AFTERMARKET Barrels

[cwlongshot]

I have a question...

In shooting the G29 tonight I found a couple of my loads for the G20 to show slight "smiles" from the G29 barrel...  Thinking upgrading to a aftermarket barrel with better support...  Kinda torn as this is a carry piece and I usually change little to nothing on a carry gun.

I bought both a lone Wolf an a KKM for my G20 and liked them both. But leaning to the KKM.

Looking for comments...

CW

[ShadeTreeVTX]

I use the LW 2 port barrel in my G29 to bring me back up to G20 specs in fps and the adapters for 15rd G20 mags - after getting the G29 I realized I didn't like my little finger hanging off the bottom - I should have gotten another G20 for carry after turning my first one into a Hunter - but corrected that problem with the adapters and the LW 2port barrel and now I have a G20 in all but size and a little more recoil - I love it.



And I might be one of the lucky ones in that all 3 of my LW barrels for my G29 and G20 operate flawlessly.

Doug

[cwlongshot]

I use the LW 2 port barrel in my G29 to bring me back up to G20 specs in fps and the adapters for 15rd G20 mags - after getting the G29 I realized I didn't like my little finger hanging off the bottom - I should have gotten another G20 for carry after turning my first one into a Hunter - but corrected that problem with the adapters and the LW 2port barrel and now I have a G20 in all but size and a little more recoil - I love it.



Doug

I have seen and "borrowed" this pic before I bought my own G29!!  LOL

Pierce finger grip extension has brought back most of the support to the ll finger hanging off for me. I have a large hand not huge and although its not 100% its pretty good and a whole lot better than without it! But I too have a few of the XGRIP extensions for my G20 mags.



I'm worried about that protruding barrel in concealment... snagging on things mostly. I have a 6" for the G20 but its not a concealment gun. When carried its open chest mostly. LOVE the idea of improved ballistics for sure!

How long is your barrel?

CW

[ShadeTreeVTX]

Same as the stock G20 barrel - Its my EDC and have had no problems with snagging and it fits my G20 shoulder holster and with the G20 grip its a lot easier to get out - I carried the G20 for just over a year and now the G29 feels like the G20 and works like I never changed guns.

Doug

[cwlongshot]

I need to check that out. I have a real nice custom holster for the G20...  Tried the 29 quick and it felt like the slide was wider?  Slid the G20 in like a glove. Hum


Need to look at shoulder rigs for this.

I like belt mostly (concealment). But a shoulder can go both ways easier.

Need to check specks. Thought LW was inferior to KKM. I have a ported G20 that I never shoot but I like. Don't know if I wanna chance one on the 29. I remember thinking I was lucky.

CW

[HammersD]

I have personally bought a LW and Storm Lake barrels, stock length for my G20.  I compared both of these aftermarkets to the Glock barrel.  Both were purchased separately about a year and a half ago.  I got the LW first based on research I did, but unfortunately I did not find the reviews related to the more recently produced LW barrels to have less case support than the older ones [mine does not have the spikey hair dude on it].  When it arrived, the LW does have a tighten chamber, but the case support was the same or maybe even a tad less than the stock barrel.    ugh, so I looked at getting either a KKM or a Storm Lake.  Barsto was at the top of my list, but none were in stock and I wanted one sooner than the 6-8 weeks.  Unfortunately, the KKM was in the same boat.  I found the SL in stock at Midway and pulled the trigger.  I had read some reviews that the SL needed some slight fitting and ordered a needle file set at the same time.  The Storm Lake did need some delicate filing where the square part of the Glock barrel meets the slide at the top, but was not difficult.  In comparison to the LW and stock barrels, the SL has a chamber like the Glock one, a bit tighten than stock though, but the case support is superb.  I can't get the caliper in there to measure and it is great support.

You might want to check into the SL barrel too.  Just think about getting some quality needle files to fit it to your pistol's slide.  This is a good video done by Ammo Test (a member on here too) that shows the barrels with cartridges in them with a G29 length: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU83fh6XoYA

I know that I am the weakest link in the accuracy department, so my main consideration with the barrel was case support for high impulse rounds.  that and I didn't want to wait.  I think I had a code for Midway too that made the SL a little cheaper too.

[redbaron007]

Anecdotal:

I originally leaned to the LW for the G20, 6"barrel. After reading the web, we all know it is true, then turning to some locals with their experience, the LW has potentially fallen on QC/fitting. Almost everyone that had a SL liked the tight chamber, didn't like the fact they had to fit it...not just a little polishing here and there...but some additional fitting in several places. A couple of locals had recently purchased the KKM barrels....they had no issues...tight supported chamber and no fitting.

The KKM was readily available....purchased and have never looked back....have had zero issues. YMMV.

[cwall64]

I also bought a KKM and have been very happy with it in my G20.  Drop in and ran fine, seems to have better case support than stock.  Kind of expensive compared to the LW, but seems to be a great barrel...

[cwlongshot]

Does KKM offer a ported or slightly longer then stock 29 length?

CW

[cwall64]

Looks like they just offer a compensated barrel (http://www.kkmprecision.com).  Might be worth a call to get all options.

[Buckeye 50]

CW;

I have a KKM barrel for my Glock 20 G4 AND-LOVE-IT!  IF I were to get an aftermarket barrel for my Glock 29 Gen 4 it would absolutely be the KKM.  I imagine the other companies produce quality products as well.  I have not done any side-by-side testing of the KKM vs. other aftermarket barrels.  I suspect there would be nominal differences.  HOWEVER, I believe my accuracy improved once I got the KKM for my Glock 20.

I am also of the belief that an aftermarket golf club shaft (Penley), I researched, purchased and had put into my Taylor Made 3 Wood, made massive differences in my ability to not only hit it better but farther and straighter.  Can't prove that either, but I swear by it.

If its only mental, while am I much longer and straighter with the new shaft?  Same reason I have tighter groups consistently with the KKM I guess???

Pat

[gandog56]

This is sort of why I look a bit funny at Glocks. Why should I NEED to put in a third party barrel? The ones in my 3 1911 type 10mm all work fine as is, and I am not afraid to shoot cast or reloaded ammo in them.

That's just my thoughts, not necessarily what I would consider they way you should think about it.

[sqlbullet]

I have yet to buy a firearm new that did not include a manual that said just what the Glock one does:  Use reloaded ammo and your warranty is invalid.

Usually companies still stand behind their products to some degree.

I shoot lots of correctly sized for bore lead through my Glock with no issues.  And I have put more aftermarket barrels in 1911's than Glocks.

The reason, gandog, you hear generally about aftermarket barrels for Glocks is more to do with the positives of the platform than the negatives:  Quality aftermarket barrels for the Glock can be quite inexpensive, and drop in glock barrels are truly "drop in".  In fact, fitting a match fit glock barrel usually involves less filing than fitting a drop-in 1911 barrel.

[cwlongshot]

This is sort of why I look a bit funny at Glocks. Why should I NEED to put in a third party barrel? The ones in my 3 1911 type 10mm all work fine as is, and I am not afraid to shoot cast or reloaded ammo in them.

That's just my thoughts, not necessarily what I would consider they way you should think about it.

Well I'll tell you like anything else its built for a specific purpose. This purpose is very near my needs but not exactly. Going with a quality barrel, I get closer to that goal. 
The GLOCK CHAMBER IS GENEROUS. This works brass. Truth be told its support, that everyone wines about, isn't bad really. But its fit could be better for accuracy. This is part of what I'm saying about how its built. Everything about glock is function and durability, accuracy is second and looks well fourth or fifth. This barrel, may or may not be ultimately reliable feeding. No gaurenty the glock is either...  They gamble that the generous chamber makes it more so.

The rifling is a big one for some folks and while I too have fired many lead boolits they a stock barrel, I find accuracy better form conventional rifling.

I also want a lil longer barrel. Not a hunting length, like I have in the KKM 6" I have for the G20. (REALLY wish the G20 slide and barrels just fit the G29!! GRRR)  But lil longer then the e lil stocker 29 length.

Looking at the KKM site I see threading offered. This is inconsequential to me, but WOULD net me the longer barrel I would like. So yes a phone call may be needed.

Next up I think is gonna be nite sites. All my combat guns carry nite sites of some kind.

I have a couple different brands and all have been good. Being that the G20 frame is now dedicated to the mech tech I may just take the tru glo nite sites off the G20 slide. Then my G23 and Shield .40 both wear big dots.

CW

CW

[gandog56]

This is my longer 10mm barrel!!!   

Of course, they make these for Glocks, too.