Converted my Shield .40 to 9mm

Smitty357 · Dec 3, 2012

Ok so although I have both the Shield 9mm and the .40. I decided to give a company the benefit of the doubt on ordering me another 9mm barrel and an extended 9mm mag. Well today they came in, after about 3 days shipping. These are a few pics from the small un-packing. I am very impressed with this product, as I have already put 150rds through it with my .40.

This is the way to go guys. I'd suggest getting your hands on the conversion ASAP. It wouldnt surprise me if these things dont go on back order just like the Shield.

Revival · Dec 3, 2012

So you didnt like the Shield in the .40? And you are saying your ordered a Shield factory 9mm barrel? I thought it wasnt possible yet to get Shield barrels? Sorry if I am wrong, i could be thinking of something else.

TheBigC1234 · Dec 3, 2012

I believe I got the same barrel as you from the same dealer. I fired 100 rds of 9mm and 100 of .40 through my .40 shield the other day all went flawlessly. Pretty good price too!

I inspected and dry fired a million times to make sure everything functioned properly after firing a couple rounds I knew it was fine and went on my way. I did not and do not foresee any problems with this 9mm barrel in my .40 Shield.

Also from the looks of it these are S&W factory barrel's. I can not see anything different between the one I purchased after and the one that came with my gun.

RobzGuns · Dec 3, 2012

Okay... I haven't been paying real close attention to the various Conversion threads, so I apologize if this has been covered a bunch already.

I understand that we can convert the Shield down, from .40 to 9mm, with only the Barrel & Mags... No Slide required, like with some models... But...

Can we also convert the Shield UP, from 9mm to .40 by buying just a barrel and mags as well? Will the 9mm extractor successfully grab the .40 case?
If so, this is something I might like to try. It would be my 1st .40.

GetSmith · Dec 3, 2012

Sorry, the conversion can only be done from .40 or 357 sig to 9mm. If you buy the .40 you can shoot the 9mm or 357 sig for another $100 each. I dont know why anybody would buy a 9mm if they had this knowledge.

S&W makes this conversion so easy and cheap although they dont advertise it. I call them and they said it could not be done. After reading up here and watching youtube clips on it i ordered the 9mm barrel and could not be happier with it.

shawn mccarver · Dec 3, 2012

RobzGuns said:
Okay... I haven't been paying real close attention to the various Conversion threads, so I apologize if this has been covered a bunch already.

I understand that we can convert the Shield down, from .40 to 9mm, with only the Barrel & Mags... No Slide required, like with some models... But...

Can we also convert the Shield UP, from 9mm to .40 by buying just a barrel and mags as well? Will the 9mm extractor successfully grab the .40 case?
If so, this is something I might like to try. It would be my 1st .40.

Folks, the cartridge head dimensions on 9mm and .40 S&W are DIFFERENT. Thus, conversion from .40 S&W to 9mm MAY work sometimes, but that is more luck than anything.

.40 S&W to .357 SIG and back works with a barrel and magazine change ONLY because those two rounds have the same head dimensions.

What you are doing may or may not work, and I certainly would not bet my life on it in a self-defense scenario.

Bad idea.

robkarrob · Dec 3, 2012

Smitty 357

You have posted and made videos of the conversion. Thanks for that. You have shown the only conversion is 40 to 9mm. The opposite will not work, 9mm to 40. Now can you point us to the place you ordered the 9mm barrel and mag. What did they charge for each? Thanks again.

Bob

TheBigC1234 · Dec 3, 2012

robkarrob said:
Smitty 357

You have posted and made videos of the conversion. Thanks for that. You have shown the only conversion is 40 to 9mm. The opposite will not work, 9mm to 40. Now can you point us to the place you ordered the 9mm barrel and mag. What did they charge for each? Thanks again.

Bob

Sure we ordered from the same place. Guns and Gear (https://www.gunsandgearoutlet.com/) in Agawam Mass. Ph#(413) 786-0100. I paid $75 for 9mm barrel and 3=$32 or so for 9mm extended magazine

Smitty357 · Dec 3, 2012

TheBigC1234 said:
I believe I got the same barrel as you from the same dealer. I fired 100 rds of 9mm and 100 of .40 through my .40 shield the other day all went flawlessly. Pretty good price too!

I inspected and dry fired a million times to make sure everything functioned properly after firing a couple rounds I knew it was fine and went on my way. I did not and do not foresee any problems with this 9mm barrel in my .40 Shield.

Also from the looks of it these are S&W factory barrel's. I can not see anything different between the one I purchased after and the one that came with my gun.

I believe you are correct on that one. After having shot my original .40 with my original 9mm barrel and mag, I dont see anyone ever having any problems with the conversion. I've been shooting mine without problems.

Now i plan on putting this one through its paces and see if it holds up, as has my factory stuff. These appear to be factory barrels, IMO and definitely these are factory extended mags.

I wouldnt have wasted my time nor money if i didnt already know for sure all of this will work. You guys have seen my videos, u know i've been shooting my original 9mm through my .40 for awhile now. So i'm sure the weapons will function perfectly.........The question is will THIS barrel hold up and continue to perform as has my factory 9mm barrel. That is what i intend to find out and will find out over the next few weeks.

Yes ^^^^^ Thats the place we ordered from.

TheBigC1234 · Dec 3, 2012

Smitty as I plan to do the same (testing the 9mm bbl in .40 frame) keep us posted if you find any "defects" or potential issues.

seattle911 · Dec 9, 2012

I am having difficulty confirming that this replacement 9mm barrel is S&W OEM or is an aftermarket product. Does anyone know for sure?

TheBigC1234 · Dec 9, 2012

seattle911 said:
I am having difficulty confirming that this replacement 9mm barrel is S&W OEM or is an aftermarket product. Does anyone know for sure?

one could call and ask. I see absolutely zero difference's between this bbl and the OEM one. but cannot be 100% sure it's OEM.

robkarrob · Dec 9, 2012

I've ordered the 9mm barrel and a 9mm mag. They said they had both in stock, so I am just waiting on delivery. Will update when it arrives.

Bob

dbbrooks · Dec 9, 2012

Mag drop

GetSmith said:
Sorry, the conversion can only be done from .40 or 357 sig to 9mm. If you buy the .40 you can shoot the 9mm or 357 sig for another $100 each. I dont know why anybody would buy a 9mm if they had this knowledge.

S&W makes this conversion so easy and cheap although they dont advertise it. I call them and they said it could not be done. After reading up here and watching youtube clips on it i ordered the 9mm barrel and could not be happier with it.

I would have started with the 40 so as to be able to convert but the mag drop problem stopped me.

MP1SG · Dec 9, 2012

shawn mccarver said:
Folks, the cartridge head dimensions on 9mm and .40 S&W are DIFFERENT. Thus, conversion from 9mm to .40 S&W MAY work sometimes, but that is more luck than anything.

.40 S&W to .357 SIG and back works with a barrel and magazine change ONLY because those two rounds have the same head dimensions.

What you are doing may or may not work, and I certainly would not bet my life on it in a self-defense scenario.

Bad idea.

This is 100% accurate, The headcase (where the primer is) is larger in a 40 than that of a 9mm. So the breech face of the slide (where the extractor is) is larger on a 40 and is designed to accept a 40 case NOT a 9mm. Like the gentleman said it "might work" most of the time but i would not trust my life on it. 357 sig to 40 cal and vise versa all day long because the case head on the 40 and 357 sig is the SAME.
it's actually pretty simple.
1SG
Out

Smitty357 · Dec 9, 2012

I've been putting the new barrel and mag through the paces. After over 2K rounds through the old 9mm barrel in the .40 frame, I figured I would have come upon any issues that may introduce themselves. So far I have around 500ish through the new 9mm barrel and mag with zero problems. Maybe one day I'll find a problem, but so far I've found nothing.

Only issue i've ever seen was trying to run 9mm through the .40 mag. Yes it will fit (in a sense), but often u get a FTF issue. So IMO, I surely wouldnt trust the 9mm round in the .40 mag.

TheBigC1234 · Dec 10, 2012

MP1SG said:
This is 100% accurate, The headcase (where the primer is) is larger in a 40 than that of a 9mm. So the breech face of the slide (where the extractor is) is larger on a 40 and is designed to accept a 40 case NOT a 9mm. Like the gentleman said it "might work" most of the time but i would not trust my life on it. 357 sig to 40 cal and vise versa all day long because the case head on the 40 and 357 sig is the SAME.
it's actually pretty simple.
1SG
Out

Read your own quote. It says you cannot go from 9mm to .40! Nothing about going .40 down to 9mm.

MP1SG · Dec 10, 2012

TheBigC1234 said:
Read your own quote. It says you cannot go from 9mm to .40! Nothing about going .40 down to 9mm.

I did read my own quote. I DID not mention going from a 9 to a 40 (I think that's pretty much common knowledge in the shooting world, Unless your new to this) BUT if you wanna put 40 cal rounds in a 9mm magazine Have at it Son

TheBigC1234 · Dec 10, 2012

MP1SG said:
I did read my own quote. I DID not mention going from a 9 to a 40 (I think that's pretty much common knowledge in the shooting world, Unless your new to this) BUT if you wanna put 40 cal rounds in a 9mm magazine Have at it Son

Ok, then read the thread...you did not mention it but your quote did.

MP1SG · Dec 10, 2012

TheBigC1234 said:
Ok, then read the thread...you did not mention it but your quote did.

OK the original quote was by Shawn McCarver NOT I, I admit I should have NOT quoted his quote. The fact remains that you should NOT go down from a 40 to a 9 Just buy buying a barrel and a magazine. Shield 40 is designed to be a Shield 40. The Shield 9 is designed to be a shield 9, Buy both weapons if you must. But to swap out barrels and mags to get a different caliber is a BIG mistake, espically if you make that weapon your EDC

Converted my Shield .40 to 9mm

Member

Member

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

Similar threads