9mm is making more sense in revolvers these days

[CraigC]

I welcome more revolvers in any chambering, including 9mm. It's good, cheap ammo. I may not have any .44's or .45's handloaded but I'm guaranteed to always have a good supply of 9mm hardball. I may go back to the local shop and see if they have any of those Pietta convertibles.

It's closer than you think.

Not according to my chronograph. A 3" .357 still manages nearly 1500fps with 125's. The 9mm won't even come close to that. According to BBTI, only 1000-1200fps for standard and +P. Lots of myths exist about powder burn rates and barrel length.

 

[Oninotaki]

The allure of cheap and readily available 9mm ammo is strong there is no denying that. However if I were to take the plunge and pick up a revolver in 9mm I think I would use that opportunity to finally pick up a Chiappa Rhino.

They don't make them in any caliber I shoot. So if I was going to pick one up it might as well be in the most common and in expensive center fire ammo there is. Might even help offset the cost a bit.

Does 9mm really benefit from the strengths of a Rhino? Hell if I know, but they are exotic enough that it sort of feels appropriate for them to fire an unusual caliber for a revolver.

Maybe even see if they make Rhinos chambered in 9mm in that rainbow hue they are famous for......

*Edit* Well that's disappointing. A quick look at their website shows no Rhinos that are chambered in 9mm with a 2" or 3" barrel, nor any fun colors. Just bland black with 4"-6" barrels. Bah never mind. Looks like no 9mm revolvers for me then.

 

[Zebraranger]

I like 9mm and have semi autos in that caliber, its a good high capacity defensive round. But for revolvers I like the versatility of having a choice of 38 or 357 from a single platform.

 

[reddog81]

I like 9mm revolvers but I would bet they will remain in the same niche they have been in for the last decade. .38 Special and .357 Mag ammo have always been noticeably more expensive than 9mm even during good time. 5 years ago 9mm was $8 a box and .38 Special was $15 a box, and now 9mm is $12 box and .38 Special is still about double that. I don't think any of the other variables have changed much in the last 5 to 10 years to all the sudden drive people to 9mm revolvers. I think most revolver buyers will continue to want revolver cartridges.

FWIW 2 of my favorite guns to shoot are a S&W 929 8 shot revolver in 9mm and a S&W model 52 5 shot semi-auto in .38 Special...

 

[trackskippy]

I wish S&W would bring back the 547, or something like it.

The originals are nice guns, and will extract rounds without a moon clip, but are basically unobtainium, assuming you can even find one.

 

[35 Whelen]

Hmmm.....lots of posts about how fun a 9mm revolvers is, but what about shooting .355" (9mm) bullets in barrels with .357" or .358" groove diameters? I also wonder if the cylinders are throated for the larger bullets. Has anyone done any serious accuracy testing?

I've always felt that anyone halfway serious about shooting centerfire revolvers would handload in which case the .38/.357 makes much more sense as both are far more versatile than the 9mm.

35W

 

[Agsalaska]

Just curious what it would take to make an 9mm auto rim. Other than demand.

 

[bearcreek]

I've always felt that anyone halfway serious about shooting centerfire revolvers would handload in which case the .38/.357 makes much more sense as both are far more versatile than the 9mm.

I would think that most folks who would be interested in a 9 mm revolver would be looking for a snubbie for discrete/concealed carry. Generally speaking, that's not a use for which many folks are experimenting with hand loads.

 

[Diamondback]

Especially when the ammo costs half as much as .38 and .357 does and isn't out of stock. No, it's not as powerful as .357, but it's still decently effective in a snub and more powerful than .38. IDK how hollow points do with 9mm in a snub, I'd assume HST's will do fine, they seem to expand at low velocities.

No, I don't care for moon clips, but you don't need them to shoot 9mm, you'll just spend more time reloading, which at the range is not an issue.

My point here is that as conceal carry grows thanks in part to SCOTUS more people may start looking at revolvers as a no fuss, no muss solution to armed self defense outside their home and there's going to be more appeal for them to go with 9mm than .38 and .357 as they likely have a full size 9mm in the nightstand that they don't carry because it's a large, heavy pistol and not a small, light snub.

But without a doubt the major driving factor is going to be ammunition price and availability.

So, don't be surprised to see an explosion in popularity of 9mm revolvers in the next few years.

.....I couldn't agree more. Swim with the tide. I want and need a 9mm, small concealable revolver. I think Taurus makes one ... Taurus 905 ...mmmm.

 

[trackskippy]

Just curious what it would take to make an 9mm auto rim. Other than demand.

Federal did that. Didn't go anywhere though.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/fightin-iron-the-nine-known-to-none/

 

[Tallball]

I shoot my 6.5" Blackhawk a lot these days. It's way more accurate than I am with 9mm, 38, or 357.

If there's an accuracy difference between the calibers, I'm not a good enough shooter to notice it.

 

[trackskippy]

I had a 4.5" version of the 357/9mm and had the same basic results accuracy-wise. They both shot well. Function was another issue altogether, especially with the 9mm.

Both cylinders must have been the last cut on the cutters that day, as the chambers on both cylinders were tight must have missed the polishing step. The 357's didnt want to extract, and the 9's didnt aways want to fully chamber.

 

[Oninotaki]

.....I couldn't agree more. Swim with the tide. I want and need a 9mm, small concealable revolver. I think Taurus makes one ... Taurus 905 ...mmmm.

You know if I was OK with a carry revolver only having 5 round capacity that Taurus 905 with a 3" barrel would be really tempting. Put some BK grips on it and I bet you would have a real nice carry piece. Moon Clips for quick reloads (especially nice with short fat bullets), concealed hammer, Sub $400 price(on gunbroker currently) and cheap factory ammo. That's a mighty tempting option.

https://www.taurususa.com/revolvers...luger-matte-black-oxide-3-00-in-classic-grips

 

[jmorris]

So, don't be surprised to see an explosion in popularity of 9mm revolvers in the next few years.

I would be. With all of the light weight/small package 9mm semiautos out there, they will have quite an uphill battle.

Even more so when they are just a 38/357 revolver with the same length cylinder, just chambered for the shorter round. Get to carry the additional weight without the reward.

 

[TTv2]

Federal did that. Didn't go anywhere though.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/fightin-iron-the-nine-known-to-none/

Was it that the cartridge didn't go anywhere or that Charter, the only company making a revolver for it, went out of business not soon after its introduction?

 

[TTv2]

You know if I was OK with a carry revolver only having 5 round capacity that Taurus 905 with a 3" barrel would be really tempting. Put some BK grips on it and I bet you would have a real nice carry piece. Moon Clips for quick reloads (especially nice with short fat bullets), concealed hammer, Sub $400 price(on gunbroker currently) and cheap factory ammo. That's a mighty tempting option.

https://www.taurususa.com/revolvers...luger-matte-black-oxide-3-00-in-classic-grips

I just wish it had a hammer for single action.

 

[Oninotaki]

I just wish it had a hammer for single action.

The 2" version does if that helps.

 

[TTv2]

The 2" version does if that helps.

I want the 3 inch to have it

 

[cfullgraf]

I've been wanting for S&W to make a practical 9mm revolver. By practical, I mean reasonable bbl length, no fancy metal used in cylinder, no compensator, non-performance center nonsense. A good 7-round, 4" L-frame in stainless w/ adjustable sights, FO in the front would have me lining up with my cash in hand.

Are you familiar with the Model 986?

Currently, S&W only lists Performance Center versions and the barrels are 2-1/2"and 5".

They used to make a standard L-frame 986 around 2014-2015.

Unfortunately, it also has a 5" barrel.

I like my standard Model 986.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I went a silly millimeter larger with a 10mm.

 

[sparkyv]

Yes, but until just now, I was only aware of the M986 PC 6.5" model. I might could live with the 5" Pro, but dang it, the titanium cylinder is ridiculous and unnecessary. And the $1,339 street price would be more palatable if it were a standard model, which would be fine by me.

Are you familiar with the Model 986?

Currently, S&W only lists Performance Center versions and the barrels are 2-1/2"and 5".

They used to make a standard L-frame 986 around 2014-2015.

Unfortunately, it also has a 5" barrel.

I like my standard Model 986.

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, but until just now, I was only aware of the M986 PC 6.5" model. I might could live with the 5" Pro, but dang it, the titanium cylinder is ridiculous and unnecessary. And the $1,339 street price would be more palatable if it were a standard model, which would be fine by me.

Well, you will not be disappointed if ylou find a standard L-frame 986 on the used market. They may be difficult to find though.

 

[Old Hobo]

Due to the loadings of 9mm ammo, it is a great performer in short barrels. I've a chopped 9mm semi-auto. The shortness of the barrel matters not velocity wise.

True, a small 9mm revolver is a companion piece / backup to a 9mm auto rifle or revolver. Yet, if ONLY going for a revolver, one would be well-served with the 9mm loadings. The full-moon clips serve as speed-loaders. Properly loaded, the .357 mag in a snubbie will beat the 9mm, duh! Yet the 9mm beats the dickens out of a .38 Special fired from a snubbie revolver.

And here's something else, most .357 loads out of a short barrel have an excessive fireball and report. Been right beside shooters firing .357 load out a snubbie. It's not only loud, you can feel the pressure wave up your nose. In broad daylight / sunny sky, you can readily see the fireball. Imagine this if you are firing indoors and at night. You'll be rendered near blind and deaf. Are there .357 loads to prevent this, OK, yeah sure. Yet, 9mm rounds readily provide these advantages. Just saying.
.

 

[Rock185]

I don't have a 986, but have a regular 686 with both 6 and 7-shot cylinders. Had the 7-shot cylinder converted to 9mm. Practical for anything other than being able to shoot 9mm/.38Spcl./.357 ammo? Nope, probably not...

 

[C0untZer0]

I'd like to see somebody make a 9mm revolver that had a cylinder sized for the round, rather than for a .38, and increase the barrel length by the same amount as the reduced cylinder length.

Korth Skyhawks (variations):