9mm revolver opinions

Status
Not open for further replies.
I am not the biggest fan of them in principle but ever since 9mm ammo started getting so cheap compared to 38 spl I can see the appeal.

My only real interest in them is the Smith 940 and 547.
 
Moonclips rule! Moonclips for rimless cartridge are thicker, more robust, and less finicky than those for rimmed cartridges. For a range/plinking gun it would be great. Get a 929 (8-shot N-frame) and go shoot USPSA match in the Revolver division. Nothings better than beating the bottom feeders with the round gun!
 
Opinion- Unless you do not handload, the 9mm makes no sense vs. the .38 Special, the latter of which is far more versatile when handloaded. Now if you only shoot factory loads and want cheap plinking ammunition, the 9mm would make more sense.


Moonclips rule! Moonclips for rimless cartridge are thicker, more robust, and less finicky than those for rimmed cartridges. For a range/plinking gun it would be great. Get a 929 (8-shot N-frame) and go shoot USPSA match in the Revolver division. Nothings better than beating the bottom feeders with the round gun!

I have a couple of 1917's and although I keep a dozen or so moonclips loaded and ready to go, I can load the cylinders and pluck the empties out (when they don't fall out on their own) way faster than I can dicque around loading and unloading moonclips. But to each his own.

35W
 
I have a couple of 1917's and although I keep a dozen or so moonclips loaded and ready to go, I can load the cylinders and pluck the empties out (when they don't fall out on their own) way faster than I can dicque around loading and unloading moonclips. But to each his own.

35W

I'll agree, different strokes for different folks.

I have revolvers chambered in 45 ACP, 10mm, and 9x19 as well as three S&W 38 Special J-frames machined to accept moonclips. I have enough moonclips on hand to have a couple boxes of ammunition pre-loaded in moonclips which makes an afternoon of shooting pleasant. I unload and reload the moonclips at home while watching my favorite TV program or Formula One race on the digital recorder.

A good moonclip loader/unloader is important to have to make the process easy and simple.

For me, moonclips are better than diqueing around with speed loaders.

But, as I said, what ever floats your boat is fine by me.
 
I'd say go for a dedicated 9mm. Like the SP101. With the convertibles, the 9mm was an after thought. .38 is .357 caliber. 9mm is .355. Of course, you could just order lead in .358 and it should do well in a convertible. If you're just shooting factory, go dedicated.
 
I've been hot and cold to 9mm revolvers for years, but it depends on what revolver you get. I did get real hyped about 9mm in a snub nose a couple years ago... until I shot some 9mm in my Public Defender via adapters and discovered how much snap there is in a 30 oz gun. Imagine that in a gun that weighs 33% less and I can't imagine it's comfortable or fun at all!

In a larger frame and heavier revolver like the Taurus with the dual cylinders or an 8 shot S&W or the Ruger Blackhawk... yeah, I can see it being a lot more comfortable to shoot, but those larger guns also should have the accuracy and revolvers seem to be real picky with 9mm ammo to get the best accuracy. In a snub accuracy isn't so much a concern because we're not shooting at longer distances, but with large frame revolvers and long barrels we are.

Witt this being just a range gun for cheap ammo fodder I would suggest the Taurus 692 or the Ruger Blackhawk. The benefit of the Ruger is if you shoot steel case 9mm, it's a LOT easier ejecting the empties. The Taurus is cheaper and is a double action.

Both will be convertible to .357/.38, so if you don't like the 9mm, you're not stuck with it. I would not buy a dedicated 9mm revolver.
 
I've been hot and cold to 9mm revolvers for years, but it depends on what revolver you get. I did get real hyped about 9mm in a snub nose a couple years ago... until I shot some 9mm in my Public Defender via adapters and discovered how much snap there is in a 30 oz gun. Imagine that in a gun that weighs 33% less and I can't imagine it's comfortable or fun at all!

In a larger frame and heavier revolver like the Taurus with the dual cylinders or an 8 shot S&W or the Ruger Blackhawk... yeah, I can see it being a lot more comfortable to shoot, but those larger guns also should have the accuracy and revolvers seem to be real picky with 9mm ammo to get the best accuracy. In a snub accuracy isn't so much a concern because we're not shooting at longer distances, but with large frame revolvers and long barrels we are.

Witt this being just a range gun for cheap ammo fodder I would suggest the Taurus 692 or the Ruger Blackhawk. The benefit of the Ruger is if you shoot steel case 9mm, it's a LOT easier ejecting the empties. The Taurus is cheaper and is a double action.

Both will be convertible to .357/.38, so if you don't like the 9mm, you're not stuck with it. I would not buy a dedicated 9mm revolver.

Yeah, but if you get a Blackhawk you're gonna NEED a lever gun to go with it and I'm not aware of any 9mm lever guns.
 
I'd say go for a dedicated 9mm. Like the SP101. With the convertibles, the 9mm was an after thought. .38 is .357 caliber. 9mm is .355. Of course, you could just order lead in .358 and it should do well in a convertible. If you're just shooting factory, go dedicated.

The 9mm and the 38/357 have the same specs for their barrel groove diameter = 0.355" + 0.004".
https://saami.org/wp-content/upload...FP-and-R-Approved-2015-12-14-Posting-Copy.pdf

I have a Ruger Blackhawk convertible. The barrel slugged at 0.3577" - within spec. It is equally accurate with 9mm, 38 Special and 357 Magnum factory ammo - tested in a Ransom Rest.

The most accurate load I've run through it was a 9mm handload with a 125 grain 0.355" JHP bullet. It shot 24 rounds into 1.40" at 25 yards - in the Ransom Rest.
 
Just kinda thinking I want one for plinking etc. Just a range toy for fun just because. Opinions and experiences. What says THR?
I was thinking about the same thing looking for the right deal ......then Mr Corona came to town....kind of made a mess of everything.....now have to let the dust settle and see where were at .....take care...B B...
 
Last edited:
I wanted one too, so I bought a 9mm cylinder for my 357 Blackhawk. I got it from eBay and it works perfectly. I've read that that's not always true, but it's just something I've read. In my admittedly inexpert hands, the Blackhawk is equally accurate with all three calibers.

"I can load the cylinders and pluck the empties out (when they don't fall out on their own) way faster than I can dicque around loading and unloading moonclips."

Me too. My S&W Model 625 is just a range toy, but I shoot it often. It seems like a waste of effort for me to use moonclips. It shoots just fine without them, and the empty brass comes out easily.

I'd really like to have an N frame or Blackhawk in 40 caliber also, but our budget is tight just now.


 
A friend has a S&W 547 with the patent rimless extractor. Most notable for the strong mainspring/tough DA required for the headspace pin, and hard primers in European ammo.

Early days of IDPA, I looked all over for a 4" Speed Six 9mm but could not find one. I got so far as to look for a 9mm cylinder to put in a .357 Security Six. I also considered the S&W .38 Super and .40 clip guns. But IDPA raised the power factor and made them uncompetitive, so I had saved the expense.
 
I wanted one too, so I bought a 9mm cylinder for my 357 Blackhawk. I got it from eBay and it works perfectly. I've read that that's not always true, but it's just something I've read. In my admittedly inexpert hands, the Blackhawk is equally accurate with all three calibers.

"I can load the cylinders and pluck the empties out (when they don't fall out on their own) way faster than I can dicque around loading and unloading moonclips."

Me too. My S&W Model 625 is just a range toy, but I shoot it often. It seems like a waste of effort for me to use moonclips. It shoots just fine without them, and the empty brass comes out easily.

I'd really like to have an N frame or Blackhawk in 40 caliber also, but our budget is tight just now.



Saying you can reload a 625 faster plucking the rounds in and out than you can reload the moonclips is sort of like saying a single-stack semi-auto is better than a double-stack semi-auto cause you can reload the lower capacity magazine quicker. Moonclips are about reloading the REVOLVER quickly not the moonclip. Unloading and reloading the moonclips later when time is not pressing.

joVnDfbl.jpg

Now I admit not many people need to reload a revolver quickly so maybe the benefit of moonclips is lost on them. But if you go shoot a USPSA match with a revolver the advantage of the moonclip becomes painfully evident. Time is the denominator in your score so the more time you spend reloading your revolver the lower you score goes. Moonclips are the fastest, most robust, and fumble free way to reload a revolver quickly.


Shooting the same match with both a 625 (6-shot 45 ACP) vs a 627 (8-shot 357 Mag using 38 Short Colt)


A friend has a S&W 547 with the patent rimless extractor. Most notable for the strong mainspring/tough DA required for the headspace pin, and hard primers in European ammo.

Early days of IDPA, I looked all over for a 4" Speed Six 9mm but could not find one. I got so far as to look for a 9mm cylinder to put in a .357 Security Six. I also considered the S&W .38 Super and .40 clip guns. But IDPA raised the power factor and made them uncompetitive, so I had saved the expense.

Wow, by the time I got into IDPA 9mm was no longer legal in SSR/ESR and now the combine Revolver division. They have also lowered (as of late 2017) the Power Factor down to 105 for speed-loader feed revolvers and 155 for moonclip feed revolvers.
 
Last edited:
I know, but I was in it from the first year and was looking for a handier gun than my sawn off M25-2.
Minor power factor is a powderpuff .45 which is why they first went to Major in ESR, now clip specific 155.

Sawn off twice. A 5" revolver is a delight, but the Leaders decided that was too long to wear.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mcb
Opinion- Unless you do not handload, the 9mm makes no sense vs. the .38 Special, the latter of which is far more versatile when handloaded. Now if you only shoot factory loads and want cheap plinking ammunition, the 9mm would make more sense.

^^^Kinda where I am at. Since I have several 686s already, and it cost me no more to reload .38 than it does 9mm, I don't feel a need to duplicate a platform and the performance, I already have. If I was interested in shooting 9mm, I'd get the platform it was really designed for. While I love me wheel guns, I also enjoy shooting pistols.
 
Saying you can reload a 625 faster plucking the rounds in and out than you can reload the moonclips is sort of like saying a single-stack semi-auto is better than a double-stack semi-auto cause you can reload the lower capacity magazine quicker. Moonclips are about reloading the REVOLVER quickly not the moonclip. Unloading and reloading the moonclips later when time is not pressing.

Now I admit not many people need to reload a revolver quickly so maybe the benefit of moonclips is lost on them. But if you go shoot a USPSA match with a revolver the advantage of the moonclip become painfully evident. Time is the denominator in you score so the more time you spend reloading your revolver the lower you score goes. Moonclips are the fastest, most robust, and fumble free way to reload a revolver quickly.

I think you misinterpreted.

To some of us, it's pointless to load up a bunch of moonclips, go to the range, shoot, come home, unload them, repeat. It's sort of as pointless as speedloaders at the range. It takes less time to drop six rounds in the cylinder and take them out after shooting, than it does to load and unload moonclips.

Now if you're playing games where you must reload quickly or are in a self defense situation, that's a different matter entirely and moonclips would absolutely rule.

35W
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top