Drop-in barrels for the Glock 40

[BillinOregon]

I plan to shoot mostly 200-grain and heavier cast through the new Gen 4 40, meaning that I will need a conventionally rifled barrel.  I see drop-ins offered by Lone Wolf, KKM, Storm Lake, Barsto. Prices run from $90 on up. Has anyone ever done a side-by-side review of these barrels for accuracy and quality?
A friend has used Lone Wolf barrels in his Glocks and loves them.

[sstewart]

You can do a Google search for this and you will find some comparisons. I don't think the Barstow is very popular for Glock's however. Most people on here have  either the KKM   or lone wolf.
Having done this analysis a few months back, I purchased the lone wolf, because of price value. KKM seems to be a bit better at a higher price.

[BillinOregon]

Mr. Stewart: Are you happy with your Lone Wolf?

[The_Shadow]

I don't have the G-40 but do have the G-20sf and G-29, the LWD barrels I have both have worked very well and accuracy has been equal to, or better than the factory BBL.  Especially with cast bullets I make for myself.  Infact I am about to order LWD barrel in the near future.

I have 2 Bar-Sto barrels for my S&W 1006 40S&W and 9x25 that are very accurate as well.  Neither were drop in but rather Match Grade needing to be fitted.

[redbaron007]

I have the KKM 6" for my G20 G4. Great aftermarket barrel.

Only real knowledge of LWD barrels is just anecdotal through friends. It's been both ways; great barrels or pain the butt because of the need to fit to their gun and/or the chambers are loser than Glocks.  I considered them before purchasing the KKM. 

[BillinOregon]

Redbaron, good to know. Thanks.

[sstewart]

Mr. Stewart: Are you happy with your Lone Wolf?

Yes but so far I've only shot the 29 version, not my 6 inch version on my 40.

[sep]

Another KKM owner here in my G40. I have no experience with the Lone Wolf but am happy with my KKM.

Something for you to be aware of, if you are going to load 200 grain hard cast, the chamber dimensions on these after market barrels are obviously tighter than the OEM Glocks. I've learned you'll have to experiment both with seating depth and crimp to get them to chamber reliably. Just a few weeks ago, I had multiple rounds fail to chamber all the way because I wasn't applying enough crimp to the case.

I intended to have either my local gunsmith or KKM open my barrel up a few thousandths for more reliable chambering. So, I loaded up two dummy rounds (to send to the gunsmith or KKM with the barrel) and tried to drop them in the Glock barrel. They eagerly took their rightful places in the chamber. So, I tried to drop them in the KKM. They stuck partway out and would not drop freely into the chamber. I applied more crimp to both these dummy rounds and they both dropped freely into the KKM chamber assuming their assigned positions. The dummy rounds were made using 200 grain Beartooth and 200 grain DoubleTap bullets.

I've had no problems whatsoever with the KKM handloading Berrys 180 grain plated bullets and Nosler 180 and 200 grain bullets. I have some Hornady 180 and 200 grain bullets waiting to be loaded too and I don't anticipate any issues with them either. It's the 200 grain hardcast which have been problematic for me.

Going forward, the next time I load hard cast, I'm simply gonna take note of how much crimp I apply, (1/2 turn, 3/4 turn of the die etc.) and I'll do the ole drop test in the KKM barrel to make sure they all chamber freely before venturing out to shoot them. At this point, I would rather try that approach then to open up the chamber any larger.         

[BillinOregon]

Decided to try the Lone Wolf barrel and their extended slide stop/release.
When I get my Model 40 up and running and the dies and cases get here, I will post accuracy results.

[yfdcap]

Late to this party but I have run Storm Lake, KKM and Lone Wolf barrels in my Glocks.  Currently I have a Storm lake in my G40.  I first bought a Lone Wolf for it and it worked fine.  However, the chamber support on it turned out to be less than the stock Glock.  I was getting some pretty good bulging with loads in the 1275 plus FPS range.  I sent it back to Lone Wolf and they promptly gave me a refund.  Good customer service there.  They did not say it but I have read that they are opening up the chambers more these days for more reliability.  Not sure if this is true or not.  I have several older Lone Wolf barrels that have very good support.  I also bought a 10 to 40 conversion barrel for my G40 and it has a nice tight chamber.  I think it was old stock though.  Out of the three barrels I have tried the KKM is my new favorite.  No problems at all and good chamber support.  I have had Storm Lake be finicky with oal and not be very reliable in the past.  This current one for my G40 seems to be pretty good.

[my_old_glock]

My Lone Wolf G20 conversion barrels have been as good or better than stock in accuracy. I have 3 Lone Wolf barrels.