My Glock 42 doesn't like my .380s

M

McCarthy

Moderator
My Glock 42 does fine with round nose bullets and 0.98 OAL but those nice looking Leigh High Extreme Penetrator CNC bullets jam at the ramp with the suggest OAL of 0.95.

Both OAL are within SAAMI spec.


.380 SAAMI
Datasheet: http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc_drawings/Pistol/380 Automatic.pdf

Leigh High Extreme Bullets
Datasheet: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...Controlled_Fracturing.pdf?6706035700494301641
Bullet: http://www.lehighdefense.com/collec...r-xtreme-penetrator-bullet?variant=1166802480

I know, the 42 is prone to produce failures to feed but I really would like to get this bullet to work. It has very good defensive characteristics, which is crucial with .380.

My Glock 42 is the latest version. I'm not sure if Glock has better upgrades at this point.

How would I go about this issue? Try a higher OAL (within spec) since the round nose all work fine with higher OAL?

Or is just the odd shape of the Extreme Penetrator bullet form? I contacted Leigh High but didn't get any response. On the product review site I can read that I'm not the only one with Glock 42 issues. Maybe take off the sharp edge off the 4 edges of the CNC machined Extreme Penetrator bullets?

Any other ideas?


Almost looks like they jam on the mag lid:

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Giant, oversize, pictures aside(1020 x 696 is too big), it looks like a mag issue to me. Case isn't being held at the correct angle to feed properly. Might just be the angle of the picture though.
And forget SAAMI. SAAMI specs are for manufacturers. OAL for a 90 grain bullet is .955" according to Hodgdon.
 
Generally, I start moving the bullet out where the limiting factor is the magazine, will it load. The other limit is hanging on the lands but I think you are too short. Buy a check gauge, the barrel is not good enough IMHO. I'm thinking Glock 43 as a solution. .380 is a pain to load, IMHO ;)
 
Giant, oversize, pictures aside(1020 x 696 is too big), it looks like a mag issue to me. Case isn't being held at the correct angle to feed properly. Might just be the angle of the picture though.
And forget SAAMI. SAAMI specs are for manufacturers. OAL for a 90 grain bullet is .955" according to Hodgdon.
Click to expand...

Since when is a 1020 pixel wide image oversized? If I would upload the orginal size you could complain about that. That would be 7360 pixel wide. This is 2015, not the late 90s.

SAAMI is one of the most reliable and important data source for (re)loader and manufacturer alike. I will - for sure - not 'forget' SAAMI. There is plenty of wrong data in both manuals and manufacturers loading suggestions. I rather work up my own loads than rely 100% on those manuals alone, especially when it come to the unique combos I load for like .327 or machined bullets.

Also: the bullet manufacturer suggests specifically an OAL of 0.950- not 0.955, why should I go initially by Hodgdon? I used Bullseye.

I'll work on the metal lid of the mags a bit. This guy had success:

http://glock.pro/glock-pistols/8458-glock-42-failure-feed-issue.html



Generally, I start moving the bullet out where the limiting factor is the magazine, will it load. The other limit is hanging on the lands but I think you are too short. Buy a check gauge, the barrel is not good enough IMHO. I'm thinking Glock 43 as a solution. .380 is a pain to load, IMHO
Click to expand...

I'll try moving the round slowly by hand into the chamber and see if I can find out where exactly it hangs.

I have case gauges for all my calibers. Those rounds slip in and out very easily. I’d never run rounds not checked in a gauge before. If the 42 is not going to work I'll try another 380. That 43 is too beefy for pocket carry.
 
Have you tried a different COL to see if it does make a difference or not, or are you stuck on 0.950" or bust? I'd be curious to see if another COL works, but that's just me.
 
This may sound crazy and completely nonsense. But I have done this for my customers. Polish the feed ramp. Or you could go with a storm lake aftermarket barrel. That's one thing they focus on its polishing the feed ramp a little more to allow all kinds of rounds to feed. Couldn't hurt to try just saying.
 
I would also play with COAL. That bullet has an odd profile, so feeding will change from standard ball. Im thinking a SHORTER COAL might work better. Match the profile to a FMJ and see where the ogive lines up

Might be worth getting a box of their loaded ammoe to measure and try. Expensive, but it might save a bunch of time in experimentation.
 
I worked on the metal lid from the mag. Nothing changed.

Have you tried a different COL to see if it does make a difference or not, or are you stuck on 0.950" or bust? I'd be curious to see if another COL works, but that's just me.
Click to expand...

Will try COL next.


This may sound crazy and completely nonsense. But I have done this for my customers. Polish the feed ramp. Or you could go with a storm lake aftermarket barrel. That's one thing they focus on its polishing the feed ramp a little more to allow all kinds of rounds to feed. Couldn't hurt to try just saying.
Click to expand...

I just looked at storm lake barrels. They don't have one for the Glock 42. Same with LoneWolf. I'd rid that unsupported OEM crap first thing if I could.

I think polishing the ramp won't work. The case or bullet gets stuck right in-front of the ramp.


I would also play with COAL. That bullet has an odd profile, so feeding will change from standard ball. Im thinking a SHORTER COAL might work better. Match the profile to a FMJ and see where the ogive lines up

Might be worth getting a box of their loaded ammo to measure and try. Expensive, but it might save a bunch of time in experimentation.
Click to expand...

Now those are great ideas! I'll line up a batch to FMJ shape and also order a pack of their ammo and compare. I also have a feeling that the bullets from their ammo is less pointy on those 4 edges.

Thanks guys.
 
If their ammo is a different level but than they recommend loading, I'd like to know. Tx.

On, and those extra 4 oz, on the Glock 43, about 8 bullets - we'll see but ii don't load .380, might not have to start :cool:
 
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