Ream a 9x19 barrel to make a 9x23 barrel?

[bradvanhorn]

As the subject says, can you ream a 9x19 barrel and make it a 9x23 barrel? The gun is a Springfield Armory P-9 and the 9x19 barrel is fully supported & ramped. Would making this conversion create any unsafe conditions? On the surface it sounded like a reasonable proposition, but I'm a novice on this matter, and I wanted some more educated opinions first.

 

[1911Tuner]

Ream it

Howdy brad,

The answer is yep. Since the main dimensional difference between the two
is in the case length, a smith who has the correct chambering reamer and
finishing reamer AND who knows how to set the headspace should be able to do the job pretty quickly...maybe 30-45 minutes.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[bradvanhorn]

Thanks! That's the response I was expecting, but since I didn't really know, I thought it much more prudent to ask first. Would this remain true if converting to .38 Super? I've read that some shooters will shoot 9x23 and .38 Super through the same barrel, but I've also read that those two cartridges do have just slightly different dimensions. Would using one barrel to shoot both of those cartridges be a very dangerous practice?

 

[1911Tuner]

.38Super/9X23

I've heard the same thing. The differences between those two are
very narrow...the main one being the sem-rimmed case of the .Super vs the
rimless case of the stretched 9. I'm not familiar enough with the 9X23
to make a call on any case taper, since I've seen a grand total of one
pistol in this neck of the woods. The different rim/extractor groove
dimension could possibly cause some issues with the extractor tension,
but that would be about the only snag that I could think of.

 

[bradvanhorn]

1911Tuner - Thanks! I've one more question if you don't mind. I have a Kimber CDP (not sure if series I or II, I haven't really looked), and I've had nothing but good luck with it. However, I've seen a lot of negative comment on the newer Kimbers, especially those with the new external extractor. I'm working my way into 1911s as my primary guns, and I've got a couple on my "to buy" list. Do you think I'd be better off looking at Springfield Armory over Kimber? Do you have a different preference altogether? I'm not looking for anything exotic, just a solid 1911 with some of the basic amenities (the basic Kimber or Springfield "Loaded" as prime examples). Thanks again! Brad

 

[Clark]

I have done it in a Tokarev 9mm barrel with only a 115 piece drill set, and a staight fluted .380" reamer.

I have done it in a FAC barrel for Star Surper B with a Manson 9x23mmWin reamer.

The big problem is what is the OAL that the magazine will feed.
With 158 gr XTPs and 158 gr LSWC bullets, the limit for the Tokarev is 1.35 and the limit for the Star is 1.29"

Here are my notes on 9x23mm reamers:
Manson 9x23 reamer is $52 at Brownell's
Manson want $52 for 9x23
Clymer 9x23 Nolin is $65 at Brownell's
Nolin 9x23 mm is $54.35
Elliot want $77 for 9x23Colt
4D wants $22 rental for 9x23

___________________________________

FROM CLYMER WEBSITE:
Clymer 9x23 Win
base .3921
case mouth .382
free bore .358
pilot .3455
chamber length .9
free bore length .085
rim thickness .2
throat 2 degrees

Clymer 9x23 Nolin
base .3920
case mouth .382
free bore .358
pilot .3450
chamber length .9
free bore length .060
rim thickness .2
throat 2 degrees
_______________________________________
As best as I can measure my Manson reamer:

Manson 9x23 Win finish reamer 05/02
base .397
case mouth .385
free bore .359
pilot .345
chamber length .9
free bore length .050

Just to jump in here, I have what Manson Precision publishes for their 9x23 reamer specs.





.3920 Base Dia.


.3820 Case Mouth Dia.


.3580 Freebore (Throat) Dia.


.3445 Pilot Dia. . . . . . (.3450 Nowlin)


.0600 Freebore Length


.7000 Base to Case Mouth


.9000 Max. Chamber Length


2° Throat Angle (Lead)

 

[BigG]

The 9mm Luger mag may not hold a 9X23.

 

[bradvanhorn]

Oh yeah... Thanks BigG, I didn't even think about the mags. Guess I better check that out.

 

[Jim Watson]

Springfield P-9?
The CZ 75 clone on Tanfoglio parts?
Not long enough magazine or slide travel for 9x23.

In the 80s there were a lot of these chambered for 9x21 and hotrodded to make IPSC Major Power Factor before the Para and SXI widebody 1911 derivatives came out. But that takes careful handloading and can be hard on the gun. If everything is not JUST right, a hotloaded 9x21 will eat slide stop pins like popcorn. It got to where some people were just using straight pins with no slide stop lever. Cheaper, stronger, and you don't shoot to slidelock in IPSC anyhow.

 

[bradvanhorn]

Yeah... I did some checking, and it appears I can't fit 9x23 in a 9x19 P-9 mag. If it was the larger framed P9 (45ACP), then it would work. I haven't bought the gun yet, so maybe my money will go elsewhere (there's that 38 Super I saw...)

 

[Jim K]

In the 1911 type pistol, there is a small but significant difference in the breech face between a slide made for the semi-rimmed .38 Super and one made for the 9x23 or similar rimless round; there is also a difference in extractor reach. If you want to go to dual caliber, you have to make sure the gun will accept the Super without the breech face being too large for the 9x23. It can be done, but it is a bit tricky.

Jim