Should I use a Wolf or other aftermarket barrel

RileyMartin · July 11, 2017, 02:25 PM

Hi all,

I just recently setup my very first press and completed my first run of 40 S&W for my Glock 27. I saw a video that said for an extra measure of protection an after market barrel (Wolf) should be used for a more supported chamber and a tighter chamber. Is this what most people do?

Thanks

FITASC · July 11, 2017, 02:49 PM

No, most folks use those barrels when shooting lead bullets though.

reddog81 · July 11, 2017, 03:21 PM

Yes... No... Maybe... It Depends.

A tighter chamber is going to reduce reliability, at least in theory. A tighter chamber might be more accurate, or maybe not.

What generation is the G27? I have heard the early 40 S&W's had problems regarding the support of the chamber but that hasn't been an issue in a long time.

Are you running light loads, medium loads or hot loads? Unless you're running hot loads you shouldn't need more chamber support and if these are your first reloads you shouldn't be running maximum loads to begin.

If you're using lead bullets an aftermarket barrel might be a good idea. The polygonal rifling in a Glock barrel can be an issue with regular lubed lead bullets. Powder coated lead bullets or plated bullets should not be a problem in a stock Glock barrel.

I would test out the stock barrel and see if there is a problem before throwing money out the window.

robhic · July 11, 2017, 04:42 PM

I'm no expert but I have a Lone Wolf SS barrel for my 9mm Glock pistols. I use it when shooting bare lead bullets. I have been very happy with its performance. Here's where I might get into trouble.

Before I bought the Lone Wolf barrel, I'd shoot a few lead bullets then a few jacketed ones to kinda clean the Glock barrel out. No big amount of lead and a few non-lead to clean (I thought). Seemed to work all right and cleaned as usual when I got home.

I just returned from shooting lead bullets at the range. Put my Lone Wolf in the G19 and shot 100 lead rounds quite well. Came home and cleaned. All put away and happy.

Nick_C_S · July 11, 2017, 04:51 PM

When I buy a Glock, I buy a Lone Wolf aftermarket barrel for it.

Yes, it has better chamber support and tighter tolerances in general.

But I get them mostly to preserve the original barrel.

BTW, I occasionally carry one of my Glocks (29sf); and when I do, it has the original barrel in it. (For legal reasons.)

Don Fischer · July 11, 2017, 09:00 PM

I have to think if that Wolf barrel, never heard of them, were all that great, the manufacturer's would put them in their weapons rather than their third rate factory barrel's.

RileyMartin · July 11, 2017, 09:32 PM

I have a Gen 1 Glock 27. I'm reloading with Rainier 165gr TMJ bullets and 7.6gr of HS-6 which is the suggested starting load according to the Lyman 50th edition.

I also have a Briley 2011 in 40 S&W I will be using as well.

robhic · July 12, 2017, 09:53 AM

Quote:

I have to think if that Wolf barrel, never heard of them, were all that great, the manufacturer's would put them in their weapons rather than their third rate factory barrel's.

I think you missed the point. The OEM Glock barrel is fine, just not supposed to shoot lead bullets through it because of the "polygonal rifling." So I, like others, get an after-market barrel in which to shoot lead bullets when needed. No big deal nor swipe against the Glock barrels. Just different.

Last time I saw this talked about here, someone posted an article explaining what all the polygonal vs standard rifling was about. But I can't seem to find it.

g.willikers · July 12, 2017, 10:58 AM

If you do a web search on the subject of Glock barrels with lead bullets, you will find enough opinions and testimonies to confuse you even more.
Personally I wouldn't bother with aftermarket barrels.
From my own experience, Glock barrels (at least in 9mm), shoot good quality hard lead bullets just fine, other than needing more cleaning than some other brands.

FITASC · July 12, 2017, 12:11 PM

Quote:

BTW, I occasionally carry one of my Glocks (29sf); and when I do, it has the original barrel in it. (For legal reasons.)

What legal issues?

briandg · July 12, 2017, 04:27 PM

U less you have it fitted professionally and have slide and other improvements made, any improvement mAy be insignificant.

Carriertxv · July 12, 2017, 07:47 PM

Have a Glock 22 gen 4 and got an aftermarket barrel so I can shoot 9 mm instead of 40 and has worked out really well.

Nick_C_S · July 12, 2017, 09:47 PM

Quote:

BTW, I occasionally carry one of my Glocks (29sf); and when I do, it has the original barrel in it. (For legal reasons.)

What legal issues?

FITASC, I'm sure our OP doesn't want to turn this into a legal discussion (not to mention, it's not in the right sub-forum). So I PM'd you.

briandg · July 12, 2017, 10:43 PM

Oh, I guess I missed the point of the question. I have no opinion on the actual subject, but it has been clearly shown that a sloppy gun can't be improved just by adding a match grade barrel.

robhic · July 13, 2017, 10:03 AM

Quote:

If you do a web search on the subject of Glock barrels with lead bullets, you will find enough opinions and testimonies to confuse you even more.

Personally I wouldn't bother with aftermarket barrels.

From my own experience, Glock barrels (at least in 9mm), shoot good quality hard lead bullets just fine, other than needing more cleaning than some other brands.

'Zactly! Lead through a Glock is not recommended. Might have warranty problems, too. Lead (hard, at least) seems to work well. My guess is softer lead gives the cleaning headaches.

It's basically a personal choice, IMO. Unless the aftermarket barrel is to change caliber of the gun, following Glock's recommendation seems the main reason.

Although I have read some people said their aftermarket barrel (all different brands...) improved results in some way. I was not one of them but it seems some do.

robhic · July 13, 2017, 10:31 AM

I just saw this in another forum and it co-incidentally is relevant to this "aftermarket barrel" thread. These are .380 ACP rounds being used:

Quote:

First off, "XXXX" found his Alpha Wolf barrel actually delivered higher velocity than my OEM [Glock 42] barrel for identical loads. He also found that the AW barrel didn't smile any of the UW cases. ( A smile is the imprint the feed ramp puts on the case when a load is over pressure.) Our guess was these results were due to the AW barrels tighter chamber....

In the end, I decided to try an Alpha Wolf barrel (stock length) and got the exact same results as "XXXX", about 40fps greater velocity (1210 fps from the stock length AW barrel when running the ** UW "+P" 90gr XTP).

** (UW is Underwood Ammo which is generally VERY hot - but expensive.)

So this seems to show that some aftermarket barrels DO make a difference in performance.

g.willikers · July 13, 2017, 05:14 PM

There's probably about close to 40f/s variance in velocity in many boxes of ammo.
If my arithmetic is is correct it's about .003% of the example given.
Doesn't sound like much when put that way, does it?

indie_rocker · July 14, 2017, 07:46 PM

I put a Lone Wolf in my G20. But it's because I handload smokin rounds for it and needed a supported chamber. If I didn't reload I would have left the factory one in place.

Sent from my LGLS755 using Tapatalk

July 11, 2017, 02:25 PM	#1
RileyMartin Member Join Date: June 9, 2016 Posts: 50	Should I use a Wolf or other aftermarket barrel Hi all, I just recently setup my very first press and completed my first run of 40 S&W for my Glock 27. I saw a video that said for an extra measure of protection an after market barrel (Wolf) should be used for a more supported chamber and a tighter chamber. Is this what most people do? Thanks

July 11, 2017, 02:49 PM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,641	No, most folks use those barrels when shooting lead bullets though. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

July 11, 2017, 04:51 PM	#5
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,616	When I buy a Glock, I buy a Lone Wolf aftermarket barrel for it. Yes, it has better chamber support and tighter tolerances in general. But I get them mostly to preserve the original barrel. BTW, I occasionally carry one of my Glocks (29sf); and when I do, it has the original barrel in it. (For legal reasons.) __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

July 11, 2017, 03:21 PM	#3
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,658	Yes... No... Maybe... It Depends. A tighter chamber is going to reduce reliability, at least in theory. A tighter chamber might be more accurate, or maybe not. What generation is the G27? I have heard the early 40 S&W's had problems regarding the support of the chamber but that hasn't been an issue in a long time. Are you running light loads, medium loads or hot loads? Unless you're running hot loads you shouldn't need more chamber support and if these are your first reloads you shouldn't be running maximum loads to begin. If you're using lead bullets an aftermarket barrel might be a good idea. The polygonal rifling in a Glock barrel can be an issue with regular lubed lead bullets. Powder coated lead bullets or plated bullets should not be a problem in a stock Glock barrel. I would test out the stock barrel and see if there is a problem before throwing money out the window.

July 11, 2017, 04:42 PM	#4
robhic Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2016 Location: Outside of New Orleans, LA. Posts: 313	I'm no expert but I have a Lone Wolf SS barrel for my 9mm Glock pistols. I use it when shooting bare lead bullets. I have been very happy with its performance. Here's where I might get into trouble. Before I bought the Lone Wolf barrel, I'd shoot a few lead bullets then a few jacketed ones to kinda clean the Glock barrel out. No big amount of lead and a few non-lead to clean (I thought). Seemed to work all right and cleaned as usual when I got home. I just returned from shooting lead bullets at the range. Put my Lone Wolf in the G19 and shot 100 lead rounds quite well. Came home and cleaned. All put away and happy.

July 11, 2017, 09:00 PM	#6
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	I have to think if that Wolf barrel, never heard of them, were all that great, the manufacturer's would put them in their weapons rather than their third rate factory barrel's.

July 11, 2017, 09:32 PM	#7
RileyMartin Member Join Date: June 9, 2016 Posts: 50	I have a Gen 1 Glock 27. I'm reloading with Rainier 165gr TMJ bullets and 7.6gr of HS-6 which is the suggested starting load according to the Lyman 50th edition. I also have a Briley 2011 in 40 S&W I will be using as well.

July 12, 2017, 10:58 AM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	If you do a web search on the subject of Glock barrels with lead bullets, you will find enough opinions and testimonies to confuse you even more. Personally I wouldn't bother with aftermarket barrels. From my own experience, Glock barrels (at least in 9mm), shoot good quality hard lead bullets just fine, other than needing more cleaning than some other brands.

July 12, 2017, 04:27 PM	#11
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	U less you have it fitted professionally and have slide and other improvements made, any improvement mAy be insignificant.

July 12, 2017, 07:47 PM	#12
Carriertxv Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2013 Posts: 268	Have a Glock 22 gen 4 and got an aftermarket barrel so I can shoot 9 mm instead of 40 and has worked out really well.

July 12, 2017, 10:43 PM	#14
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	Oh, I guess I missed the point of the question. I have no opinion on the actual subject, but it has been clearly shown that a sloppy gun can't be improved just by adding a match grade barrel.

July 13, 2017, 05:14 PM	#17
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	There's probably about close to 40f/s variance in velocity in many boxes of ammo. If my arithmetic is is correct it's about .003% of the example given. Doesn't sound like much when put that way, does it?

July 14, 2017, 07:46 PM	#18
indie_rocker Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 189	I put a Lone Wolf in my G20. But it's because I handload smokin rounds for it and needed a supported chamber. If I didn't reload I would have left the factory one in place. Sent from my LGLS755 using Tapatalk