[30mag]

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=19&variation=.357%20/%209mm%20Convertible&bct=Yes&type=Revolver

Anyone have any experience with these revolvers?
I really like the idea.
Cheap 9mm for plinking... hot .357s for hunting.

[scottishclaymore]

This strikes me as a pretty cool idea. Of course you can also do the .38 special, so that is really three for the price of one.

[30mag]

Yes, it's awesome.
I just wondered if anyone had any experience with them, or if there were any moon clips involved.

[Gryffydd]

There are no moonclips involved. The 9mm cylinder headspaces on the case mouth. Note that this only works on a single action revolver since you have an ejector rod which pushes the case from the inside rather than an ejector star which pushes on the rim/moonclip.

From what I've heard accuracy with 9mm rounds isn't very good due to the slightly smaller diameter of 9mm bullets (.355 vs .357). I have a .45LC/.45ACP convertible and it works great, but the bore size is .452 for both those cartridges.

If you watch this video you can get an idea of how the cylinders work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF7XYqOtc8Q&feature=PlayList&p=1B1FE2870FE4CF86&playnext=1&index=2
It's not me, just so you know, just some video I found.

[LWC]

No moon clips - 2 separate cylinders 1 for .38/.357 and 1 for 9mm

I enjoy shooting my Blackhawk the most of all the revolvers I own
and recoil is extremely light when shooting 9mm.
In regards to the post above, when shooting at moderate distances (indoor range)
I see no difference in accuracy between 9mm and the .38/.357
I realize that the 9mm are undersized but the .002 difference doesn't seem to matter
as much as it's been portrayed on internet forums (jmho).

[30mag]

I know how the cylinders work, we have a SuperSix I think...
.22lr/.22mag convertible.

[Gryffydd]

I know how the cylinders work, we have a SuperSix I think...
.22lr/.22mag convertible.

Those are both rimmed cartridges. So no, that's not the same thing.

[30mag]

I thought you meant how they changed out.
Sorry.

[Ben Shepherd]

I have one. In my convertible blackhawk 9mm rounds will hold an easy 3" at 25 yards if I do my part.

One thing I have found:

They seem to prefer the heavy 147 grainers over the lighter offerings. My theory on that is: given that the 9mms .355 diameter slug just kind of rides the riflings, the longer slug gets enough more bite to stabilize better.

This has held true in the half dozen or so of them I've fired.

[scottishclaymore]

Since the 9mm just head spaces in, I don't guess you could shoot .380 out of the 9mm cylinder? Something with that versatility could really be valuable.

[Ben Shepherd]

Nope. No 380.

[rcmodel]

The .380 ACP is a lot smaller around & shorter then a 9mm.
It would just fall in and get lost in a SA 9mm cylinder.
The firing pin wouldn't reach it.

rc

[Walkalong]

I just download .357 brass for plinking.

Some folks reports are that the 9MM cylinders are not that accurate because of the smaller diameter of the 9MM bullet in relation to the bore, but I have no experience here.

[MMCSRET]

I played with mine for a long time with different loads and bullets and found that a cast, 110 gr. semi-wadcutter from my old obsolete Ideal mold will load into the 9MM case with enough flare and is very accurate in my 30 yr. old RBH convertible. I size that bullet .358. I had my 9MM cylinder nickel plated so I can tell at a glance which cylinder is in the gun.

[Peter M. Eick]

A buddy had one and I found it fun to shoot. I would not buy on though. Too slow to reload for a 9mm. I would just go with the 357 mag and tailor the power level of the reloads.

[76shuvlinoff]

I picked up one of these 357/38/9mm RBH convertibles last fall, used. Lots of fun any way you stack it.

[CoRoMo]

This very gun was my first handgun that I ever purchased.
Ruger New Model Blackhawk .357/9mm Convertible 4 5/8" barrel
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/images/Product-Variations/260.jpg
One of my all time favorite pieces that I own.
I highly recommend it for all the reasons that have been posted and more.
The 9mm bullets definitely engage the rifling in the barrel more than enough.
I've caught bullets in media and looked them over just to see for myself.

[LTR shooter]

I have 1999 vintage 4 5/8" Blackhawk convertable - it is quite a good shooter with the 357 mag cylinder. I have shot the 9mm on a few occasions , not really stellar accuracy but this was firing the "cheap" white box ammo from Winchester. I may try some reloads using the 147 grain bullets mentioned above by Ben Shepard.

[ArmedBear]

9mm isn't so cheap any more.

Even if you get acceptable accuracy with it, the POI will likely be quite different. So you'd have to adjust your sights when you change the cylinder; it's not just a quick swap.

My .357 Blackhawk shoots to essentially the same POA with low-velocity light lead target .38 and with real .357 rounds.

Instead of paying for the extra cylinder, I'd use the money towards a reloading press. You can load top-quality plinking rounds in .357 or .38 brass for a LOT less than the cheapest 9mm you can buy, and brass lasts a long time with low-pressure fun-shooting loads.

I played with mine for a long time with different loads and bullets and found that a cast, 110 gr. semi-wadcutter from my old obsolete Ideal mold will load into the 9MM case with enough flare and is very accurate in my 30 yr. old RBH convertible. I size that bullet .358. I had my 9MM cylinder nickel plated so I can tell at a glance which cylinder is in the gun.

I think that, if you want an interesting ongoing reloading experiment, the convertible would be an interesting piece, as I infer from MMCSRET's post.

However, if you want to get the thing so you can save money on commercial plinking ammo, I'd still seriously consider a standard Blackhawk and a reloading press instead.:)

[David E]

It's a good, solid gun that you'll never wear out.

Accuracy will be fine for casual plinking.

It is NOT the only revolver that'll work with the 9mm without moonclips.

While 9mm ain't "cheap" anymore, it's still cheaper than other center fire ammo.

As for accelerating the reloading process, use a 9mm mag as a "speed loader"

Also, you CAN shoot .380's in them, as long as they are the longer.380 MAGNUMS......oh, wait, they call those 9mm's!! :D :D :D

.

.

[Ben86]

I think Charter Arms has recently developed a DA/SA 9mm revolver that works without moon clips.

[ArmedBear]

While 9mm ain't "cheap" anymore, it's still cheaper than other center fire ammo.


Yes, but if you just get a regular Blackhawk and a reloading press, and load your own plinking ammo, you'll pay for your equipment before you've shot many boxes ammo these days.

The convertible Blackhawk costs an extra 60 bucks or so, over the regular .357/.38. That's a good head start on a reloading setup, especially if you shop around and get some stuff used. Or you can get a whole basic package for 105 bucks from Cabelas, plus dies. Dies are about $40/set, brand new. Say $150 total, minus 60, net cost $90.

Re-use your .38 brass and shoot for about 1/3 the price of cheap commercial 9mm, and that's buying lubed bullets and without even trying to reload on the cheap. IF you plan on plinking, that's a much better plan.

You will make up your $90 in 10 boxes -- 15 at worst -- of ammo. And from then on, you'll be shooting for a fraction of the cost, essentially FOREVER.

I don't much care for chasing my semiauto brass if I'm plinking. A single-action revolver, though, is about the best and easiest gun in the world for saving your brass.

The only reason a convertible .22 revolver makes sense is that you can't reload .22 rimfires.

Food for thought, that's all.

[30mag]

Basic reloading package for $105?
What brand?

[David E]

It depends what the ultimate goal is. Once upon a time, I thought the Blackhawk Convertible would be a good way to utilize 9mm ammo, so I wouldn't have to buy a "real" one, since I'd always been a .45 man.

So if the goal is to buy ONE affordable gun that'll shoot not one, not 2 but THREE different cartridges, then the BlackHawk Convertible is a very good choice.

Being able to reload would not address the verstaility of that second cylinder.

I've been reloading since the late 70's, so I fully understand the merits of reloading, but that wasn't part of the OP's question.

[CoRoMo]

My Blackhawk Convertible costed only $50 more than the same (non-Convertible) Blackhawk without the extra cylinder.

Being able to reload would not address the verstaility of that second cylinder.

+1 there.
Everyone should get into reloading at least one round anyway IMHO.

[M14/11B]

I bought a .357 Blackhawk years ago and was convinced to not bother with the 9mm. Later, a guy sold me an extra 9mm cyl. cheap so I tried it out and it is much less accurate than the mags. But at least I have a convertible now.

[ArmedBear]

Being able to reload would not address the verstaility of that second cylinder.


What versatility would that be?

Shooting a round that doesn't fit in the bore?

I truly don't get what desirable versatility it offers.

But everyone wants something differnt.

I tend to see the 9mm as a fine cartridge for match shooting where the regulations require a centerfire semiauto, or for a compact semiauto that's too small to fit a bigger round.

Why anyone would pay extra to shoot it in a single-action revolver is truly beyond me. And I have too many single action revolvers. No 9mm among them, but no desire to add it either.

Maybe someone can explain just what it adds.

I'm not trying to argue; I'm truly curious to know what this offers, other than a cool toy for people who want to cast and resize bullets to try and get 9mm to shoot right in a .357. That kind of playing around is amusing in and of itself, to be sure. But otherwise, I don't get the convertible. Seems to me like a gimmick, and yet another extra cylinder that would sit in the safe on the shelf, drop occasionally and dent up a nice shotgun. :)

[Gryffydd]

I'm not trying to argue; I'm truly curious to know what this offers, other than a cool toy
I think you got this part right--the hobbyist caster type maybe not so much. It might be fun for plinking in the back yard if you have a ton of 9mm ammo and not much .357/.38 or whatever. Basically, just because you can. And for someone that doesn't reload, 9mm ammo is really cheap, and will at least let them practice using the action, reloading, etc. It may or may not be accurate, but you're still getting to shoot. I don't think it fills any really needed niche, but it might be fun, or allow you to have more fun with your revolver. So I'd say it's more for the type that doesn't even reload, and just likes to make guns go boom and make pop cans dance--not someone who spends hours a day on this site, and at their loading bench.

Myself, I have a .45 Colt/.45ACP convertible stainless Bisley. That one makes a tad more sense as the bore is the same diameter. The reason I got it was because I already load *tons* of .45acp for my 1911. I can focus on barn burner loads in .45 Colt, and for plinking just pop in the other cylinder and have the hundreds of rounds I run off of my Loadmaster.

[ArmedBear]

So I'd say it's more for the type that doesn't even reload, and just likes to make guns go boom and make pop cans dance

Hell with reloading then. A new Single Six would pay for itself after three bricks.:)

Isn't the .45 ACP and the .45 Colt bullet diameter the same?

[Gryffydd]

Generally speaking, yes they're both .452 However, on mine and many rugers, the .45 Colt cylinder throats are.451, and the acp cylinder throats are about .450. So far all I've shot through the gun are .451 Nosler Sporting Handgun 250gr JHPs. I've only had it about 2 weeks. I'm sending the cylinders off to get reamed.

That should help with leading and accuracy, but there's another reason for it. Since the .45ACP cylinder headspaces on the case mouth, and the throats are only about .450, any round which has full diamater bullet extending beyond the case mouth won't even chamber. And since I mostly load 200gr LSWCs for my 1911, that's a real problem. Cylindersmith.com will do both for about $70 including shipping.

[David E]

What versatility would that be?

Shooting a round that doesn't fit in the bore?

I truly don't get what desirable versatility it offers.

The desirable feature is that you can shoot THREE cartridges with the same gun.

For most, the 9mm will be accurate enough for plinking.

Add to that, the ammo is more compact, allows a "speedloader" by virtue of a loaded magazine and is usually cheaper.

Is it the ideal platform for the 9mm ? Of course not, but it IS a platform that only needs an extra cylinder instead of an entirely new gun.

.

[ArmedBear]

accurate enough for plinking.

Sorry, but that does not compute.

Accurate enough for making noise, sure, but when I plink, I end up wanting more accuracy, not less.

It's harder to knock over a soda can at 25 yards than it is to stay in the black on a standard NRA slow-fire competition target. Ditto for hanging up clay pigeons and trying to break them.

It's at LEAST as hard to knock over the can as it is to get in the 10 ring, at least in the horizontal plane, and when you shoot cans, there IS no 9 ring. :)

Plinking at large things at close range gets boring, fast. Soon, you find yourself wanting to make it "more interesting." Of course, when you're paying 13 bucks for 50 rounds, you might quit a lot sooner than if you're shooting .22LR and paying that for 500. And the 20% savings you get with 9mm over .38 Special doesn't add up to a lot more worry-free plinking.

That's why God created .22LR. The last thing you want to do, when a new shooter is starting to have fun is to yell, "Stop! I won't be able to make my house payment if you keep shooting!"

a "speedloader" by virtue of a loaded magazine

For the price of a magazine, you can get one of these things. It holds more rounds, hangs on a belt, hook, nail or backpack, it's legal to keep it "loaded" in your car in any US state, and it doesn't rust when you take it camping.

http://www.tedblockerholsters.com/images/loading-strip-md.jpg
http://www.tedblockerholsters.com/CAS.php

Of course, when I plink with a .22, I put one of these on my belt:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/22/80/12/i228012sn01.jpg

It costs 6 bucks and holds a lot more ammo than a magazine or a .38 speed strip. Actually, I have two of them: one for dog-training blanks, and one for .22. They're cheap enough that I didn't care to keep emptying them out and trying to figure out what to do with a handful of blanks or .22LR rounds.


Seriously, I have thought this through while shopping for revolvers, and I continue to think it through. And I still can't see how it adds up, other than just another "thing to have."

Are there any other reasons?

[David E]

Sounds like you are TARGET shooting, not "plinking."

MOST people, of which you are clearly not one, won't have a problem with making a can dance with "near misses" using the 9mm cylinder.

And if you'd like to have a loading contest, you take that bulky "loader strip" thing, I'll take my loaded mag and we'll see how can load 6 faster in a Single action Ruger/Colt revolver.

On a side note, there is something to be said for having "one of everything," as you can use nearly anything you come across. The downside is it costs a lot to have one of everything!

But for only $60, you buy the ability to use a completely different round. In this case, one of the most prolific, popular rounds ever created. For many, this is reason enough for adding that extra cylinder.

[Gryffydd]

Are there any other reasons?

Maybe, just maybe...and I'm going out on a limb here...there might be people out there who have a different ideas about shooting and plinking than you do.

I don't think anybody thinks it's the greatest thing since smokeless powder or something, but it might be pretty cool for say, somebody who buys 9mm by the 1,000rd case for their auto loaders and may run out of .357/.38ammo during a long day of shooting with buddies, or somebody to whom that 20% price difference is substantial, or any other number of reasons why it might be "something to have."

To me, the question of "why not" is harder to answer than the question of "why" when it comes to buying paying $60 to be able to shoot one of (if not THE) most plentiful pistol rounds in existence in a revolver also chambered in two of the BEST pistol rounds in existence.

EDIT: Looks like David and I hit on some of the same points :)

[ArmedBear]

Ruger/Colt

Totally different guns to reload, a Ruger (Blackhawk) and a Colt.

Trying to speed-load a Blackhawk is laughable anyway. That's why Ruger changed the mechanism on the New Vaquero.

One way or another, those strips are used by CAS competitors, who sometimes have to reload with the timer on. I doubt it's as slow as you think.

On a side note, there is something to be said for having "one of everything,"

the question of "why not" is harder to answer than the question of "why"

Sure.

But I think that's my point, unless I misunderstand.

Furthermore, I miss the wonderful times of a few years ago when 9mm was a few bucks a box, and Federal 5.56 was even cheaper. I bought a 5.56 semiauto, figuring it would make a fun, cheap plinker, way back in 2003 or 2004. Seems like a thousand years ago now, doesn't it?

[Gryffydd]

But I think that's my point, unless I misunderstand.

I really don't think so. You're having a hard time figuring out WHY someone would want one of these, and I have a hard time figuring out why someone would NOT want one.

One way or another, those strips are used by CAS competitors,
True. But they also wear goofy hats, cowboy boots, chaps etc etc. They aren't used because they're superior, they're used because they match the period.

[ArmedBear]

I would have understood, 4 or 5 years ago. Readily-available $5/box 9mm was why I wanted a convertible then.

I don't understand why I'd want to use $13/box ammo that doesn't shoot straight in the gun, and if I reload, it's no harder to reload .38 than 9mm.

Simply being able to send bullets that don't fit the bore down the barrel holds no particular appeal to me. And if Red Dawn comes, I'm not sure a 9mm Blackhawk is what I'd be carrying if I had the choice, so compatibility with the Army doesn't matter to me in that gun.

Do whatever you want. I don't care. I'm just not hearing any reasons here.:) And I've been curious.

[ArmedBear]

they also wear goofy hats, cowboy boots, chaps etc etc. They aren't used because they're superior, they're used because they match the period.

LOL

I don't know if anyone had them in the 1880s, but CAS competitors get pretty serious about competition, hats and boots notwithstanding. (They don't look any sillier to me than some guy with 80 extra pounds on him shooting .22 slowfire while dressed like he's on a SWAT team.):evil:

[MMCSRET]

Probably the most enjoyment I received from my 357/9MM was the time spent developing a load that did shoot well in the 9MM cyl. It was a very engaging and in the end extremely satisfying exercise. I spent many hours planning, developing and trying different techniques, components and attitudes getting mine to the point where all three cartridges shoot equally well in my hands. I suffered agravation at some of the failures I imposed on myself. I probably worked at it for five years intermitently to get the recipe that I am satisfied with.

[Gryffydd]

I'm just not hearing any reasons here
Oh, there have been plenty of reasons, they just haven't been ones you liked. You're obviously not going to see any reason for one that will outweigh the $60, and that continual problem of dropping the cylinder on your nice shotguns, so let's just forget that part of the discussion.
CAS competitors get pretty serious about competition, hats and boots notwithstanding.
Oh I know they do...but it's not about having the best possible gun platform, it's about having the best possible gun platform within the confines of cowboy "style." That doesn't really contribute to a speed comparison between one of those S&M looking strips and using a magazine from a semi-auto.

On a side note, I recently watched some guys shoot at an outdoor range. They had the works. Cowboy hats, dusters, cowboy boots, spurs, cartridge belts, the right shirts, the right jeans etc. etc. They were all shooting .22 Single Sixes. That's OK, but their cartridge belts were actually full of .22LR ammo. I'm sorry, but .22LR ammo in a cartridge belt on a full grown man just looks funny. Then, on top of this, they couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. They put one of those flipper/spinner targets about 25 feet out. They couldn't hit the 4-5" square (diamond, actually), more than 2-3 times out of 6...slow fire. I think they went for the style before they went for the gunplay.

[ArmedBear]

reason for one that will outweigh the $60

Well, yeah.

If someone handed me one, I'd take it. Probably wouldn't ever use it, but I'd take it.

If someone wanted to give me something to shoot, though, I'd prefer they handed me a Freedom Arms single action, ammo compatibility be damned.:D

[moooose102]

my older brother used to have one a long time ago. i think he only put a few boxes of 9mm through it though. ammo was cheap back then (70's) so that may have contibuted to it. or it could have just been a macho thing. hard to say. in any case, he let me shoot it some. it was a nice enough pistol. of course back then, anything i got to shoot was good. i was around 13 or 14 years old.

[David E]

I didn't say those 'loading strips" wouldn't work well, but I AM saying a loaded magazine acting as a speedloader would work FASTER and BETTER.

Fine, you load the Colt, I'll load the Blackhawk. I'll still win. :D

.

[CoRoMo]

That horse is rather high.

[76shuvlinoff]

I do not reload so what I gain from the 9mm conversion is a shooter my wife is much more comfortable with than one of my autos. Heavy and low recoiling and in her mind the whole SA thing is more newbie friendly. It gives us one more thing in common.

Now I can keep the 9mm version on a paper plate at 25 yards. I am not foolish enough to consider this outstanding shooting but this is not off a bench rest so for me that's good enough shootin with a slug that apparently doesn't fit the gun.

[ArmedBear]

76- Do you find 9mm to be lower recoil than .38 Sp practice loads?

[warski]

The 9mm is just as accurate as the 38/357 on my convertible. I've put about 800 (9mm) rounds through it. I shoot to have fun and I shoot every week. If I was shooting competition, I'd not be shooting the Blackhawk. I shoot a lot, and the two Blackhawks I have see most of the action. I like how they feel and I like how they shoot.

[Venado]

I believe a 9mm conversion is a good survival tool. When you are faced with a hand-gun or ammo ban, you would have the availability of either 9mm, 38 special, or .357 mag. You might have to survive by what you pick up where ever or however.

I have actually sized a 9mm fully loaded cartridge, in a modified carbide sizing die, and shot it in a double action Ruger GP100. Had to use an inkpen to get the case out of the cylinder. Works great with a single-action.

Had to modify the die so that I could size the case completely. It did make that particular die hard to use in a conventional manner.

[KMD]

I have noticed no difference in accuracy in my convertible.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/nivekwerd/things002.jpg

[Daizee]

I craved a convertible, but realized I'm on ArmedBear's side of the fence.

The 9mm advantage is that it can use "cheap" factory ammo.
But generally it's less accurate.

I don't generally shoot factory ammo, and I'm a stickler for accuracy.
So the craving for versatility is overridden by the fact that there is no advantage for me. So I guess that if you 1) don't reload, and 2) aren't an precision snob like me, then it's a good choice for you.

Personally I migrated my craving to a .45Colt/ACP convertible. :-D
I'd probably use ACP most of the time since I have a pile of brass, recipes, and paper-punching bullets and could shoot the same loads as my 1911. Then I'd keep the .45Colt cylinder for heavier loads (which I'd rarely shoot).

I suppose the .38/.357/9mm makes a better SHTF gun, but that's not *usually* the primary purpose of these pistols.

-Daizee

[76shuvlinoff]

76- Do you find 9mm to be lower recoil than .38 Sp practice loads?

I have not shot everything there is to shoot and I do not reload so my ammo is off-the-shelf predominately from WalMart. My most recent 38 spcls are Winchester 130gr FMJ but I do have the same in American Eagle. I also play with Winchester 110gr JHP in 357s and some S&B 357 158gr FMJ plus a couple boxes of .357 Leverevolution ammo. The 9mm I have used is Winchester FMJ 115gr and S&B in the same. I would like to run off some 147gr cartridges.

This good old Ruger doesn't care, it all goes boom, unfortunately this is my only wheelgun so I have no benchmark but there isn't a hell of a lot of recoil in 9mm or 38 spcl mode. Of course there is more bite in the 158gr 357s and Levervolution stuff. I can not speak to accuracy concerns because at the ranges I am working with so far it's a non issue. There are many more faults with me than the gun.
I need to sit down at a bench rest and f o c u s.

[PO2Hammer]

I had the convertable, I liked it a lot. Best I got with the 9mm cylinder was about 3-1/2" at 25 yards, not too shabby.

The Blackhawk handles recoil better than any other handgun for its weight. They roll so perfectly in my hand that hot magnum ammo never bothered me. Now I have a small framed Freedom Arms which is sweet, but it smacks the hand harder than the Blackhawk did, even though the F/A is heavier.

[Glenn W]

I've had one since the late '70s when I used to shoot a lot. Never did care for the accuracy of any factory ball or HPt 9mm compared to just shooting .38 rd nose. I did play around with handloading some 9mm lead rd nose stuff and it worked better, can't remember if it was speer or hornady but I could get it in boxes of 500 for a decent price and I believe it was .356". Overall, I've always felt the 9mm cyl was more of a gimmick compared to the .22/.22mag cyls but since I have 9mm stuff anyway it was nice when I came across cans of "surplus" 9mm back in the '80s. Boy I miss those days!

[MCgunner]

Reloading solves the ammo cost problems. I never saw the need for this one or a .45 Colt with an ACP cylinder, though the auto brass is easier to scrounge.