40 to 9 conversion

[tdstout88]

Alright, I know this has probably been beaten to death, but I'm looking to convert my m&p40 compact to 9mm. I've heard that you can use a factory 9 barrel as opposed to an actual conversion barrel, and that its cheaper too.

The only problem is I can't find a factory 9 barrel, other than a Wilson combat brand.

My question is will this work to or am I missing something? Is this a good brand?

I would actually prefer a threaded barrel but can't find one of those anywhere.

 

[tdstout88]

Well, I know it's been all of maybe five minutes since I posted that, but I just found a threaded storm Lake 9mm barrel on Midway. It's not a conversion barrel, but would it still work? Is about 30 bucks more than the Wilson, so if they would both fit I will probably go with the threaded storm Lake.

 

[robkarrob]

It works but stock 9mm barrels are impossible to find. Look to Storm Lake or KKM barrels. They do not make Shield barrels.

Bob

 

[Smitty357]

As long as its a 9c barrel. Yes it will work. Doesnt matter if its a factory barrel or a conversion barrel. They both work just fine.

 

[tdstout88]

So it doesn't matter that it's not Smith&Wesson brand? I really didn't figure that it would make a difference, but I didn't want to shell out the money without knowing for sure.

 

[Smitty357]

So it doesn't matter that it's not Smith&Wesson brand? I really didn't figure that it would make a difference, but I didn't want to shell out the money without knowing for sure.

That is correct.

Its only important that its a 9c barrel. The name brand is just up to u and ur pocket book.

 

[tectrry]

The main question has been answered but if you want some experiences as well I can add mine. I got a stock 9c S&W barrel for my 40c back when you could still find them and shot probably 1500 rounds through it for practice and fun, but when I started carrying it, I put the 40 barrel back into it and haven't used the 9c barrel again. Now I have the 9c barrel and six 9c magazines sitting around collecting dust. So I guess my point is why do you actually want to get a 9mm barrel? After having it both ways I ended up going back to 40. (I also have a full size 9 and a Shield in 9 so I get plenty of 9mm shooting without needing my compact to be 9 too).

Not trying to be a pain - just sharing my experience.

 

[scattershot]

I got my factory s&W barrel from Midway last year, but they are pretty scarce. About $70, IIRC.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[rbuzz]

I realize that everyone has his own opinion on this, but I too have thought about converting my 40c to 9MM. Then when I added up the price of the parts to do it (conversion barrel $130-140, plus the cost of new magazines approximately $25-30 each (I like to have about 4)), I figured that it would cost be almost $250 to convert to 9MM so that I could save a couple of cents per shot.
I guess if you shoot enough, over a period of time, you might recover the costs for the conversion, but for me it wasn't worth it. Besides, for a few dollars more you can buy a second M&P in the 9MM that you want and have M&Ps in both calibers. To each their own.

 

[scattershot]

You make a good point, but for me the ammo cost is immaterial, since I reload both calibers. I got the conversion mainly for the versatility.

 

[tdstout88]

I really don't have a need for the 9mm barrel, I just want one. I currently don't have a pistol in 9mm, and I figured that this would be the cheapest route. Plus I think it would be kinda cool to have two guns in one.

It wouldn't be for carrying or defense, just plinking and practice.

 

[robkarrob]

If you could find the stock S&W 9mm barrel for about $70-80, that may be all you need. A two caliber gun for that price, is a bargain. I find the 9mm rounds feed fine when using my Shield 40 mags. I only use the 9mm conversion for practice and plinking, as I always carry in 40S&W. Some people have stated they sometimes get jams feeding the last 9mm round from the mag, when using their 40 magazines. I bought a couple of 9mm mags, but found I didn't need them as the 9mm rounds fed fine using my 40 mags. If your only going to use the 9mm for practice, etc., then you don't have to buy the 9mm mags. If you have the jamming issue, just stop and reload the mag before that last round is stripped.

Bob

 

[Eagle 477]

Anyone find a .357 sig conversion?

 

[Bergy24]

I realize that everyone has his own opinion on this, but I too have thought about converting my 40c to 9MM. Then when I added up the price of the parts to do it (conversion barrel $130-140, plus the cost of new magazines approximately $25-30 each (I like to have about 4)), I figured that it would cost be almost $250 to convert to 9MM so that I could save a couple of cents per shot.
I guess if you shoot enough, over a period of time, you might recover the costs for the conversion, but for me it wasn't worth it. Besides, for a few dollars more you can buy a second M&P in the 9MM that you want and have M&Ps in both calibers. To each their own.

When I bought my 9mm barrel it was about $100 shipped. At the time .40 ammo (around $.50) was double the price of 9mm (around $.25) I bought 500 rounds of 9 mm and it basically paid for my barrel with the savings compared to the price of the .40. So to me, the 9mm barrel was a wise choice. It's also nice to let the women in the family (first time shooters) use the 9mm rather than the snappy .40. I also found a 357sig barrel, so now I have 3 calibers in one gun. Who can ague with that?

 

[Engineer1911]

The other conversion

On your Dillon 550 to change from 9 MM to 40 S&W, keep the shell plate, change out the buttons to the ones for 38 SPL, and change your sizing, seating, and crimp dies. Powder measure will need adjustment to get correct mouth bell with 9 MM insert.

 

[78Staff]

I picked up a S&W 9mm and 357sig barrel, a few extra 40/357 mags and a few 9mm mags. Didn't "need" them, just like the idea of having the option to shoot any of the three calibers with a simple barrel change.

S&W oem barrels are getting hard to find, S&W won't sell them direct anymore, and if the c/s rep was correct, they are not filling orders to retailers anymore either, ie Midway, Brownel's, etc. I was lucky in that I got a 9mm barrel ordered right at the lockdown, and was able to get a 357sig from a 3rd party. But they are getting hard to find *in stock* for sure.

Grant at G&R Tactical shows 9mm barrels in stock, fwiw. I'd call first though, stock levels on that sight aren't accurate sometimes I've found.

 

[scattershot]

Slightly off subject, but for anyone contemplating a conversion, it can be done from .40 to 9mm, but not the other way around. Something to do with the breechface, I'm told.

 

[PapaBear9x19]

Does anyone have one of the wilson barrels in their converted 40? Interested in impressions and experiences.

 

[Johnmuratore]

I've got the KKM 40-9 conversion barrel and love it. Yeah, it wasn't cheap but neither am I. Its a well made, precision barrel and I've never had a single problem with it.

I've never seen a 9-40 conversion barrel. I've heard on here that the 40 slide is beefier but I can't swear to that although I've got both the 9c and 40c. I do know that they both use the same recoil guide rod and spring.

 

[pugh08]

I've been thinking of going with the conversion for a while just haven't made up my mind yet but my question is, will a 4.25 inch barrel work in a compact.