Can my Springfield Armory Loaded Target 9mm be converted to .40?

[Sailormilan2]

If starting with a 40 S&W gun(or 10mm) and going smaller(9mm/38 Super/9x23) one needs to change the barrel, recoil spring, and magazine.
If starting with a 9mm and going up to 40/10, one needs to change the slide, barrel, recoil spring(10mm requires heaver main spring/hammer spring), and magazine. That is assuming the breech face on the 9mm is cut only for 9mm/38 Super. If the breech face is already a 40 cal, then new slide is not needed. Ejector may need to be shortened, if the 9mm ejector is the long Colt style.
If starting with a Government model 45 acp and going down, then a new slide, ejector, barrel, recoil spring, and mag is needed. If one wants the ability to switch between the 45 acp and others, then the Government slide must have its ejector slot milled to widen it to fit the new ejector. Commander style guns usually don't need this step.
Colt style 9mm ejectors are very long, and need to be either trimmed, or replaced, to allow the longer cartridges to work.
40 S&W and 10mm will work out of a 10mm magazine. 9mm, 38 Super, and 9x23 will work out of a 38 Super magazine.

[protohyp]

I know this is probably not relevant as the guns are completely different but I've done this and have tested this across multiple guns from P series sigs, XDM's, Canik's and M&Ps and Glocks

Basically I started with a .40 cal gun and purchase a conversion barrel with no issues from extraction, feeding or firing. I also compressed the feed lips lightly to hold a 9mm round in a .40 mag. Then I shaved back on the .40 follower to top out higher so there are no feed issues using a .40 mag with a 9mm round. for me this has been zero issue with all the guns mentioned above.

From there I tested accuracy on all guns using a .40 slide with a 9mm barrel across the 5 M&P's that I own and all were just as accurate as the conversion barrel. I personally like the conversion barrel because its almost like a bull barrel for a 9mm. Your mileage may vary but for me the breach face tolerances as well as the extractors were negligible.

I know plenty would debate me here on doing this as its certainly not suggested by any manufacturer or anyone else but i'm here to tell you IF you know what you're doing depending on the gun it would be fine. I've never had any lockup issues nor any catastrophic failures on any of the guns with 20K+ rounds each gun.

That being said I know 1911 platforms are a different animal even if you keep the platform as it is so as I stated in the beginning its probably not relevant.

[RugerNo1]

Trying to shoot major is USPSA?

[jsigone]

Might be cheaper to find a tac sport in 40 haha

[Robert1234]

[Tango_Down]

Friends don't let friends shoot .40 cal.

[cindynles]

I believe the Kimber 9mm 1911 has a breachface that is cut for 40 so you will just need a barrel and ejector. Springfield will need a new top end.

[CifaldiPrecision]

I believe the Kimber 9mm 1911 has a breachface that is cut for 40 so you will just need a barrel and ejector. Springfield will need a new top end.

[alland]

Thanks, can it be opened up?

A 9mm slide can be opened up to a 40. I modified one years ago just to see if I could. It was probably about 1990. I can't remember my setup after all these years, but from what i remember I don't think that I would do it again. It was time consuming for a one time job. It would not be too bad if one could tool up for doing more than one or two.

[CifaldiPrecision]

[M1XdColt]

Just mod it by taking a drill bit and measure the outer size barrel of a 40. This is what most of the manufacturer do with their CNC machine.

[CifaldiPrecision]

Just mod it by taking a drill bit and measure the outer size barrel of a 40. This is what most of the manufacturer do with their CNC machine.

[ysr_racer]

Sounds like all I need is a .40 magazine, and I'm good to go. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Robert1234]

Sounds like all I need is a .40 magazine, and I'm good to go. Thanks for all the suggestions.

And a barrel, and maybe a bushing. And a mill. And a bit of talent with a mill. Then easy-peasy.

[Exiledviking]

One thing to bear in mind is that the .40 S&W is notorious for being finicky in single-stack 1911s.