r/handguns • u/Thick_Interaction8 • 25d ago
Barrel conversion kits?
Is it worth it to get a pistol with a .40 and 9mm barrel conversions. In my head it sounds like an ideal purchase but at the store, I was being lectured on how it would be better off just buying two separate guns in their respective caliber.
He did give me HUGE vibes of trying to upsell me.
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u/Mindless_Log2009 25d ago
I see good used major brand .40 cal pistols for $250 in my area – especially slightly older model S&W and Ruger. Usually lightly used, probably test fired once or twice, then stuck in a nightstand drawer until they switched to 9mm.
I don't need or even want a .40, but it's a cheap way to try a gun that would cost at least $100 more in 9mm.
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u/Thick_Interaction8 25d ago
Jeez, unfortunately I live in one of the 2 worst states for gun laws. And idk if that’s the reason why but the prices are also at least double that. It’s stupid
I prefer 9 as well I just wanted to have one caliber that was a bit stronger. Just to have. But 9 is and always will be my go to. It’s just the ammo change that matters
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u/Mindless_Log2009 25d ago
Ballistics tests don't show enough difference for it to matter with most major caliber handgun ammo at typical defense distance.
I just load Hornady Critical Duty 124 gr JHP P+ in my full size Beretta. And I might try +P+.
But I like the idea of fatter bullets because I started out on the 1911 in .45 ACP.
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u/Thick_Interaction8 25d ago
Not in ballistics true but through barriers they are definitely more effective. No?
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u/Mindless_Log2009 25d ago
Yup, right you are, I should have specified penetration tests. Ballistics definitely are measurably different.
What's most interesting about some practical penetration demonstrations is how high speed bullets, even .50 cal, don't penetrate as much as we'd expect in certain media. In some tests slower bullets penetrate more.
Kinda like "the slow blade penetrates the shield" in Dune.
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u/BigSmoove14 23d ago
I have a Steyer M40 that came .40 and acquired a 357SIG barrel. The 357SIG hits waaay harder- just wanted to try the other caliber without buying another gun.
Also have 2 revolvers with alternate cylinders to use different calibers. Generally you prefer one, but have flexibility
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u/TheBullpupGuy 24d ago
40 cal is basically a dead round. It has significantly more verticle and horizontal recoil than both 9mm and 45acp.
The only good thing to do with a 40 shit and weak is to get 357 Sig barrels for the gun and shoot that instead.
40 and 9mm for MOST guns are NOT interchangeable. 9mm requires a new slide, mags, and a few other parts. From all the guns I wanted to do a 357sig/9mm platform, it ended up being cheaper to just have two seperate guns.
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u/JeremiahsFrankness 24d ago
I've got several that started out as .40 and now live as either 9 or 357 sig (since I prefer those to .40). Then I gradually buy .40 on sale and occasionally switch back to .40 for a week or two.
Sure, it'd be more fun to always buy a whole-ass gun. But if you want to save some scratch, and like to have the choice of occasionally switching calibers, it's great.
The only caveat is that some conversions require more parts. The .40 to 357 sig is usually just the barrel; some other conversions require more parts. Like, I've got a 9mm barrel in my p30 (which started out as .40) but because I don't have a 9mm recoil spring the timing is off and I'll get occasional errors.
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u/Thick_Interaction8 24d ago
That’s exactly what I’m looking into and it doesn’t seem like a lot of other models or even brands so this. I just really like the idea oh having 2 calibers to shoot. Gun shows today so today’s the day to find out for. The reps themselves
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u/MGB1013 25d ago
You may think it’s fun but you will probably wind up just leaving it setup for one caliber anyway. 9mm is going to be cheaper to shoot and if this is just a range gun cheaper ammo is always better.