Federal Glock barrels (40sw to 9mm conversion)

[DrBaker]

I ordered a Federal conversion barrel (9mm) for my G22 today. Got the Glock-Doc special.

Has anyone tried one of these? I read on GT that they are better than factory. We all know better than to believe everything we read over there.

Anybody have luck with just doing the conversion barrel swap with a 9mm magazine. I'm prepared to swap the ejector if necessary, but it would be nice just to drop in a barrell and change the magazine.

[Michael Brown]

One word:

DON'T.

Aftermarket barrels for Glocks are not "better" than the factory barrel. There are advantages to some aftermarket barrels for certain Glocks (i.e. the 45 and 10mm) in regards to case support, but for the 9mm/40/357 Glocks there is nothing good about an aftermarket barrel.

When you shoot one against a stock barrel from a Ransom Rest, the difference is so miniscule that its irrelevent.

I can't shoot up to the factory barrel's potential and I'm a pretty good shooter. There are probably only two or three people in this state who warrant an accurized barrel for a Glock and none of those people shoot Glocks.

Plus, all the aftermarket barrels are less reliable than the factory barrel because of the tighter tolerances. If you just can't live without an aftermarket barrel, get a Bar-Sto as it is the most reliable aftermarket choice.

And yes, you will need to change the ejector if you want reliablity. I ran a 40 ejector in my Glock 17 for about two years without any problems but that was with the factory barrel and its looser tolerances.

Michael Brown

[DrBaker]

My reason for buying wasn't to get improved accuracy. I was just hoping that would be a bonus.

I want the conversion to save money on ammo. I also like the convenience of buying one ammo to feed multiple guns. Most of the guns I take to the range are 9mm.

[J.P.]

I'm going to get one for my G23 pretty soon.
Actually they are *better* than the factory barrel becausr the factory doesn't make a 40-9mm conversion barrel. ;)

As far as accuracy,you won't notice.
I wouldn't notice,and if Mike doesn't notice frankly none of us will.

[DrBaker]

I'll save about $4/box on ammo. I imagine I will have saved enough in 6 months to pay for the barrel.

[firing pin]

I have barto bbl for my 17 & 34 they are tighter.

[DrBaker]

One word:

DON'T.




hmmm. Wouldn't that really be two words???? :wink2:

[Michael Brown]

A contraction is one word. :wink2:

Michael Brown

[ssgrock3]

I ordered a .40 and a 9mm conversion barrels for my G32. cleaned out the safe, recovered some $$ (from having multiples of same sized pistols) and essentially still have those pistols (at least in caliber) though the slide has 32 on it and not 19 or 23. Heck of a deal. Glock Doc gave a deal as well, have to wait a week for the 9mm barrel. But I will keep you all posted

[TulsaGunGuy]

One word:

DON'T.

Aftermarket barrels for Glocks are not "better" than the factory barrel. There are advantages to some aftermarket barrels for certain Glocks (i.e. the 45 and 10mm) in regards to case support, but for the 9mm/40/357 Glocks there is nothing good about an aftermarket barrel.

When you shoot one against a stock barrel from a Ransom Rest, the difference is so miniscule that its irrelevent.

I can't shoot up to the factory barrel's potential and I'm a pretty good shooter. There are probably only two or three people in this state who warrant an accurized barrel for a Glock and none of those people shoot Glocks.

Plus, all the aftermarket barrels are less reliable than the factory barrel because of the tighter tolerances. If you just can't live without an aftermarket barrel, get a Bar-Sto as it is the most reliable aftermarket choice.

And yes, you will need to change the ejector if you want reliablity. I ran a 40 ejector in my Glock 17 for about two years without any problems but that was with the factory barrel and its looser tolerances.

Michael Brown

Mike you are so humble...

[DrBaker]

Just received my conversion barrel. I called Glock Doc Thursday at 12pm and the barrel was in my mailbox today, Saturday 10am. 46hours is very reasonable.

Now I just need to go try it out.

[J.P.]

I just bought one over at GT.
Probably bee 2 weeks before i get it but i couldn't beat the price.

[DrBaker]

:wink2: I heard some folks on GT talking about how accurate these 9mm conversion barrels are. They said the average shooter will get about 2 inch groups at 100yds. I'm so excited to try it out. :wink2:

[J.P.]

I will never know because I cannot shoot that good.

[DrBaker]

I will never know because I cannot shoot that good.

I can't even see 100yds out. It doesn't matter, the guy who sold me the barrel guaranteed 2in groups at 100yds for everybody that uses it. I can't lose. :wink2: :wink2: :wink2:

[DrBaker]

I put 100rds throught it this morning. It ran perfectly.

So far, I've saved $8 on ammo. This thing will be paid for soon.

[Michael Brown]

:wink2: I heard some folks on GT talking about how accurate these 9mm conversion barrels are. They said the average shooter will get about 2 inch groups at 100yds. I'm so excited to try it out. :wink2:

Anyone who says that is either a liar or a crack smoker.

The very best Bianchi Cup guns barely get about 2 inches at 50 yards and that is a custom built gun by the best in the world with a hand-picked barrel.

No Glock or any other pistol is capable of 2 inches at 50 yards. :screwy:

That's 2MOA which is about average for an AR-15.

Michael Brown

[DrBaker]

I used 2 :wink2: :wink2: in order to let everyone know that the comment was not serious.

[Michael Brown]

Gotcha! :wink2: :wink2: :wink2:

3 :wink2: to acknowledge that I understand..........now. :wink2:

Michael Brown

[ssgrock3]

Doc have you shot that thing yet? I still have two on order, was just wondered if yours was a direct drop in?

[DrBaker]

Doc have you shot that thing yet? I still have two on order, was just wondered if yours was a direct drop in?


Yep. See post #16 at the top of the page.

Direct drop in with no problems.

[hidoa]

Did you need the 9mm ejector? Or just the conversion barrel and new mags??

[Glocktogo]

Did you need the 9mm ejector? Or just the conversion barrel and new mags??

I have (had?) one and it ran fine with just 9mm mags. IIRC, there was a point of impact difference. I may still have it, I just haven't seen it in a while. I have a threaded Lone Wolf now for the can.

[DrBaker]

Did you need the 9mm ejector? Or just the conversion barrel and new mags??

Just the barrel and mags.


(3 year thread bumpage)

[J.P.]

Did you need the 9mm ejector? Or just the conversion barrel and new mags??

That is entirely dependent on the individual gun/barrel.
To achieve 99% reliability with the 40-to-9 conversion barrels you will need:
9mm ejector
9mm extractor
9mm Spring loaded bearing,spring,and rod
And of course 9mm mags

That is not to say that some guns will not run reliably without all of those particular parts swapped out, but it is the best way to guarantee optimal results.
Additionally, if you are using the conversion barrel in your carry gun to practice with, I would definitely change out the aforementioned parts and here's why:
While the 9mm conversion might run fine with the 40 ejector & extractor, the case of the 9mm round will obviously contact the 40 parts in a slightly different area. This can cause a wear pattern on those parts and can jeopardize them for carry...a time where you will want your weapon to function 99%.
that is something that need to be considered if you are serious about reliability in a self defense situation.

I've had a couple of the Federal 40-to-9 conversions and one would run fine with all .40S&W parts, and the other needed the 9mm parts to work.

[hidoa]

Thanks for the good info!

[ttown]

I've been using the "Lone Wolf" CB in my G23 for 2 years along with an AA .22 conversion and they both work great. I wouldn't carry it for protection but it's really cuts down on the cost of shooting. They shoot every bit as good as my Glock barrel. Make sure you really lube the barrel and shoot a box of hot loads to break it in. You can also use emery cloth to break it in. Expect a few FTE's at first but if this is a range gun it'll give you some practice. I can use either the G23 or G19 mags. Nothing else is needed, don't listen to others claiming you have to charge internal parts, you don't.

Really the most important thing is you shoot and can afford to shoot. I'd really consider the AA kit and shot Remington Golden Bullets. You can shoot all day for under $10. I run 4 mags of .22 and then 1 mag of .40 or 9mm. I have a G19 and a G23 so I don't even have to change slides, it's a great combo IMO.

[olyeller]

You just never know until you try it.

[hidoa]

I plan on conceal carrying the conversion to 9...think I'll be alright?

[Glocktogo]

Well I have to ask, why would you want to CCW a 9mm conversion, when you could CCW the factory .40 barrel instead? More power and less likelihood of a malf. I can understand wanting to convert for range use or to suppress, but I wouldn't do it on the street. JMO

[J.P.]

I plan on conceal carrying the conversion to 9...think I'll be alright?

No I don't.
All you are doing is increasing the likelyhood of a malfunction when you need the gun the most.
There is really no reason to convert for self defense since the .40 has better terminal ballistics and you won't notice any difference in recoil between the two if you ever need to use it.

[poncaguy]

I have a Glock 22 with 357 Sig and 9mm barrels. Different magazine for the 9mm. All 3 barrels work fine and are accurate enough for me..........no problems of any kind.....