40 to 9mm conversion: reliability? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

mydangpleeze · 10-13-2006, 07:21 PM

Newbie to this forum here with a question to all those owners of reliably functioning barrel conversion. I have a 40 service and I'm ready to get the conversion barrel so I can shoot 9mm. I've done some research and found a mixed bag of success and failures.

To all those that have had good results, what parts besides the barrel conversion would be ideal to purchase to get a reliably functioning 9mm? Guide rod kit? Springs? Magazines? Any manufacturer preferences as well?

I think for many, it's a combination of parts that make it function well, not just a barrel swap. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Besides, I'd rather just buy once than having to keep purchasing parts to get something to work right the first time around.

**Loves2Shoot** · 10-13-2006, 08:11 PM

The dimesions of a 9mm and .40 breachface are different and ejector are in different locations...

That is why some people have success and some don't.

**Old School** · 10-13-2006, 08:15 PM

I would guess that for every ten conversion barrels, nine are fine out of the gate. The one with issues may need to be fitted, the extractor honed or the mags "tuned".

In short, for range and playtime, conversion barrels are a lot of fun and good way to practice with cheaper ammo.

There was one for sale on the Trading Post not too long ago, at a very good price.

OS

manic mechanic · 10-13-2006, 08:46 PM

I've had pretty good luck with an EFK 9mm conv. bbl. Seems to operate best with stock 9mm mags or adjusted 40 mags. It will work with stock 40 mags, but you will get some strange failures. The one I got the most were failures to chamber. It looked like a stovepipe failure to eject, only it was a loaded round. I'm thinking due to the high level it was sitting in the mag, the round would feed right over the chamber and stick right on out the ejection port. Went thru 100 rnds in less than 7 minutes at cpl class without a single hiccup with the stock 9's and lipped adjusted 40. It's very accurate also, I shoot the 9's better across the board, but still the XD with the 9 conv. in it is the tightest grouping I've been able to pull off. The stock 18# guide rod spring assembly seems to be about the most reliable set up for me so far. I've tried as high as 24# by mistake, usually use that with the Don's Guide Rod and bushing with the 40's, the 22 and 20# spring shoot real soft, but the shells sometime barely make it off my wrist on ejection. I really need to get the 18# spring ordered up from Old School to make my set complete. YMMV as to what spring works best, due to the differences in ammo charges, even between new store bought ammo.

mydangpleeze · 10-14-2006, 10:21 AM

Thanks for the input. From what I gather...the stock guide rod setup will work fine with the 9mm conversion? I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a conversion. I guess the best route to go would be barrel and 9mm mags. Let me know if there is anything else I should order.

BTW, does anyone have a link to instructions to modify the lips on the 40 mag?

KYDoc · 10-14-2006, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old School

I would guess that for every ten conversion barrels, nine are fine out of the gate. The one with issues may need to be fitted, the extractor honed or the mags "tuned".

In short, for range and playtime, conversion barrels are a lot of fun and good way to practice with cheaper ammo.

There was one for sale on the Trading Post not too long ago, at a very good price.

OS

Can you define extractor 'honing'?

**Loves2Shoot** · 10-14-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mydangpleeze

Thanks for the input. From what I gather...the stock guide rod setup will work fine with the 9mm conversion? I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a conversion. I guess the best route to go would be barrel and 9mm mags. Let me know if there is anything else I should order.

BTW, does anyone have a link to instructions to modify the lips on the 40 mag?

If you modify them to use them for 9mm they won't work well for the .40, better off to buy 9mm mags when shooting 9mm IMO

Frostyeyes · 10-14-2006, 11:18 AM

I agree with Old School and Manic mechanic I have had my conv. barrel's for about a year and mine just dropped in and worked from day one but I use the 9mm mags not modded 40's, but some do require minor fitting.

mydangpleeze · 10-17-2006, 02:03 PM

OK, I pulled the trigger so to speak last night and ordered an EFK conversion barrel from pistolgear. Got my shipping confirmation this morning when I woke up. Wow, that was fast. I picked up some 9mm mags from the trading post also so I hope they show up about the same time. I'll give an update when I get a chance. Thanks for all the input.

XD 40S&W · 10-17-2006, 03:39 PM

that great you brought from pistolgear but you should have check the trading post first you could have save some money toward some ammo or mags.

10-13-2006, 07:21 PM	#1
mydangpleeze XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 14	40 to 9mm conversion: reliability? Newbie to this forum here with a question to all those owners of reliably functioning barrel conversion. I have a 40 service and I'm ready to get the conversion barrel so I can shoot 9mm. I've done some research and found a mixed bag of success and failures. To all those that have had good results, what parts besides the barrel conversion would be ideal to purchase to get a reliably functioning 9mm? Guide rod kit? Springs? Magazines? Any manufacturer preferences as well? I think for many, it's a combination of parts that make it function well, not just a barrel swap. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Besides, I'd rather just buy once than having to keep purchasing parts to get something to work right the first time around.

10-13-2006, 08:11 PM	#2
Loves2Shoot XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,799	The dimesions of a 9mm and .40 breachface are different and ejector are in different locations... That is why some people have success and some don't. __________________ www.SpringerPrecision.com The XD Specialists - Our web store is now online!

10-13-2006, 08:15 PM	#3
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,674	I would guess that for every ten conversion barrels, nine are fine out of the gate. The one with issues may need to be fitted, the extractor honed or the mags "tuned". In short, for range and playtime, conversion barrels are a lot of fun and good way to practice with cheaper ammo. There was one for sale on the Trading Post not too long ago, at a very good price. OS __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

10-13-2006, 08:46 PM	#4
manic mechanic XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: michigan, down the river Posts: 1,131	I've had pretty good luck with an EFK 9mm conv. bbl. Seems to operate best with stock 9mm mags or adjusted 40 mags. It will work with stock 40 mags, but you will get some strange failures. The one I got the most were failures to chamber. It looked like a stovepipe failure to eject, only it was a loaded round. I'm thinking due to the high level it was sitting in the mag, the round would feed right over the chamber and stick right on out the ejection port. Went thru 100 rnds in less than 7 minutes at cpl class without a single hiccup with the stock 9's and lipped adjusted 40. It's very accurate also, I shoot the 9's better across the board, but still the XD with the 9 conv. in it is the tightest grouping I've been able to pull off. The stock 18# guide rod spring assembly seems to be about the most reliable set up for me so far. I've tried as high as 24# by mistake, usually use that with the Don's Guide Rod and bushing with the 40's, the 22 and 20# spring shoot real soft, but the shells sometime barely make it off my wrist on ejection. I really need to get the 18# spring ordered up from Old School to make my set complete. YMMV as to what spring works best, due to the differences in ammo charges, even between new store bought ammo. __________________ The 2nd amendment makes all the others possible. If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan

10-14-2006, 11:18 AM	#8
Frostyeyes XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Livonia Michigan Posts: 910	I agree with Old School and Manic mechanic I have had my conv. barrel's for about a year and mine just dropped in and worked from day one but I use the 9mm mags not modded 40's, but some do require minor fitting. __________________ Gun Control: What a Long Strange Trip It\'s Been

10-14-2006, 10:21 AM	#5
mydangpleeze XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 14	Thanks for the input. From what I gather...the stock guide rod setup will work fine with the 9mm conversion? I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a conversion. I guess the best route to go would be barrel and 9mm mags. Let me know if there is anything else I should order. BTW, does anyone have a link to instructions to modify the lips on the 40 mag?

10-17-2006, 02:03 PM	#9
mydangpleeze XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 14	OK, I pulled the trigger so to speak last night and ordered an EFK conversion barrel from pistolgear. Got my shipping confirmation this morning when I woke up. Wow, that was fast. I picked up some 9mm mags from the trading post also so I hope they show up about the same time. I'll give an update when I get a chance. Thanks for all the input.

10-17-2006, 03:39 PM	#10
XD 40S&W XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: FL Posts: 276	that great you brought from pistolgear but you should have check the trading post first you could have save some money toward some ammo or mags. __________________ XD40 SERVICE BI-TONE CUSTOME POLISH CONTROL SPRINGER 4# TRIGGER JOB TRIJICON NIGHT SIGHTS HUME 715M HOLSTER

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