I took out my SD40VE and decided to put an SD9VE slide on it.

I purchased an SD9VE slide along with the barrel and recoil spring. Initially, I just slid the slide on my SD40VE frame. It went on, but did come off. I couldn't dry fire nor was able to remove the slide via traditional means. After much thought, I locked the slide back and removed the firing pin. Slide came right off. After some observation, I noticed the firing pin was slightly different.

I removed the firing pin from the SD40VE and installed into the SD9VE slide.

Reinstalled the SD9VE slide onto the 40 frame. It dry fired, manually cycled well and I was able to take it down easily.

Mechanically it worked.

As we know, SD 9mm magazines DO NOT work on the 40 frame. The 9mm magazine is too slim and does not lock into place

Because I needed to know, I went to the range and loaded 3 rounds of 9mm into my 40 magazine.

Loaded my pistol and fired all three rounds and the slide locked back as normal. Since I'm from CA and limited to 10 round magazines, I was able to load 8 rounds of 9mm into the 40 magazine. Anything more, the magazine spring pressure would simply push out 9mm rounds out of the retention lips.
But, all 8 rounds fired flawlessly and the slide locked back.

I went through a box of 50 rounds with no issues.

Does the 9mm barrel fit into a 40 slide?? Yes...slightly loose.
Just like putting an M&P 9mm barrel into a M&P40 slide.

I didn't function check, because I left the SD40VE slide at home.

As for fixing the magazine, I may simply bend in the retention lips slightly.

I'm attaching a video of the first 3 rounds.

I hope for those of you that are still interested, you may find this informative.

Why do this?

Because people ask and I wanted to know as well.

Several years ago, the same thing was done with the SW Sigmas, with about the same Rube Goldberg results: fiddle with it enough and it sorta works. Reliability for serious use?

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Science plus Art

Reliable for serious use? Not sure... only time and usage will determine that. But the question if the SD series can be converted over is asked over and over. I should proof of concept. Does it work? Yes. Did I have issues? NO. I went through a box of ammo with no problems.

Will I modify a magazine soon...YES

But, just like any mechanical object failure is a matter of time. 100, 500, 1000, 10k rounds? Whats acceptable?

I shortened the trigger pull on my SD40VE. After 1200 rounds...I still have no issues. I would consider that a success, some will not.

I do have fun with this pistol and I trust it.

I hope this notion doesn't result in some less-skilled person getting hurt.

Much more economical and practical to buy an SD9ve!

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

As with any type of modification or alternation. There are inherited risks.
Each person should take into consideration that there are risks even with an unmodified firearm. A hand held rocket can be a gamble.

What I displayed worked for me. For any other person attempting this, the persons attempting to replicate what I did assumes all risks knowing and unknowing.

As far as if this is practical? It was for me. In California, an SD9VE can run you roughly $380, plus state tax, DROS and FFL fees. Out the door...about $420.

I bought the slide, barrel and spring for $75. That was enough for me to satisfy a curiosity and the curiosity of others.
Who knows...maybe I'll do a 1000 round test/dump.

If more people are curious...cool!
But seems like I'm getting more lash back for this demonstration.

How was the accuracy of the conversion ? Group size at 15 yards ?
What does the 40 give you as a comparision?
Gary

I'm not a very proficient shooter. At 7 yards, I had a group about the size of my palm. Width of my palm is a about 3.5in.

I like the 40. This was more for curiosity and maybe introduce new shooters to something more manageable. My girlfriend didn't really care too much about my M&P in 9mm. She hated the 40. But loved the SD with the 9mm slide.

So much so, she started looking at a Glock 19. (SD9VE are hard to come by in California)

Convertible guns is what I call these contraptions. Yes, I'm old, but I do have some experience with this issue. Presently, I have some autoloaders that convert from their native 9mm to 22lr with factory conversion kits. One, a Sig P226 goes the other way, natively, it's 22lr and converts to 9mm with their caliber xchange kit. Naturally, at the time, the cost differential between 22lr and 9mm was significant, now not so much. I keep these guns stored in their 9mm configuration and only convert to 22lr when I want to go to the range.

My best experience came from owning 2 Dan Wesson wheel guns during my revolver days. What I learned was that the desired barrel length wasn't on the gun when I went to use it. It was a PITA to change barrels and the sight elevation was always off.

My best advice is to buy individual guns in the caliber you desire. Yes, it's expensive but later on if you sell one or both (or more) of these guns you'll get market value for each gun. On the other hand, accessories bring little to no extra market value.

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NRA Benefactor

Very well said!

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

Okay i know its been years. Has anyone tried placing the 9mm barrel in the 40 slide? I know plenty people have tried but no one speaks about it over the internet.

Yes it works. I'm sure its a liability issue as a 9mm will slide all the way into a .40 barrel.

Hmm, reckon why they keep it to themselves....