vetparatrooper wrote:Damn now I wish I had gotten a Glock 22 .40 SW. Glock37 AGP. or Glock 21 .45 ACP. because I just heard the barrels are interchangeable....the 9MM cannot be changed out but the other calibers mentioned can be and when changed can shoot just like a 9MM.
I know the 9MM cannot be changed out because the breech face is smaller for the 9mm cartridge and it would not feed a .40 cal case.
But it sure would have been nice to find out this info before purchasing the Glcok 19
If you want complete caliber interchangeability, the 20/21 or 29/30 are the best models.
Still, the G19 has some fine amenities that those models do not have.
It's all a trade off. All things considered, 9mm is among the best of "all purpose" semi-auto handgun cartridges out there.
Keep in mind that if you buy one of these other model Glocks and go the conversion rate, you're gonna wind up spending a small fortune in conversion barrels and in some cases, slide assemblies.
I bought the G29 as a multi-purpose handgun mostly for hunting - and chose the compact model because it is desirable from my standpoint to have a small rather than large pistol - all purposes considered. Ideally, I would have preferred a pistol that was slightly larger in the grip than the G29, but the G20 is too large for practical purposes in my opinion. My theory is if you want large - go with a carbine. Large pistols outweigh their practicality. Speaking of weight, this gun is unbelievably light - which makes shooting full-power 10mm rounds fun and a tad challenging, but carrying it all day long through shintangle a snap.
With the G29, one can get adapter plates to attach to a G20 mag anyway, so if you want 15+1, it's an easy conversion. Longer barrels are an option too. I like to say that I can essentially turn a G29 into a G20, but cannot turn a G20 into a G29.
Cartridges I currently chamber with the G29:
10mm (standard chambering)
.40 s&w (requires conversion barrel - I procured a lightly used Federal arms barrel for $40.)
.22LR (requires slide assembly and mags - Advantage arms conversion kit)
Other possible chambering with the G29:
7.62x25 (requires modified magazines/springs/followers, custom barrel/springs/ custom slide assembly based on a 29 or 20 slide - not available in current market - requires gunsmith - but are available through the right channels).
.45 ACP or .45 GAP (G30 or G36 slide assembly + G21 or G30 mags)
.357 sig (conversion barrel - several companies stock)
9x25 Dillon (conversion barrel-several companies stock)
9x23 Winchester (conversion barrel - custom)
9mm para (conversion barrel - pretty much custom)
Basically, everything on the following pic, plus a few, except the .50AE (big one at far right) - but the .50GI is available if you want a .50 (custom on the G29)!
Life is short. Eat, Drink & Be Merry!