Beretta 96 Conversion to .357 Sig?

[Higgins]

I've been looking at getting something in .357 Sig.

One candidate is the Sig P239 because I like the idea of being able to convert between .40SW/.357Sig.

However, I've also noticed .357Sig barrels available for converting Beretta 96 Series pistols. If the Beretta is also convertable, it might swing me towards the Beretta.

Anyone with experience converting the Beretta 96's to .357Sig and the success/advisability of such a venture?

I'd appreciate any insight on this or on the Beretta 96 v. Sig P239 choice. Thanks.

 

[meathammer]

I looked into getting a .357 sig barrel for my Beretta 96. Most opinions/recommendations I found were DO NOT do it. (Including Beretta)

My thinking was to get the barrel and a heavier recoil spring. After that I don't know what the safety concern would be? Obviously someone has done it.

I'm not being much help. Sorry. I like the .40 just fine. I just like tinkering, and the thought of having a 2-in-1 pistol was appealing.

I'm sure someone who has done it or seen it done will chime in shortly.

 

[critter]

Sorry, not on the B-96. I did, however, purchase an Ed Brown barrel in .357 Sig for my Para Ordnance P-16 .40 caliber. Fitted it and no other changes (springs, etc.). It works great. It is 100% reliable, VERY accurate and easy to shoot.

If they make conversion barrels (from a top quality firm), then they should work fine AND it makes a handgun quite versitle. I'd just HAVE to give it a run if it were me.

 

[FireInTheHole]

Might only want to try it on a 96 Brigadier... I would assume spring upgrade too....

 

[10-Ring]

I looked into such a conversion a could years ago as well. At a minimum you'd need stronger recoil spring, barrel & possibly a dedicated locking block. I never started the project because I couldn't find enough feed back or find other shooters that had done this specific conversion.

 

[jetman]

I have one of the first made Sig P229's (.40 S&W) and recently bought a .357 Sig barrel for it. It dropped right in like the original with the same ZERO problems I had with it in either .40/.357 mode. I can easily recommend the Sig line.

 

[ny32182]

I will also recommend that you look into a sig 226 or 229 if you want a gun that will READILY convert from one to the other.

The only thing you need to convert the sig is the barrel. In fact, the barrel is the ONLY part that differs in the .40 guns vs the .357 guns as they are shipped from the factory.