Conversion Barrels: Legit or Hack

[PrivateCitizen]

As I approach the next acquisition, a new M&P compact, I recall many a thread about conversion barrels. "Just get a 40 and drop a 9 barrel in it"

I've never personally had one or even shot a pistol equipped with one so I am ignorant on the matter.

Are conversion barrels 'reliable' or is the realization of the promise just more trouble than it is worth?

I am considering an M&P40c rather than a 9c just to have the plurality. I shoot 9mm more-or-less exclusively but if all is equal I don't mind the extra for the barrel/mags.

This IS NOT a bigger caliber question. Local SO uses .40SW and I may have the op to shoot with them with dept supplied ammo.

If conversion barrels can run, great. If it is gonna foul up (FTE, FTF, etc) it isn't worth the bother.

Would appreciate related experiences.

[skyugo]

legit for practice, don't consider it for carry/duty.

[Alaskapopo]

I have used 9mm conversion barrels for .40 sw sigs and Glocks. Worked well but as the previous poster said use them for cheaper practice not for carry.
Pat

[awad]

i just got a KKM conversion barrel for my glock yesterday. so far it's worked flawlessly. 200 rounds, no problems at all. I havent tested it enough to carry it yet, but i bought it for cheaper range fees.

[Spiffums]

legit for practice, don't consider it for carry/duty.

I have seen people talk about the barrels but for my money and my life I agree with the above.

The 9mm slide is different from the 40/357.

[WBAR]

I've had a Lone Wolf 9mm conversion barrel for my Glock 35 (40S&W) for several years. I've fired at least 1000 rounds thru it with no FTFs or FTEs. However, I did get a lower weight recoil spring (13#) for it because ejection was weak with the standard 17#. WB

[ryr8828]

I bought a 9mm storm lake conversion for my .40 xdm. I haven't had any failures but it doesn't seem as accurate in 9mm as it is in .40.

I end up not using it much since I have lots of 9's and only one .40.

Probably not the smartest money I've ever spent, $160 for the barrel and 4 mags for around $80. I'll never get $250 of use out of it. If I didn't have other nines maybe it would be different.

[maximus83]

legit for practice, don't consider it for carry/duty.

You often hear this said: "Don't use a caliber-conversion barrel for carry."

I assume this is because it is thought that the conversion barrel can affect reliability. But I haven't tried enough conversion barrels to observe any issues firsthand.

How exactly DO caliber-conversion barrels compromise reliability? Also, is there some strong evidence out there that conversion barrels simply can't be reliable, on ANY pistol platform, regardless how well made the barrels are?

Not debating with you Sky, just gathering info on this area because I've considered the OP's scenario myself (buying a .40, for ammo commonality and just to try another caliber, but getting a 9 conversion barrel so I can practice with the ammo that I have a lot of).

[Don Robison]

My primary training pistol is a G22 with a Lone Wolf 9mm conversion barrel. I've got a little over 10K of various ammunition through the barrel with no issues.
Would I carry it? In a pinch; I would just because I know it's reliable and it's handled SD ammo no different than FMJ training ammo.

[Jim D]

You often hear this said: "Don't use a caliber-conversion barrel for carry."

I assume this is because it is thought that the conversion barrel can affect reliability. But I haven't tried enough conversion barrels to observe any issues firsthand.

How exactly DO caliber-conversion barrels compromise reliability? Also, is there some strong evidence out there that conversion barrels simply can't be reliable, on ANY pistol platform, regardless how well made the barrels are?

Not debating with you Sky, just gathering info on this area because I've considered the OP's scenario myself (buying a .40, for ammo commonality and just to try another caliber, but getting a 9 conversion barrel so I can practice with the ammo that I have a lot of).

Changing the barrel doesn't change your breech face dimensions, location and engagement area of the extractor, location or length of the ejector, the slides weights can be a little different, etc.

Don't you think that Glock would make 1 fullsize slide, then just make different barrels that work for all of them if they could?

They've used the same springs in guns to cut down on parts inventory...you don't think they'd do the same with CNC machined slides?!

Every shooter I've seen try to use a conversion barrel in a class has had their gun puke on them. I would never recommend using one for anything other than practice/recreational use.