Converting by Caliber

[Fat Boy]

I have been researching the process of converting a gun to shoot different calibers-

I have read about the Glock's, and how, say a model 22 can be converted to shoot the 357 sig, or 9mm by simply dropping in a conversion barrel, etc.

I was curious as to:

1. How well this process works, if in fact it is truly a "drop-in" process
2. What gun makers besides Glock, if any, have this capability
3. What a good source for conversion barrels and kits would be

Thanks!

Steve

 

[freakshow10mm]

Yes it is generally a drop in deal.
Glock, SIG, H&K
KKM, Bar Sto, Storm Lake, Lone Wolf

A .40 can be swapped out with a .357 SIG barrel, sometimes a 9mm if it's fitted for a .40 hood. The G21/30 can be fitted with a 10mm conversion barrel. I ran a G30 with KKM 45-10mm for a few years.

 

[rklessdriver]

I had a Lone Wolf 9mm conversion barrel (and a few Glock 19 mags) for my Glock 23.

When I first bought it, I had my doubts. I didn't think it would be 100% reliable due to the .40S&W extractor on the smaller 9mm cartridge, but in 2yrs and well over 1000rnds it NEVER failed to extract or feed.

Sold it last year to my brother and it is still running perfect but I don't know the current round count as he doesn't keep range records on his guns.

I don't know about the .40 to .357SIG conversion personally, as the .357SIG never held any interest for me but since the .40 and .357SIG are based on the same case and rim dimensions, IMO problems would be non existant.
Will

 

[cloudedice]

For certain:

Sig P226/P229 chambered in .357 SIG or .40 S&W can be converted to the other caliber with a simple conversion barrel. Either of those calibers can be converted to 9mm with a conversion barrel. The 9mm conversion may or may not require a 9mm magazine as well. The P226/P229 in 9mm can NOT be converted to .357 SIG or .40 S&W.

Other models may allow other conversions as well. I would think, near universally, any conversion would be down in caliber/pressure, not up.

 

[BlindJustice]

The 1911 is a versatile platform

I have a Bar-Sto barrel in .400 CorBon
It is the same outer diameter as a stock
.45 ACP barrel, so the bushing fits both barrels.
.400 CorBon is the necked down to .40 with a
25 degree shoulde. developed by Peter Pi at
CorBon. IT can approximate 10mm AUto velocities
up to 155-165 gr. bullet weights. Problems can
arise with 180 gr. or heavier bullets due to the
short neck, and other issues arise for handloading
but it does offer a flatter shooting higher velocity
option for a full size 1911 .45 ACP.

Example Ammo I have
155 gr. Speer Gold DOt @ 1400 FPS
155 gr. Hornady XTP @ 1350 FPS

Except for the barrel, everything else is the
same - mgazines, ejector, etc.

Of course the 1911 platform also has several
makers for the .22 LR conversion kits.

Isn't the SIg P250 a choose the cartrdige & Barel platform?

Randall

 

[Jim Watson]

Murphy's Law says that if you have a convertible caliber firearm it will always be in the caliber you did NOT want to shoot on any given day. I never could outguess my .45 with .22 conversion so I gave up and bought an Ace.