Is she OK?

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/glock-kb-faq.html

Glock barrels do not provide full case support. This chamber design flaw has been determined to be the primary cause for Glock explosions.

Rationalizations of "there are a lot of them out there" has all the merit of saying that "Explorers are the most popular SUV, some will rollover."

I've had my Glock 23 for eight years, only about 8,000 rounds through it, but, I've never had an issue. If I ever have the need to remove the round in the chamber, I don't continue to cycle it through.

Of course, one reason you hear about more Glock .40s exploding than anything else is that it is by far the single most popular law enforcement gun in America.

The officer is fine. a few minor burns. she actually came back and qualified with another glock later that day.

Originally Posted by Mike Barham

Of course, one reason you hear about more Glock .40s exploding than anything else is that it is by far the single most popular law enforcement gun in America.

I understand that, but it seems like that should never happen. I mean, I love glocks, and I actually just ordered one, (17), but you never really heard about this happening with any 9mm pistol. I know it is such a small percentage, compared to the millions of rounds that have been fired through the glock .40 cals, but it just seems like maybe that unsupported part of the case is really the issue. I know glock says that any factory standard ammo is fine, but I think that a gun should be able to hold up to an overcharged round just in case of an error in the manufacturing process, which clearly happens. I really think that glock should redesign their 40 cal barell chamers. it wouldnt be that hard, allbeit expensive. they could do it without changing anything but a barrell swap. like a recall, I know that would be alot of barells to replace, but it may be time for glock to admit theirs a problem and fix it.

"fixing" the unsupported chamber would likely affect reliability though. If it were easy as reshaping the feed ramp, I'm sure it would have been done already.

yah, you may be right, but i'll bet it could be done without sacrificing reliability. I just suspect that glock won't admit thiers a problem.

I have never heard of a 9mm doing that yet.....but like some said.....lots of 40's....

I also hear of it mostly happening in the .40 cal. probably because of the higher than average pressure of the round when it ignights.

I've had a KB in my G17. A few years ago--shooting out of a box of 'Enforcer' factory re-manufactured 9mm. Case slpit, burned the top of my right (shooting hand) and ejected the magazine. There---you happy now? I've got one 50 round box of that ammo left---don't know if I'll shoot it or not.

well, I guess that goes to show that its not just the .40 cal. thats the first 9 ive heard of doing that. glad it didn't serously hurt you. I wouldn't shoot that ammo if I were you. actually, I wouldn't shoot any remanufactured ammo out of a glock if I were you.

Originally Posted by MLB

"fixing" the unsupported chamber would likely affect reliability though. If it were easy as reshaping the feed ramp, I'm sure it would have been done already.

In my mind fixing the cause of KB's would equal increasing reliability.

I want my guns to go boom every time which equals reliability but throw in an occasional Kboom and I call it unreliable.

Originally Posted by TOF

In my mind fixing the cause of KB's would equal increasing reliability.

I want my guns to go boom every time which equals reliability but throw in an occasional Kboom and I call it unreliable.

though I agree that a kaboom makes a gun much less relaiable, the kabooms in glocks are much much less than occasional compared to how many glocks there are in service plus privately owned in the world. If your glock kabooms, Id say its like the odds of winning the lottery.

Originally Posted by brisk21

though I agree that a kaboom makes a gun much less relaiable, the kabooms in glocks are much much less than occasional compared to how many glocks there are in service plus privately owned in the world. If your glock kabooms, Id say its like the odds of winning the lottery.

Let's just hope your winning numbers don't come up with a BG in your face.

-Jeff-

I own two Glocks in .40S&W and so far, so good.

If you take the total number of "kabooms", and subtract the ones that were ammunition related, (overcharges), you've got a better chance of being struck by lightning, than having your Glock explode. Judging by the photos I would say this was a direct result from an overcharged round. The way the entire top of the chamber is blown off would suggest it's definitely ammo related. Bill T.

Originally Posted by billt

If you take the total number of "kabooms", and subtract the ones that were ammunition related, (overcharges), you've got a better chance of being struck by lightning, than having your Glock explode. Judging by the photos I would say this was a direct result from an overcharged round. The way the entire top of the chamber is blown off would suggest it's definitely ammo related. Bill T.

Frankly, it's not relevant to me that some of the KB's may be ammo related. I mean, I doubt only Glock owners are getting the occasional overcharged round yet you don't hear about this problem with most other makes of guns nearly to the extent that you do with Glocks. So it seems there is something about the design of the Glock that doesn't stand up to the overcharged round like other guns do, and this may result in serious injury. I know if my gun should blow up in my face I'm not going to be OK with it just cuz it was ammo related. You can be sure I wouldn't buy another since there is always a likelyhood you will chamber a hot round every now and then. If the model is known to have issues handling it I want nothing to do with it.

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Frankly, it's not relevant to me that some of the KB's may be ammo related. I mean, I doubt only Glock owners are getting the occasional overcharged round yet you don't hear about this problem with most other makes of guns nearly to the extent that you do with Glocks. So it seems there is something about the design of the Glock that doesn't stand up to the overcharged round like other guns do, and this may result in serious injury. I know if my gun should blow up in my face I'm not going to be OK with it just cuz it was ammo related. You can be sure I wouldn't buy another since there is always a likelyhood you will chamber a hot round every now and then. If the model is known to have issues handling it I want nothing to do with it.

Glocks are rated for the same ammunition as anyone else's models are. The frequency of this is so rare it's not worth getting concerned about. It's the most widely used handgun today in worldwide law enforcement. Take all of the ammunition sent downrange by Glocks in a year. Divide that number into the amount of blow ups that occur, and you are far more likely to be hurt or killed driving to work, or the local market. You "don't hear about" other makers problems simply because they don't have a 1/10th of the amount of firearms out there Glock has. There are far more people killed and injured who drive GM vehicles than Ferrari's. Does this mean GM makes unsafe cars and trucks? Doubtful. All of this is much to do about nothing. Bill T.

Originally Posted by billt

Glocks are rated for the same ammunition as anyone else's models are. The frequency of this is so rare it's not worth getting concerned about. It's the most widely used handgun today in worldwide law enforcement. Take all of the ammunition sent downrange by Glocks in a year. Divide that number into the amount of blow ups that occur, and you are far more likely to be hurt or killed driving to work, or the local market. You "don't hear about" other makers problems simply because they don't have a 1/10th of the amount of firearms out there Glock has. There are far more people killed and injured who drive GM vehicles than Ferrari's. Does this mean GM makes unsafe cars and trucks? Doubtful. All of this is much to do about nothing. Bill T.

I'm not informed enough about the statistics to argue with you regarding Glocks outnumbering any other gun 10 to 1. But I'm not referring to just one or another manufacturer. I've not really heard much about Kaboom problems (enough instances for at least some informed about firearms to consider it a problem) regarding ANY other make, and I do doubt that Glocks outnumber all other guns combined by 10:1. It just doesn't sound like an industry-wide problem to me, it sounds like a Glock issue.

I don't quite understand your analogy regarding GM vs. Ferraris. But if enough instances of a problem surfaced with a particular GM model (say failing brakes for example) for it to become fairly well known, that model would very likely be recalled to correct the issue. It would have nothing to do with comparing how many are on the road versus Ferraris, Bentley's or whatever.

In any event, all I'm really saying is if a gun blew up in my face I would not be inclined to buy another one. If, as you say, you see this as much to do about nothing, then I suppose you would. I've heard of enough instances of Kabooms from others that I would not be inclined to buy one to begin with. You obviously feel differently and I respect that. It's all good.

Originally Posted by brisk21

..... I do not yet know exactly if it was the gun or the cartrige, but Id be willing to bet that it was an overcharged cartrige....

What was the ammo? Factory, reloads?

the ammo was factory and brand new. I believe it was winchester white box.

With all of the ammunition recalls lately, I think I'd trust reloads more! Bill T.

why is the 40 more popular than the 357? i would think the 357 is a better cartridge for LE?