Barrel sleeving

[Hoplophile]

I have a 4003TSW which I have convinced myself I need to convert to .357 SIG. The most practical method appears to be to sleeve an existing .40 barrel. Then it looks like a simple barrel change will do it, giving me a switch-caliber pistol like my SIG P239 in .40/.357SIG.

Does anyone know of a shop that does that kind of barrel sleeving?

 

[WR Moore]

Don't know if sleeving is possible given the wall thicknesses and other critical dimensions. The sleeve would need a larger diameter shoulder or boss in the chamber area to locate/retain the sleeve. Basically, the sleeve would be an insert that goes into the current barrel and then would be chambered for the new cartridge. Given the bottle neck shape, it might be possible to do this if the shoulder created by the small cartridge neck is sufficient to withstand the pressures.

Given the liability involved, shopping for a conversion barrel might be easier and cheaper. "Might be possible" is not the same thing as a good idea.

 

[Aussie44]

I'm not positive if it will fit but have you ever thought of say a 5906 or another 9mm S&W barrel and have it re chambered to 357 Sig.Just an option if it fits in the slide.


Ken

 

[Hoplophile]

Mr Moore, the idead would be to ream the entire /40S&W barrel out to say .450" or .475", then press fit or sweat a .355 rifles liner in, followed by rechambering.

Aussie, the problem with the 5906 barrel is the fact that it uses a different bushing. That would be the easier way, but would limit the pistol to .357 SIG only -- a .40 barrel would not match the smaller 5906 bushing.

I've been spoiled with a P239 with both barrels, but I have a hankering for a full size .357 with the same flexibility as the SIG. I can go the SIG P229 route, at a little over $1000 for pistol plus spare barrel.

But I have a weakness for the traditional S&W design. I play with other pistols, but when push comes to shove, it's a Smith in the holster.

Maybe I should just sell my 4003 and 4013 and reinvest in a 229, but that's the easy way -- and I never do things the easy way!

 

[Aussie44]

If that's the only problem, You could get a cone made so the 5906 barrel will fit the slide and larger bushing then you could use both.Real easy to make.


Ken

 

[handgunner356]

There is a differance in the TSW bushings and earlier ones, but the 5900/4000 TSW series uses the same bushing. The other factor is the barrel hood width which varis on them. But the 5900TSW barrel rechambered to .357Sig is probably the better way to go.

 

[Hoplophile]

Anyone have a 5906TSW barrel they'd like to trade for an older 5906 barrel?