I just purchased a 226 and a 220 SAO in .22. Both .22 slides look pretty much identical. I have a 226 9mm X-change kit on the way. Wondering if I can put that on the 220 SAO also and get some 9mm mags for it. Will it work? I know I'd need 9mm mags, but w/o having the slide yet, don't know if it'll work on the 220 frame, or if I'd need some other parts / it is a total No-Go.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mental,

If you could get the 226 slide on the 220 frame you would have a devil of a time getting 9mm mags that fit the 220. You would also need to swap the locking block at a minimum. I would say do not do it, primarily because I do not think it would work but also what is the point?

mental, if this does work please let us know as it would be a great way to build up a P220 in 9mm.

FWIW I tried to put a P226 slide on a P220 9mm frame, didn't work out well. The little verticle nub that sticks up on the top of the trigger bar is in a different position on the respective pistols, and the cutouts on the bottom of the slides for that little nub to ride in aren't in the same places on the respective slides. In short, didn't work for me. Will it work with modifications...don't know.

Ok, here's an update. The x-change kit came today. Looking at all the bits, and putting just the barrel up the the locking insert, it looked good so far. Looking at the other parts, the 220 has it's extractor on the slide catch lever, and the 226 has a separate one. Also, the 220's slide catch sticks up a hair above the rail and the 226 slide hits it and won't go all the way on the frame. It might be possible to shave down that part of the slide catch and make it work, but I won't look into that w/o an extra slide catch lever.

So, simple answer...as stock, you can't just slap a 226 upper on a 220 SAO lower.

I'll update folks if I decide to go further with this.