Is the barrel in my Springfield XD-40 sub-compact "supported" or not.

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Most handguns, such as STI and SVI, have supported chambers allowing the cartridge to make the 165 power factor. However, factory Glock barrels have a non-supported barrel causing the brass to bulge excessively when loaded to a top load. Therefore, care should be used when loading for the non-supported barrels.

I took this from my Sierra manual. I've seen the buldges on brass before, not mine.

The case in my XD 45 is fully supported, check the Springfield website, I suspect it is. Fieldstrip your pistol, remove the barrel, and drop a cartridge in it. Now check and see if the case is fully enclosed by the chamber (the extractor groove will be out in the open). On unsupported guns, like some Colts, there is s gap at the bottom near the feed ramp that will allow the case to expand under higher than normal pressure. I'm not familiar with Glocks so can't comment on them.

The proper term is NOT "unsupported" but "less than full support".The variables are how much chamber support, how high are the pressures ,how hard is the brass.In addition bullet setback can dangerously raise pressure! In a 40S&W if the bullet is set back .10" you will DOUBLE the pressure.

I posted this same question on another forum and was directed to a third forum that really has a hot discussion going on this question.

http://www.ar15.com/lite/topic.html?b=5&f=4&t=27416

They get hot under the colar and the AR15 forum, at least regarding this question. Take a look.

Mike

AI 22-250. I believe that your XD40 does have a supported chamber. I got one for my son and as I recollect, it had one. Check by locking back the slide. Is the feed ramp part of the frame or is it part of the barrel. If it part of the barrel, then this ramp supports the chamber. I would not call it "fully supported", but it is nice to have a supported chamber on a 40 or a 38Super with max IPSC loads.The 40 is a high pressure round.
Peter.

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They get hot under the colar and the AR15 forum, at least regarding this question. Take a look

That's mild compared to a few of the Glock kb discussions I've read (and maybe even participated in ).

I'm a pretty cautious guy and I run reloads (mine only though!) through my Glock without fear. Don't sweat the unsupported issue unless you are a hot-rodder with your relaods or a cheap SOB who shoots brass till it fails!