Author Topic: barrel swap, Glock 17 / 22 (Read 3480 times)

MSP Ret · « **on:** May 19, 2012, 08:03:52 AM »

I have not had a Glock but am considering getting one. If I got a Model 22 in .40 S&W and wanted to change it to shoot 9MM (ala Model 17) could I just change out the barrel and magazine or would I have to get a complete 9mm upper slide assembly? I have read both ways and am hoping I would just have to change the barrel and magazine(s)....Thanks....<><....

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2012, 08:15:46 AM »

First off let me warn you to never ever attempt to put a compact or sub compact barrel slide assy on a full sized frame or vise versa.

Doing so will result in a very locked up glock.

All you need is a magazine and a "conversion" barrel (9mm bbl relieved for the bigger extractor) and a 9mm magazine to convert a 40 Cal glock to 9x19

Glock Doctor · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2012, 08:57:24 AM »

Yes, you can do this. All you're going to need is a, 'step-down' CONVERSION barrel from a Glock parts supplier like Lone Wolf Distributors. You may, or may not, need to convert several other parts like: extractors, ejectors, SLB's, SLB springs, or entire magazines. There are no hard fast rules for what must be changed in order to make a conversion Glock work (reasonably) well; it really depends on your individual Glock. What you don't want to ever do, though, is have to use a converted Glock pistol for any sort of serious self-defense work. Step-down caliber conversions are primarily for inexpensive practice at the range and not much else.

Just so you know: There isn't a lot of difference between modern 40 caliber and 9mm ammunition. For all practical intents the one hits as hard as the other.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2012, 12:02:38 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys. I traded some .223 ammo for a like new Ciener .22 LR conversion kit for a Glock 17/22. I am now thinking of getting a Glock 22 and a 9mm conversion barrel and magazines so I can shoot the less expensive 9mm ammo (as well as the less expensive .22 LR ammo) at the range and perhaps keep the .40 S&W for serious work. I have looked and hefted both the 22 (full size) and the 23 and the difference is not that great. I would actually prefer the 23 but since I already have the .22 LR conversion unit for the 22 I thought I might as well get that model (22). The Model 22 does not seem as if it would be much more difficult to carry concealed than the model 23 for a large framed guy like myself. Any thoughts pros or cons on those thoughts?....<><....

Savage · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2012, 12:32:01 PM »

For me, there's a big difference in ease of carry between the 22 and 23. The slightly shorter slide and grip make all the difference to me. I have the 9mm conversion barrels for my mdl 22 and 35 Glocks. I have used them in some local club IDPA matches with good results. Mine required only a mag and barrel change to run flawlessly. A couple guys in my club have had similar results. I bet you will too.
Savage

MSP Ret · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2012, 01:59:39 PM »

Thanks for the info and the encouraging words....<><....

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2012, 05:04:01 PM »

MSP Ret
As to your original post, I'll be finding out fairly soon as I just ordered a Storm Lake Glock Model 22 9mm Conversion Barrel and Glock Model 17 Magazines. Hopefully all of the parts get here in the next week or so so I can give it a test run.
Larry

Savage · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2012, 02:29:35 PM »

SD, If yours doesn't work with just a barrel and magazine change, it'll be the first one I've heard of. I've done three using the Lone Wolf barrels. Haven't had a single malfunction.
Savage

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2012, 04:52:03 PM »

Thanks Savage. The parts should be here tomorrow or Thursday but the Glock probably won't get here till next week. Hopefully in a week or so I can give it a test run.
When I decided to buy this Handgun I had fully intended on buying a Glock Model 17 9mm. I found a good deal on line on a Glock Model 22 .40 S&W and since I have never owned a .40 S&W I decided to go that route and then ordered a 9mm Storm Lake Conversion Barrel. This way I can have both.
Larry

Savage · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2012, 11:10:26 PM »

The 22 is a good choice on it's own, even better when you consider the caliber swap. I've grown to like the .40 a lot. When you reload, there's very little difference is cost of ammo over the 9mm. The .40 with LSWC cuts a sharp full caliber hole which sometimes helps in scoring. It makes major easily and has adequate power to take down steel with a less than perfect hit. Great to have the 9mm option, but you just might find yourself shooting the .40 frequently.
How about you MSP, got yours yet?
Savage

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2012, 02:27:55 PM »

All of my parts including my Storm Lake Glock Model 22 9mm Conversion Barrel arrived yesterday. My Glock Model 22 arrived at my dealer today. I promptly installed some of the parts I had purchased for this Gun that included a HiViz Fiber Optic Green Front Sight, Glock 7.3mm Rear Sight, Glockworx Competition Tactical Trigger, a new Glock Recoil Spring / Guide Rod Assembly and the Storm Lake Glock Model 22 9mm Conversion Barrel. I just had to shoot a Magazine full through it (that is about all I had time for today). I was quite pleased with the accuracy. Functioning was near perfect but the last round out of the mag the slide didn't fully close. I removed the cartridge, reinseted it in the mag and fired it just like it should have done without issue.
All in all I can not wait till I get the chance to shoot it some more. Maybe next week.
Larry

MSP Ret · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2012, 08:56:03 AM »

Great info guys. I do not have my Glock setup, YET. I will be waiting hopefully just a short while for finances to stabilize and for a gun to sell that have on consignment at my new local gun store. I am planning on getting a Gen 4 Glock 30 (sf or not, yet to decide) and a Glock 22 with a Lone Wolf 9mm barrel. It look s as if there is some fun in the future with these new toys....<><....

SD Handgunner, Any new reports about your new 22 (which generation?) and how it shoots with both the .40 and 9mm barrels will be welcomed and I look forward to reading them...Thanks

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2012, 09:00:55 AM »

Quote from: MSP Ret on May 19, 2012, 12:02:38 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I traded some .223 ammo for a like new Ciener .22 LR conversion kit for a Glock 17/22. I am now thinking of getting a Glock 22 and a 9mm conversion barrel and magazines so I can shoot the less expensive 9mm ammo (as well as the less expensive .22 LR ammo) at the range and perhaps keep the .40 S&W for serious work. I have looked and hefted both the 22 (full size) and the 23 and the difference is not that great. I would actually prefer the 23 but since I already have the .22 LR conversion unit for the 22 I thought I might as well get that model (22). The Model 22 does not seem as if it would be much more difficult to carry concealed than the model 23 for a large framed guy like myself. Any thoughts pros or cons on those thoughts?....<><....

A G23 will fit the front pocket of my jeans a 22 won't.
As for ammo / gun give me a 40 any time . If both rounds are of same power and construction the 40 is larger in dia and that may be the difference in stopping an attacker and not . I always stack the deck in my favor always.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2012, 06:47:04 PM »

Quote from: MSP Ret on July 16, 2012, 08:56:03 AM

SD Handgunner, Any new reports about your new 22 (which generation?) and how it shoots with both the .40 and 9mm barrels will be welcomed and I look forward to reading them...Thanks

Will do as soon as our dad blasted weather cools off a bit. Man it has been HOT lately up here. I really hate shooting with sweat in my eyes if you know what I mean.
Mine is a Gen 3 Model 22. Mine was used, bought on line. It was a police trade in and I was really impressed with it's condition. It really looks like it had not been shot much at all.

Larry

Savage · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:27:13 PM »

Put about 200rds of 9mm reloads through my conversion barrel this weekend. As usual, it ran like a Glock.
Savage

MSP Ret · « **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2012, 12:07:36 AM »

That's great!! It's good to know the conversion barrel works so well, thanks....<><....

Savage · « **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2012, 08:54:22 AM »

Quote from: MSP Ret on July 18, 2012, 12:07:36 AM

That's great!! It's good to know the conversion barrel works so well, thanks....<><....

As mine have for a number of years. The conversion barrel for my Glock 22 has around 3k rds through it.
Savage

MSP Ret · « **Reply #17 on:** September 26, 2012, 03:50:48 PM »

I picked up my "Blue Label" Gen4 G22 a couple of days ago and Lone Wolf just finally got thier 9mm conversions barrel in a couple of days ago as well. I have a 9mm standard length conversion barrel ordered and I ordered a SS recoil spring guide rod and both a 17 and a 11 pound recoil spring just in case the 9mm is finicky. I also have a .22 LR conversion unit for it so it looks as if I have to get some time set aside for the range. Thanks for the help and responses guys....<><....

MSP Ret · « **Reply #18 on:** October 10, 2012, 09:53:53 AM »

My new Gen4 G22 shot flawlessly in both .40 cal as supplied and in 9mm with the Lone Wolf barrel. I did have some problems with the Ciener .22 LR conversion that was traced to two things.
First, the ammo was bad, old and given to me by a friend. It belonged to his father and was found in his garage. It was just what was suggested for the Ciener kit, Remington .22 LR High Speed (Golden bullet) solids but was very old and did not fire well in other guns as well as I found out when trouble shooting the problems.
Secondly, the recoil spring in the Ciener kit was changed by me to an 11 lb spring (heavier than the original spring in the Ciener kit) and that helped to fully return the slide forward and to get it locked into battery. It fires 100% of the time now but the firing pin imprint on the fired .22 LR cartridges still appears to be a little weak. I won't touch it as long as it fires well but if it does start to have reliability problems I have read there are two little nubs on the firng pin, one on each side of a stop and if needed I will reduce thier length by a couple of thousandts which should give me a little more firing pin exposure.
So far so good guys. The Glock platform and trigger will take a little getting used to and I have ordered a Grip Force Adapter to correct the lousy Glock girly man grip and to get closer in feel to the grip and grip angle of a real gun, the Colt 1911....<><....

Savage · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2012, 01:11:16 AM »

The caliber conversion works as expected. Good news there! The Ceiner unit I have for 1911s works great for me. I have shot the "Steel Challenge" with it a few times. Only real problem I have with the Ceiner unit is the slide not locking back on an empty magazine. You'll get used to the grip. I've never know anyone who couldn't master it with a little range time. Just think, if the Glock had been adopted by our military back in 1911, and the Browning design seventy years later, we'd all be talking about the weird grip angle on the 1911. Girly man indeed!!

Savage