Hot Underwood ammo through stock Gen 3 G20 barrel or go KKM fully supported?

[Noatak]

    Howdy folks,
     So now that I've discovered the existence of Underwood Ammo and their wonderfully full powered yet affordable loads, I'm excited to pull my Gen 3 Glock 20 (made early 2007) out from the back of the safe and start shooting it as God intended.
     My question is, is the stock barrel up to the challenge of these full power loads?  I'd like to save my brass for reloading in the future so I really don't want bulged cases or the dreaded Glock smiley face.  Should I just spend the $165 and get a KKM (I've read it's worth the extra $$ over Lone Wolf) or not?

Any first hand experiences would be most appreciated, thanks in advance for the help/advice.

[DM1906]

Welcome!

I'm not  KKM fan (was at one time), but many folks here and elsewhere are.  LWD makes a better product (IMO) at a lower price.  If you want better than that, get a Bar-Sto for double the coin.  If you handload (or save your brass with that intention, or for someone else), it's almost necessary to shoot through an aftermarket barrel/chamber.  Glock chambers are really tough on brass, especially real rounds, like Underwood.  If you only shoot commercial rounds and don't keep your brass, there's no real advantage unless you want a longer barrel.  They all shoot good.

[Noatak]

Thanks for the welcome and the help!
     Could you elaborate why you aren't a fan of KKM anymore?  I've read the chamber on the LWD barrels are actually a bit tighter than the KKM, but that the LWD barrels aren't finished quite as nicely as the KKM internally.  I've also read unflattering comments about LWD long return/warranty process as it relates to their barrels.  I've bought from LWD before without issue, just never a barrel.  I'd love to save $55 bucks though!  I'm most concerned with chamber support and who has the most of it.  Could you share your experiences with the LWD barrel?  I assume you use one.

Thanks!

[REDLINE]

I guess no matter how you slice it, an aftermarket barrel by any of the common barrel manufacturers out there will be, at least to some extent, easier on your brass than the stock barrel.  That said, I don't know which Underwood load you intend to shoot, and if that load is prone to case bulging anyway.  If not, you could save a whole lot more money than $55 by not going with any aftermarket barrel at all and just buy more ammo with the cash.  But, I don't know.

I personally have a 6.02" Storm Lake barrel on order for my G20.  Estimated ship date is August 13th.  Yeah, Storm Lake costs a little more, but in my research I'ld like to think you get what you pay for.  Fit and finish should be second to none.  From what I've heard, chamber support is at least tied with the best.  I like the idea that the rifling is broach cut as opposed to button rifled like the KKMs.  And the Storm Lake is only $10 more than a KKM.  Not saying KKM has issues, just that from what I've seen and heard I chose the Storm Lake.  And yeah, if you order a Storm Lake barrel you may have to wait a month or so to get it, but if I don't do anything too stupid I pretty much expect it to last a lifetime.  For that I'll pay a little extra up front and wait a month to get it.  To each their own.

Good Luck, and let us know which way you decide to go.

[DM1906]

As I said, they all shoot good.  Ultimately, it's a matter of preference.  I've heard the hype about LWD barrels being less refined, and it's bunk.  I've heard the same of KKM, and it's bunk.  The LWD chamber is a bit tighter than KKM, but it's not too tight, IMO.  I've yet to have a chamber related issue after several thousands of rounds through the G20 alone.  In fact, it performed quite admirably when the worst thing that could happen, happened.  I had a KB!, twice (documented HERE, starting at post #105, with pics)  The cause was defective brass, but it was what it was.  I load and shoot full-on nukes on occasion, and use them for hunting rounds.  The LWD tight chamber is paired with the most supported chamber I've seen, short of a custom Bar-Sto (only better if you spec it to be so).  IGB is excellent too, with the option of spec'd chambers.  Having shot and observed all of the above, none stands out as better, in regards to accuracy or reliability.  All of them have issues under specific conditions that most shooters may never see.  The only significant complaint about LWD barrels I've heard is tight chamber/throat tolerance, making it difficult to chamber long/wide oversize bullets (230 WFN, or .320" meplats at full length, for example).  LWD will ream them at request.  I've loaded some long/wide rounds without issue, but it could happen.  Other barrels have this issue, and the solution is the same.  I've dealt with their customer service and haven't had a problem.  Spend more if you want, but I think they are a value, all the way around.  YMMV

[Noatak]

Beautiful.  Thank you sir very much for a factual, honest post.  This is the type of first person information I was looking for, I'm going to give LWD a shot. 

[cwlongshot]

I have both a LWD and KKM barrel. In your hand the appearance and to USB are nicer on the KKM. Both shoot very well

Another angle to co wider is LMD is just that a DISTRIBUTOR not the manufacturer. They do not make the barrel.what they offer is amde over seas. 

While KKM is American made and quality in both product and service after the sale. When I bought mine they where out of stock. I was told I had a 2 mo wait the barrel came in before I was told. Unlike my first LW barrel that took almost 6 MONTHS on back order....

Here is some pics;











CW

[REDLINE]

Nice pics.  Thanks for the picture comparison!

[walrus108]

I just shot a bunch of Underwood through my new, stock G20sf. Absolutely zero case problems. The spent shells are impossible to tell apart from the BVAC ammo I was also shooting, without looking at the headstamp. They also cycled flawlessly and were accurate.

[REDLINE]

I just shot a bunch of Underwood through my new, stock G20sf. Absolutely zero case problems. The spent shells are impossible to tell apart from the BVAC ammo I was also shooting, without looking at the headstamp. They also cycled flawlessly and were accurate.

Very good to hear!  Thanks for filling in those of us not in the know.

Was the "bunch of Underwood" all the same load, or different ones?  And, which?

[The_Shadow]

CWlongshot Look at the locking lugs of the picture you posted...

There is a small step in the Glock Factory and Lone Wolf barrels that is not present on the KKM's forward section of the locking lug...Its hard to tell in this picture but this is the cut for the Recoil Rod to set into, the KKM appears to have just a notch with out open ends as compared to the Factory and LWD barrels.

[hillbillyhans]

I shoot the underwood 220's in my stocker, but I did purchase a Storm Lake 6" months ago. I purchased it, but I have not recieved it. If I had to re-do it, I'd go Barsto. Storm Lake is slow as shit, and I'm impatient!

[walrus108]

I just shot a bunch of Underwood through my new, stock G20sf. Absolutely zero case problems. The spent shells are impossible to tell apart from the BVAC ammo I was also shooting, without looking at the headstamp. They also cycled flawlessly and were accurate.

Very good to hear!  Thanks for filling in those of us not in the know.

Was the "bunch of Underwood" all the same load, or different ones?  And, which?

Sorry I skipped that important info. They were all the 135gr Nosler @ 1600fps rating.

[REDLINE]

I just shot a bunch of Underwood through my new, stock G20sf. Absolutely zero case problems. The spent shells are impossible to tell apart from the BVAC ammo I was also shooting, without looking at the headstamp. They also cycled flawlessly and were accurate.

Very good to hear!  Thanks for filling in those of us not in the know.

Was the "bunch of Underwood" all the same load, or different ones?  And, which?

Sorry I skipped that important info. They were all the 135gr Nosler @ 1600fps rating.

Thanks for specifying.

[REDLINE]

I did purchase a Storm Lake 6" months ago. I purchased it, but I have not recieved it. If I had to re-do it, I'd go Barsto. Storm Lake is slow as shit, and I'm impatient!

  Whoa!!!  I put my order in for a 10mm chambered 6" from Storm Lake (for a G20) the last day of June (this year ) and they gave me an estimated ship date of 8-13-12.

Did they start out telling you it would be a month and a half out too, and from there it has dragged on to 6 months?

In other words, should I be geared up for a run around time frame wise?  Like maybe I'll be lucky to get it around New Year's Day or later?  Wow, just can't believe the 6 month thing!  Jeepers, it's just a barrel, not a whole custom gun.  Sorry for the rant.  It just seems beyond unreasonable, and then with me having one in the pipeline...