I have a line on a Sig 229 pistol I might like to buy. The only problem is it's in .40 S&W and I really want a .357 Sig. I know the barrels on these can be swapped out, but is it truely a drop in deal with no smithing involved? Are the magazines the same for the .40 and .357 guns or do they need to be swapped out as well? I'm a 1911 guy and the Sig stuff is new to me. Thanks!
Sig 229 barrel swap, drop in?
- Thread starter trbon8r
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Sharps Shooter
Member
Yeah, my Sig 229 was originally in a 357 Sig and I bought a 40 S&W barrel for it later on. I swapped them back and forth depending on which ammo I had the most of at the time.
I did have a problem with one aftermarket magazine (I don't remember the brand) that wouldn't reliably feed 357 Sig ammo. But the two Sig magazines that came with the gun worked fine for either 357 Sig or 40 S&W.
I did have a problem with one aftermarket magazine (I don't remember the brand) that wouldn't reliably feed 357 Sig ammo. But the two Sig magazines that came with the gun worked fine for either 357 Sig or 40 S&W.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Check out the Bar Sto barrels; as they are better look'in barrels
than the SIG factory barrels.
than the SIG factory barrels.
critter
Member
In mine, both barrels and all mags work perfectly with no fitting, adjustments, etc. A 2-in-1 gun.
HighVelocity
Member
Hold on there... All 229 barrels are not created equal.
I have two 229's. One is a standard DA/SA and the other is the SAS DAK model.
Both came with 40 cal factory barrels. First, I only had the DA/SA model. I bought two Bar-Sto barrells for it (357 and 9mm conv). Both of these dropped in with no fitting and functioned perfectly.
Then I bought the SAS model. Neither Bar-sto barrel would fit, not even close.
I bought a factory 357 sig barrel and it dropped in and worked. Today I received a Bar-sto 40 barrel and it fits both guns.
So while it's likely that a FACTORY barrel will drop right in, it's less likely with an aftermarket one.
I have two 229's. One is a standard DA/SA and the other is the SAS DAK model.
Both came with 40 cal factory barrels. First, I only had the DA/SA model. I bought two Bar-Sto barrells for it (357 and 9mm conv). Both of these dropped in with no fitting and functioned perfectly.
Then I bought the SAS model. Neither Bar-sto barrel would fit, not even close.
I bought a factory 357 sig barrel and it dropped in and worked. Today I received a Bar-sto 40 barrel and it fits both guns.
So while it's likely that a FACTORY barrel will drop right in, it's less likely with an aftermarket one.
Rockrivr1
Member
Actually Bar-Sto says right on their web site that their bbls "should" drop right in without any additional work. There is a disclaimer that not every handgun is the same and some minor gunsmithing may be needed, but it's not very common with their drop in models.
I have a 229 and have a factory 40S&W, 357 Sig and a Bar-Sto 9mm bbl for it. All three calibers shoot great and all use the same 357/40 mags. You can fit 13 rnds of 9mm in the factory mag.
The only thing about the Bar-Sto bbls is that they are more expensive then some. I bought a Federal bbl in 9mm for my Glock 22. It only cost me $80 and after shooting it I know why. The accuracy just isn't the same as the 9mm bbl from Bar-Sto in my 229. I know they are different guns entirely, but accuracy is accuracy in my book.
I have a 229 and have a factory 40S&W, 357 Sig and a Bar-Sto 9mm bbl for it. All three calibers shoot great and all use the same 357/40 mags. You can fit 13 rnds of 9mm in the factory mag.
The only thing about the Bar-Sto bbls is that they are more expensive then some. I bought a Federal bbl in 9mm for my Glock 22. It only cost me $80 and after shooting it I know why. The accuracy just isn't the same as the 9mm bbl from Bar-Sto in my 229. I know they are different guns entirely, but accuracy is accuracy in my book.
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