.Will the lack of a proper crimp change the pressure curve much ?

At Kevin, what should a slower powder do for this situation? how would it affect velocity in a pistol ? Even at 5.3 grs, of w231 they "feel" a little less snappy than some factory rounds I had. I did check my scale with check weights and its on. Would bringing it up to 5.4 or 5.5 work ok, and still be considered safe ? The powder seems to burn completely, not too dirty. At 5.3 its shooing about an inch high at 30 or so feet. ( with 230 gr rn plated) havnt put them over a chrony yet.
On a separate note Im wanting to have a powder I can use in my 9mm and 38 as well if that is feasible and buy in bulk.
Thanks again , Scott

 

[Bear24]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: D Scott</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the feedback, no I dont think Im limp wristing it, I dont think the recoil is bad, it shoots great with the full loads, this is my first pistol reload venture and was curious as to where the powder charge would shake out.
I did have questions about the crimp, I followed the data from RCBS setup for the seater/crimp die, was getting something like .469 at the case mouth. but it was a little inconsistent, I think I will go with the Lee FDC and just use the rcbs die for seating only. Is there an objective way to measure crimp other than this ? The brass is all within .001-.002 th in length, had to trim a few in 200 rounds.Will the lack of a proper crimp change the pressure curve much ?

At Kevin, what should a slower powder do for this situation? how would it affect velocity in a pistol ? Even at 5.3 grs, of w231 they "feel" a little less snappy than some factory rounds I had. I did check my scale with check weights and its on. Would bringing it up to 5.4 or 5.5 work ok, and still be considered safe ? The powder seems to burn completely, not too dirty. At 5.3 its shooing about an inch high at 30 or so feet. ( with 230 gr rn plated) havnt put them over a chrony yet.
On a separate note <span style="font-weight: bold">Im wanting to have a powder I can use in my 9mm and 38 as well</span> if that is feasible and buy in bulk.
Thanks again , Scott </div></div>

I highly suggest Alliant Bullseye or Power pistol in all 3 of those loads

 

[turbo54]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

I like Titegroup. It produces excellent velocities in 45, the nicest recoil impulse of any powder I've tried, and will load ANY pistol cartridge, as well as subsonics in many rifles.

I run 5.75gr and a 200gr flat point Montana Gold in my G30 and G21c. I used to run 5.4 in my 30, but that didn't cycle the 21c reliably.

The 5.75 load clocks ~1000fps from the 21c, and 925 from the 30.

 

[244]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

I've become a fan of Alliant's American Select. I purchased it due to its low nitroglycerine content (4%) for use with cast bullets. Bullseye and TightGroup have around 40% nitro for comparison.

I have also used American Select with jacketed bullets with good success.

4.5 grains of AS with 230 grain XTP at 1.225" gave me right at 800 fps.

5.0 grains of AS with 200 grain XTP at 1.225" gave me 1000 fps

Ramshot's Silhouette is flash suppressed and does very well at giving higher velocities. It is the same as Winchester's now discontinued Action Pistol (WAP). The only draw back to Silhouette is that it left some yellowish unburned granules unless near max loads. Accuracy, for me, was very good, granules or not.

7.7 grains Silhouette at 1.225" with the 230 XTP gave me 950 fps.

8.2 grains Silhouette at 1.225" with the 200 XTP gave me 1015 fps.

These loads were shot out of my 5" 1911 and were safe for me. Please work up your loads to stay safe.

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

A lot of people would not agree with me on this, but for .45acp, my goal is to bell just enough to allow bullet seating w/o shaving and I don't really crimp; I remove the bell. IMHO, additional crimp (talking a few tho) is not going to have any noticable impact on pressure in this cartridge. Too much crimp can cause problems in .45acp (and your 9mm) because the case spaces off the mouth.

I don't have data in from of me and I don't load plated bullets, so I can't comment on your data / charge weight. I will say the .45acp is a low pressure cartridge and is very forgiving. Shooting these (and a few Win White box or similar) over a chrony would tell you a lot.

231/HP38 is a great powder for low to mid range for all three cartridges you mention. If you wanted to set up a high velocity load in your 45 w/ jacketed bullets, the Silhouette mentioned above is my choice.

 

[ksthomas]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

D Scott,

A general, across the board rule is that faster powders (Bulleye, 231, HP-38, etc.) are best for light target loads and reduced velocities. Larger charges of slower burning powders (Unique, Power Pistol, Blue Dot) give substantially higher velocities and function better in the higher pressure ranges that these loads require. As a result, when you really want maximum velocities, you go to a slower powder. Sounds kind of counterintuitive, but that's the way it works.

Any of the powders I've mentioned here, either in the faster or slower ranges, will work very well in either the 9mm or 38 Spl, as they will in the 45 ACP. Finding powders that work well in all three is no problem at all. Unless you get into some of the magnums that require a more specialized powder, such as H110, 296 or N110, you should be able to find one that works in all your pistols.

 

[D Scott]

Re: Glock 21 gen 4 reloading

Thank you, I appreciate all the help and feedback, I will give these suggestions a try and let you know how they work

Scott