I want to purchase a barrel for my Glock 40. I am leaning towards a threaded barrel with compensator. My wallet likes the Lone wolf, but maybe the KKM products are worth it.
Lets hear from actual people that have these. Pro and Con please.
(based on negative stuff on Storm Lake, I am not considering that)
Glock 29 and 20 experiences count plain barrels too not just threaded ones.
I've got the KKM 6 inch barrel originally purchased for my G20 and now being used in my G40. I have no complaints with it. Fit and finish are excellent, shoots well and cleans very easily.
It's eagerly gobbled all the factory and handloaded 180s I've fed it but is sensitive to the seating depth of 200 grain WFNGCs from both Beartooth and Double Tap. Most reloading manuals specify a COAL of 1.260 but the 200 grain lead bullets need to be seated a little deeper in order to chamber reliably in my G40. Once I figured out the right seating depth for those bullets, off she went without any problems.
If I was in the process of cleaning my G40, took a break and a meteorite crash landed on my KKM barrel...I'd buy another one.
LWD now using company that is in Duluth Georgia. I've had good luck with the 9mm, 357Sig and 9x25Dillon conversions from LWD.
QuoteDasan Machineries Co. LTD
Dasan is headquartered in South Korea and has recently opened a manufacturing facility in Duluth Georgia. Dasan has been manufacturing barrels for some of largest brands in the world for more than 20 years and is well known for producing a high quality yet still value priced product.
LWD is fine, but the chamber will be TIGHT.
Have LW in the Glock 29 in 10mm extended, 10mm long, 357 Sig and .40 caliber. The 40 had some problems and I sent it back with my slide and they got it working right and the service was quick.
Glock 33 with 40 and 9mm and they work perfect.
Lone Wolf is good to go and I think they are still on sale.
Have both LW and KKM for my G20 long slide conversion. If I had to pick between the two, I would choose KKM. Both seem to function without flaw. Accuracy about the same depending on loads. The KKM has a slight edge on finish. As a matter of fact I went ahead and purchased a 40 cal KKM barrel just for fun and am pleased as well.
I feel the KKM love. Having a little hard of a time justifying 220 for KKM versus 110 for the LWD.
That's the 6+ inch threaded barrel.
Quote from: sstewart on September 25 2015 09:55:52 AM MDT
I feel the KKM love. Having a little hard of a time justifying 220 for KKM versus 110 for the LWD.
That's the 6+ inch threaded barrel.
I obviously haven't seen the need for more expensive than LW barrels. It's a Glock. As I posted, I only had a problem with multiple tight chambers with around 8-10 LW barrels I have purchased the last 4-5 years. Just this year, I found the home remedy. When I griped to LW back in 2012-13 or so: "Just shoot the hottest ammo you can find, that should loosen it up" :o
I found valve lapping compound, a bronze brush and cordless drill followed by polishing to be the perfect cure.
My vote is for the KKM....just shot my 6" in my G4 G20 today, about 150 rounds....just making sure for the upcoming deer season. :D
3 votes each. Still on the fence.
Started with LWD and after having to seat everything short for their chamber I went with KKM.
own one LWD and two KKM. KKM is my choice, especially for 10mm. works better with less stress on my brass. function flawless, accuracy better than the shooter. use the LWD strictly for lead plinkers.
I bought a KKM barrel for my Custom Glock 20 and KKM will tell you if you shoot Underwood, Double Tap, Buffalo Bore, then they need to make a slight modification to the barrel which they do for free. I had this done and no issues at all.
I will be buying a KKM barrel for my G40 probably next month.
I haven't used Lone Wolf barrels but for $165 the KKM is very accurate and groups the Underwood 220gr hard cast lead into
nice tight groups. No smiles on the brass so that's a plus.
What is the actual modification KKM makes?
Yes I'm curious about that also. But anyway is not the 165 that bothers me. It's the 230 for a threaded barrel and the 275 for the one with the COMP.
Quote from: Pablo on October 03 2015 04:44:52 PM MDT
What is the actual modification KKM makes?
They open the throat .001-.002" and extend the freebore to accommodate oversize, longer bullets, WFN's, and higher pressures. You can do the same on any barrel, with some elbow grease and toothpaste (polishing compound) or fire-lapping, which is much more effective than machining.
Makes sense, interesting really.
Quote from: Pablo on October 05 2015 11:50:57 AM MDT
Makes sense, interesting really.
Basically the same (and only) difference between the .223 Rem. and .556 NATO chambers. Also the reason .223R spec. ammo is generally considered less accurate in a .556N chambered weapon, and .556N ammo fired in a .223R chamber can be dangerous, due to excessive pressure. Fire-lapping is not as "simple" or quick as simply reaming, but reaming simply opens it up to accept everything, while fire-lapping only affects the chamber and freebore up to the minimal spec. desired, retaining the best of both worlds. If you are a handloader, it's much more simple, quick (and inexpensive) than you may think.
I get the chamber part of this. Sounds like is similar to what Pablo was describing with his valve lapping compound. But how do you extend the free bore without machining.
Quote from: sstewart on October 05 2015 01:48:03 PM MDT
I get the chamber part of this. Sounds like is similar to what Pablo was describing with his valve lapping compound. But how do you extend the free bore without machining.
It happens during the process, which is why it is very important to take small steps and limited rounds per session. Fire-lapping is progressive, and affects each zone of the barrel in a diminishing value, throughout. This is due, mostly, to the consumption of effectiveness of the abrasive media as it travels its course (like wearing out sand paper). This is why the throat polishes very quickly (within a few rounds), and the effectiveness diminishes to very little at the muzzle. The freebore is extended by polishing (enlarging) the throat/leade, which gradually reduces the approach angle and aggressiveness of the rifling engagement. This also reduces initial ignition (peak) pressure, due to the increased freebore volume and abrupt engagement. For these reasons, any needed bore polishing that remains should be done by mechanical means once the freebore is at or near desired.
I have 4 Lone Wolf barrels. They are all more accurate than me. I have not had any problems with any bullet types in those barrels.
I personally wouldn't waste the money on a KKM barrel.
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I have a selection of all three-KKM, Storm Lake, and Lone Wolf. I do not have any problems with any of them. All work and amazingly enough so do the Glock barrels. These go in length from 10" and 10mm to the short conversion barrels 40 to 9mm in the 27 and so on---no esoteric ammo but some hot factory stuff. Glocks are so much fun!!
I've had zero issues with my lone wolf barrels so far.
I went with Lonewolf. I got 2 for my 29, one std length and one .40 conversion barrel. I also got the 6 inch threaded barrel with compensator for my 40. Haven't shot them yet. I got the blind logo ones. I like the understated look of those.
Quote from: sstewart on November 01 2015 07:20:21 PM MST
I went with Lonewolf. I got 2 for my 29, one std length and one .40 conversion barrel. I also got the 6 inch threaded barrel with compensator for my 40. Haven't shot them yet. I got the blind logo ones. I like the understated look of those.
Good choice(s), IMO. If you have a normally marked LW barrel, you can "ghost" the marking by simply polishing it with Scotch-Brite. The black will fade to no more than a watermark. Looks cool, if you like cool.
Quote from: DM1906 on November 01 2015 08:01:17 PM MST
If you have a normally marked LW barrel, you can "ghost" the marking by simply polishing it with Scotch-Brite. The black will fade to no more than a watermark. Looks cool, if you like cool.
AH - I thought I was the only one. I actually used wet/dry paper flat on a piece of glass. It does look cool, in a muted way.
Quote from: Pablo on November 01 2015 09:38:29 PM MST
Quote from: DM1906 on November 01 2015 08:01:17 PM MST
If you have a normally marked LW barrel, you can "ghost" the marking by simply polishing it with Scotch-Brite. The black will fade to no more than a watermark. Looks cool, if you like cool.
AH - I thought I was the only one. I actually used wet/dry paper flat on a piece of glass. It does look cool, in a muted way.
I do that as well, but it polishes it to a shine. The Scotch-Brite leaves it flat, unless you go too long with it.
Lone Wolf has barrels on ebay 6 inch at $99.99 and free shipping.
99 + free shipping is about $8-10 below buying on site ($94.95 + shipping)
I've had 5 KKM barrels in various calibers. All have been flawless. I sent one in to have it shortened to stock length. They did it fast at no charge and refinished it in the process. I buy KKM without hesitating if I want an aftermarket barrel.
I went with the LW, $99 shipped on eBay.
Works great with all my reloads so far!
Quote from: DM1906 on October 05 2015 11:40:24 AM MDT
Quote from: Pablo on October 03 2015 04:44:52 PM MDT
What is the actual modification KKM makes?
They open the throat .001-.002" and extend the freebore to accommodate oversize, longer bullets, WFN's, and higher pressures. You can do the same on any barrel, with some elbow grease and toothpaste (polishing compound) or fire-lapping, which is much more effective than machining.
I've spoken to KKM about this twice in the last couple of weeks...I was told they open the throat to give the oversize (.401"+) WFN lead bullets room to breakover into the chamber...they do not extend the freebore or anything else...just open the throat a little.
Doing so greatly improves feed reliability at the cost of a very small amount of case support...a necessary trade off I believe, if it won't feed case support is a moot point.
I'm not trying to call anybody out or anything, just sharing what I was told...it was this thread that led me to ask them the question....the way KKM put it was that Buffalo Bore, Underwood, etc. doesn't crimp those wide flat lead bullets...thats sounds a little strange to me but I don't have any to measure at the case mouth. It does however make sense when you consider that lead bullets are generally .001" - .002" oversize....the oversize bullets along with the lack of a good crimp and you have the need for a little more room in the chamber.
I elected to get my KKM barrel made without the "Underwood" treatment...he said if it ended up needing it due to feed issues, send it back and they'd fix it. I don't shoot lead much, if at all, preferring XTP's...so I don't really need it.
In case anybody is wondering...I ordered a 7" barrel for my G40 MOS.
Well I do measure a lot of stuff when doing the pull-down documentations and I also measure the bullet in several locations as well as the casings in several locations. I will even slip them into a case gauge at times if things seem out of spec.
Underwood 5 different Cast bullet cartridges Very consistent with the different samples.
1) Underwood 220gr Hard Cast Crimp Diameter 0.4225", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
2) Underwood 220gr Hard Cast(reduced) Crimp Diameter 0.4225", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
3) Underwood 220gr Hard Cast Crimp Diameter 0.4220", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
4) Underwood 220gr Cast WFN Crimp Diameter 0.4220", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
5) : Underwood 200gr Hard Cast Crimp Diameter 0.4225", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
Double Tap 2 different samples
1) Double Tap 230gr Hard Cast Crimp Dia. 0.4165", Bullet Dia. 0.4005" Crimp squeezed bullet to N/A Crimp squeezed bullet N/A
2) Double Tap 200gr Wide Flat Nose Hard Cast Gas Checked Crimp Diameter 0.4185", Bullet Dia. 0.4005" Crimp squeezed bullet N/A
Buffalo Bore 1 sample
1) Buffalo Bore 220gr Hard Cast Crimp Diameter 0.4225", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Crimp squeezed bullet to 0.4005"
Now I will say that I size my own bullets @ 0.4015" and has not been an issue and feeding has been great in all of my guns factory and the LWD and Storm Lake aftermarket barrels and they also fit the Lyman Case gauge.
If KKM's barrel chamber is less than 0.4230" then that would be smaller than a case gauge. Most tighter chambers have been about 0.4275" 0.4280", where Glocks run about 0.4340" (loose).
Got any numbers for Hornady, Remington, Winchester, Sig, or Federal 10mm ammo...for comparison of the case mouth measurement? Jacketed bullets...
SAAMI says .423" for the case mouth and .424" for the front of the chamber.
Put a Storm Lake in my G29. Starline cases measure .4280 at the base after 13gr/14.5gr #9 /w 180gr cast/Zero bullets.
Quote from: The_Shadow on May 10 2017 01:44:28 PM MDT
Well I do measure a lot of stuff when doing the pull-down documentations and I also measure the bullet in several locations as well as the casings in several locations. I will even slip them into a case gauge at times if things seem out of spec.
Underwood 5 different Cast bullet cartridges Very consistent with the different samples.
1) Underwood 220gr Hard Cast Crimp Diameter 0.4225", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
2) Underwood 220gr Hard Cast(reduced) Crimp Diameter 0.4225", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
3) Underwood 220gr Hard Cast Crimp Diameter 0.4220", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
4) Underwood 220gr Cast WFN Crimp Diameter 0.4220", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
5) : Underwood 200gr Hard Cast Crimp Diameter 0.4225", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Bullet Squeeze Dia. 0.4010"
Double Tap 2 different samples
1) Double Tap 230gr Hard Cast Crimp Dia. 0.4165", Bullet Dia. 0.4005" Crimp squeezed bullet to N/A Crimp squeezed bullet N/A
2) Double Tap 200gr Wide Flat Nose Hard Cast Gas Checked Crimp Diameter 0.4185", Bullet Dia. 0.4005" Crimp squeezed bullet N/A
Buffalo Bore 1 sample
1) Buffalo Bore 220gr Hard Cast Crimp Diameter 0.4225", Bullet Dia. 0.4010" Crimp squeezed bullet to 0.4005"
Now I will say that I size my own bullets @ 0.4015" and has not been an issue and feeding has been great in all of my guns factory and the LWD and Storm Lake aftermarket barrels and they also fit the Lyman Case gauge.
If KKM's barrel chamber is less than 0.4230" then that would be smaller than a case gauge. Most tighter chambers have been about 0.4275" 0.4280", where Glocks run about 0.4340" (loose).
I didn't catch it the first time I read this reply (jet lag, rough couple days)...but what you've posted there agrees with what i was told on the phone.
He did not mention Double Tap as being one that needed the opened up throat....but he did mention Buffalo Bore and Underwood...your measurements show that DT has a tighter crimp than BB or UW....goes right along with what he told me.
All of the ammo that has been documents is posted on this forum right here;http://10mm-firearms.com/factory-10mm-ammo-pull-downs/ (http://10mm-firearms.com/factory-10mm-ammo-pull-downs/)
With most jacketed 0.4000" bullets the finish crimp is usually 0.4215" to 0.4225" I have also measured over crimped stuff below the 0.4210", then the bullets start to be affected by the crimp. Plated bullets can suffer damage to the fragile jacket.
I have seen where the LEE FCD being used can reduce the size of a cast bullet which can cause leading issues, loose bullet fit!