Converted my Shield .40 to 9mm

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Brings back the old saying "if it ain't broke-fix it till it is." Don't care if it "works" or not-using a 9mm shell casing against a .40 cal breachface is just asking for trouble. Mayby not now-maybe not a week from now, but one day....

 

[Smitty357]

Brings back the old saying "if it ain't broke-fix it till it is." Don't care if it "works" or not-using a 9mm shell casing against a .40 cal breachface is just asking for trouble. Mayby not now-maybe not a week from now, but one day....

Yeah thats what some have said for many years. And those years are still counting, =-).

It has worked in the FS (with factory barrels) for long before we ever discovered it worked in the Shield. I guess those guys will have problems before we do.

 

[Ed Ely]

It's been awhile since this thread has had attention. I was just wondering how the machines which used the conversion barrel are doing? Jump in please.

 

[Smitty357]

Mine is still running 100% perfect. No problems with 9mm or .40. And I have well over 10k rounds down range with it. Just in case u were wondering.

 

[AVG]

I just got done reading this post. I have the M&P CORE in 40S&W. To save on ammo cost and sometimes not being able to find 9mm or 40S&W ammo I bought a 9mm barrel. I bought a KKM barrel in 9mm. This barrel is very accurate in this gun. I have fired over 300 rounds now without any hang ups.

 

[Miles2014]

Hi All,
I apologize in advance since I haven't read all the posts, but I have a .40 Shield which I love but was thinking of picking up a 9mm conversion barrel. Could someone kindly post a link to where they purchased one? Also, has everyone who purchased one had good results, would you carry the 9mm with the conversion?

Thanks!

 

[Dikinalaska]

I have a 9 and 40, and have toyed around with swapping since the 9 frame is pink for the ol lady. The 9 great runs flawless in the 40 frame. All you'll get is a tiny bit of gap at the lugs, which doesn't affect anything. This is with oem gear though. I'm not sure if anyone is making aftermarket barrels, actually I vaguely remember at the beginning somewhere someone found a shop that had them, can't recall exactly though. Just call s&w and tell them you need a replacement barrel. Do NOT tell them that you're converting a 40 to a 9 though, as when I mentioned that while inquiring about a couple spare barrels they pretty much told me they wouldn't send em because of liability. Just tell them you have a 9, but muffed the rifling so you need a new one. Than just order up a couple mags and voila! Just as an fyi, my poi changed a bit, but that's almost to be expected I guess.

 

[smith46wesson]

Seems to me that I followed this thread back when it was fairly new. Now looking over it again I wish I would have remembered about the conversion ability when I replaced my original Shield earlier this year. I went to the non thumb safety in 9mm. Oh well, guess I could get the .40 barrel and remove the material.

How has the 9mm to .40 conversion been working for those of you that did it?

 

[Dikinalaska]

Flawless. As long as you grind those lugs down right, it's exactly the same as oem, so there really is no difference if you converted one vs bought the other caliber. Both my shields have the safety, but I've never actually used it. Was going to get the no safety version, but really don't see the point in getting new guns just to forego a safety that I don't use anyway

 

[Smitty357]

My .40 to 9mm is still running flawless after all these years. Just thought i'd tell u guys since i seen this post come back alive.

 

[Dikinalaska]

Awesome to see that smitty! You were kind of the pioneer in all this if I remember correctly. It has been a few years lol. Hey do you carry one of your shields as edc?

 

[Smitty357]

Yes sir, i've been carrying my .40 shield since day 1. Im practically married to this thing now lol. It comes with me to the range every time and we run SD scenarios together. Then the 9mm barrel comes out for a little fun in the sun.

Still no problems from it running either caliber.

 

[Dikinalaska]

I ask because my 40 rides shotgun as well, but I have the problem of the mag release getting surface rust and not sliding properly. If it gets bad I could push the mag release and it stays there, meaning it won't lock the mag back in. That happen to you?

 

[kilyung]

I've been following this thread since 2012 and thought I'd contribute an update for any future readers. I got a Shield40 (along with stock 9mm barrel) in early 2013 on the strength of the argument of being able to shoot three calibers from one gun. Here I am 3.5 yrs and 3,500 (9mm) rounds later with no issues to report. These rounds have been a mix of FMJ and SD cartridges in 115gr and 124gr. I've also fired 1,000 rounds of .40SW with no issues. Despite my "luck" to date, I'm not endorsing this conversion or suggesting it. YMMV so perform at your own risk.

I'm often asked why I don't just buy a Shield9. The value of a multi-caliber gun to me is in modifications cost savings. I've spent nearly as much on modifying my Shield as I did in buying the gun. I'm not satisfied with the factory gun and would likely spend the same amount on setting up a new gun to be identical to my current Shield40. So for me, a barrel and magazine swap is much more cost effective than a new gun.

The Shield is no longer my only CC but when used it was chambered in .40SW. I was only using the 9mm barrel for practice and plinking. However I recently picked up a Shield9 slide and will be carrying the Shield in 9mm as well. With a .40SW slide and 9mm slide to switch up with my modded frame, I now have the best of both worlds.

 

[greeenteeee]

Thanks for the great update kilyung and for the great threads and those who contributed to it. 2 months prior to the S&W rebate I picked up a 9mm, and was misinformed about the porting on the Performance Center.

Now, lo and behold, of course the PC Shield 9 is out of stock. I'm considering selling my Shield 9, picking up the PC Shield 40 (I have another 40 pistol and so far I shoot better with it than 9mm anyway) and getting a 9mm barrel for practice...

Problem is I can't find the 9mm barrel now.

 

[Richjh]

Hey guess what.......Mine works!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mine works too. I purchased the threaded barrel from Silencerco and a lighter recoil rod/spring off Amazon. I use my 40 mags in both the converted 40 and my 9mm Shield and they work fine. Accuracy is equal in both pistols. I would never carry the conversion or use the 40 mags for carry in the 9mm but they all work great at the range. Plus I can use a suppressor on the new threaded barrel is I ever decide to get one.

 

[greeenteeee]

Mine works too. I purchased the threaded barrel from Silencerco and a lighter recoil rod/spring off Amazon. I use my 40 mags in both the converted 40 and my 9mm Shield and they work fine. Accuracy is equal in both pistols. I would never carry the conversion or use the 40 mags for carry in the 9mm but they all work great at the range. Plus I can use a suppressor on the new threaded barrel is I ever decide to get one.

I'll look at Silencerco, but last I read they wanted to fit it to your pistol? The lighter recoil rod/spring off Amazon-- did it make it easier to rack the slide?

Slide doesn't bother me but I was going to give my standard Shield to the gf while I go out and get a 40 (or PC 40) but she has trouble with the slide.