Glock questions

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Al-jim19

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Disclaimer: I live in Massachusetts which adds a few complications as far as magazines and purchasing glocks.

Thinking about buying another Glock to complement my other pistols. Currently own a shield 9 and Gen2 G19. Considering either a Gen3/4 G34, G35, or G22. I've been considering a few things:

-How difficult is it to convert a G34 to a G35? I know the .40->9mm swap is easy, but how difficult is the other way? I'd only be planning on using the pistol for anything remotely serious in stock configuration.

-Based on the pistols I currently own, I don't really want a G17, too close to my G19 to justify that expense. I would like to *possibly* add another pistol caliber to the stockpile, and .40 seems like a decent bet because it's readily available, and I can convert it to 9mm which I like a lot and have a lot of already. Is it worth adding another caliber to the stable in the G22? Also, prebans abound, which is enticing.

-Lastly, how do the G34/35/22 compare based on your experiences? I've never shot any of the three. The only .40 I've ever shot is my friends MP40, which didn't seem to have as much recoil as most espouse, but a little more than my 9s.

PS: even the free state MP triggers kind of suck, mushy and gross start to finish.
PPS: there exists the distinct possibility I'll go blow my cash on ammo or more prebans or a shoulder thing that goes up.
 
Al-jim19 said:
Disclaimer: I live in Massachusetts which adds a few complications as far as magazines and purchasing glocks.

Thinking about buying another Glock to complement my other pistols. Currently own a shield 9 and Gen2 G19. Considering either a Gen3/4 G34, G35, or G22. I've been considering a few things:

-How difficult is it to convert a G34 to a G35? I know the .40->9mm swap is easy, but how difficult is the other way? I'd only be planning on using the pistol for anything remotely serious in stock configuration.

-Based on the pistols I currently own, I don't really want a G17, too close to my G19 to justify that expense. I would like to *possibly* add another pistol caliber to the stockpile, and .40 seems like a decent bet because it's readily available, and I can convert it to 9mm which I like a lot and have a lot of already. Is it worth adding another caliber to the stable in the G22? Also, prebans abound, which is enticing.

-Lastly, how do the G34/35/22 compare based on your experiences? I've never shot any of the three. The only .40 I've ever shot is my friends MP40, which didn't seem to have as much recoil as most espouse, but a little more than my 9s.

PS: even the free state MP triggers kind of suck, mushy and gross start to finish.
PPS: there exists the distinct possibility I'll go blow my cash on ammo or more prebans or a shoulder thing that goes up.
Click to expand...

If you want to swap cartridges get a .40 and then a 9mm barrel, not the other way around.

You'll have to answer the question about adding another caliber for yourself. I chose not to, others find it worthwhile.
 
No can do 34=>35 (barrels are different O.D.)

The other way around with a conversion barrel = yes

9mm easier to shoot and cheaper, I still own a few 40s cuz of ammo availablity around here

I sold off my 34/35 and prefer "duty-sized" models and subcompacts, YMMV

Those "shoulder things that go up" are overrated. LOL

M&P triggers can be improved with an Apex kit

Good luck

M
 
I don't know if you've ever done the "buy this gun because caliber swaps are easy" before (I have) but personally I just didn't end up swapping calibers and getting whatever massive satisfaction out of doing so that seems to be promoted on the internet all the time. I'll admit it "seemed like a great idea" to me at the time too, but in practice I just didn't find it to be some great capability or money saver. I wouldn't again base a pistol purchase on that ability. Ymmv.

But to answer your question:

It would be cheaper to go 40 --> 9mm than the other way around. To swap .40 to 9, you just need an aftermarket conversion barrel that is externally dimensioned as a .40 but chambered for 9mm. To go 9 to 40, you will need a whole new top end since the breechface in the 9mm slide isn't wide enough to take a .40 casehead. Also you will need new mags for both. The frames are the same between the two.

Whether you want to add a new cartridge or not is a question only you can answer. Some people like variety, and some like streamlined ammo logistics.
 
Al-jim19 said:
-How difficult is it to convert a G34 to a G35? I know the .40->9mm swap is easy, but how difficult is the other way? I'd only be planning on using the pistol for anything remotely serious in stock configuration.
Click to expand...

I don't think it'd really be practical to convert from 9mm to .40 since that would require a different slide. Might as well just buy a different gun.

Al-jim19 said:
-Based on the pistols I currently own, I don't really want a G17, too close to my G19 to justify that expense. I would like to *possibly* add another pistol caliber to the stockpile, and .40 seems like a decent bet because it's readily available, and I can convert it to 9mm which I like a lot and have a lot of already. Is it worth adding another caliber to the stable in the G22? Also, prebans abound, which is enticing.
Click to expand...

Why get another Glock? Don't get me wrong, Glocks are great pistols (I've got 4) but IMO, they're kind of boring and rather ugly with no significant variation between them, at least at the full and mid size level. That's fine for a hard knocks gun but for another range toy I'd go with something fresh. I'm looking to sell one of mine and get a CZ soon for that reason. Just a thought.

ny32182 said:
It would be cheaper to go 40 --> 9mm than the other way around. To swap .40 to 9, you just need an aftermarket conversion barrel that is externally dimensioned as a .40 but chambered for 9mm. To go 9 to 40, you will need a whole new top end since the breechface in the 9mm slide isn't wide enough to take a .40 casehead. Also you will need new mags for both. The frames are the same between the two.
Click to expand...

Actually, in a pinch .40 Glock mags will work ok with a 9mm pistol. Theoretically they'd be more subject to malfunctions although I've put a few hundred rounds through them without issue. I wouldn't do it for regular carry but for range use it works fine.
 
As mentioned you can get a 9mm conversion barrel for a .40 model Glock but to make a 9mm Glock a .40 you'd have to buy a complete upper assembly and possibly a new ejector.

I have a 9mm conversion barrel for my G35 and I've tried this off and on over the years. I use the conversion barrel, a 9mm magazine and I personally use a 9mm extractor. The extractor isn't really a must have but it makes case ejection more fine tuned instead of all over the place.

The G35 is a great pistol, would recoil SLIGHTLY more than a 34 but nothing drastic with typical factory ammo. With the .40 you also can swap out barrels and make it a 357 SIG, another cool cartridge. Recoil wise I've shot a 19 I used to have side by side with my G23 (124gr 9mm vs. 180gr .40) and recoil truly wasn't that different. The .40 recoiled a very slight amount more but not enough to throw you off by any means. Although if you were to compare 124gr 9mm to say 155gr .40 then yeah, you'll definitely notice but the .40 is never uncontrollable.
 
The extractor doesn't have to be changed to shoot 9mm but if not frequently will accelerate wearing out

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
The extractor catches a small portion of the 9mm case lip. On a 40 it grabs the full width

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
You didn't mention a Glock generation, but if considering a Glock in .40 S&W, most seem to recommend a Gen 4 gun.
 
William_Broadus said:
The extractor catches a small portion of the 9mm case lip. On a 40 it grabs the full width

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I respectfully disagree. I have a pair of G23s, and a Lonewolf 9mm conversion barrel. The LW conversion's chamber is bored slightly off-axis (crooked, if you will) so that the bullet ends up in the proper spot but the case head is moved over to meet the extractor fully. This gives the extractor a full grip on the rim. Also, I run the 10-round G23 mags with 9mm in them, and they function reliably but hold a couple extra rounds. Both my G23s have fired far more 9mm than .40.
 
Last edited:
The extractor catches a small portion of the 9mm case lip. On a 40 it grabs the full width
Click to expand...
'

If you can see a difference between the 40 and 9 extractors, kudos to you. I bought the 9mm extractor to "do it right," and the difference was miniscule. They both work for either caliber, and I think the stock 40 worked better for 9mm. I'm not sure how you will wear out an extractor; it's "case-hardened" with the tennifer treatment. The spring might eventually need to be replaced, I suppose.
 
IMHO there is not enough difference in performance between the 9mm and 40 S&W to justify the cost of a barrel, mags and recoil spring unless you have a big supply of brass.

If I was going for the caliber swap I would get something with some jazz such as the .357 Sig and 9mm.
 
There seem to only be two questions being asked.

1. It's not difficult to convert a G34 to a G35. It just takes money and only a little bit of time. Lonewolfdist.com has entire aftermarket replacement slides & barrels which can replace the entire top end of a Glock. I don't know MA, but .40 mags will fit right in the G34's frame. Whether you need or want a .40 has been debated over the years. Since you've now spent another ~$400, you might as well get a G22/27/35 trigger mechanism housing which will include that ejector.

2. How do the G22/35/34 compare? They compare well. They share the same frame. Two are .40 guns; one is a 9mm. The question is vague and there are probably countless threads dealing with .40 vs. 9mm. I've owned G22gen2, G22gen3 (have also been issued both for LEO work), G22gen4, G35gen3, and G34gen3. Otherwise, the question is vague and one's individual wants, needs, and priorities will influence why a person doesn't just make a choice and start buying them all, even though it may be one at a time.
 
Use each pistol as it was manufactured to be used. 9mm in a 9mm pistol, .40 in a .40 pistol. Conversion barrels and the like can be done, but buying a new pistol in the caliber you desire is not the cheapest way to go, but certainly the best. Better to spend a bit more to get what you want then to do conversions and risk problems. That being said, a Glock 22 Gen 4 would be an excellent choice as you already have a 9mm.
 
Maybe I should ask another question to help clarify my problem:

Do you keep multiple pistol/ rifle calibers on hand? If so, do you do so to give yourself flexibility in finding ammo to purchase and shoot? I only stock 9mm right now, and in the event it becomes scarce again, I thought adding a gun of a different caliber, possibly a .40 Glock would be logical since I could also shoot 9mm from it for cheap and since preban magazines are much cheaper and more available than 9mm. I also chose .40 instead of .45 since it's usually cheaper.

9mm would still be my go to for most applications but .40 would be ready if I ever needed it.
 
Al-jim19 said:
Maybe I should ask another question to help clarify my problem:

Do you keep multiple pistol/ rifle calibers on hand? If so, do you do so to give yourself flexibility in finding ammo to purchase and shoot? I only stock 9mm right now, and in the event it becomes scarce again, I thought adding a gun of a different caliber, possibly a .40 Glock would be logical since I could also shoot 9mm from it for cheap and since preban magazines are much cheaper and more available than 9mm. I also chose .40 instead of .45 since it's usually cheaper.

9mm would still be my go to for most applications but .40 would be ready if I ever needed it.
Click to expand...

Well, that whole "preban" thing is alien to me, so I can't speak to that (and the mags would cost the same, which is to say, cheap, any time/place/capacity/caliber).

I'm bias of course but if I had a G19 I would get either a G26 or another G19. I guess if I bought into the "have a .40 because nobody is buying the ammo so you can buy it for less especially if demand spikes" I might get a G32 or G23 and a conversion barrel to 9mm and then use the newer pistol, shooting 9mm, for a lot of my practice.
 
Teachu2 said:
I respectfully disagree. I have a pair of G23s, and a Lonewolf 9mm conversion barrel. The LW conversion's chamber is bored slightly off-axis (crooked, if you will) so that the bullet ends up in the proper spot but the case head is moved over to meet the extractor fully. This gives the extractor a full grip on the rim. Also, I run the 10-round G23 mags with 9mm in them, and they function reliably but hold a couple extra rounds. Both my G23s have fired far more 9mm than .40.
Click to expand...

I have to respectfully disagree--------.
A chamber cut off axis to the bore would render a barrel less than useless. I'd suggest that anyone who has a question about this contact Lone Wolf, KKM, or any of the conversion barrel makers.
str1
 
To clear up this internet "Truth", I emailed Lone Wolf Distributors and asked them to put this misinformation to bed. Here is the response I received:
str1
Alan Thompson
Mon, 06/06/16 3:57 pm

It amazes me at times, that these guys are out there and actually believe what they put on forums. There is absolutely zero truth to this. It isnt even possible to do that. The way it is made basically, is we take a 40 barrel and bore it out and chamber it to 9mm, its that simple. The 40 ejector and extractor will work just fine with the 9mm cartridge. I hope this clears it all up for you.
 
shooter1 said:
To clear up this internet "Truth", I emailed Lone Wolf Distributors and asked them to put this misinformation to bed. Here is the response I received:
str1
Alan Thompson
Mon, 06/06/16 3:57 pm

It amazes me at times, that these guys are out there and actually believe what they put on forums. There is absolutely zero truth to this. It isnt even possible to do that. The way it is made basically, is we take a 40 barrel and bore it out and chamber it to 9mm, its that simple. The 40 ejector and extractor will work just fine with the 9mm cartridge. I hope this clears it all up for you.
Click to expand...

Well, I feel stupid now! Here I thought that LW was exceptionally bright - only to find out that they merely have poor quality control. MY 40-9 conversion barrel must be defective. My first clue was the off-center primer strikes, so I visually examined the barrel and thought it was off a bit. Got out the dial caliper, and found the unequal wall thickness on the sides of the chamber at the breech, yet the chamber centers in the bore at the juncture...leading me to believe it was designed that way. Given it's reasonable accuracy and total reliability, I won't send it back, but it's disappointing to find out it's a fortunate anomaly. Sorry to have posted incorrect information based on a single (apparently defective) sample.
 
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