M&P Barrel/Caliber changes?

lightsluvr · Jan 27, 2013

I read on another forum the the S&W M&P 40 (and larger) will accept barrels of different calibers, including .357 and 9mm. This is very important to me, because we are shopping for the perfect caliber for my spouse to conceal carry.

I went to the local Academy this morning and the sales associate told me that the M&P does NOT offer interchangeable barrels. He said the only pistol with that option is the Sig Sauer Model 250.

Now I am confused. Do it do, or do it not? Can you interchange barrels with the M&P? I want to buy the 40 caliber and have the option to change to a 9mm.

What say ye?

Thanks.

LL

JoeyEcko · Jan 27, 2013

The M&P does not come with interchangeable barrel but if you purchase the M&P40 ou can shoot 357 sig with only purchasing the barrel from the 357 and you could also shoot 9mm with the purchase of the 9mm barrel and magazine both cases use original S&W barrels mutch cheaper than conversion barrels and cant beat S&W own. Notice; it does not work the other way around cant shoot .40 s&w with the M&P 9mm or 357

bobnieder · Jan 27, 2013

Actually the .40 and .357 Sig M&P's only difference is the barrel. The slide and mags are the same, since the .357 Sig round is just a necked down .40 S&W cartridge with a 9mm bullet. There is a little bit of play in the .40 slide/9mm barrel lockup, but many .40 cal. owners ( myself included) have obtained an S&W factory barrel (I got mine from Midway -- they may be out of stock currently, but they keep getting replacement stock in) and I also picked up two 17 round 9mm mags from Botach Tactical -- you can have feed problems when using the .40 mag with 9mm when it comes to stripping the last round off the mag. Using the factory 9mm mags and the factory 9mm barrel, I have had over 600 trouble free rounds. There is no sign of the play in the lockup of barrel and slide causing any damage to the gun, and there is no degradation of accuracy -- if anything, I shoot better overall with 9mm.

Now, I am not a gunsmith, nor any kind of machinist or expert. I can only tell you that it has worked for me, and there are owners who have many more rounds than I do down range that also report zero problems. If you use the "search" button, there are many threads, including videos showing the barrel substitution and even range sessions. You will need to make up your own mind whether you want to do this or not.

Wee Hooker · Jan 27, 2013

JoeyEcko said:
The M&P does not come with interchangeable barrel but if you purchase the M&P40 ou can shoot 357 sig with only purchasing the barrel from the 357 and you could also shoot 9mm with the purchase of the 9mm barrel and magazine both cases use original S&W barrels much cheaper than conversion barrels and cant beat S&W own. Notice; it does not work the other way around cant shoot .40 s&w with the M&P 9mm or 357

Right on the $!

However, since the OP mentioned this was for his/her spouse, it is worth noting that both the 40 and especially the 357 sig can be pretty "snappy" in the compact version. (Read: not so much fun and harder to get a decent follow up shot for most folks. ) Unless she ( or even a "he") has a high tolerance for recoil, I'd say get the 9mm and save your money for practice ammo. At least test fire ANY compact 40 or 357 sig to know what your getting into BEFORE buying. ( BTW, you check ammo prices too. You'll be shocked at 357 sig prices!)

lightsluvr · Jan 27, 2013

Wee Hooker said:
Right on the $!

However, since the OP mentioned this was for his/her spouse, it is worth noting that both the 40 and especially the 357 sig can be pretty "snappy" in the compact version. (Read: not so much fun and harder to get a decent follow up shot for most folks. ) Unless she ( or even a "he") has a high tolerance for recoil, I'd say get the 9mm and save your money for practice ammo. At least test fire ANY compact 40 or 357 sig to know what your getting into BEFORE buying. ( BTW, you check ammo prices too. You'll be shocked at 357 sig prices!)

Took her to LGS tonight and that is what she decided. We're going to acquire a S&W M&P 9mm and let 'er ride.

I thought she had fired my younger son's 40 S&W, but not so. She has only fired my older son's Glock 9mm service handgun. She did shoot 100 rounds through a Sig 9mm at the range, so I think we have the fit. She does NOT want the compact - she wants the real deal MP 9mm.

No more "toy guns" (her words).

LL

robkarrob · Jan 27, 2013

Yes the barrels are a drop in conversion. Buy a 40 and you can purchase the 357 or 9mm barrels for around $75 each. They are not conversion barrels, per say. S&W makes barrels, not conversion barrels. The 357 barrel is an exact fit, same outside dimensions as the 40 barrel. The 9mm barrel has the same outside dimensions except for a slightly more narrow tang/tab at the top rear of the barrel, at the sight hole. It fits into the 40 slide with a slightly more rear barrel side to side clearance. I have a Shield 40 with a 9mm barrel and it works perfectly, and is just as accurate as with the 40 barrel.

Check with S&W at 800 331-0852 ext 4125. They have started selling Shield barrels at $61 plus $6.50 shipping. Larger barrels are likely going to be slightly more expensive. Don't ask for a conversion barrel. Ask for a replacement or backup barrel for your gun. Must order the same size that you want to replace the barrel: full size, compact, or Shield barrel. I know that sounds like common knowledge, but I can see someone with a compact calling in and getting a FS barrel, or vice versa.

Bob

bobnieder · Jan 27, 2013

lightsluvr, it sounds like you have thought this through, and really want a 100% 9mm barrel with no changes, so that your wife gets exactly what she wants.

Congratulations on working through the process and not just going ahead on assumptions. I hope that she loves her new M&P -- it's a fine pistol. If you want to get a multi-caliber gun for your self, sometime in the future, keep what rob shared in mind. He and Smitty both gave me tips that got me started with .40/9mm M&P fun, and rob knows what he is talking about.

Enjoy!

lightsluvr · Jan 28, 2013

This has been a great thread for us... surprisingly, after a trip to the range and renting both handguns, she went with the Model 209300 40 caliber!

It comes with (2) 15 round magazines. Any suggestions on where to pick up two more?

Thanks, folks!

LL

Dixiejack · Feb 7, 2013

Don't mean to hijack your post, but I have a similar question. Can the M&P in .40 SW be converted to .38 Super? Would just a barrel change work or would there be extractor problems due to the rebated rim on the .38 Super?

OKFC05 · Feb 7, 2013

Dixiejack said:
Can the M&P in .40 SW be converted to .38 Super? Would just a barrel change work or would there be extractor problems due to the rebated rim on the .38 Super?

Since there is no S&W M&P barrel made for .38 Super, you are now into custom gunsmithing and probably need to post in the gunsmithing section.
My first impression is that the .38 Super will not fit any M&P magazines, and the mag well likewise is too short. The max length on a .38 Super is 1.280 while the 9mm is 1.169. The breech face would likewise need rework.

Dixiejack · Feb 7, 2013

That answers my questions. I don't want to buy a a new CORE and then spend as much again or more to get another .38 Super that I already have two of. I don't have a .40 S&W, I will just go that route. Damn, I'm gonna have to get back into rolling my own ammo. Thanks.

M&P Barrel/Caliber changes?

lightsluvr

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