Hypothetical caliber changeovers?

[Cellar Dweller]

1. Glock 20. Changing barrels only, I could get .357SIG and .40S&W, while using the original 10mm magazine. .45ACP, .400CorBon and .460Rowland require a new slide assembly for the larger breechface (G21, right?) and appropriate barrel, what would I use for magazines? G21 or G20?
Changeable to 9mm at all?
I know about the .22LR conversion kits and .45ACP and 10mm CCU too.

2. 1911, specifically a Sistema. 22LR kit and MechTech CCU aside, what is necessary for changeovers and what is possible?
9mm/38Super, 40 (357SIG and 10mm?), and .45/.400/.460 I assume are the proper combos again, with new complete slides and appropriate barrels...once again, what about magazines? Am I forgetting anything? Anybody ever see if any of these are doable in a Ballester-Molina?

Expensive, yes. Practical, not really. However, if purchase of a "new" handgun becomes impractical or illegal (but currently-owned becomes grandfathered) I want to know my options well in advance.

 

[agtman]

"1. Glock 20..."


Though I've never tried it personally, I believe I read that with another barrel swap, you could also shoot the Dillion 9x25 (a 10mm case necked down to 9mm/.355).

 

[Rembrandt]

Multi-caliber 1911's are nothing new, after WWII German citizens were prohibited from owning more than one pistol. Creative firms like Peter Stahls began offering interchangable barrels (calibers) and still use the same pistol frame. I have one of their units in 10mm, 38Super, 45ACP...easy to change and swap in just seconds. Here's a site with all their available calibers....

http://www.sportingguns.com.au/Pistols/PeterStahl/PeterStahl.html

 

[DMK]

That German thingie is interesting.

I wouldn't mind a 9mm slide for my Sistema either. *If* it could be done reliably.

 

[T.Stahl]

Well, actually it's more like this:

In Germany you have to prove a "need" for a handgun, but not for an exchange barrel or upper, IF it is of a smaller caliber.
So, it's easier to buy a, say, USP Expert in .45ACP and then a 9mm or .40 upper than buying two Experts in any calibers.

 

[jercamp45]

Sounds like you got it all thought out to me!

'Not a bad idea either. You can add the parts cheaper than another gun...expecially the .357 and 40 conversions on the Glock. Which makes finding ammo that much easier, as those two are becoming Police standards all over the country.
The Sistema should fit any of the .22 conversion units fine, and the MechTech is very simple(and quite fun!). Buying one for my semi retired steel Officer's model to make a handy patrol carbine(what NO folding stock?)....I carry a ParaOrd LDA Companion on duty, a Colt LW Officer's off...so the same ammo in the same wilson's mags for all three makes alot of sence to me!! Dang need another Uncle Mike's Quad pouch now!!
I think the .460 Roland mught be a bit much for the Sistema, a more modern metallurgy would be better. It is certainly a great idea...I have pondered getting one for my Government, but seldom hunt 4 legged critter's anymore.
Though you can get a .38 Super slide and have all sorts of 9 m/m barrels fitted to the 1911, that would get expensive and the slide would probably have to be fitted by a gunsmith.
The late/great George Nonte Jr. wrote an article on how many calibers he could fire through one 1911 frame with the right assortment of parts. There were alot!!! Nine millimeter Parabellum, Largo, Bergman Bayard, 30 luger, 38 acp, 38 super, 45 acp, 22 lr, 38/45 clerke and a few others. That was 20 years ago...now you can add 400 corbon. And probably have a 10 m/m slide fit(hard on old Sistema's) and add .357 Sig, 40 Short and Weak, and 10m/m, and still other's too!
I once thought along the same lines....but now other than a .22 conversion unit, I just buy .45 ammo in bulk. Changing calibers can change point of impact of the sights and only adds to the stuff you have to remember when things get interesting....like what caliber is it today? Which mags have which ammo? Violates the KISS rule and invites Mr Murphy to the party!
Jercamp45

 

[JohnKSa]

There are 9mm caliber switch barrel for the Glock 20. I don't know what is entailed as far as magazine/recoil spring switches, and the ones I've seen come with a caution that extraction may not be 100%.

Seems I've heard of some people doing the conversion with good results...