SIG P220 400 Corbon Conversion
Fella I shoot with asked me about converting his 220 (it's in 45 acp)to Corbon 400. Said he had a line on a barrel at a real good price, and his question was what, if anything else, he would have to do.
I told him that I had never done a 400 Corbon conversion, but based on my experience w/ other conversions on 1911's, that he might have to go to a heavier spring. Also, I told him I didn't know if the standard mags. would work.
He then mentioned that he had one of the standard P220 (45 cal.) guide rod replacement laser kits that he wanted to install and if I thought that would be a problem. I told him I didn't have a clue, but that if he had to go with a heavier spring that he might have to get it through the mfg. of the laser unit. My suggestion was that he contact them.
However, I mentioned this forum, but turns out he is not a "computer person" (go figure) so I told him I would post the question(s) and let him know what I find out.
So here's the questions that I can think of:
1.) For those that have made the conversion (w/o the laser unit) what other than the barrel did you have to change and where did you obtain your parts?
2.) Anyone done the conversion with one of the guide rod laser units? If so did you have to get a heavier spring and if so was the laser unit mfg. the only source?
3.) If you did the conversion on a pistol with an existing guide rod laser unit, did you run into any problems w/ the unit after the conversion?
4.) Also, regardless of when the guide rod laser unit was installed did you have to get it recalibrated for the 400 Corbon? (I ask this question as it is my understanding that these units are factory set and there is no field adjustment.
Any assistance provided, is sincerely appreciated.
3/9/05 - Appreciate the input. As I suspected there would be a point of impact difference and a different spring would be needed. Guess the good news is the mags. can be reused if he goes ahead w/ this.
Rufe ... I don't know what frame he has on the P220, but I'll be certain to mention the alloy aspect.
At the end of the day I find myself asking ... why??? Over the years the the 220 came in several chamberings and there is even a 22 conversion ... I would think that it would be more of a challenge building up a "kit" of the different calibers that the 220 was available in. Mentioned this to him, but I think he seriously has the "400 Corbon Bug"
Always thought of this round as a "tweener" ... above 45 and 40 but less than 10mm. Oh well each to his/her own.
Again thanks for the input, I'll print this out and give it to him.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
I told him that I had never done a 400 Corbon conversion, but based on my experience w/ other conversions on 1911's, that he might have to go to a heavier spring. Also, I told him I didn't know if the standard mags. would work.
He then mentioned that he had one of the standard P220 (45 cal.) guide rod replacement laser kits that he wanted to install and if I thought that would be a problem. I told him I didn't have a clue, but that if he had to go with a heavier spring that he might have to get it through the mfg. of the laser unit. My suggestion was that he contact them.
However, I mentioned this forum, but turns out he is not a "computer person" (go figure) so I told him I would post the question(s) and let him know what I find out.
So here's the questions that I can think of:
1.) For those that have made the conversion (w/o the laser unit) what other than the barrel did you have to change and where did you obtain your parts?
2.) Anyone done the conversion with one of the guide rod laser units? If so did you have to get a heavier spring and if so was the laser unit mfg. the only source?
3.) If you did the conversion on a pistol with an existing guide rod laser unit, did you run into any problems w/ the unit after the conversion?
4.) Also, regardless of when the guide rod laser unit was installed did you have to get it recalibrated for the 400 Corbon? (I ask this question as it is my understanding that these units are factory set and there is no field adjustment.
Any assistance provided, is sincerely appreciated.
3/9/05 - Appreciate the input. As I suspected there would be a point of impact difference and a different spring would be needed. Guess the good news is the mags. can be reused if he goes ahead w/ this.
Rufe ... I don't know what frame he has on the P220, but I'll be certain to mention the alloy aspect.
At the end of the day I find myself asking ... why??? Over the years the the 220 came in several chamberings and there is even a 22 conversion ... I would think that it would be more of a challenge building up a "kit" of the different calibers that the 220 was available in. Mentioned this to him, but I think he seriously has the "400 Corbon Bug"
Always thought of this round as a "tweener" ... above 45 and 40 but less than 10mm. Oh well each to his/her own.
Again thanks for the input, I'll print this out and give it to him.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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I would urge you friend to think long and hard before using a 400 Cor-Bon in a alloy frame P 220.
I had one of the early Browning 220's ( BDA ) it was unpleasant to shoot with standard 230 grain hardball ammo. This was because of it's light weight and high bore axis. My data shows that the factory Cor-bon loads have a muzzle velocity between 1300 & 1450 Fps, depending on bullet weight. Strikes me it would be really ugly shooten these loads through a 220.0 -
I did this conversion 2-3 years ago. All you need is a barrel. Use the 45ACP mags, but you will need heavier spring if you shoot to the maximum of the CORBON potential. Can't comment on Lazer sight as I have had no experience with them. After I bought the barrel, paid a premium for dies and brass, bought some springs from Wolff, and messed with it a couple of hundred rounds, I thought,WHY?!! Point of impact was different from 45ACP and with the fixed sights on the 220, it just wasn't worth the effort. Ballistically I don't think I gained that much, and never was all that comfortable with the super short neck holding the bullet firmly enough when being fed from mag to chamber. Anyway, I sold the whole mess, bought a 220 Stainless and never looked back. If your friend wants to do it for the fun of it, go for it, because, after all, that is what most of us play this shooting game for. Most of the parts are available on this or other auction sites or run a "Want Ad".
"What you do ultimately means nothing, and you could be replaced tomorrow by the first passing cretin." Corinne Maier0
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