Storm Lake 40-to-9 Compact Conversion Barrel

[f9dak9]

I was going to purchase a Storm Lake 40-to-9 Compact Conversion Barrel from Midway USA until I read the one and only review which stated that the barrel was not 'drop-in' and required gunsmithing.

Has anyone purchased this particular conversion barrel for their M&P 40 Compact? If so, what is your experience?

The Storm Lake website says that this conversion is 'drop-in and requires no gunsmithing.'

The reviewer on Midway USA website remarks are perplexing because I currently own a Glock 23 .40 caliber model which I purchased a Storm Lake 40-to-9 Conversion Barrel for. It 'drops-in' with no issues and did not require any gunsmithing. I just dropped it in and and starting using it (of course I had to purchase 9mm mags to do so). Incredibly accurate, fit and finish.

I appreciate any feedback on this issue. Thanks.

Dr. C.

 

[f9dak9]

Sent Storm Lake an email after I posted the initial thread. David from SL said that ALL M&P barrels made by them are 'DROP-IN & REQUIRE NO MODIFICATIONS.'

I'm going to buy the conversion barrel and let the forum know once I get it and try to install it.

 

[ptiller]

I am looking to do the same. I would be interested in how this works for you.

 

[8th SPS USAF]

40 to 9 bbl

I am thinking of getting one for my 40FS . Waiting to hear. On a forum

someone stated the SL bbl shot low in his gun. I do not remember

which gun. Maybe op err? Thank you

8th

 

[f9dak9]

Thanks for the responses, I will update soon

I'll be ordering the SL 40to9 Compact Conversion barrel tomorrow, but won't be able to DROS my new 40C until the 24th, then pick it up 10 days later, then get to the range to fire it with the conversion (California gun laws are insane). As soon as I do, I'll post my findings that evening. Stay tuned...

As far as accuracy, I'll hoping that it's just as accurate as my SL 40to9 conversion barrel for my Glock 23. It's capable of greater accuracy than the 40 barrel that came with the pistol. Part of that is the amazing fit/tolerances of the SL barrel and that 9mm is easier for me to control. And as far as dependable, I have 300 down the SL barrel in my G23 and I've never had an FTF or FTE. Just perfect.

 

[f9dak9]

Update

Got the SL 9mm Conversion Barrel for M&P 40C. Will pickup M&P 40C on 10/4. Will test on 10/15 and post results.

 

[Rooski41]

I'm thinking of this for my M&P C also. Will be interested in your results...

 

[f9dak9]

Results

Finally got to put the SL 9mm conversion barrel through it's paces and I'm very happy to report that I shot 200 rounds through it this past Friday. Here's the details...

50 rounds of Remington Gold Dot JHP
50 rounds of Winchester PDX1 JHP
50 rounds of Hornady TAP JHP
50 rounds of Winchester FMJ

All fired without any FTF or FTE. I will use my Compact most of the time as a 9mm loaded with Hornady TAP JHP.

I can't say enough positive things about SL barrels-reliable, fit, finish-amazing.

One other thing, I also shot it with the factory 40 barrel and put a 100 rounds of UMC down range through it and had one FTE!

 

[f9dak9]

One other thing...

The recoil of the 9 was significant. I definitely shot tighter groups with it. The 40 compact barrel on the other hand was not as snappy as I thought it was going to be. It to was manageable for it 3.5" length and shot decent small groups. Overall, I will probably use my compact more as a 9 with some effective JHP for SD.

PS. sent in my rebate for two 9mm compact mags on 9/24 and just got them in the mail today. That was faster than my last rebate which took four weeks to get two full size 40 mags.

 

[Kanewpadle]

You need to try 357Sig next.

 

[ptiller]

The recoil of the 9 was significant. I definitely shot tighter groups with it. The 40 compact barrel on the other hand was not as snappy as I thought it was going to be. It to was manageable for it 3.5" length and shot decent small groups. Overall, I will probably use my compact more as a 9 with some effective JHP for SD.

PS. sent in my rebate for two 9mm compact mags on 9/24 and just got them in the mail today. That was faster than my last rebate which took four weeks to get two full size 40 mags.

Thanks for giving us this feedback on the conversion barrel.

I saw you mentioned the 9 recoil was significant. Can you expand on this? How did it compare to the orginal 40 barrel in recoil and controlability?

 

[JayKay1947]

INTRODUCTION

Hey everyone... New to the forum. Especially interested in this Storm Lake conversion topic. Just purchased an M&P compact 40 cal. What are the reviews on converting to a 9mm for target shooting since ammo is less expensive. Plan to carry as 40 cal. however.

 

[JayKay1947]

INTRODUCTION

Hey Everyone, New to the forum. Especially interested in the Storm Lake 9mm conversion kit for an M&P compact 40 cal. that I just purchased. Any reviews on your experience?

Thanks

 

[epj]

Is the breach face on a 9 and 40 the same? Reason I'm wondering is can you go in the other direction, ie convert a 9mm to 40? I suspect the 9mm breachface is smaller and that this mod isn't possible, but ya never know for sure until you ask.

 

[JayKay1947]

I have been doing a little research on this, even emailed Storm Lake. Their marketing guy responded by said that all you have to do is buy the conversion kit along with S&W 9mm factory magazine and you're in business, no need for a gunsmith. Think you are right, cannot go from 9mm to 40. That was a question as well for me, however that option is NOT offered on the site.

 

[PersonalSecurity]

Is the breach face on a 9 and 40 the same? Reason I'm wondering is can you go in the other direction, ie convert a 9mm to 40? I suspect the 9mm breachface is smaller and that this mod isn't possible, but ya never know for sure until you ask.

I'm almost positive it will not work. Another thing to keep in mind, that I have yet to prove but will one day when I get my hands on a .40 M&P at the range, is the .40 mags will most likely run 9mm.

The round markers will be useless, but I remember back during the AWB days, people would buy Beretta .40 mags for their 9mm guns to squeeze in 12 rounds. Reliability can be iffy on certain magazines, but I believe the M&P .40 mags would run 9mm just fine. And it makes a conversion a little more affordable.

Anyone here that can try this?

Stevehttp://www.psholsters.com

 

[sawmap40]

Storm Lake 40 to 9

Tried it yesterday and was fairly happy with its performance. Shot 80 rounds. I also noticed more "kick" than with my usual 40 shooting (these were 115 grain and I usually shoot 185 in the 40s).

Unfortunately, I had 3 ejection problems. Not sure if it was the magazine (new S&W model) or the ammo (Federal from Walmart and Independence from the range store - to test two kinds).

Anyway, I'm happy with the money I spent for the two items.

jh

 

[8th SPS USAF]

SL conv bbl

Question: Anyone who bought a Storm Lake 40/9 conv bbl for MP,

have a bbl ramp that looks like it was sheared off? I bought a used

bbl from a guy on another forum and after I cleaned it, I found the

bottom of the ramp ruff and looked like it was cut with a big shear.

I think I have it smoothed out and will try it out soon. Test it Sat

with dummy rounds and see if it will feed. Thank you

8th

PS: No reply from the guy who I bought it from?

 

[Knochen]

Problems with Storm Lake Barrel

I just received a SL conversion barrel from personalsecurityzone.com, but it was most definitely not drop-in ready. It seemed to go in nicely with the spring tension rod, but then I could not pull the slide all the way back for the release lever to turn in that area machined in the side of the slide for that purpose. With great effort was I able to turn the release lever back to the horizontal position to get ready to fire. Then with a 9mm magazine inserted and drawing back on the slide, a bullet would not chamber. Again with great effort because I couldn't pull the slide all the way back, it was a struggle to turn the slide release. Once I did, the slide would not go forward until I hit it with the palm of my hand. Taking the barrel out to compare with the .40 cal barrel, I noticed that the S&W barrel is beveled on the top and bottom (more on the top), and the SL barrel wasn't beveled at all on the crown at the base of the cylinder part of the barrel. I don't know if that was the problem, or maybe the machining at the other end. I emailed Personal Security and they were very apologetic and suggested first that I contact Storm Lake and went on to say that they were having many customers complain about Storm Lake--so much so that they may consider dropping them from their inventory. I just called Storm Lake and they, too, were very apologetic and sent me an RA and mailing label for an exchange. We'll see what happens from here, and I'll post. I think we will all be interested in how this comes out because no gun-smithing should be required on a "drop-in, ready to use" barrel. They are pricey enough.

 

[7strider77]

I've used a Storm lake 9-40 conversion in my .40c quite a bit (probably less than a thousand rounds, but getting there). Here are a few answers from my experience:

To the last post, my barrel functioned well out of the box, but I know of others that did not. In every case Storm Lake made good, and did so quickly.

Fit and finish is not great. I've yet to see one (including mine) that is completely smooth and uniform, but the vast majority seem to function fine. That's all relative anyway, we're not shooting high-end target pistols here!

You cannot convert from 9mm to .40, only from .40 down to either 9 or .357Sig.

You have to use 9mm mags, but if you convert down to .357, your .40's will work fine (they're actually the same).

I've had way to many failures to eject to use this conversion as a defense tool, but its quite reliable enough to practice with, and certainly reduces the cost for non-re-loaders! In fact, its good to have a FTE once in awhile, just to make sure you're ready to deal with it! My .40's have been "completely" reliable for thousands of rounds, so I don't get any practice with malfunctions unless I design the problem!
Its my humble opinion that the cause of the FTE's is directly related to why you can only convert "up" in caliber, and not down. The ejector is simply further away from center on a .40 than on a 9, so its not getting quite as firm a hold on it.
Again, if I was going to actually "use" a 9mm for self-defense, I'd buy another M&P in that caliber. The conversion is just not up to par with the real thing.

The 9mm barrel is equally accurate in my compact.

I experience the reduced recoil of the 9mm. I'm not sure what's happening in previous posts that mention an increase in recoil, the 9mm kicks less than the .40, all other things being relatively equal.

I really like mine, and think its a fun addition to the toybox! I would not pay market value, but made the conversion for about a hundred (barrel & mag) by patiently watching the web.