Are P94 9MM and P944 .40 auto basically interchangable?

[dlh38or45]

Saturday I was at a LGS and saw a P944 for sale for @$265. I about fainted to see a Rugre P series so cheap. I did some reading about the P94, and saw that there was a 9mm in the same configuration.

Here is my fundamental question:

Can I buy the P944, which is .40 Auto, and then find a slide, barrel, and magazines for a P94 9mm, and interchange them. In other words, with the extra parts, can the P94 be a modular pistol platform between .40 auto and 9mm with the extra parts?

Don

 

[roylt]

Yes. I have a KP94 with an extra KP944 slide, guide rod/ spring and barrel assy as you say.

Uses the same frame.

Of course you have to have the old style guns to make it work. The newer P944 is different than the old style P944.

I have found that is is better to just buy two guns though. I know you can pop a slide off and back on in under a minute but it still seems like a hassle.

By the time you get the gun (265) and then find a complete parts kit to make the swap work (100) you could just get another gun.

Basically 400 or 500 dollars.

 

[Mike J]

Some of the P-944s used a camblock while some of them used a swinging link. The 9mm P94s all used a swinging link IIRC. If the P944 in question is a swinging link gun I believe it would work. I believe a member here has done this. If you are curious about it you might look through posts by November.

IIRC there is a piece on the outside of the frame by the slide stop on the P944's that have the camblock that is not there on the swinging link guns. My P944 has the swinging link.

 

[Anonymous]

Mine is a swinging link too, mine is from about 1997-98. I don't know exactly when they switched to the cam block design.

 

[roylt]

Some of the P-944s used a camblock while some of them used a swinging link. The 9mm P94s all used a swinging link IIRC. If the P944 in question is a swinging link gun I believe it would work. I believe a member here has done this. If you are curious about it you might look through posts by November.

IIRC there is a piece on the outside of the frame by the slide stop on the P944's that have the camblock that is not there on the swinging link guns. My P944 has the swinging link.

Thanks Mike for clarifying what I was getting at. I'll admit I was being lazy.
Trying to type fast at work and not get in trouble. HAHA

 

[Mike J]

Sorry roylt-I got sidetracked between reading the question & replying. I didn't see your post.

Here is a link to one of Novembers old posts. http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=25038&highlight=#25038

I find it interesting he said different safety systems also. I wonder if you would have to change any parts in the frame to go from a safety model to a decock model. Maybe he will see this thread & chime in.

 

[roylt]

No appoligies. I'm glad you chimed in. Clarifying the question.

I have thought about trying to make a safe unit into DC only but haven't actually tried it yet. It appears the trigger bar, sear might be a little different in the safe model but I have not looked at the parts close enough to prove it out.

I have a safe unit P89 that I am selling but if it doesn't sell for what I'm asking then I will most likely try it. I have an extra blue DC only slide etc.

 

[SteveSatch]

I own a swinging link P944. I never knew I could buy a 9mm slide/barrel/guide rod to have a 9mm P94. Great idea and I'd love to do it. Now, where do I buy the 9mm parts for a reasonable price? 9mm P94 seems somewhat rare. I don't think parts will be easy to find.

 

[roylt]

I got my "kit" on gunbroker ($80) but I got the 40 stuff. You have to watch it though because there are several guys that take and sell the slide etc for 50 and then the barrel for another 50. I personally like to keep those together as a set. Not real sure how critical it is but the manual leads you to beleive the barrel is factory fit to the slide? Of course there are companies that sell barrels only so it must not be that big of deal really??

Good luck.

 

[dlh38or45]

Part of my thinking behind this is as follows:

1) Flexbility is good
2)9MM ammo would be easier to find in a SHTF situation than .40 cal (because of military considerations)
3) OTOH, I saw some discussion that during the ammo shortage, .40 auto waqs easier to find than alot of other calibers
4)I have holsters to fit a P90, and I think they would also fit the P94.
5) The P94 is slightly shorter and may be easier to conceal than my P90, especially on my motorcycle.

Don


Don

 

[roylt]

At 265 you should be posting that you go it!! Pictures please!

Is it blue or stainless / Safe or DC only unit?

 

[November]

Sorry roylt-I got sidetracked between reading the question & replying. I didn't see your post.

Here is a link to one of Novembers old posts. http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=25038&highlight=#25038

I find it interesting he said different safety systems also. I wonder if you would have to change any parts in the frame to go from a safety model to a decock model. Maybe he will see this thread & chime in.

In my experience, you can switch different caliber and safety complete uppers at will (no other changes needed) on the older swinging link P94 frames EXCEPT for the DAO version upper. (I believe that requires a different hammer and trigger bar at the very least.) Otherwise, anything goes.

At $265 you should own that gun.

You used to be able to buy complete P94 uppers on eBay for peanuts ($50 - $75) all day long.

By the way, I was watching a stainless P94 DAO 9mm on Gunbroker last week then forgot about it and it sold for $270. I cried all night. :x I picked up this ANIB KP94 9mm earlier this year for $275 OTD.

 

[SteveSatch]

If anyone knows where I can buy a complete P94 upper in 9MM DC version please let me know.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[roylt]

There is at least one on GB but you have to buy the lower to get it. HAHA.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=241369952

 

[roylt]

Price isn't bad either in my opinion. $330 plus transfer fee.

And no, it isn't mine.

 

[dlh38or45]

I looked at it again today. It is the P944 with the cam, not the link. I might pick it up tomorrow...

The price was $269, which means $289 OTD with tax.