9MM in G23?

[1894cfan]

I've got a Gen 2 G23 that I just picked up a G19 barrel and mags for. That being said, am I looking at a fubar if I try shooting 9MM in my G23? TIA

[LocnLod]

I know you can do it with an aftermarket 9mm conversion barrel like Lonewolf  but I don't know if the stock G19 barrel has the same external dimensions as a stock G23 barrel.

[cwlongshot]

Your likely going to find unreliable extraction problems. See the 40 has a bigger rim than the 9. So the conversion barrels offset the chamber ever so slightly to help compensate for a better "bite" on the smaller 9pm rim in the 40's slide.

The 19 Mags will work just fine.

I have a LW on order myself!!

CW

[1894cfan]

Your likely going to find unreliable extraction problems. See the 40 has a bigger rim than the 9. So the conversion barrels offset the chamber ever so slightly to help compensate for a better "bite" on the smaller 9pm rim in the 40's slide.

The 19 Mags will work just fine.

I have a LW on order myself!!

CW

Thanks, CW. Looks like I'm going to have to order one of those, myself.    Anybody here looking for a Glock G19 barrel?

[Savage]

I have run a few hundred rounds through my mdl 22 using the mdl 17 barrel from LWD with no extraction, or for that matter, any issues. This barrel is not a conversion barrel, just specifically made to replace the factory barrel in the mdl 17.  FWIW
Savage

[1894cfan]

I have run a few hundred rounds through my mdl 22 using the mdl 17 barrel from LWD with no extraction, or for that matter, any issues. This barrel is not a conversion barrel, just specifically made to replace the factory barrel in the mdl 17.  FWIW
Savage

Thanks, Savage. That makes me still want to try the Glock G19 barrel in my G23. I stuck the G19 barrel in my G23 and put a fired case in it to check it out, and the extractor pulled the case out when I racked the slide back. Near as I figure, it'll be safe. The worse that can happen is lousy feeding from a G19 magazine.

[Dee]

Having owned them all, I would wonder with a great caliber, and as far as I'm concerned the best of the Glock Models, why anyone would want to convert, other than a supply of 9mm. The 23, is by far, IN MY OPINION, as good a duty weapon as every conceived. I have built a many a 1911, carried them, sold them, and custom built for others, carried most of the Smiths, both auto, and revolver, AND Colt, but the Glock 23 was the best all around pistol I ever wore, and used, in 21 years of L.E., and concealed carry WHEN I WAS A LOT YOUNGER. Now, I like the dull minded old man's revolver. 

[1894cfan]

Having owned them all, I would wonder with a great caliber, and as far as I'm concerned the best of the Glock Models, why anyone would want to convert, other than a supply of 9mm. The 23, is by far, IN MY OPINION, as good a duty weapon as every conceived. I have built a many a 1911, carried them, sold them, and custom built for others, carried most of the Smiths, both auto, and revolver, AND Colt, but the Glock 23 was the best all around pistol I ever wore, and used, in 21 years of L.E., and concealed carry WHEN I WAS A LOT YOUNGER. Now, I like the dull minded old man's revolver. 

I agree with you on the G23, got a Gen2 myself. Wanted to go "Parabelum" just in case.

[cwlongshot]

Dee,
 The more I shoot mine the more I like it!

I had a first gen when they first came out. Quickly sold it as the grip angle was so different then the 1911. A couple months ago I bought my second 23, a 3RD gen and its fast becoming my favorite!!

My comander is tuned, with a bar sto barrel. Here is 7 rounds of Fed HS 230. Remember, I have fired countless thousands of rounds thru it. Suffice it to say, I am intimately familiar shooting it...



Here is the same distance, speed with a 180 HP handload. fired a week after buying it. Maybe 50 rounds experience shooting it...



Not allot of difference...   

I like this pistol!!! 

CW

[Dee]

cw, my youngest son (now 27, and a 3 tour combat veteran with 82n Airborne) once fell in love with a Combat Commander I had built. It was Colt's royal bluing, and I fitted everything with Bill Wilson parts in polished stainless steel, topping it off with ivory grips, and tuned Wilson magazines. Beautiful piece, and it was setup to carry. The pistol would feed anything and would shoot to boot. After I built it, he watched me run the El Presidente in just less than 6 seconds with a reload in the middle starting from the surrender position holstered at the Garland Gun Club. I beat some local race guns (mostly Browning Hi-Powers in 9mm) with this "street rod". He had to have this pistol he thought, and begged me not to sell it. A gentleman with plenty of money wanted it, and I naturally sold it, telling my son I could build a dozen just like it.
Later, he received for Christmas, or his birthday, a Stainless Colt Gold Cup from his mother, and happily brought it to the house for inspection. He asked me what I thought, and I said: Carry it awhile, and let me know what YOU think. He carries a Glock 23 now. I asked him WHY? His answer was: If I wanted to carry a brick, I go to Home Depot and buy one. 
Weight, size, reliability, accuracy and CALIBER are what really matters.
As much as I love the old 1911, and as many as I have built, owned, carried, and used one, in one fight. There are better platforms now, and I only carry to win a fight, as after 61 years and many miles, prestige is held in very low regard on my place. Although I am a Glock Armorer, and love the 23, I no longer carry autos. I am back where I started many years ago. I carry a Smith wheel gun that I have tuned. You see, I won a fight with one of those also, and I trust them more now, when dealing with an aging body, and brain. This is not to say, I couldn't or later, won't go back. But that I have no plans to. I have seen what a 125 grain JHP in 357 mag will do in a fight, and one is usually enough.
Enjoy your 23, it's a good'un.

[1894cfan]

Thanks for that story, Dee. I also have a .357 wheel gun that I won't get rid of either, it's a Ruger blued speed six 2 3/4" barrel, pacmeyer compac grips w/Ruger spurless hammer that's DA only. It also has been worked over so the trigger pull is quite smooth. I've got it stoked with speer 357SB ammo. Don't shoot it as much as the G23, though.

[cwlongshot]

I agree, thanks for the story Dee!

My Comander was a slide and barrel I bought in the late '80's. I later bought a frame and began assembling. It too will feed about anything. Once I finished, I had it hard chromed. I carried this for many years daily.

I too have a affinity for a good fighting revolver. I also built a Speed Six, mine was stainless. I bobbed the hammer and the single action notch form the hammer. making it a true DAO revolver. Then had a tritium insert put in the front site and a "bar" under the rear.  I slicked up the action and had a gunsmith friend tighten up the pawl and cylinder. Shooting Winchester Silvertips I have shot 4" 100 yard groups with it!

Don't get me wrong here, I have shot many many Glocks thru the years, I enjoyed out shooting people who owned them. Its just my personality, I like no I love this stuff. Its not that the 1911 is better, its the shooter as we all know or will learn.

Quick kinda related story:  When Benelli shotguns where bursting on the LE scene and EVERYONE had to have one, I was (Still am) shooting combat 870s and have a strong draw to a pump gun. We where at a shotgun combat shoot. (Think IPSC/IDPA with a scatter gun.) I was doing very well with my 870, it was supposed to be "duty" or cruiser guns. But the RO's where allowing the benellis to compete. My good friend and I complained a bit and was told its a changing world. SO, we asked if we could use our old Winchester thumb busters. With a laugh we where allowed. We got allot of geers and comments. well, let me tell you, together we beat every many on the line that day with those thumb busters. Those "kids" had no idea what made the 1897 tick and as fast and good as a Benelli is, its no match for a man that an make a pump gun sing. We gave them a "lesson" that day I will tell you! 

I'll never give up my 45's, but I'll carry the 23 allot more!

CW

[1sourdough]

 I just got my KKM 'conversion barrel' in the mail for my Glock 23. I also have a few 9mm 15 & 17 round mags to try. I'll shoot it soon to test it out. The KKM barrel looks to be very high quality, nice & shined up with a very smooth feed ramp. It's installed in my 23 just waiting for official testing.

[1894cfan]

I just got my KKM 'conversion barrel' in the mail for my Glock 23. I also have a few 9mm 15 & 17 round mags to try. I'll shoot it soon to test it out. The KKM barrel looks to be very high quality, nice & shined up with a very smooth feed ramp. It's installed in my 23 just waiting for official testing.

1sourdough;
Let us know how it goes. I'm having mine coated with black oxide, don't like shinny bits on black guns. 

[1sourdough]

 Just FYI, I shot my 9mm KKK barrel in my Glock 23. I only did 8 rounds since I have neighbors not to far away. I realize it's not a complete test by any standards.

  The gun shot like a 22, a real pussycat. I was shooting my 1087fps 115 grn 'plated' RN handloads with 4.2 grains of Titegroup. The trigger was very good on the Glock 23. The grouping was plenty  good enough for my intended 
'woods carry'. I just have to shoot a bunch more to make sure things continue to cycle. I did use a Glock 9mm magazine. My goal with all this was to get a soft shooting, high round count 9mm. I have a trip to the camp in a few weeks where I can shoot much more of both, the 9 & 40. 

 The reason for the comments about the trigger & overall Glock shooting is because I'm a Glock newby. I have 3 Glocks(2 23s & a 22) but all were NIB before yesterday. I have other types that are more my 'shooters'. I decided to take one of the Glock 23s & start it in the rotation.

[1894cfan]

Thanks, 1sourdough. Hope you do a further report when you get back. 

[1sourdough]

 I just got back from a trip to our camp property. I was able to shoot the 9mm 'conversion' barrel much more in my Glock 23. The barrel itself is fine, and I was using 9mm Glock mags. The main issue was extraction problems, about every 4th round or so. The spent case failed to extract & the new round was jammed into it. I think the culprit is the smaller rim diameter of the 9mm round. It was to the point where it was to unreliable for anything other than a range novelty. I was shooting older reloads, though they work fine in my 2 Beretta 92's. I may look at what it takes to change the extractor, if able. Other than that I'll stick with it in the 40 cal.

  I did set it back up in 40 s&w and the gun worked GREAT. Just passing on that maybe these 'conversion' barrels are not that useful, unless one wants to look into extractor replacement, if that's an option. Then again I already have a bunch of 40 s&w components & my reloads in 40 were very manageable.   

[Savage]

Haven't run into the extraction problem running the 9mm LW barrel in my mdl 22. The 9mm extractor is readily available and can be changed out in a couple of minutes. It'd be well worth the price of an extractor to be able to reliably shoot 9mm in your mdl 23.
Savage

[1894cfan]

Haven't run into the extraction problem running the 9mm LW barrel in my mdl 22. The 9mm extractor is readily available and can be changed out in a couple of minutes. It'd be well worth the price of an extractor to be able to reliably shoot 9mm in your mdl 23.
Savage

Thanks for that info, Savage. Still waiting for my 40/9 barrel, so will order a 9MM extractor in the meantime. BTW, traded my G26 w/G19 barrel in on a G27 without trying the G19 barrel in my G23. Planning on trying the G23 sized 40/9 barrel in the G27.

[1sourdough]

 Thanks for the extractor tip. Instead of abandoning my 9mm trial I'll just stick with the 40 for now & look into testing with a 9mm extractor later. While cleaning it I did compare empty 9mm & 40 cases to see how they matched up with the stock 40 extractor. Maybe one more small step & it will work. Again I do like the 40, but I was trying to see if I could get reliable function as a high round count 9mm. I have a few Beretta 92's but like the lightweight of the Glock 23.


  I plan to try one more thing. I ordered a 'reduced power' 13 lb recoil spring(with rod) for my Glock 23, to try with my 9mm conversion barrel. I'll see if this helps. I was shooting mid power 115 grain reloads & maybe they were not enough to work the heavier slide with the 18lb spring, we shall see.

[1sourdough]

 Hey guys, I finally got around to testing my 13 lb recoil spring assembly with my 9mm 'conversion' barrel in my Glock 23. I was previously having some reliability/ cycling problems. I was using upper-mid power reloads with 115 grn bullets, these loads cycled fine in my 92.

  I bought the 13 lb recoil spring assembly from 'Brass Stacker' on ebay, about $20 or so as I recall. This seems to be the ticket. It checked out GREAT today. Not only did the gun cycle 100% the accuracy was outstanding with the 9mm KKM barrel.

  One rather experienced guy explained that the heavier 9mm barrel with the stock recoil spring was to much to overcome for the average 9mm round. I thought I would try this reduced spring before I gave up. It will take a little further testing, but I may just reach my goal yet of high capacity lightweight 9mm for woods carry.

  Just wanted to update.

[1894cfan]

Thanks, Sourdough. I just got my 40/9 conversion barrel in the mail a couple days ago and will take it up to the range tomorrow morning to check it out with Win white box, Fed milspec and Rem ammo, all 115 gr bullets. I'll let you guys know how it works in my Gen2 G23 and Gen3 G27.

[1sourdough]

 1894, sounds great. If you have cycling problems you may want to consider the lower pwr recoil spring assembly. The other option would be high powered 147 gran ammo. I usually like modest ammo, so I wanted to go with the lower weight spring. I think the stock spring on the Glock 23 is 18 or 19 lbs.

[1894cfan]

Thanks for the suggestion, Sourdough. Since you mentioned it, I've also got a box of 147gr Win personal protection ammo that I'll drag along also.
If the 115gr ammo doesen't cycle right, I will see about getting a lighter recoil spring assembly.

[SHOOTALL]

.046 difference in rim between 40 and 9 . bet there is that much difference in some off shore ammo 

[cwlongshot]

I ordered a conversion barrel back in May. The 24 to be exact. I received a couple emails saying it was delayed and I would be informed when it was in and would ship… Frankly over the past FOUR MONTHS I forgot about it!! Well it arrived here Tuesday! Only what arrived was a G22 barrel…. SO back it went… Hopefully I will see it before its too cold to shoot it!!
Thanks for the tip on the 13# spring. I ordered one to try!!
CW

[1894cfan]

HAPPY DAZE!!! 
I know I'm a couple days late, but I just got back from the range with a report on my 40/9 LWD conversion barrel. Absolutly no hicups! Ran 32 rounds through the G27, and while the groups were high right about 3" at 7 yards they were pretty tight. The G23 on the other hand shot to point of aim with even tighter groups with another 85rds. Did I mention that there were no hicups? All I did was change the barrel and use 9MM mags. I am one happy camper!!!! 
Oh, forgot to mention, all this was done with Win white box 100 pack and a few odds and ends of extra ammo.

[1sourdough]

 That sounds great, maybe my 9mm ammo is a little on the weak side. With my 13 lb spring it did cycle fine though. I do like the 9mm when just out for fun though, in case anyone is wondering why not just shoot the 40.

[Savage]

Any 9mm round making 125 power factor should cycle with the factory spring and conversion barrel. A 115gr bullet would have to run around 1090fps to achieve this. If you have a chrono available it wouldn't hurt to check if you suspect your ammo is underpowered.
Savage

[1sourdough]

  FYI, my 115 grn reloads averaged 1087 fps & cycled about 60% of the time in my conversion barrel. Things are good right now with the 13 lb spring.