GLOCK barrel swaps: 9mm, .357sig, .40S&W

[Travis McGee]

I was considering buying a Glock 17 or 19 nine mm pistol for a "volksgun," considering that if HIllary or OBama is elected, hi cap mags and even semi-auto pistols might suddenly become hard to purchase.

That led me to the discovery that you can swap aftermarket barrels by Lone Wolf and other companies, and use one Glock for three calibers. The barrels cost only about $120 each, much less than the price of a second or third pistol.

Has anybody done this, and how does it work? Do you need to start with a G-22 in .40S&W, to swap barrels, or can you start with a G-31 in .357sig, or a G-17 in 9mm?

I also considered doing a swappable G-19 or even a long G-35 to maximize the velocity out of the .357sig, but I'll probably stick with a G-17,22,31 "family" to stay with the "volksgun" concept.

Any feedback on this barrel swapping concept will be welcome.

 

[Devonai]

You need to start with a pistol in .40 or .357 for the breechface. The 9x19mm conversion barrels work by offsetting the chamber slightly to the breechface, allowing the extractor to function properly.

Glock pistols will also require dedicated magazines when swapping between .40/.357 and 9x19mm. I think Glock is a good choice for this sort of thing due to the low prices of magazines.

 

[Quiet]

Start with a Glock Model 22 or Model 31.
You can convert from a larger caliber to a smaller caliber, but you can't convert from a smaller caliber to a larger caliber.

 

[Travis McGee]

Thanks guys. How does it work out in practice, any big changes in felt recoil etc, other than what you would expect?

 

[JohnKSa]

The 9x19mm conversion barrels work by offsetting the chamber slightly to the breechface, allowing the extractor to function properly.

Could you provide a reference for this? The Glock extractor has enough "reach" that a .40S&W extractor will engage the rim of a 9mm cartridge even without ofsetting the chamber. I've never heard that the conversion barrels have offset chambers but then there are a lot of things I haven't heard of.

BTW, I'm sitting here looking at proof that a .40S&W extractor will work just fine on a 9mm cartridge, even if it's in a standard .40S&W chamber. Picked it up at a match a few years back--the guy on the line in front of me couldn't figure out why he had zero accuracy and malfunctions until he realized he had loaded 9mm in his .40S&W magazines. It's a 9mm shell with the forward part of the case ballooned to .40"

 

[Devonai]

Honestly, John, I thought I read it on Lone Wolf or Fire Dragon's home page, but now that I check again I can't find the reference. I could be wrong, it certainly wouldn't be the first time.

 

[hpridgen]

I have BarSto 9mm conversion barrels in my Glock 22 and 32. They allow me to shoot 9mm ammo without having to porchase another gun. I haven't had extraction issues. BarSto barrels are extremely accurate and are fully supported.

 

[Run&Shoot]

That's one thing I like about the Glocks: a simple design that lends itself to interchangeability. I have a Glock 23 with a Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel.

The G17/19/26 only take the .22LR conversion slide, not other calibers.

The G23, for instance can take a G23 after market barrel with regular rifling, or .357 SIG barrel, or a 9mm conversion barrel, or the .22LR conversion lside assembly.

I have not had any problems shooting 9mm in the conversion barrel and using G19/17 mags. If you wanted to be extra sure you could replace the extractor and ejector, too, and pretty much have a G19.

If you go to a Glock parts vendor at look at the parts numbers for a G23 and a G19 you will see that practically all of them are the same except for the barrel, ejector and extractor. Then of course the slide is different (breech face and possibly hole in slide for muzzle).

 

[Grayrider]

This topic has reminded me of one more good reason that perhaps I should just keep my 35 rather than sell it. There are a lot of options for that pistol with a little investment in barrels and mags.

John

 

[Harley Quinn]

I have many that convert, but as has been mentioned certain convert to bigger while others convert to smaller.

I have about 8 different barrels that are stock in length then I go for the 6" in some. My favorite is the convert of the 40 cal to 357 Sig (mdl 22), and then the 45 that can shoot the 400 corbon and 10 mm (mdl 21) along with the 45.

I have the 22 cal converts for the mdl 17, also can be used with the mdl 22.
For the most part the Mdl 22 and Mdl 21 give you the best (most) conversions IMHO...

 

[Run&Shoot]

Good points Harley, except technically the G27, G33 and G30 give you the most conversion options. The sub-compact .40, .357 and .45 can handle the shortest to the longest barrels (may look funny but will work), the same caliber conversions as their big brothers, and the shortest to longest mags.

For example, a G27 can use a G22 barrel and mag, or a G31 barrel, or a 9mm conversion barrel for a G22 to 9mm and G26 mags.

Nit picky. I agree with your general point though!

 

[Travis McGee]

Wow, I really think I'm on to something. I'll get a G-22 .40, and a couple of extra barrels. Thanks all.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Run&Shoot,

Yes you are correct, I was not thinking about those subs and compact guys I like the looks of the barrel sticking out I contacted Lone Wolf and asked them if they ever made an 8" for the mdl 21 for my 10mm barrel or maybe the 400 Corbon he said no, but if there was a demand he could do it.
Mentioned they were gearing up to produce a 45 GAP for the mdl 22 or a slide combination Not sure when, mentioned it would be after the "shot show".

HQ