Thinking about a Blackhawk Convertible

Status
Not open for further replies.
TarDevil

TarDevil

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
2,681
Location
NC Coast
I like the .357/9mm convertible, 'cause that gives me 3 caliber options. I can practice with inexpensive 9mm (my edc is 9mm and I keep a good supply on hand) or .38s, and still have some punch with the .357 if needed (I'm thinking the occasional whitetail). I know .357 is not the best for deer, but with careful bullet selection and shot selection, it should be OK, shouldn't it?

Any experience shooting the 9mm out of this barrel? Is it accurate?

But, doggone it, I really like .45s, and have the choice of .45 acp or .45 Colt is SOOOO intriguing!


So many choices, so little money...
 
I want one so bad.

But can't find them local and the dude that was selling them on here sold it before I could get to it. =(
 
.357/9mm

Twas my first handgun and I still have it.

The 9mm rounds are obviously less than bore diameter, but they do engage the rifling. I never really chronographed any of the 9mm rounds but I suspect that they lose velocity because of this. And they're jumping a good distance to the forcing cone.

Otherwise, the Blackhawk is an accurate revolver with either round in the chamber. But for ranges longer than 30 yards, I've only used .357s for distance.
 
Here is my Blackhawk 357/9mm. I have good accurately out to 15 yds with the 9mm cylinder. Its my all around revolver.
Good luck,
Howard
DSC00115.gif
 
I believe that if you search around more you'll find that many owners will admit that the gun doesn't shoot as accurately with the 9mm as it does with the .38's or .357's. At least that's what I've read when this gun comes up the issue of accuracy seems to follow this trend.

Some of this reduction may be due to the slightly loose barrel bore for 9mm and some may well be due to the issue of a long run from the end of the case to the forcing cone and the rifling. In many rifles and semi autos much consideration is given to having the bullet as close to the rifling as practical so it bites into the grooves before it gets much chance to get moving quickly. A Blackhawk convertable shooting 9mm breaks this rule in a very brazen manner.

If you are going to shoot much revolver I'd suggest you just commit to .38's and .357 and get a gun which is properly set up for this round. If you want a good single action get a non convertable Blackhawk. Otherwise get a nice S&W in .357.
 
I was shooting mine the other day.

DSCN0020.gif

The .357 has the long barrel, the .45 the short barrel.

I thought I'd shoot a lot of 9mm as well, but since I reload I usually shoot light .38 Specials. The 9mm is not inaccurate. Maybe not quite as accurate at distance. I shoot S&Ws more than Ruger single action. I haven't bought any Ruger double actions, yet.

I've updated the grips on both guns. The textured rubber didn't feel good after 2-300 rounds. Smooth wood is much nice. Need to update the photo.
 
I have a Blackhawk 45 convertible in 4 5/8, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2 inch versions. Love them all but must admit the 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk convertible in 45 caliber is my favorite handgun of all, bar none. Note, I ain't sayin' it's the best, just my favorite.
 
I found the best compromise for me was to own both the .357/9mm & .45Colt/ACP Blackhawk Convertibles (but in 4 5/8", since I like that barrel length for balance).

I like having the medium & large bore options.

I don't use my 9mm cylinder very much.
 
I use full bore .357 mag in my 7 1/2" but I have the 9mm cylinder in case TSHFT so I can use 9mm if that is all that is available.
 
i have a old model .357/9mm

love it i dont find any accuracy problems but im not the best shot to begin with. as far as dear a .357 will do the job just fine.
 
I bought my wife a .32 cal. Blackhawk many moons ago... remains my favorite handgun..

you can make it pop, bang, pow or crack with four different cartridges!
(.32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Mag, .32-20 WCF)
 
I dearly want a .45, but can just see me being able to shoot the .357/9mm more often. Think I like the 6.5 barrel.
 
I just sold a 357/9mm to a member here. I just wasn't using it and put the money toward a Ruger SP101 for the wife. I'm sure someday down the road I'll regret letting it go.

Leaning against something solid I could get all the 9mm cyl into a paper plate at 75-80 feet pretty consistently.
 
I've got the 45, but I reload 9mm for a friend's 357/9mm, and cast Lee 90gr lead bullets for it, using ww's air cooled, it engages the rifling just fine as the softer lead bumps up and although about 38 speed, they're surprisingly accurate.
 
I dearly want a .45, but can just see me being able to shoot the .357/9mm more often. Think I like the 6.5 barrel.
Click to expand...

I generally find 230 grain hardball 45 acp ammo for only 1 or 2 dollars more than vanilla .38 Special range ammo and generally a couple dollars less than .357 range ammo per 50 rounds. I consider 45 acp rather a bargain big bore, relatively speaking.
 
While there are definitely more accurate 9mm's out there the convert's are fun for plinking. The only down side I see to going with a 45 conv is that you lose that cost savings benefit which is really the advantage on these pistols as neither round is going to be as accurate as their larger counterparts.

I had a pair of convertibles that I made into two-tone's for cowboy shooting. These days I really only shoot my Birdshead Vaquero's so I sold one of my Blackhawk's.

They are fine pistols, buy one and enjoy it :)

BH.jpg
 
No longer on the fence, I picked up a 357/9 convertible yesterday. Drove out to some public land where I unloaded a pile of 9 I had in the truck. I love this thing! Much more so than I suspected. Now, to work up some 357 loads.. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top