229 .40 to 9mm?

[Bizcuits]

Has anyone converted a 229 in .40 to 9mm? What was the overall experience? Some of the info I've found elsewhere points to potential ejection problems.

[savasyn]

Yes, I have a BarSto 9mm barrel for mine that I use on occasion. I've tried it both with 9mm mags and .40 mags. It'll work with both , but the .40 mags aren't 100% reliable with 9mm, the rounds sometimes get stuck down the mag tube. No issues at all with the 9mm mags, though.

I noticed POI was about an inch to the left compared to .40. Not sure what's up with that, but it was consistent, so I just compensate.

I never experienced any ejection issues, or any functional problems other than the previously mentioned stack jams with .40 mags.

[Bizcuits]

So the overall conversion was just a basic barrel swap and mag swap then?

[shortround1]

I'd drop a bit more dime and get a full conversion kit.

[savasyn]

So the overall conversion was just a basic barrel swap and mag swap then?

That's all I did. I only use it for a range toy in 9mm so it wasn't worth spending more time or money on and I haven't had any problems with it anyway.

[gadjeep]

i have a barsto for mine and it works flawlessly with both 40sw and 9mm mags. Only other mod I did was i put a wolff spring 1# lighter than stock. With 9mm sometimes it would shortstroke just enough to not stay open on the last round until I changed the spring, otherwise great. Still shoots to POI and reliable to boredom. If you can get a barrel (usually b/o'd), do it.

BTW, not sure what shortround means by full conversion kit, SIG doesn't offer one except in 22lr.

[sirgiles]

old thread.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=295569

[gorenut]

I think the general consensus for this is that unless you get the drop-in barrel machined specifically to your gun, a lot of times its the luck of the draw. For some guns it works flawlessly, other times, there are lots of FTE/FTF issues. Not speaking from personal experience, but I was at one point interested in doing this as well with my P226. Read up on other people's experiences and its what I gathered. I decided to just get a separate 9mm instead for just a little more money than plunking down for a full machined conversion kit. So take it for what its worth.

[himurax13]

I purchased an EFK Fire Dragon 9mm conversion barrel with compensators. It was the only EFK barrel that I have purchased that didn't give a boatload of problems. You definately need to use the 9mm Mags. I had to put on a #8 front sight (instead of the #6) to get the POI on target. I also used a 16 lb mainspring (instead of the 20 lb) to get it to cycle reliably. I have no FTF/FTE issues. Just remember when you are getting a holster, that you get one designed for the .40 instead of the 9mm.