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Glock Barrel Question??
dreher
Member Posts: 8,891 ✭✭✭✭
I know that certain Glock models have barrels that can be swapped so you can have a multi caliber handgun but I cannot seem to find a list or other reference work that tells which model Glocks have the capability of switching barrels ie: 40 S+W to 9 MM etc.
I am in the process of buying a Glock but would like some versatility in what I select. Thanks!
I am in the process of buying a Glock but would like some versatility in what I select. Thanks!
Comments
22,23,24,27,31,32,33 & 35. There may be others also, that I'm not familiar with. Be advised, although they will work with 9mm barrels and magazines. Reliability won't be up to par, as compared to the original 40 S & W and .357 Sig chamberings.
There is a reason you cannot find a list or reference work on swapping Glock parts to make multi-caliber guns, "Liability". Glock has never suggested or endorsed this practice, its just something someone discovered and started doing. I prefer to just buy another gun if I need more than 1 caliber.
Glock would also much rather sell you, another pistol @ $500+. Than have you buy a .357 Sig or 9mm barrel from Lone Wolf, that they don't make a dime on.
IMO "caliber conversion" is of less value than many think. If you're in a place (eg certain European countries) where legally getting your hands on a gun is a difficult, then caliber conversions are more useful. In the USA, where guns are relatively cheap and readily available, much less so.
In terms of what you can convert, 357 SIG was designed to be a drop in replacement for 40SW guns. So most 40SW guns (including all Glocks) can be converted to 357 SIG with just a drop in barrel. . .and vice versa. Whether or not this is a beneficial conversion is a different question (IMO its not; others will disagree, but merits of 357 SIG vs 40SW or 9mm luger are for a different post).
Most Glocks can run .22LR conversion uppers. I think this can be useful for training/practice, but note that you can typically buy a whole other .22LR gun for the cost of one of the conversion uppers.
The 10mm guns can be converted down to .40SW (begging the question of why bother with 10mm). "Some say" .40SW will run in a stock 10mm gun without ANY conversion. I won't try this, and I certainly won't endorse it (it can't be good for the gun or your safety), but its one of those things that might be good to know "in case of emergency".
I think the 45ACP Glocks can be converted to 10mm. . .not sure you "should" do this, but it can be done.
40SW Glocks can be converted to run 9mm luger. . .the converse is generally NOT true. I think this is a "reasonable" conversion, since it increases ammo available, and lets you run cheaper 9mm ammo as practice for 40SW. In general you can go DOWN in caliber, but not up.
And there are other more esoteric caliber conversions available (eg 9x25 Dillon, .40 Super, etc). I think usefulness of these is questionable for all but the most diehard gun nuts.
Anyway, see here for SOME possibilities by Lone Wolf, which markets Glock aftermarket barrels and accessories:
http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Products.aspx?CAT=241
Here's some Glock barrels from BarSto. They're spendy, but of good quality. Some caliber conversions are available, if you check indivdidual models:
https://www.barsto.com/category_main.cfm?ID=GLOCK
More conversions:
http://www.glockmeister.com/Conversion/products/146/
If you want to press it, I've shot 40S&W with the 10mm barrel without any problems and there are YouTube videos showing others doing this.
EDIT I bought my 20C used and I guess that guy didn't like it. It had the night sights, an extra 10mm barrel (unported), a LW 40S&W barrel, and a LW 357Sig barrel. Since it is so easy to change a barrel, I rarely find a reason to shot 40S&W out of the 10mm barrel.
I have 40S&W and 357Sig barrels for my Glock 20C. All work with the stock springs and magazines.
If you want to press it, I've shot 40S&W with the 10mm barrel without any problems and there are YouTube videos showing other doing this.
+1,
Been also doing it for years. We are in good company, the Motor City Madman. Also uses 40 S & W, in his G 20.
I will guess that the .40 case in the 10mm chamber uses the extractor to hold the shorter .40 case against the breech face in order to fire instead of using the cartridge case mouth? I haven't done this, Does reliability ever suffer?
Never had any problem, shooting hundreds of rounds. Winchester white box and my handloads.
I have also had a Springfield Omega with a 3 barrel conversion set 10mm, .40 S&W, and 38 Super.
Both guns cycled the respective loads fine. I never had a misfire or jam in my somewhat limited time I used it. During the time I had it, I probably put at least a hundred rounds through of each caliber except the one I can't remember as I couldn't find ammo for it.
Honestly, I think the 10mm G20 would be one of the smartest Glock's to get conversions for. The 10mm isn't a cheap cartridge to shoot, but I love the power of it. Shooting sub-calibers is a less expensive way to practice with your carry gun. I would ALWAYS recommend ending a shooting session with the full power carry load though.
Here are a bunch of aftermarket barrel swaps you can make(I have experience with a bunch of these):
G20 10mm: 9mm, .38 Super, .357 Sig, 9x25 Dillon, .40 S&W
G21 .45: 10mm, .400 Corbon, .40 Super
G22 .40: 9mm, .357 Sig
There are also barrel swap/conversions for the compact models.
Jon