Fitting new Slide to existing Frame

[shotgunone]

I realize this is a pistol smith's job. I have a STI 2011 in 9mm and was wondering how hard and how expensive it would be to have another slide fitted in say a 40 caliber or 45? I know you have to change the ejector but I have been seeing where a lot of 9mm ejectors are being replaced with shorter ejectors due to magazine hitting and breaking the ejector.

I would guess that obviously you have to fit the slide to the frame since the frame has to fit both slides. You couldn't work on both together to get them mated.

Or is it cheaper to buy the new gun in the different caliber?

Edited November 13, 2014 by shotgunone

[Ultimo-Hombre]

Greetings amigo,

one of the fellas I shoot with has a 9 and a 40 top end. He knows more about competition shooting than I do so I'm guessing it is a good cost saving alternative. Seeing as you are asking this question, it goes without saying you don't have the skills to do the work (not saying as a jerk, I havnt got those skills either!) so the best guy to give you Intel on the project is the smith you are gonna use. What part of the country you in? I bet the benoverse will help you find a good one!

Good luck amigo!

[JonSnow]

Short, unhelpful, answer is "it depends", largely on how much money you've spent in your frame. Trigger job, magwell, etc. I'm doing a similar thing right now, building a 40 slide for a 1911, and I found it was comparable to buying a new gun and that's with me doing a lot of the labor. I chose to do the slide because I wanted a project. Realize that the slide has to be fitted to the frame and the barrel needs to be fitted to the slide (and bushing if you have a bushing barrel), so Gunsmithing costs can add up.

[bountyhunter]

I had a .40 top end built for my 9mm STI but only because I live in a state where buying a new one in .40 is not legal so I had no choice.

FYI, the 9mm ejector works fine with .40 on mine. No changes at all on the frame between calibers.

Edited November 14, 2014 by bountyhunter

[Matt Cheely]

It's generally more expensive than most people would assume. 80% of the work in building a pistol is in the top end and fitting it & the barrel to the frame. Money is better spent getting a 2nd gun rather than a 2nd top end.

[shutr]

Send your frame and both slides to Accurail. That's the type of work they do.

[Larry White]

Don't forget to factor in the cost of .40 mags. Your 9mm ejector will work. You will be pretty well into the cost of a new gun. If you choose to go that way Give Benny Hill a call in Corpus Christi. 361 241 1091.---------------Larry

[bubbadoc]

Because of the cost I have always prefered having two different guns (cost is figured having a real gunsmith do the work and not me). Plus if you get tired of one caliber you can sell the whole gun adn still have a gun left to shoot. WIth two slides it is all or nothing

The idea of only having one grip, safety and trigger to get used to is rather appealing for competition and for those that cannot get a lot of trigger time in at the range....

Edited November 14, 2014 by bubbadoc

[shotgunone]

Seems like everyone is saying the cost will be about the same as a new gun. The point of selling one caliber is something I hadn't thought of. Also never though about the wear factor on the frame that's a good point.