Making a .357 Sig Luger Carbine
 

I started out wanting to make a .45 Luger carbine, but have decided that may be too difficult at this time. What about a .357 Sig Luger carbine with a 16 inch barrel? Would pressure be a problem? Could the bolt block be enlagred enough? I think the .357 Sig is based on the .40 S&W case. Would it function without a spring in the forearm like the 1902. I think using the .357 Sig only one frame would be used, thus saving another luger. Or again maybe use a stainless steel luger. Any ideas?

I don't believe the magazine or magazine well would be naturally wide enough to support the size of the case behind the shoulder for the .357

The breechblock face would definitely have to be enlarged... and the extractor modified to accept the new case head. Since the original design would be changed and the metal that would normally contain the 9mm round would be reduced, I don't think I would ever try using any hot loads..

All that said, a properly equipped pistol smith with access to machine tools should be able to make this modification. The mag well would have to be widened to accept what ever magazine would have to be created to accept the new cartridge...

Not an impossible task, but not a project for an amateur that doesn't have a gunsmith/master-machinest as a best friend and mentor.

Just my $0.02

Years ago, I modified a luger to fire the .40 S&W cartridge. The
breechblock face had to be enlargened and I "hogged out" frame
magazine well to accept a wider magazine. I did not do anything
with the extractor. I had a 5" .40 caliber barrel made for the gun.

I have worked up .40 loads (using 150 grain bullets) that function
the toggle OK using the regular main spring. The magazine was a
modified Swedish Lahti that had been widened by driving a mandril
through it.

If I can figure out how to post a picture, I will post it on the Forum.

Ray,

That sounds like a really interesting project and we would love to see very detailed photos of the parts you modified and the results...

There is a good photo posting tutorial at the top of the Site Help and Feedback forum that will guide you through posting your photos... just remember that you can only insert 8 images to a single post... but you can post as many times as you like in the same thread...

Ray, I have a few PO8 breech blocks modified to .40 S&W by John Martz, available @$75 each + $5 S&H. TH

Hi Ray,

Where do you live in Oregon? I'm in Springfield.

Ron