First,welcome to the forum.
Second, you DO NOT NEED a conversion barrel to run 9mm in a Sig Sauer P226.
There will be an issue with the sight POI vs POA as the sights are 6/8 for .40 and 8/8 for 9mm/.357 Sig. You will want to run the proper mags,if using the gun in SD ,but the .40/.357 mags do work well at the range.

Looks like U642 puts it in between 2000/2002

 

Very interesting.

alinc100,

Thanks for the reply.

I wouldn't have thought this would be advisable due to the difference in outside diameter from the 40 and 9 barrels. But after doing some more research, I've found several threads advising the same thing.

Not doubting you. Just doesn't seem right!

I'll google some more, but I just don't understand how this doesn't affect accuracy. Again, not doubting you or the others. Just seems alien until I can wrap my mind around it.

Looks like 9mm threaded barrels are in the $190 - $220 range. If I can't find one cheaper, would there be any reason not to go with the conversion barrel? (Just asking.)

Thanks for the help.

 

A lot will be dependent on reliability, due to the extractor, you need to make sure it pivots freely, and the spring channel cleaned. There will be a slight gap on each side of the barrel hoods extension, but the lock up is fore and aft in the ejection port. The lower lug, and locking insert prevents too much looseness, along with the recoil spring and guide rod.

The conversion barrel for the P226 just has a wider barrel hood extension, to prevent the side gaps. That shouldn't be a worry, since Massachusetts has a gaping hole as a loaded chamber indicator in the hood extension anyway, so not a hazardous condition.

A Sig branded barrel "could" have a better chance, at being a drop in fit, than one of the aftermarket barrels anyway.

 

The P226 uses the same outside diameters, on the barrels, it's the P229 that has the different diameters.

 

One more question . . .

This is great news.

One more question - would all this still apply with the weight of a suppressor on the end of barrel?

Thanks.

 

This is great news.

One more question - would all this still apply with the weight of a suppressor on the end of barrel?

Thanks.

That's the 64 Thousand Dollar question... on one hand the "weight of the suppressor would "enhance" the lockup of the rear of the barrel into the ejection port. It could possibly cause more fouling around the breech, which would mean the necessity to clean the extractor, and spring/rod cavity more often. Once again if you don't have good reliability with extraction before using a suppressor, it won't get any better with one. Also you will probably need to go to a lighter recoil spring, but going too light could result in extraction problems, as the cycle would not allow the brass time to recover after expansion to seal the chamber.

Trying to run a suppressor, may result in too many headaches... you may be further ahead getting a 9mm Caliber X-Change kit, to eliminate so many variables, and possible problems.

 

Thanks for your help.

Thanks, everyone, for your help.

Willard - thanks for the suppressor-related guidance. Agree that the exchange kit would be the best bet. From what I've seen, they only come with a standard barrel, so I'd be looking at another couple of hundred on top of the kit for a threaded barrel. I love this $320 gun, but not that much! I have a CZ 75 SP01 that's a lot of fun with my suppressor, so it won't kill me if the P226 won't function reliably suppressed.

I'll probably go with the EFK conversion barrel as it's not much more than a regular standard 9mm barrel. Hopefully it has a better chance of reliability with a suppressor, and if not, at least I'll be able to shoot 9mm.

Unless someone else has a reason not to go with EFK.

Thanks again.

 

Oops. One last question.

Can anyone hazard a guess as to what weight recoil spring one would want using a 9mm barrel and suppressor with a 40 slide? Looks like the standard 9mm weight is 16 lbs. Not sure if the 40 slide/suppressor would call for an increased weight.

. . . . . .

Well, before hitting "post," I checked Wolff's website, and looks like they have a calibration pack with 16, 17, 18, and 19 lb springs for $25 before shipping.

Sounds like that would have me covered.

Thanks.

 

You would probably be better off getting the Wolff 14# (#46014), and 15 # (#46015) springs which are conventional single wire springs. They also have a variable rate spring "Calibration Pack", (#13179), which may be worth trying. Sig's standard P226 9mm recoil spring is rated at 15# according to Wolff. The .357 Sig and .40 S&W are rated at 20#. https://www.gunsprings.com/SIG-SAUER (SIGARMS)/P226/cID1/mID4/dID254

 

Hello,,, glad you joined us!!!

I've used Sig 9mm barrels in my 226 in 357 & 40 and a BarSto conversion barrel in my 229 in 357 & 40. I have used the heavier recoil spring each time. It has always functioned perfectly each time. I don't use them for self-defense though.