[JE223]

I'm looking to get a semi-automatic pistol barrel relined down to a smaller caliber. Does anyone have suggestions? Thank you. JE223

[Vern Humphrey]

What kind of pistol and to what caliber?

Some pistols have conversion kits -- for example, .45ACP to .22LR. These usually involve replacing slide, barrel and magazine.

Some replacements are simpler -- for example, .45ACP to .40 Corbon. This is simply the .45ACP necked down to .40 caliber. In that case all you need a new barrel.

Relining or sleeving a barrel is expensive and a difficult process, since you not only change caliber, but you change barrel mass and feeding geometry in the process.

[Walt Sherrill]

As noted above, it may not be that simple.

You've also go to worry about headspace, about the extractor functioning with a different round, and having magazines that will handle the different round for the new caliber.

As suggested, you might be better off looking for a top-end that fits the frame that you have.

[JE223]

Thank you for the advice. I am looking to convert a .380ACP Kel-Tec barrel to fire the .32NAA cartridge (.380ACP necked down to .32 caliber). It is my understanding that the exterior of the barrel would be a couple of days of straight work, which I am looking to avoid. Sleeving the barrel should free up the time to work on any of the other problems, related to the different mass, etc.

JE223

[Walt Sherrill]

That certainly sounds doable, but it might be cheaper/less trouble to sell your Kel-Tec and just buy a .32 NAA gun.

(And if you have any problems, you talk to NAA about what's not working.)

[pete f]

sleeving would be ok if anyone was still doing it. back in theday of lots of surplus gun with lots of corrosive ammo, relining a barrel was fairly common.

Have you called any of the aftermarket barrel manufacturers? the problem i see is the Kel tec is a 200 dollar gun and you are going to put a 300 dollar barrel in it.....

[JE223]

The Kel-Tec appeals to me due to it's lighter weight and smaller size. Also, I'm not sure about the type of action on the NAA firearms(although I understand that NAA too makes a good gun), but I have been able to get away with some wildly hot handloads out of a P32. I am thinking that the Browning-type action had something to do with that. ?

JE223

[Chuck Perry]

Why not just use a better load in your existing 380? Unless you want the NAA round just for the hell of it, Corbon's standard 380 load beats their single 32NAA offering. From their website:
32 NAA 60 GR. JHP 1150 FPS/176FTLBS
380 AUTO 90 GR. JHP 1050 FPS/220FTLBS
Significant difference in power, where little guns are concerned. I have exchanged emails with Corbon's Mike Shovel about their 380 Powrball loading. The website shows 1100fps, but Mike has told me it is actually running 1250fps. I believe that puts it between 275-290ftlbs. That's really great for a pocket gun. Food for thought...