Sig P226R 9mm Conversion Barrel

[Beee Ceee]

What I've read is a Sig P226 40 cal can be converted to a 9mm. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this and what you thought? I want to get a P226R but have been going back and forth with what caliber I should get. If this works out I'll just get the P226R in .40 cal and purchase the conversion barrel.

Thanks for your help!

[famebyassociatn]

the 40 cal can be converted to a 357 sig and vise versa

[flyingdrp]

Yep, Barsto makes a 9mm drop in barrel. Some of the later .40 Sigs need to have the recoil spring replaced with the 9mm spring. The 9mm round doesn't have power to fully cycle the slide with the stock .40 spring. You also need to buy 9mm mags. You can't convert a 9mm gun to shoot .40.
To finish answering your question: Yes, the set up works great.

[himurax13]

Yep, Barsto makes a 9mm drop in barrel. Some of the later .40 Sigs need to have the recoil spring replaced with the 9mm spring. The 9mm round doesn't have power to fully cycle the slide with the stock .40 spring. You also need to buy 9mm mags. You can't convert a 9mm gun to shoot .40.
To finish answering your question: Yes, the set up works great.

Does changing out the spring apply to the P229 9mm conversion as well? I thought you could use 9mm in the .40 S&W mags.

[matrix056]

EFK Firedragon also makes the 40 to 9mm conversion barrel for the P226. Their barrels run about $150.

[dg29]

Does changing out the spring apply to the P229 9mm conversion as well? I thought you could use 9mm in the .40 S&W mags.

Yes, changing the spring with the 9mm conversion barrel applies. It has a different cycling/timimg rate compared to the .40. No, you can't use 9mm rounds in a .40/.357 sig magazine. To test this, simple attempt to load 9mm rounds in a .40/.357 sig magazine

[.40Cal]

EFK Firedragon also makes the 40 to 9mm conversion barrel for the P226. Their barrels run about $150.

So what you're saying is that a .40 cal 226 can be converted to a 9mm, with JUST the change of barrel?

As someone mentioned about springs... even with springs, magazine, and barrel changed, would it be a good (realible/accurate) 9mm shooter (like if you bought it in a 9mm originally)

Thanks...

[bobnfloyd]

The gist of this conversion is this.

1) Change barrel, I hear MUCH better things about the Bar-Sto one than EFK Firedragon.
2) Buy 9mm mags, the 40 mags might work, but some people have feed problems. You can get these at GregCoteLLC.com, he's a stand up guy, the Mec-Gar mags are exactly the same as Sig OEM MFG Mags.
3) You may need to chance the recoil spring, some people have had it work either way.

If you do all 3, it'll probably be the highest reliability setup of a converted 9.

[Beee Ceee]

Is it worth just purchasing the 40 cal P226 and convert to the 9mm "IF" at some point I don't like the 40cal...OR...sell it and get the P226 in the caliber that it was intended?

I can't find much information on whether a 9mm P226 can be converted to .40cal. Only the other way..

[.40Cal]

Is it worth just purchasing the 40 cal P226 and convert to the 9mm "IF" at some point I don't like the 40cal...OR...sell it and get the P226 in the caliber that it was intended?

I can't find much information on whether a 9mm P226 can be converted to .40cal. Only the other way..

I'm learning ALL this too as we go... but one thing - you CAN'T change the 9mm to 40. You CAN change the 40 to 9mm. Hope that answers the 1st part of your question.

Now, I think what you're really asking is - Is it 'Okay' to change the 40 to 9mm (does the this conversion work flawlessly, as a 226 is 'supposed' to work), or should a person just sell the 40 and buy a 9mm (as the guns were originally intended to be...

I'm in the same boat as you - looking into buying a 226R, but can't decide the caliber. Both calibers have Pros and Cons (that's another topic, though). I'd like to know about this 'Conversion' thing too (40 converted to 9mm)... How well does it work ?!!!!

P.S: I'd read somewhere you might have to get then entire 'upper' for 9mm, including slide, springs, magazine, barrel, ejector : Complete upper. I'm not sure now, if this conversion will work well with "JUST" a barrel, mags, & springs change only.

[flyingdrp]

The 40 to 9mm conversion works perfect. just switch barrel, mags and some need the spring as well. Slide and ejector stay the same. I think Sig makes a conversion kit that includes an entire new upper. It's a real quick change with an entire replacment upper.

[gun fu]

Works great!!!

I use a Glock 35 in USPSA/ IDPA
.40 S&W in Limited Class. For practice and club matches I put in a 9mm Conversion barrel and use 9mm Glock magazines.

Reason why it works is this:
Breach face on your .40 S&W is approximately 0.422
9mm breach face ....................approx.............0.391
= -0.031 apprx

As you can see there is thirty one thousandths of an inch difference, which is minute. The extractor can still grab the 9mm rim with no troubles.

Barrel conversions are just that. Outside dimensions are similar to your factory .40 s&w but chambered for 9mm.

On the other hand,the lips on the .40 magazine may be too wide to contain the 9mm cartridges, affecting reliability.

I (knock on wood) has had very good luck with this conversion. Maybe not legal by rulebook standards but a great option nonetheless.

I would keep it as a range option but not make it Life dependent in case you use your Sig as a home defense, stick with the .40 S&W set up.

Enjoy the pistol and have fun!

Gun Fu

DVC

[aplinker]

What I've read is a Sig P226 40 cal can be converted to a 9mm. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this and what you thought? I want to get a P226R but have been going back and forth with what caliber I should get. If this works out I'll just get the P226R in .40 cal and purchase the conversion barrel.

Thanks for your help!

No issues with my Bar Sto & 9mm mags.

I'd rather have a true 9mm, but since I got a good deal on the P226ST in .40, I decided to suck it up.

[kenjimatic]

I had the little brother(P229R) in .40 S&W and got the barsto 9mm and P228 mags. I use the .40 spring and it still works fine, but would recomend getting the spring if you are going to use it for home defense.