Review: Overview of Glock .40 S&W ---> 9x19mm Conversion

[butlers]

All,

I know this topic has been covered:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?152309-Glock-23-40-9mm-with-KKM-barrel (2014-05-12)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?117807-Glock-17-34-or-40-to-9mm-Conversion-Barrel (2012-12-02)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?115305-Glock-22-to-Glock-17-Conversion (2012-10-24)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?110796-Glock-23-9mm-Conversion-issues-(PICS-INSIDE) (2012-08-11)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?109817-G17-barrel-in-a-G22 (2012-07-26)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?107871-Glock-22-35-24-to-9mm-conversion (2012-06-24)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?80496-Conversion-Barrels-Legit-or-Hack (2011-05-05)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?77191-Converting-Glock-23-Gen-4-to-9mm (2011-03-22)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?25856-G19-upper-on-G23-frame (2009-02-05)

But I wanted to make an overview post that might help future M4Carbine.net members. Here are all the ways to convert a .40 S&W caliber Glock 23 to 9x19mm Parabellum -- I'm going to be tediously comprehensive about this.

Option A:

1. Sell Glock 23.
2. Buy Glock 19.

Cost: You'll lose about $50-$100 (Glock 23s go for low $400s in the used market; Glock 19s go for high $400s)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: 100%
Summary: This is sort of a joke.....

Option B:

1. Remove .40 S&W ejector; install 9mm ejector.
2. Remove Glock 23 complete slide assembly; install Glock 19 complete slide assembly.
3. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.

Cost: Ejector (~$10), complete Glock 19 upper (~$250), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: 100%
Summary: This pistol is now (for all intents and purposes) a Glock 19 -- the only thing about it that's still a Glock 23 is the serial number.
Expert Opinion: This is the first method explained on TFB TV: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKowBbeypl4>.

Option C:

1. Remove .40 S&W barrel; install .40 S&W--->9mm conversion barrel.
2. Remove .40 S&W extractor; install 9mm extractor.
3. Remove .40 S&W ejector; install 9mm ejector.
4. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.

Cost: 40-->9 conversion barrel (~$150), extractor (~$20), ejector (~$10), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: Debated
Summary: This pistol still has a Glock 23 slide to accommodate the 40--->9 conversion barrel (which has slightly thicker walls than a stock 9mm barrel), which means it still has a .40 S&W breech face. Both the extractor and the ejector are 9mm versions.
Expert Opinion: This is the method espoused by Mr Guns N Gear <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyeUhUfTpSY>. However, according to TFB TV, you should not change the ejector <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKowBbeypl4>. You be the judge.

Option D:

1. Remove .40 S&W barrel; install .40 S&W--->9mm conversion barrel.
2. Remove .40 S&W extractor; install 9mm extractor.
3. Do not change the ejector! .40 S&W-->9mm conversion barrels are designed to be used with .40 S&W ejectors.
4. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.

Cost: 40-->9 conversion barrel (~$150), extractor (~$20), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: Debated, but some believe this is superior to Options E and F below
Summary: This pistol still has a Glock 23 slide to accommodate the 40--->9 conversion barrel (which has slightly thicker walls than a stock 9mm barrel). The extractor is 9mm, but the ejector is still a .40 S&W version.
Expert Opinion: This is the method outlined by Safety Solutions Academy: <https://safetysolutionsacademy.com/convert-glock-22-9mm-ssa/>.

Option E:

1. Remove .40 S&W barrel; install .40 S&W--->9mm conversion barrel.
2. Do not change the extractor.
3. Do not change the ejector.
4. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.

Cost: 40-->9 conversion barrel (~$150), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: Debated
Summary: This is the simplest conversion (i.e. no gunsmithing necessary) that's considered to be reliable.
Expert Opinion: This is the second method explained on TFB TV <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKowBbeypl4>. Both Brownell's <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztlSTeNO3I4> and Tactical Rifleman <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1DM0oKa-xU> agree that a conversion barrel only (no change to extractors or ejectors) is sufficient.

Option F:

1. Remove .40 S&W barrel; install 9mm factory barrel.
2. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.
3. Do not do anything else.

Cost: 9mm factory barrel (~$100), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: Generally considered to be the least reliable method.
Summary: This is absolutely the simplest conversion (again, no gunsmithing necessary), but it may be unreliable.
Expert Opinion: Demolition Ranch proved that you can do it <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDgTOo-YjRc>.


**********

To sum up:
- Option A is the way to go if you just want to get rid of your Glock 23
- Option B is a Glock 19 slide on a slightly modified Glock 23 frame
- Option C is recommended by a firearms authority (Mr Guns N Gear), but contradicted by another firearms authority (TFB TV)
- Option D is the "conventional wisdom" on gun forums (e.g. "Conversion barrel only is OK for a range toy, but for serious use, you need to change out the extractor.")
- Option E seems to gaining more and more acceptance (as of 2019), since folks have been running conversion barrel only now for several years without any sort of issues (e.g. FTE, FTF, etc)
- Option F is generally considered unreliable

Respectfully,
butlers

P.S. With all of these options above, there's a sub-option: just use your original Glock 23 magazines. This video from the Glock Store explains how you can use .40 S&W magazines with 9mm rounds and 9mm barrels <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H6NNdj4NzA>

[MegademiC]

Good writeup and consolidation. It would be interesting to poll and see what people have the best luck with.

IME, option C is best.
My 23 worked great.
9mm barrel (kkm conversion) caused weak ejection
9mm Extractor did little
9mm Ejector with extractor and 9mm spring made the gun 100%for the past 1200rds.
The issues I had were with federal Al ammo. Never had a malfunction with duty ammo or decent brass, but it was noticably weak ejecting.

Its a niche setup- i wanted to try Glock, and need a threaded barrel for a silencer, so the barrel is a wash and police trade-in g23s are cheap. Im now sold on Glock and buying a g19 to take over ccw. Conversion going to HD dedicated suppressed role or backup.

Fwiw kkm does offer noticable accuracy improvement on gen4 glocks ime.

[butlers]

IME, option C is best.

Genuine question: is Patrick from TFB TV wrong?

"So if you're using one of the 9mm conversion barrels, do not change the ejector out. It's intended to be used with this straight 40 caliber ejector. If you install a 9mm ejector trying to be proactive, what'll end up happening is that you'll get strikes on the primers, and it could cause an unsafe situation." (5:00-5:22)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKowBbeypl4&t=5m0s

[MegademiC]

Genuine question: is Patrick from TFB TV wrong?

"So if you're using one of the 9mm conversion barrels, do not change the ejector out. It's intended to be used with this straight 40 caliber ejector. If you install a 9mm ejector trying to be proactive, what'll end up happening is that you'll get strikes on the primers, and it could cause an unsafe situation." (5:00-5:22)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKowBbeypl4&t=5m0s


Sorry just saw this.mine looks like it impacts right at the edge of the primer. I dont rack live rounds as hard as I can so I dont see it as an issue. The 9mm ejector did not produce proper ejection and led to malfunctions for me.

I would try your setup with the 9mm and see how it ejects.

[26 Inf]

I converted a 22 to 9mm using a Lone Wolf conversion barrel, no other mods.

In excess of 4,000 rounds through it with no problems other than some longer weird shaped FMJ bullets not wanting to chamber - solved that by not using those bullets anymore.

I was pleasantly surprised by the reliability and accuracy of the conversion.

[ramairthree]

Thanks for the info.

I only have 9mm Glocks but people are letting their 40s go at very low prices all the time.

Believe it or not, I have done Beretta 96s- for amusement only,
Just drop in 92 barrel, and any 92 or 96 mag,
And have never had a malfunction.

[S10nova]

I'm option E on a gen 4 22 and use Magpul mags for 9mm and haven't had any issues...
Wanting to do the same in my gen 3 23, it was a police trade in.

[sam3]

I'm Option E with a AIM conversion barrel in a Glock 23 with magpul mags 350 flawless rounds so far with both federal bulk pack ball and assorted hollow points .

[kalopsia]

Option E; in a Glock 23 Gen 3, with Lone Wolf 9mm barrel and OEM Glock 19 magazine. Other than shells ejecting at 12 o’clock and hot brass getting into my shirt, no complaints. I wear a hat nowadays.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[ggammell]

Option E with a KKM barrel in my 27. Ejection is weak but it ejects. Until something happens I’m Not going to F with it. 550 rounds so far.

[Bulldog7972]

How many of you that have done this conversion use it for edc?

[MegademiC]

How many of you that have done this conversion use it for edc?

I did after I got it sorted out as outlined above.

Ive since turned it into a training gun and got a real g19