[msanford]

I didn't know whether to post this here or in the gunsmithing column. Can anyone recommend a conversion bbl for the Glock 23 to 357Sig? Am I correct in assuming that all I will need is a barrel since I essentially have a usable magazine? Also, does any manufacturer put out a conversion kit of 9mm for the Glock 23? Thanks for the help. To those of you out there who love and heartily endorse the 357Sig above all others, can you supply me with a website that I can peruse? I know that this particular round has been out for awhile; I have just never explored the idea. I feel that I have a good platform in which to do some experimenting. Please fellas, weigh in.

Matt

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello Matt,

Yes sir, I've done the G-23 converstion using the .357 SIG barrel in my .40 S&W pistol and it was indeed a very good decision that started me in the pursuit of the .357 SIG round.

I reported on the conversion in this thread:

http://handgunsandammo.proboards36.com/index.cgi?board=Discussion&action=display&thread=1166438840

While I ordered both the barrel and spare magazines, you can do with just the new barrel and recoil system already installed in the pistol.

It was definately a worthwhile and versatile conversion and I do heartily recommend it.

I have posted quite a bit here on the .357 SIG cartridge, reloading for it and my subsequent purchases of handguns in this caliber (a SIG P239 and P226).

I will warn you that once you start down the .357 SIG road, you will become addicted to this attractive and versatile caliber.

Best,

Chris

 

[twoguns]

Howdy Mr. Matt,

Count me as another 357 Sig fan. I currently have barrels that allow me to shoot the round from both my Sig P226R and P229, my FN HP 40, and recently received a Bar Sto to use in my CZ75B 40. I do think the round has a lot going for it. I also would echo the warning from Mr. Chris - the round can be very addictive, especially if you reload.

As far as a barrel source, you might want to check out EFK Fire Dragon. Their website will probably list both the 357 Sig barrel and the 9mm down/conversion barrel (which I think is what you are asking about) for the Glock.

I have their 9mm down barrel for my P226R (purchased in 357 Sig) and am using their 357 Sig barrel in my HP 40. Their barrels are designed to be a true drop in and should not require any fitting either. Unfortunately I ordered the semi-drop in Bar-Sto which usually does not require any fitting, but it will take quite a bit to have it function properly according to my CZ gunsmith. So when I can purchase a barrel from EFK, I tend to use them first. Theirs are drop in units, more accurate than I can be in my opinon, and cheaper than most other barrel companies too. So to me they are a real bargain, especially since I have never had to have one fitted to the pistol it was designed for.

If you will check various rooms here, including reloading and ammo, you should find several posts on the 357 Sig caliber. But if you still have any questions, please feel free to ask them.

Hope this hopes a little. You could also check the Bar-Sto website as I suspect they will also have these Glock barrels as well.

Just a cautionary note to you and other members: on the 9mm barrel for the Glock 23 (and other pistols), make sure you order the 9mm down/conversion barrel and not a standard 9mm barrel. The conversion barrels are made to the same outer diameter as the 40 and 357 Sig and will fit your slide properly. A standard 9mm barrel would be too small to work.

twoguns

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello again Matt,

As my dear collegue mr. twoguns has pointed out, be aware of the distinct advantages of using the .357 SIG in the M-23 platform. I did a demo shooting at the range with several off duty County Deputies, who remarked that they were very impressed with the lack of muzzle flip and straight back recoil compared with their issue G-22's.

Mr. twoguns was my primary influence in getting my head turned into the direction of the .357 SIG round and had given me a wealth of technical and reloading information on the caliber.

I bought my barrel and spare magazines from www.glockmeister.com.

Best of luck in your decision!

Chris

 

[msanford]

Chris and twoguns,
Thanks for the input about the conversion processes. But twoguns, my question for you is, when you did the 9mm down conversion, did EFK supply you with a 9mm magazine or some sort of adapter to attach to the 9mm mag so that it will snugly fit the mag well of the G23?
I will admit, I have not read the attached test report,Chris. I thought I would respond with further questions about the round and the conversion. Thanks to all who read this post and especially to those who responded. It is apparent that a wealth of knowledge exists on this forum; it only has to be teased out.

Matt

 

[twoguns]

Howdy Mr. Matt,

Sorry sir, I can not answer your question beyond saying I am not aware of any barrel manufacturer who included a different magazine with their barrel in this situation. (Purchasing the CZ Kadet Kit to convert to 22lr is apples to this oranges).

I have only carried a Glock pistol when it was mandatory for me in my agency. I have never (nor will I ever) own a personal Glock. So I may be wrong, and someone with a Glock who has a 9mm down barrel would better be able to address this. If someone with the barrel comments, I would suggest you pay more attention to their answer than to mine.

I think you wll discover that the Glock mag body is largely the Glock mag body - at least for the 9/40/357 caliber rounds. So I think a standard Glock 9mm mag (either the 19 or 17 - sorry I can not remember whether the 23 is the 19 or 17 equivalent sized platform) would fit and function in your 23...but you would have to purchase the 9mm mags.

I know in my Sig P226, while I have a ton of 357/40 mags, I have discovered the 17 rd Mec-Gar 9mm mag works and holds one additional round of 357 or 40. So I generally use the 9mm mag to fire all 3 rounds in mine. But that does not mean the Glock is the same nor does it mean it is different - I simply do not know, sorry sir.

Hopefully some of our members who are Glock fans and have done this conversion using a 9mm down barrel can give you a precise answer.

twoguns

 

[Guest]

I have a Lone Wolf 9 mm conversion barrel and a Storm Lake .357 SiG conversion barrel for my Glock 23.

With .357 SiG, you can use your .40 caliber magazines. With the 9mm conversion, you will want to purchase one or more 9mm Glock magazines. With a Glock 23, you can use Glock 17 and Glock 19 magazines.

I have heard that all you need to do to fire .357 SiG is to use a regular OEM barrel, but I bought a conversion barrel just to be certain.

You can get conversion barrels from www.Lonewolfdist.com, or www. Glockmeister.com.

As has been said in an earlier post, if you buy a 9mm barrel, make certain it is a conversion barrel, and not a standard one.

Hope this helps.