.40 to .357 Conversion

[Cheezeit9]

I have a G-23 and I know that I can convert my gun to a .357 with just a barrel and magazine. But I am just wondering if its really worth buying the barrel? What are the pros and cons of the .357 over the .40? So in short, is the converstion worth it?

[Lancelot]

You need the barrel. You don't even need the magazines unless you want them, or for safety reasons like that they are stamped with the right caliber.

Barrels abound.

Ammo is more expensive for .357 and sometimes more difficult to find, depending on where you are.

There have been multiple discussions about the pros and cons of doing this. Search for that topic and you'll see a lot of it. Or visit the ammo oracle on the web to compare the two cartridges.

I've thought about doing this with my 35 for some time now, just have never done it. (Or had the money to do it.)

[rivvy7071]

I've had numerous Glocks in every caliber. I got a fantastic deal I couldn't pass up on a 32. After buying ammo & firing 50 rounds (I reload for every pistol caliber except 357) I decided to buy a KKM 40 cal barrel. The 40 is more pleasant to shoot, much cheaper since I reload for it, & more controllable. I can get reloading dies for the 357. The 357 is a serious defensive round, yet so is the 40 & as I said, I can pracice allot more with the 40, it is more controllable (faster follow-up shots)& cheaper to shoot.

As far as the mags go, I have noticed that the followers are different for the 23 vs the 32 mags. The 10 round 32 mags will only take 9 40's. The inside of the 32 mag is smaller than the 23 mag due to a raised portion of plastic running the length on both (internal) sides. It will take 10 357's, but only 9 40's. I did not have 100% reliability using either mag with the 'other' caliber. I did have 100% reliability using the correct mags with their respective calibers. Its nice to have 'another' caliber. The barrels aren't too expensive, but I rarely ever shoot the 357.

[big88foot]

I too considered getting a .357 barrel but couldn't ever justify it. The .40 is easier to reload, does just as good a job in almost any situation, and cheaper to shoot. I finally decided that the only barrel conversion I would consider is for a 9mm - again, just because the ammo is cheaper to practice with.
BF