Modular handguns?

[kayak-man]

I've been pondering the idea of handguns that are modular, and wondering what the options are. I know Dan Wesson makes the revolvers that have adjustable barrel lengths, and there's the SIG P250/P320, along with the offerings for the new military bid. Any other options out there?

I'm specifically curious about guns that are modular in terms of size, not so much caliber, since these days it isn't too hard to get a conversion barrel.

So, is there anything out there like that, other than the afore mentioned guns? I just think that having one gun that you can switch back and forth between a full size range/HD gun and something smaller for concealment, would be kinda awesome, especially for folks who live in states like New York where just buying a gun is a long process.

Maybe I'm just over thinking this, and someone will just say, "you know, GLOCK 19 and 17 slides fit on a 26"

Thanks guys

 

[BSA1]

For practical use how are you going to keep the gun shooting at the same point of aim between different modular assemblies without having to go to the range and sighting it in with live ammunition?

 

[jrmiddleton425]

I just think that having one gun that you can switch back and forth between a full size range/HD gun and something smaller for concealment, would be kinda awesome, especially for folks who live in states like New York where just buying a gun is a long process.

Maybe I'm just over thinking this, and someone will just say, "you know, GLOCK 19 and 17 slides fit on a 26"

To address both of the quoted points:

1.) NY specifically treats a caliber conversion as a completely different gun. It wouldn't matter if you could do this.

2.) How would you get the longer slide to fit on the shorter frame?

 

[MICHAEL T]

I think all the DW revolvers are collectable now . Been a long time since I seen that set up.

 

[Quiet]

Leitner-Wise Manufacturing (LWM) is developing a modular semi-auto pistol with three different frame sizes that uses Glock magazines.
More info on it should be available at 2016 SHOT Show.

 

[herrwalther]

I am keeping an eye on the P320 myself. I like the thought behind switching between 9mm, .40, and .45 with just a few parts. Namely barrel and magazines for 9 and 40 switches, and grip for 45. Few hundred dollars extra and I can jump into .357SIG with a small investment compared to buying a whole new firearm.

Modular grip size is also interesting on the 320. Subcompact frame and 9mm barrel you have a 12+1. Not exactly pocket size but will work well for IWB/OWB work. If they make the subcompact frame in 45 is should be a 6+1 or somewhere around there.

I believe the thought process behind the P320 modularity is for restricted European states. Where only a complete firearm is considered toward your firearm limit. I read that in some piece about it, not sure how accurate it is in relation to EU gun laws.

 

[C0untZer0]

Aren't Glocks pretty close to being modular already, like you said.

I think Glocks are already pretty close to being the Lego blocks of the gun world.

I have a 10" barrel for my 17L and the problem I have with it is exactly the problem mentioned - the gun shoots low with that barrel in it compared to the stock 17L.

I would have to have - not only adjustable sights, but sights that quickly adjusted to presets that equated to the type of barrel I was going to use, or I'd need a slide matching each barrel.

I think modularity has limitations.

 

[herrwalther]

Aren't Glocks pretty close to being modular already, like you said.

Nowhere close. You can do caliber conversions with Glocks, and other makers. But I wouldn't call them modular. Another example I would consider modular are the kits Remington makes for the ACR. You can change to heavy, long barrels and bipods to serve a crew serve weapon role. Swapping out a caliber conversion barrel does not count as modular in my book.

 

[JDR]

Aren't Glocks pretty close to being modular already, like you said.

Glock does not want its customers modifying its guns from the configuration they were originally built to. It would make a lot of sense to make the 17, 19, 22, 23, 26 & 27 with a modular grip setup, that would allow you to put a 17 grip on a 19 frame, or a 19 grip on a on a 26 frame. I'd be near the head of the long line to buy that 9mm setup! But they have you where they want you when you're always forced to buy the different sized guns in the same caliber.

 

[kBob]

(Sounds of dinosaurs roaring in back ground)

Back in the early 1980's, yea verily in that last century, Springfield made the Omega, a 1911 style long slide with barrels, recoil springs and magazines to allow one to swap from .45ACP, to .38 Super, to 10mm.

Would have been no big hoo-hoo to add sets for the later .357 Sig and .40 S&W.

Springfield never did answer my question as to whether a SASS unit would fit and be useful on the Omega Frame ( I was an In-house gun rag writer at the time) and if so that would have been very interesting as then one might add .44 Magnum, ,30-30, .357 Magnum and others as a Single Shot.

I had about decided to not send the Omega back and talk about having my pay docked for it when the publisher ticked off the distributor and suddenly my titles were gone along with the money for a new toy.

I note in the new Blue Press from Dillon that Lone Wolf sells 10mm, 40 S&W, 9x25 Dillon, & .357 Sig barrels for Glock 20s and for Glock 22s they sell .40 S&W, 9x19mm, and .357 Sig barrels.

I have always wondered how silly one could get with a ramped barrel 1911 and cut frame and the old Clarke .38-45 when starting from .308 brass. Might do every thing the .357 Sig was supposed to and more, though at a lower mag capacity.......of course all Glocks have a solid bottom barrel, hmmmm.

-kBob

 

[rskent]

Maybe I'm just over thinking this, and someone will just say, "you know, GLOCK 19 and 17 slides fit on a 26"*

I had no idea that would work. The things you learn at the High Road.

 

[kayak-man]

Rskent: I have no idea if that would work either. It was a hypothetical, and I was trying to express that I was probably overthinking this

 

[Tallball]

The single shot ones... aren't they called "Contenders"? They have been around longer than forever and you can buy dozens of different caliber barrels for them.

 

[rskent]

^^^
No, I had to try it out. A 19 slide fits on a 26 and visa verse.
If you can get past the dust cover being a little short or long.

 

[PJSprog]

I remember the early Desert Eagles being convertible for caliber between .357/.41/.44 Magnums. I believe they also offered different barrel lengths.

 

[Havok7416]

The EAA Witness pistols are more or less modular. Full size slides can be put on compact frames and vise versa. They also offer several caliber and extended barrel options.

 

[dakota1911]

Something like the SIG P320 may be the future. The "gun" is the steel substructure with the serial number. In the future you may stick you hand in a 3D scanner and then have a 3D printer make you a grip that perfectly fits your hand and the top can be any caliber/ barrel length you want.

 

[Confederate]

How about the Ruger Security-Six? Is this modular enough for you?







°°°

 

[GLOOB]

Glock does not want its customers modifying its guns from the configuration they were originally built to. It would make a lot of sense to make the 17, 19, 22, 23, 26 & 27 with a modular grip setup, that would allow you to put a 17 grip on a 19 frame, or a 19 grip on a on a 26 frame. I'd be near the head of the long line to buy that 9mm setup! But they have you where they want you when you're always forced to buy the different sized guns in the same caliber.

As thin and light as a Glock frame is, good luck finding a way to securely attach a grip that doesn't involve ultrasonic welding.

I'm gonna pass on the modular gun idea. For a long range hunting rig, maybe. But for a holster-carried peashooter, no. Heck, I can't even be bothered to swap barrels and mags in my Glocks. I have a LW conversion barrel, but it's just more parts to keep track of. I have extra grip panels for some of my guns.... somewhere, maybe.