I am considering a caliber conversion change to my SIG P226 Legion SAO from 9mm to .40.

I was worried that the SAO gun would not handle the .40 conversion since they do not sell it that way, and the guy on the phone at SIG assured me that it was fine with SAO model.

I do want to be able to swap back-and-forth however between .40 and 9mm when needed. Is this a problem? It almost seems *too* simple: slide, barrel, guide rod and spring.

The reason I want to have the ability to shoot .40 before anyone flames me on how obsolete the .40 is, it is because I want to be able to make Major Power Factor for some USPSA matches that I shoot in.

Questions:

1) Has anyone converted a P226 SAO to .40?
2) Any issues swapping back and forth frequently? (I can't imagine anything, but it is better to ask and be safe...)


I realize that the conversion kit will not match my Legion coating, and I am fine with that.

not sure on the P226 - BUT other threads i have read said you can only go down in caliber, not up  (ie 40 to 9mm).. The slide may not be designed to handle the higher pressure if you go up..

I converted a P239 from 40 to 9 and just installed a new barrel and new mags..

brian

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, the conversion kit includes a new slide. Also the barrel, guide rod and spring.

I actually looked at making a P226 .40SW SAO recently, as a USPSA Limited gun.

I believe there are small numbers of them out there in the wild that left the factory in that config. I saw one for sale locally here actually.

Search around on Brian Enos for info on assembling 140mm mags -- there is like one guy making basepads that will get you up to 17 or 18. I think people run modified STI followers/springs.

Thanks, that is great info. I will check out Enos forums for the mag info. Mec-Gar makes some magazines in .40 that will go to 13 or 15 rounds, but I'll take 17 or 18 any day.

Yeah, definitely get a plan together before buying the tubes because only specific ones work with the basepads and various magwells.

I'm interested in your build, so please either keep me or this thread updated