The reason folks are saying that you need a CONVERSION barrel:
The diameter of the hole in the slide on the .40S&W gun is larger diameter than the 9mm version...
The conversion barrel will have the same external dimensions as the factory barrel and, therefore, fit correctly in a .40 slide. The same will not be the case with the slightly smaller external dimensions of the 9mm barrel.
-J-
And a loose rattling barrel might adversely affect accuracy.
I'm going to have to disagree here. I used a conversion barrel in my 23 for awhile, and while mine was pretty reliable, I would never suggest carrying with that combination. The breechface for .40 is larger than that for 9mm, which means the extractor may slip off the case. If you are going to carry 9mm, get a G19 slide and ejector. Otherwise, just the conversion barrel and mags should be reliable enough for range use.If for defensive carry, you'd need to change the extractor and ejector and use a 9mm conversion barrel and standard 9mm magazines.
I'm going to have to disagree here. I used a conversion barrel in my 23 for awhile, and while mine was pretty reliable, I would never suggest carrying with that combination. The breechface for .40 is larger than that for 9mm, which means the extractor may slip off the case. If you are going to carry 9mm, get a G19 slide and ejector. Otherwise, just the conversion barrel and mags should be reliable enough for range use.
OK We have got to lay this to rest.I'm going to have to disagree here. I used a conversion barrel in my 23 for awhile, and while mine was pretty reliable, I would never suggest carrying with that combination. The breechface for .40 is larger than that for 9mm, which means the extractor may slip off the case. If you are going to carry 9mm, get a G19 slide and ejector. Otherwise, just the conversion barrel and mags should be reliable enough for range use.
Even though you can shoot 9mm in a G23 with a conversion barrel, I am not a fan of doing so. To be honest, I really dont see the need.
You will definitely take a reliability hit and therefore the practice is NOT recommended for duty/self defense use. You would probably have some court liability issues as well in the case of a self defense incident. I wouldn't recommend doing it for competition either for a number of reasons. With all that said, ammo costs are similar between 9mm and .40 and if you know where to get ammo it's not going to make much difference.
In the long run, it's much more ideal to just purchase a G19 OR buy the parts you need to ACTUALLY convert your G23 to 9mm. You can switch back and forth in a matter of 60 seconds by having the extra 9mm slide and ejector/trigger housing.
? Did you mean to quote me? I never said put a 9mm extractor in; what I did say is use a G19 SLIDE, which will have the correct breechface for 9mm. I did use a 9mm barrel in a G23, and even though it may be designed to be as reliable as possible with the G23 parts, I did have a double feed or two as a result of a breechface that was too large for 9mm.OK We have got to lay this to rest.
From what I understand, the conversion barrel is bored ever so slightly off center.
It does not affect the point of impact since the whole bore is off center from one end to the other.
What that does is put the extractor FIRMLY into the case because the center of the bore is in the same relationship to the extractor.
The barrel companies have tested this to death
There is no benefit whatsoever from putting a 9mm extractor in a G23.
It actually does not even make sense, because the claw on the extractor is not any bigger for a 9mm than for a 40.
If anything the 40 extractor is bigger.
This is the part I took exception to.The breechface for .40 is larger than that for 9mm, which means the extractor may slip off the case.