Can I just swap barrels?

[Malachi]

Please ignore this post and read second post instead.


Ok, i just got an S&W SD40VE, nice gun.. My father has an M&P 9mm. I field stripped both guns yesterday and they seem to be the exact same gun with different barrel and magazine. Other than a few cosmetics on the outside.

I took his 9mm slide and put it on my stock and it fit like a glove. Then I, loaded my magazine with 9mm and it chambered and ejected just fine too. I mean, I'm no expert, but I can't tell any difference between the two guns other than the barrel, and that the magazines won't interchange.

I took my barrel out of my gun and it's a very simple change, do can I just get a 9mm barrel and convert mine too a 9mm?

Of course, the reason I would do so is for range time since 9mm ammo is a bit cheaper.

Also, this may not work but.....they make the M&P in .45 as well, but the barrel is a 4.5" whereas my .40 is a 4". But, could I put a 4.5" barrel in my gun? It seems like it would just stick out a little, but is there something I'm missing here?

Obviously I know nothing about the finer points of gunsmithing, so bare with me if this sounds like a crazy question.

 

[Malachi]

Never mind previous post. Upon further inspection, i discovered my father has a Sigma, not an M&P. I should have looked at gun, not just asked him what it was.

Facepalm time.

 

[Kalamity023]

I'm no gunsmith but; if the locking lugs are the same ,and the frame is built to withstand the recoil of the caliber, it's probably ok.. Ask SW tech support they'll be able to tell ya.

 

[trainor]

no factory will tell you that you can just do this. Colt tech support was adamant that their .22-45 unit wouldn't work on a commander, yet it does. and they questioned its working on a Gold Cup. shows what tech support is likely to know.