Posted: 11/10/2014 1:35:01 AM EDT
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My friend recently got a 229 in .40, and wants to convert it to 9mm.
I'm under the impression that he needs the caliber exchange kit, but he says he was told he just needed a barrel and recoil spring. + mag(s). Which is true? (I don't have a 229, and I don't shoot da' 40). |
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After some more research, my new understanding is this:
If it were JUST for range use it might be OK to go with the .40 slide for shooting 9mm, but for SD/HD its not reliable. The breach face on the 40 slide is slightly wider to accommodate the wider 40 brass. This puts the extractor a little further away, and while it may work most of the time, it may not reliably work all the time. Further, the front sight on the 40 slide is sized differently than what is on the 9mm slide. This can be compensated for when shooting 9 on the 40 slide, if you remeber to do so under stress, but again less than ideal and the problem goes away with the proper 9mm slide. Finally, most 40 mags will work with 9mm, but the rounds will be a little loose, and could potentionally flip in the mag. Unfortunately not ALL 40 mags will function flawlessly all the time, and may not lock back on empty, so again, OK for range, not so good for defense. Are my assumptions correct? |