Posted: 9/13/2026 9:32:11 PM EDT
| Looking to get a barsto 40-9 conversion barrel for my p229r. How reliable are they with just a barrel swap and magazines? Also is barsto the only game in town for a conversion barrel? |
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There used to be a few but I can't remember who they were. I had a Barsto and it functioned fine and even fed 9 out of my 40 mags. The issue I had was that there was a big shift in POI so I couldn't just go back and forth. I can't remember the actual number but I think it was at least 4-5 inches. I don't know if Sig still sells top ends but that's the way I'd go. I have no idea if what happened with mine is common and to be open I didn't try and correct it or contact Barsto because I ended up buying another gun. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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A P229 in 40 S&W is almost certainly configured with iron sights. Putting $275 plus shipping, tax, and anxiety around an incomplete conversion sounds like a lot. I understand the appeal of a $50 Glock conversion barrel on a basic Police trade in, but this doesn't seem like a very good value proposition in the P229. 40 cal has been showing up for 9mm prices lately. This place has some frangible 135 gr 40 cal for $11 a box. It's a legit company. If you are digging your P229 as configured, just run with it as configured. If not, you might want to ante up for an optics ready slide in 9mm. To answer you question, though, I have not run a 9mm conversion barrel in a Sig P-Series 40 Cal. The magazine shouldn't be an issue. Mec Gar uses the same magazines with different markings and witness holes for the P-series whether 9mm or 40 Cal. I have seen some early 40 Cal Sig 12 rounders apparently not made by Mec Gar that have trouble holding onto 9mm sometimes, but sometimes they work. Mec Gar ones will work with both, though. |
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With the POI being different, I would pick up a 9mm slide and use a factory barrel. The non optic versions can be found at a decent price. Since the P229 has been discontinued, it’s only going to be a harder item to find down the road. Sig currently only lists the optic ready slide for the P229. And it’s out of stock. I will not be surprised when they discontinue them altogether. |
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Originally Posted By NonTypical361: With the POI being different, I would pick up a 9mm slide and use a factory barrel. The non optic versions can be found at a decent price. Since the P229 has been discontinued, it’s only going to be a harder item to find down the road. Sig currently only lists the optic ready slide for the P229. And it’s out of stock. I will not be surprised when they discontinue them altogether. They killed the 229? That makes me sad. Also makes sense on the parts. When I searched that part number I found one on gunbroker. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
|
As I posted before, I have EFK Firedragon conversion for my P229 .40. It was a true drop-in. All you need is a bbl. Your .40 mags will also work, but 9mm rounds will rattle in them. You can also replace recoil spring if your gun short cycles with light 9mm loads. The only issue I have is with .40 mags the gun will lock open on the last round, but the spent case will remain in ejection port sitting on top of the mag. Once the empty mag is ejected, that case will drop free through the well. |
| I would go for a 9mm slide and barrel not go with a 40 frame&9mm conv. barrel. As someone else stated it can or will affect your POI as well as other issues, so why even do it. |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
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Several years ago Sig figured out it was less expensive to standardize on one frame vs make 2 for the same platform in 9mm and 40 cal/357 Sig. Standardizing on the 40 cal frame meant they could do both with just one frame, so they quietly did. As has been mentioned by others in this thread, you can just purchase a new (long extractor/E2) optics cut slide from Sig. I did it for my P229R 40 cal, and it works just fine. I will be sending out the original 40 cal (short extractor/Legacy slide) to these guys to get milled for an optic as well: Pine Wood Machining Corporation The older legacy slides had a solid knurled firing pin retaining pin, so I will have to select that option. |