Glock 29 10mm: Full power plated loads, not good.

Published on February 20, 2021
Duration: 20:43

This video details a firearms instructor's testing of various 10mm loads in a Glock 29, specifically focusing on bullet stabilization issues with plated projectiles in its polygonal rifling. The instructor compares results with a conventionally rifled XDM and identifies specific bullet types and velocities that perform poorly, leading to keyholing and poor accuracy. The conclusion is that a barrel swap to conventional rifling is necessary for optimal performance with desired carry ammunition.

Quick Summary

Plated bullets, such as Berry's 180gr Hybrid Hollow Points, can keyhole in a Glock 29's polygonal rifling when fired at velocities over 1200 ft/s. This indicates poor stabilization, leading to tumbling and inaccurate shots. For better performance with 10mm loads in a Glock 29, heavier bullets or a conventionally rifled barrel are recommended.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Introduction & Load Selection
  2. 01:18Test Setup: XTP vs. Berry's
  3. 02:34XTP Group Results
  4. 03:04Berry's Plated Load Test
  5. 04:00Berry's Load Failure: Keyholing
  6. 05:10Gold Dot Load Test in Glock 29
  7. 05:41Gold Dot Load Failure in Glock 29
  8. 06:47Plan: Test in XDM with Conventional Rifling
  9. 08:06XDM Test: Berry's 180gr Plated Load
  10. 08:50XDM Berry's Load Results & Inconclusive
  11. 09:19XDM Test 2: Berry's 180gr Plated Load (Revised Target)
  12. 10:15XDM Berry's Load Failure: Keyholing
  13. 10:56XDM Test: Gold Dot 180gr Load
  14. 11:24XDM Gold Dot Load Results: Good Stabilization
  15. 12:21Reloading Bench: New Loads for Glock 29
  16. 12:32Glock 29 Test: 200gr Hard Cast Bullet
  17. 13:32200gr Hard Cast Load Results: Stabilized
  18. 13:57Glock 29 Test: 165gr Sig V-Crown (Max Load)
  19. 15:05165gr V-Crown Load Results: Stabilized
  20. 15:50Glock 29 Test: 180gr Coated Hard Cast Bullet
  21. 16:32180gr Coated Hard Cast Load Results: Stabilized
  22. 17:01Conclusion: Barrel Swap Recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do plated bullets sometimes keyhole in a Glock 29's polygonal rifling?

Plated bullets, like Berry's 180gr Hybrid Hollow Points, can keyhole in a Glock 29's polygonal rifling when pushed at high velocities (over 1200 ft/s). This indicates the bullet is not stabilizing properly and tumbles upon exiting the barrel, leading to poor accuracy and keyhole-shaped bullet impacts.

What is the main issue with using 180gr plated bullets in a 10mm Glock 29?

The primary issue is bullet stabilization. At typical 10mm velocities, plated bullets can shed their plating or deform excessively, failing to engage the polygonal rifling effectively. This results in keyholing and significantly reduced accuracy, making them unsuitable for defensive purposes.

Does conventional rifling perform better than polygonal rifling for 10mm loads?

Yes, in this test, conventional rifling (found in the XDM) generally showed better bullet stabilization for both plated and jacketed 10mm loads compared to the Glock 29's polygonal rifling. This suggests conventional rifling is more forgiving with a wider range of bullet types and velocities.

Which types of 10mm bullets performed well in the Glock 29's polygonal barrel?

The Glock 29's polygonal barrel showed better results with heavier bullets like 200gr hard cast coated projectiles and 165gr jacketed Sig V-Crowns. These bullets, especially the cast ones, were typically loaded to lower velocities, which aided stabilization, unlike the high-velocity plated rounds.

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