need help Glock caliber conversion

socalbeachbum · Jan 23, 2018

I'm interested in converting a Glock 17 or Glock 19 to .40 S&W. I've been told the reason we don't find drop in barrel conversions to go up from 9MM to .40 has to do with the outside diameter of the barrels.

There are of course plenty of sources for drop in barrels to take for example a Glock 23 in .40 and convert it to 9mm. So I'm guessing the 9mm slide has a smaller hole for the barrel than the .40 slide does.

I'd like to find a gunsmith who can bore out my slide. Does anyone know if this is do-able? Otherwise I could buy a .40 slide and barrel, but they seem pretty costly right now due to the Polymer 80 builds people want.

One of the issues here is the shape and size of the hole in the slide, I'm not sure if it is a round hole or has a profile shaped to allow the barrel to toggle up-down as it cycles.

redbullitt · Jan 23, 2018

I would get ahold of a complete upper slide.
You may have to swap the locking block as well, but I am not 100pct sure. I believe you also need to make sure you have a 3 pin frame.

As far as I know the frame is the same, so that should be it. That way you will still be able to shoot 9mm with just an upper swap. Might cost a little more, but I think it would be a better result overall! I would trust it to be reliable too going this route.

Add in 357 sig barrel too and you could have a 3 caliber pistol pretty easily.

Depending on pricing, you might be getting close to a new used 40 or 357 sig pistol...

Fine Figure of a Man · Jan 23, 2018

There are a bunch of police trade in G22's and G23's available that probably cost less than a slide and barrel.
https://www.recoilgunworks.com/glock-pistol-night-sights-very-good-condition-p-24084.html

socalbeachbum · Jan 23, 2018

I'll look into the locking block thanks

1KPerDay · Jan 23, 2018

Make sure there's room between the sides of the breech also. You can generally go down (.40 to 9) because the extractor still holds the 9mm in place even though it's not actually riding against the sides of the breech block. But if it's snug for a 9, a .40 might not work.

socalbeachbum · Jan 23, 2018

1kperday I think you are right this may be why no one tries to do this upward conversion

JTQ · Jan 23, 2018

drunkenpoacher said:
There are a bunch of police trade in G22's and G23's available that probably cost less than a slide and barrel.

I think this is the better answer.

Mizar · Jan 23, 2018

I'm interested in converting a Glock 17 or Glock 19 to .40 S&W

Breech face for 9mm Luger is narrower than .40 S&W. You can't simply mill it wider because Glock slides are only case hardened - yes, tennifer, or Ferritic nitrocarburising, or whatever they call it now, is simply a case hardening process. More trouble than it's worth in my opinion. Get a Glock in .40 S&W with loaded chamber indicator (LCI) extractor and just buy a 9mm Luger barrel for it.

Jack B. · Jan 23, 2018

Just get a new gun . Save yourself the headache.

socalbeachbum · Jan 23, 2018

HMOB3655 · Jan 23, 2018

It may not be that simple even if you get the slide milled. I know way back in the late 90s when we and many other agencies had dozens of .40 Glocks go kaboom Glock came out and changed the extractors to what we were told was a .40 caliber specific part then. It did turn out to be an issue with the Federal ammunition we were issued and Federal did take it all back and exchange it but I also know that NYPD had changes made because their 19s were not reliable at the beginning with the standard G19 extractor

Sebastian the Ibis · Jan 25, 2018

The recoilgunworks link above is your best bet. Just get a new one.

need help Glock caliber conversion

socalbeachbum

Member

redbullitt

Member

Fine Figure of a Man

Member

socalbeachbum

Member

1KPerDay

Member

socalbeachbum

Member

JTQ

Member

Mizar

Member

Jack B.

Member

socalbeachbum

Member

HMOB3655

Member

Sebastian the Ibis

Member

Similar threads