Sidearms & Scatterguns Glock Caliber Conversion

[breachersup]

Hey All,

So if you want to switch calibers in a glock pistol, for instance, to shoot 9mm out of a Glock 23 ( the compact sized .40 S&W) - do you actually need a <span style="font-style: italic"> conversion </span> barrel to shoot 9mm out of a Glock 23, or can you just go ahead and put a Glock 19 barrel in the 23 and then bam - you're all set?

 

[3O8Junkie]

Re: Glock Caliber Conversion

As I understand it you need a conversion barrel. I have never heard of anyone interchanging barrels between calibers before as you described.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Glock Caliber Conversion

Glock controls slide speed by the weight of the slide, that is why all Glocks of the same frame size use the same recoil spring, or 40 slides weigh more than 9 slides, also the breech is larger on the 40s v 9s, so no you can't simply install a 19 barrel in a 23, cheap and easy is to get a Lone Wolf(ugly as hell logo) or step up to a Stormlake or KKM drop in conversion barrel, don't forget you also need 9mm mags.

 

[simmy952]

Re: Glock Caliber Conversion

You are supposed to buy a conversion barrel to swap calibers. You can go between 40 & 357 with only a barrel change. I have a G27 that I switch to 9mm with only a barrel/mag change. Use a KKM G26 barrel. Drop it in with no other mods. They say the extractor is different but I have had no issues with mine. It has fed & ejected everything that it was handed. You can go from 40 to 9 but it is harder to go from 9 to 40.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Glock Caliber Conversion

A 19 barrel "kinda" works in a 23.

The OD of the 23 barrel is ~.030" bigger, so the 19 fits sloppy.

The 23 chamber has a bigger relief ramp at the top/forward end of the chamber than the 19. So, with a 19 barrel in a 23, the slide kinda wants to "hang up" in its rearward most position under recoil.

It usually works, but is NOT AT ALL up to the reliability standards that Glocks normally are.

A conversion barrel is much more highly recommended.

 

[luvtolean]

Re: Glock Caliber Conversion

I have a Lone Wolf 9mm for my 35 and the chamber is very short/tight. I reload, but I still haven't haven't got it 100% reliable. Not the worst thing in the world for practice, but still a bit annoying.

Looking around this is common for LW, I'd recommend KKM, people seem to have better luck.

 

[Accusource8541]

Re: Glock Caliber Conversion

I bought a Storm Lake conversion barrel to go from .40 to 9mm in my G27 and have had zero issues with malfunctions. I did buy the 9mm magazines and use them but I have heard that you can get by with the .40 magazines if you are just shooting at the range. Don't know for sure about that, but if it will be used for personal defense obviously you would want to spring for the 9mm magazines if you don't already have some.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Glock Caliber Conversion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: luvtolean</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a Lone Wolf 9mm for my 35 and the chamber is very short/tight. I reload, but I still haven't haven't got it 100% reliable. Not the worst thing in the world for practice, but still a bit annoying.

Looking around this is common for LW, I'd recommend KKM, people seem to have better luck. </div></div>

Beyond the resources of most folks, but a lathe and a 4-jaw chuck fixes that issue in a hurry...

Chuck the barrel, indicate so the chamber is running .005" eccentric, with the "high spot" centered on the bottom of the chamber, and re-bore the chamer.

This produces a slightly egg-shaped chamber that feeds much more reliably, is way more tolerant of a bit of debris or slightly too little crimp, yet still provides for proper extraction.