Shooting Glock with plated bullets = jam?
- Thread starter MuzzleBlast
- Start date
Average Joe
New member
Buy factory bullets, and your problem will disappear.
reynolds357
New member
What velocity those bullets rated to max? What velocity you running?
most plated are are in the 1150-1250 max range, depending on the thickness of the plating. I checked the ammo makers websites.... didn't see velocities listed...
reynolds357
New member
I kind of agree with most here then. These bullets just not a good choice for Glock. It does surprise me that the Browning runs them.
Check for shaving when you are seating the bullet.
I'm going to summarize my understanding after re-reading this thread, if for nothing else, to keep my thoughts straight.
The OP seems to be a longer-time member here and has some 20 years of posting experience on this forum. He does admit to being new-to-Glocks in this thread, however.
The OP said he's using 9mm plated bullets from: https://www.anatolianarms.com/
This is a company most of us have not heard of previously. Checking the website, the prices seem great, however.
He's apparently using self-loaded 9mm ammo, which has worked well for him in a Hi-Power, but, so far, not in this newly acquired Glock. He believes there's some kind of shaving or build-up occurring in the Glock's barrel, which is causing some failures to chamber.
So far, factory ammo was not mentioned to ever have been used by the OP.
I've read various posts from other folks on other forums over the years. I've read similar instances whereas a person's reloads aren't working well in a handgun, often a Glock, and as those reloads work well in another firearm, the conclusion of such person believes the Glock is somehow at fault.
Rather than change one's loading specs or use different or even brand-name factory ammo, it seems easier to blame a big-name company such as Glock. I admit, I must be a bit of a Glock-fan as these type of posts initially get my "ire" up.
I think most of us in this thread suspect or have concluded, even though we're not there with the OP's Glock and ammo, there's probably something about the ammo which is "off", and less-likely there being something "off" with the OP's Glock.
I wouldn't know if it'd be OK with the OP to reload his ammo differently or only use factory new ammo in that Glock or not. A different brand & model of new 9mm handgun may work 100% with the OP's ammo, but that might cost a bunch of time & money to search for the right handgun for the OP and his specific ammo.
I do like the OP's plan of buying some "factory" ammo and trying again. It's ok if the OP isn't "impressed" with Glock. There are likely many folks out there who either aren't impressed with Glock; just don't care for them; and in my case, I just get tired of them sometimes (even though I'm carrying one right now).
I'd actually like to hear more about the OP's Hi-Power, as I've never owned one and maybe only shot ~3 rounds through an old one. I've gotten in fairly deep with 1911s, but for some reason, just never bought into a Hi-Power. In retrospect, I would've liked buying into both the 9mm and the .40 versions back when they were in the LGSs new, but now they're gone/discontinued (I mean the FN/Browning ones). I suspect parts and repair are likely becoming difficult by now, too. There are other brands & models I've also not experienced too (Beretta and CZ come to mind).
The OP seems to be a longer-time member here and has some 20 years of posting experience on this forum. He does admit to being new-to-Glocks in this thread, however.
The OP said he's using 9mm plated bullets from: https://www.anatolianarms.com/
This is a company most of us have not heard of previously. Checking the website, the prices seem great, however.
He's apparently using self-loaded 9mm ammo, which has worked well for him in a Hi-Power, but, so far, not in this newly acquired Glock. He believes there's some kind of shaving or build-up occurring in the Glock's barrel, which is causing some failures to chamber.
So far, factory ammo was not mentioned to ever have been used by the OP.
I've read various posts from other folks on other forums over the years. I've read similar instances whereas a person's reloads aren't working well in a handgun, often a Glock, and as those reloads work well in another firearm, the conclusion of such person believes the Glock is somehow at fault.
Rather than change one's loading specs or use different or even brand-name factory ammo, it seems easier to blame a big-name company such as Glock. I admit, I must be a bit of a Glock-fan as these type of posts initially get my "ire" up.
I think most of us in this thread suspect or have concluded, even though we're not there with the OP's Glock and ammo, there's probably something about the ammo which is "off", and less-likely there being something "off" with the OP's Glock.
I wouldn't know if it'd be OK with the OP to reload his ammo differently or only use factory new ammo in that Glock or not. A different brand & model of new 9mm handgun may work 100% with the OP's ammo, but that might cost a bunch of time & money to search for the right handgun for the OP and his specific ammo.
I do like the OP's plan of buying some "factory" ammo and trying again. It's ok if the OP isn't "impressed" with Glock. There are likely many folks out there who either aren't impressed with Glock; just don't care for them; and in my case, I just get tired of them sometimes (even though I'm carrying one right now).
I'd actually like to hear more about the OP's Hi-Power, as I've never owned one and maybe only shot ~3 rounds through an old one. I've gotten in fairly deep with 1911s, but for some reason, just never bought into a Hi-Power. In retrospect, I would've liked buying into both the 9mm and the .40 versions back when they were in the LGSs new, but now they're gone/discontinued (I mean the FN/Browning ones). I suspect parts and repair are likely becoming difficult by now, too. There are other brands & models I've also not experienced too (Beretta and CZ come to mind).
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Incorrect, we are clear on which ammo is being used, he stated it was the 9mm ammo from Anatoli Arms, we are just not sure which one specifically. We are not dealing with hand loaded ammo. They offer new production FMJ, and re-manufactured with "round nose" bullets which I am guessing are the plated but I am not 100% sure.
Post 28,
I got caught editing my post, before it got quoted. I guess I'm not the only one reading this thread right now.
I suppose I assumed the OP is reloading his own as he first said he's using 9mm plated "bullets", then said where he got them. I do see that Anatolian company also makes loaded ammo, too. Thinking about it more, I realize some folks use the words "bullet(s)" and "ammo" interchangeable, but in my above post, I did take the OP's word that he got just the bullets, and I went on to assume he didn't buy fully loaded ammo, either reloaded or new brass versions. Then I went on to further assume, he reloaded his own ammo using these bullets. I may have erred.
I got caught editing my post, before it got quoted. I guess I'm not the only one reading this thread right now.
I suppose I assumed the OP is reloading his own as he first said he's using 9mm plated "bullets", then said where he got them. I do see that Anatolian company also makes loaded ammo, too. Thinking about it more, I realize some folks use the words "bullet(s)" and "ammo" interchangeable, but in my above post, I did take the OP's word that he got just the bullets, and I went on to assume he didn't buy fully loaded ammo, either reloaded or new brass versions. Then I went on to further assume, he reloaded his own ammo using these bullets. I may have erred.
Post 28,
I got caught editing my post, before it got quoted. I guess I'm not the only one reading this thread right now.
I suppose I assumed the OP is reloading his own as he first said he's using 9mm plated "bullets", then said where he got them. I do see that Anatolian company also makes loaded ammo, too. Thinking about it more, I realize some folks use the words "bullet(s)" and "ammo" interchangeable, but in my above post, I did take the OP's word that he got just the bullets, and I went on to assume he didn't buy fully loaded ammo, either reloaded or new brass versions. Then I went on to further assume, he reloaded his own ammo using these bullets. I may have erred.
I was making the same assumption about the OP loading his own ammunition. It’s not clear to me that isn’t the case.
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After re-reading some posts you could be correct. Lets ask the OP. If it is reloaded ammo, this thread would be much better in the reloading section than semi-auto handgun. And I would be willing to bet its a loading issue of some sort if they are hand loaded.
Hey MuzzleBlast are you reloading your own ammo, or are you using loaded ammo from anatolian arms?
The G5 Glocks have a tighter chamber than previous generations. I took a class some time ago where everyone was using Glocks. The guy with the G5 Glock was having troubles with his malfunction drills, but not for the reason one might assume.
The dummy rounds were just slightly too big for the chamber in his gun. They worked in everyone else's but they would jam in his and keep the slide from fully closing.
NOW, that may partially explain the OP's issue, maybe a gun with a looser chamber would tolerate more buildup before the gun quit working. But it doesn't explain everything, because there shouldn't be enough buildup to cause the gun to quit working if the ammo and the gun were compatible.
I've shot more than 1000 rounds of factory ammo through pistols between cleanings and they generally just keep right on chugging along.
So I think there are two contributing factors:
1. The ammo and the gun are not compatible. Something is shaving the bullet (plating?) material and it is building up in the chamber.
2. The chamber is tighter than might be found in some guns and therefore it won't tolerate very much buildup before a round + the buildup is too much for it to handle and the slide jams closed.
If it were my gun, I'd just try some different ammunition.
The dummy rounds were just slightly too big for the chamber in his gun. They worked in everyone else's but they would jam in his and keep the slide from fully closing.
NOW, that may partially explain the OP's issue, maybe a gun with a looser chamber would tolerate more buildup before the gun quit working. But it doesn't explain everything, because there shouldn't be enough buildup to cause the gun to quit working if the ammo and the gun were compatible.
I've shot more than 1000 rounds of factory ammo through pistols between cleanings and they generally just keep right on chugging along.
So I think there are two contributing factors:
1. The ammo and the gun are not compatible. Something is shaving the bullet (plating?) material and it is building up in the chamber.
2. The chamber is tighter than might be found in some guns and therefore it won't tolerate very much buildup before a round + the buildup is too much for it to handle and the slide jams closed.
If it were my gun, I'd just try some different ammunition.
I have two Gen 5 Glock 19s, MOS variants. I have 6,000 rd between then. Before them I had non-MOS variants with thousands of rounds through each. I have never had a failure to feed that I could trace to ammunition with any of the various manufacturers of factory ammunition that I have used or with the dummy rounds I’ve used (I generally use Tipton snap caps, though I have others that are plastic bullets seated in spent cases). Like John I have also gone more than 1,000 rd between cleanings.
This is not me saying such a failure can’t happen, it’s me saying in the examples I’ve owned despite having a tighter chamber I haven’t personally seen it result in an issue, nor have I seen an issue with others in the courses I’ve taken (and that has included some courses during the pandemic where folks were using cheap ammunition of somewhat dubious quality). Glocks have been, in my experience, more reliable when it comes to feeding than a number of pistols I have owned.
I understand the OP hasn’t had issues with the same ammunition in his Hi Power. I suggest he continue to use this ammunition in the Hi Power, and find other ammunition for the Glock.
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This is not me saying such a failure can’t happen, it’s me saying in the examples I’ve owned despite having a tighter chamber I haven’t personally seen it result in an issue, nor have I seen an issue with others in the courses I’ve taken (and that has included some courses during the pandemic where folks were using cheap ammunition of somewhat dubious quality). Glocks have been, in my experience, more reliable when it comes to feeding than a number of pistols I have owned.
I understand the OP hasn’t had issues with the same ammunition in his Hi Power. I suggest he continue to use this ammunition in the Hi Power, and find other ammunition for the Glock.
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MuzzleBlast
New member
These are my own handloads. They are 115gr copper plated, in front of 4.7gr HP38.
MuzzleBlast
New member
Mine is an FEG clone I bought used back in 1996(?). Until a few years ago, it happily ate anything I fed it. But I suspect it is getting worn by now, because it started having random nosedive stoppages regardless of the ammo or magazine. Replacing the extractor helped, but the nosedives still happen on occasion.
Are you flaring your case mouths before loading? You could be shaving the plating. I find I have to flare with cast and plated bullets.
wild cat mccane
New member
To clarify for my own knowledge, almost all "FMJ" bullets are truly just copper plated as not many or any FMJ copper jackets are cup/pour created rounds?
It's not like a lead is poured into a cup of copper. It's the lead is swaged into a mold and plated, yes?
If so, it isn't the "plated" that is the problem alone?
It's not like a lead is poured into a cup of copper. It's the lead is swaged into a mold and plated, yes?
If so, it isn't the "plated" that is the problem alone?
reynolds357
New member
I don't know. I have no idea why everyone on here is talking about fmj pistol bullets being plated. I have yet to see any "FMJ" pistol bullets that were plated and not jacketed.
what are traditionally considered to be "FMJ" bullets are in fact swaged jackets with swaged cores pressed in. generally with the lead exposed in the base.
Whereas plated bullets are a swaged core that has a copper plating put on.
jacketed bullets generally have thicker copper, and harder copper, due to the copper being work hardened as it is swaged.
plated bullets generally have a much thinner jacket and the copper is softer due to not being work hardened.
Katsumi Liquer
New member
What OAL are you loading them to? If it's too short, the cartridge might be entering the chamber at an excessively steep angle and scraping the plating.
I've shot thousands upon thousands of Berry's and Rainier (when they were still around) 115 gr. plated RN projectiles through my Gen3 G34 with no copper shaving issues. The cartridges are loaded to an OAL of 1.155".