Double checking with those in the know. Am I correct in thinking that the only part I need to swap to shoot 40 out of my originally 357 sig P229r is the barrel? Thanks!

Yes, correct.

Magazines?

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:
Magazines?

You can use magazines marked .40 to shoot .357 Sig and the other way around. I’m not sure if that’s true in every gun but I know it works for the P229 and the Glock 23/32.

You can officially use either magazine of the P229 to shoot .40 or .357SIG.

The only gun I knew of with a proprietary magazine in this regard was the P239 and IIRC you could run .357SIG from the .40 mags reliably but not .40 from the .357 SIG mags or possibly Vice versa.


I have a P239 in .40 with a .357 SIG barrel and mag but I have shot so very little .357SIG that I don’t remember which of the above was true regarding .357SIG from the .40 mags or not.

Chris

The 357 mag is tapered down to stabilize the necked down round as it feeds so you can’t run 40 in the 357 Sig mag. Many claim to run 357 reliably in their 40 mags but for SD I’m sure Sig knows best. I’m speaking of the P239, just to clarify.

OP, I don’t recall if you need to change the recoil spring going from 357 to 40 in the P229. Mags are the same, barrel should drop in. The sights are different generally. I think most 357 go with 8/8, 40sw generally 6/8, so POI may be off a little.

I just picked up a preowned, unfired P229 Elite Stainless in .40 last week. Wasn't looking for one, but stopped into my local FFL and it had just been put in the case for $799.00 with 3 magazines, night sights and i couldn't resist.
Put 100 rounds of .40 thru it, shoots great. Yesterday my factory .357 barrel came from Midway. If it ever stops raining, i will put a couple boxes of .357 sig thru it. I will make note of the sights/POI and report back.
I am kind of excited to see how the .357 SIG shoots out of this all steel pistol as i have fired many many .357 SIG rounds over the years but all out of Glock pistols.

All the OEM mags for my P229 and P226 forties are marked ".40. 357".

My P226 .40 Mec-Gar after markets just say "MG-P226-40". Since they have been OEM manufacturers for Sig at various times I have no idea why they don't mention .357 as well.

IIRC, cslinger is correct that the P239 mags are caliber specific.

quote:

Originally posted by longjohn:

I am kind of excited to see how the .357 SIG shoots out of this all steel pistol as i have fired many many .357 SIG rounds over the years but all out of Glock pistols.

I bet you’ll love it. I prefer shooting Glocks to Sigs, but the .357 Sig out of my P229 is an amazing combo. I like it a lot more than shooting .357 Sig out of my Glock.

239: .357 in .40 mags for my 239 have worked fine. No issues. I've since acquired .357 mags for my 239s. No new springs. Only springs, and mags, for going to 9mm in my 239s.

229: my gen 1 229 in .40 when it first came out, had minor adjustment for the .357 barrel, but otherwise dropped in. .40 mags accept .357sig no prob. No new spring.

In the p229 the magazines are exactly the same for .40 and .357 and are marked for both calibers. The p239 is the one with different magazines.

Swap the barrel and you are good to go. I did the same with a 226 and love it.

The reason if it has not been mentioned is the magazines for a P239 are single stack and the ones for 357 are indented on the sides for the neck of the cartridge and so 40's won't work...

The P229 mags are double stacked and wider and so there is no 'indent' for the rounds.... same for the P226 and I suspect for others....

My P239's are .40 and .357 Sig, with .40 and .357 barrels for each. Presently all in .357. I have magazines for each. The .40 magazines will feed .357 just fine. The .357 magazines won't take .40 ammunition, due to the above-mentioned narrower forward part of the magazine. The rounds can't be inserted into the magazine, more than just the first round.

Conversely, the .40 magazines will feed either one. I also have 9mm barrels for the P239's, and the .40 magazines will feed the 9mm, though one wouldn't want to carry them like that. They'll cycle and eject, too.

I have several 229's in .40, and .357 sig, with both barrels for each. The magazines are marked .40 on some, and .40/.357 Sig on others. They all feed just fine. Same for the P226.