harleyconrad
Bearcat
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2013
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Just purchase an LC380 and looking at the mags and specs wondering if it can convert to 9MM with new barrel and mags?
LC380 conversion to LC9MM
- Thread starter harleyconrad
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groberts
Single-Sixer
Me too. But don't forget the springs. Ruger, however, says the barrel is only factory installed so it might take a while for them to sell the barrels as spares.
HIP SHOT
Bearcat
harleyconrad said:
The breach face is narrower on the 380 vs the 9mm by about .014".
Hip Shot
groberts
Single-Sixer
The LC380/LC9 manual shows only 5 parts that are different: slide, barrel, both recoil springs and the magazine. They do claim the slide and barrel "MUST BE FACTORY FITTED". That doesn't mean it can't be done - it just means they won't let you do it.GKC said:
groberts
Single-Sixer
A friend just told me why they could be taking this position - the slide has the serial number and the barrel has the "fingerprint", i.e. rifling. So the slide and the barrel has to be a matched set. As to why they have to be factory installed, that may have something to do with matching the barrel with something on your gun. If the serial number is not also stamped on the frame then perhaps, without us knowing about, they are microstamping the firing pin.
Gives you something to think about.
Gives you something to think about.
HIP SHOT
Bearcat
rgburrill said:
Ruger has not sent out slides or barrels as a matter of policy for as long as I can remember.
Hip Shot
Cheesewhiz
Hunter
rgburrill said:
I'm pretty sure that it has to do with fitting the barrel to the slide, most barrels need some massaging to fit them properly to the slide and this needs to be done by someone that actually knows what they are doing. The rest of this is "tin foil hat".
It's called liability due to high variances in manfacturing tolerances. LOL Ruger is the most adverse to being put in any position of almost any company out there. Plus it insures they can stand by their guns. You can't allow owners to totally reconfigure a weapon and then still honor a lifetime of "we will always make it right" policies. Glock serial numbers the three main parts to prevent reconfiguring it with out knowing it.
groberts
Single-Sixer
Ok but why can't you buy a matched set - barrel and slide? They both remove for cleaning so changing them both at the same time, as well as the springs, is simple. There has to be more than fit as the issue.
Because Ruger knows that if you buy the parts and are injured as a result that you can come after them. Unless they have proof a safe weapon left their facility. It is different with after market parts. By the factory's statement on both sides you limit or loose all liability.
wild_weasel
Single-Sixer
FACT,
Ruger sent me a replacement slide for my LC9 with a pinned front sight to replace the slide whose front sight kept falling off free of charge, all I had to do was put the old slide in an envelope they provided and return it in a reasonable amount of time, which I did after I thoroughly tested the replacement. With the replacement slide my LC9 shoots to the same point of aim and is just as accurate. I see no technical reason Ruger could not provide a 380 conversion kit, my thought is that they are afraid somebody would us 380 springs in the 9mm causing a catastrophic failure. A 30 Luger barrel would be cool too!
Cheers,
W-W
Ruger sent me a replacement slide for my LC9 with a pinned front sight to replace the slide whose front sight kept falling off free of charge, all I had to do was put the old slide in an envelope they provided and return it in a reasonable amount of time, which I did after I thoroughly tested the replacement. With the replacement slide my LC9 shoots to the same point of aim and is just as accurate. I see no technical reason Ruger could not provide a 380 conversion kit, my thought is that they are afraid somebody would us 380 springs in the 9mm causing a catastrophic failure. A 30 Luger barrel would be cool too!
Cheers,
W-W
Gearhead Jim
Bearcat
rgburrill said:
In the U.S., the official serial number is on the frame (aluminum insert in LC9 & 380), not on the barrel. No legal problems selling separate barrels, many other companies do it without restriction. In some other countries, the serial number is on the barrel or slide just for reference, in still others it's on the barrel and that IS considered the gun (South Africa); but not here.
U.S federal law has no restrictions regarding the "fingerprint" of the barrel rifling, and I don't believe any of the states do either.
Ruger simply chooses not to sell those parts to individuals.
