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Magazine issue P229 .22 conversion

1K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  flwing 
#1 ·
Here goes yet another P229 .22 conversion thread....

I bought my kit new though I think the magazine spring was tired so I replaced it. I did the same with a new spare magazine I bought as well.

These magazines don't fit snugly and will often start to drop out while shooting. It's not gun specific as they do the same in any of my other P229's. Though the magazines are polymer, there doesn't appear to be noticable wear where the magazine is held by the catch. My temporary work around has been to put a piece of tape on the back side of the magazine which when inserted makes a very tight fit to the point it won't drop when pressing the release and requires a firm grasp and pull to remove. Not ideal.

Thoughts?

Off topic: I've learned by trying a lot of different ammo the gun simply cycles the most reliably with higher velocity ammo - i.e. 1435fps CCI Velocitors or the like. Even Mini-Mags are a bit consistent. I guess she's got expensive taste.
 
#2 ·
Size of the magazine well... I suspect, it's not the front to back, it's the side to side as they have the same single taper of P226 magazines, and would likely work better in a P228 sized magazine well, than a P229-1 9mm or .40/.357 magazine well.

Your tape at the rear stabilizes it a little. Where a P229 magazine measures .818" wide at the catch slots, your rimfire magazines are closer to .795" wide. At the base P229 magazines are .860" while your synthetic rimfire magazines are still around .795".

They would likely be more comfortable/secure in the earlier P229 9mm frames, or the current "Classic Carry" models.
 
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#11 ·
Size of the magazine well... I suspect, it's not the front to back, it's the side to side as they have the same single taper of P226 magazines, and would likely work better in a P228 sized magazine well, than a P229-1 9mm...
I agree - I have a Sig P228 .22 conversion kit which functions without issue on both my P228 and P229-1. Although I can use .22 magazines for either a P228 or P226, they rattle (but work fine) in the P229-1 due to the difference in mag well dimensions.
 
#3 ·
Sadly that is the precise "fix" I've had to use on my P220 .22 conversion from day one.
I bought my P220 SAO new in 2009 as a dedicated .22 and could always just pull the magazines out without actuating the mag release. After a bit of measuring I determined that there was a fit issue and that the only thing I could do was add aluminum tape (2 layers) to the back of the magazines to correct the dimensional difference.

SIG knows about this issue and I spoke to them about it around 2010. All they would say is that they would require me to send the gun in on my dime "to inspect it". I passed.

If the tape you're using is too thick pick up some aluminum duct tape. It's thinner so you can use multiple layers if necessary. Plus the adhesive is better so it's more of a "permanent" fix.

As far as the ammo issues go, your experience mirrors mine in the beginning. However after you get a few bricks through these conversions they become much less ammo sensitive. Mine likes just about anything now, although the Hi-Velocity offerings always run best.
Also, be sure to use only oil on the rails when using the .22 conversion, as grease will slow down the slide too much and cause functional issues.

Good Luck!
 
#4 ·
Well that's interesting.

I knew cutting down on side to side movement would help but couldn't figure out a good way to do it. The sides of the magazine aren't really shaped to put tape on. I actually tried some Velcro (the soft side) taped to the inside of the left grip panel but it didn't give much contact to the magazine and really don't want to create an issue inserting a 9 or 357/40 magazine.

Sounds like I need a more clever magazine mod though I'm sure I'm going to hear I need another/older P229...
 
#5 ·
First a couple of photos of your P229 rimfire magazines, as I'm working off of P226 models.

I would consider a couple of blocks one on each side, no more than 1/2" high in the front groove of each side just above the floorplate. My grooves measure 0.10" deep and about .5" wide, since you want to add about .030" to each side, you would need something maybe just thicker than 1/8", but 1/2"x1/8" aluminum stock may work, as it would give you about .850" width. Lightly bevel the top, and initially try some rubber cement to hold them in place, to test.

Not knowing the plastic used in the magazine, I would be careful, on which glue/epoxy to use for permanent bonding.
 
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#8 ·
Glad you have some ideas, but photos must have disappeared...;)
 
#10 ·
OP,
Check your grip panel to 229 22LR mag base plate for any interference.

P226 & P229 22LR magazine bodies are identical,as the only difference is the base plate of the 229 is easily milled/cut to 226 configuration.

I run 1150-1200 fps standard velocity 40grain round nose ammo in my P220,226,227,229 22LR top ends w/o issues.

The P220,P226 & P229 top ends have been doing so for 20+ years.

Seems there are many self induced issues w/ the 22LR Cal X Change kits.
.
 
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