Glock 22 to 9mm conversion?

[coloradokevin]

Anyone ever try converting a Glock 22 to 9mm?

I was recently considering an aftermarket barrel for my Glock, just to allow the use of lead ammo. Anyway, I ran across a Lone Wolf barrel that claims it can be used to convert a G22 to 9mm, and I'm a bit intrigued (given ammo costs and all, plus my desire to pick up a 9mm for cheap shooting in the future):

http://glockstore.com/pgroup_descrip/2_Barrels/7432_Lone+Wolf+Conversion+Barrels/?return=%3ftpl%3Dindex%26category_id%3D2%26_Barrels%2F

Has anyone around here done this? If so, does it work well?

Also, can you switch out a standard factory barrel to accomplish this task, or is the Lone Wolf barrel of different dimensions?

(I'm honestly not sure if the slides on the Glock 22 and Glock 17 are the same size, or if the Lone Wolf barrel for this conversion has been adjusted to have the same outside diameter as the G22 barrel).

As a final question, do the recoil spring/guide rod assemblies need switched to accomplish such a caliber conversion (I believe both the G22 and G17 use the same weight spring, but I'm not positive about this)?

 

[C-grunt]

I looked into it a few years ago and if I remember correctly I was told that a barrel switch and magazines was all that was needed. Maybe a new spring. I believe its because the slide and frames are the same for the .40 and 9mm versions.

 

[JWF III]

I was told that a barrel switch and magazines was all that was needed.

I was told the same thing. But I (myself) question the reliability of the extractor. There is a difference of 32/1000" in rim sizes between the two cartridges. It may work just fine, and it may be an unfounded worry of mine. I don't know. But I don't think that I would trust my life to it. Practice yes, SD no.

Then I reasoned to myself, if it's just for practice, a Ciener conversion would pay for itself in less than 1000 rounds.

Unfortunately I still have done neither. And as I said, my concern may prove to be unfounded. But until I shoot one, it'll remain a concern for me.

Wyman

 

[Kind of Blued]

I always understood that it was just a barrel swap and a mag swap and you should be good to go. You have to make sure you get a "conversion barrel" and not just a stock/standard G17 9mm barrel though. The .22 conversion kit is a good point though. Even if you were getting free wheelweights and casting your own lead bullets in 9mm, you'd still have to buy brass or 9mm ammo to recycle, not to mention the other components. I'm pretty sure shooting .22 would still be cheaper. Plus your Glock 22 would finally be a real Glock .22.

I really need to get a Glock. I have a bunch of 9mm Glock mags lying around and no gun to use them in.

P.S. I have a 1 gallon bag of .40 S&W brass that you should take off my hands. I don't plan on buying another .40.

 

[23Glock]

I have a Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion in my G23. It works as advertised, though I found out it might need some fitting in your particular pistol. Mine dinged up my breech face because the hood over the chamber was just slightly oversized. Nothing major, but when you put one in, hand-cycle the action slowly to see if yours gets hung up anywhere.
No, technically you don't need a anything but the barrel and a magazine for a G17. The recoil spring assemblies for the G17, G22, and G31 are all the same.
It works fine with the stock .40 extractor and ejector. With those the brass sort of pukes out of the weapon. I've tried replacing the extractor and ejector, and then the brass does get tossed with authority, but it's not worth the effort (and you don't want to make the mistake of leaving either in when you switch back to .40). Mine has been through about 600-700 rounds of 9mm and it's been flawless in both configurations (mostly with the stock .40 extractor and ejector).
One note: The Lone Wolf is a fully-supported match-grade barrel. The chamber is VERY tight. It may have trouble feeding some ammo, especially reloads, if the casings are not pristine.

 

[JFrame]

I got the KKM 9mm conversion barrel for my Glock 27 and a couple of 9mm mags (no extractor or ejector swap-out) just to practice with--at the time--uber-cheap WWB ammo at the range. I got one FTF in 500 rounds...Mind you, the G27 has been absolutely flawless in its stock .40 configuration.

As others have mentioned, with just the conversion barrel and magazine swap, I would not opt to use this configuration for defensive purposes unless 9mm was the only ammo I had left to feed through it. This is even with the reliability I noted above. With the addition of the extractor and ejector swap, I guess I would be far less hesitant to use it for defense.

 

[Sapper771]

I just got one of the lone wolf conversion barrels about 3 weeks ago. i dropped it in and went to the range. I used standard G22 mags at first and ran into one jam per magazine. i then used the G17 mag and still had a couple of jams, mostly stovepiping the ejecting cartridge. I went back online and ordered the 9mm extractor, ejector, and the spring load bearing. I took the pistol back out to the range and put 50 rounds through it without any malfunctions. I know that that isnt a lot of ammo , but it is all I had at the time. I have heard of some not needing the extra parts, and I have heard of others that did.
I am glad I got the conversion because I can shoot twice as much 9mm than I can 45acp.
I wouldnt rely on the conversion as a carry weapon though, at least not at this point.
I hope this helps you.