9mm revolver opinions

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Taurus tracker model 692
Comes with two cylinders - 357/38 and 9mm

Agree on the Taurus 692. I was leery before I bought it, but it's turned out to be one of the best built Taurus revolvers I ever owned. Build quality, tolerances, fit n finish are seriously outstanding at least on my particular unit. It's beastly built and almost over built. Of the last several gun purchases including Ruger, S&W, and others, this Taurus surprised me as being nearly perfect in not seeing, or experiencing/finding any flaws. I actually like it a lot more than I had even expected. Super fun range gun I wouldn't hesitate to use for home defense etc.

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Can you get it without the superfluous holes in the barrel?

Not that I know of, but while not all that attractive or well received they do help tame recoil and muzzle rise with .357 mag and 9mm +P loads fairly effectively.

Hey, forgot to mention its a 7 shot as well.

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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.

The Alfa Proj 9231 is .34724" in the field and .35512" in the groove.
 
The Alfa Proj 9231 is .34724" in the field and .35512" in the groove.

By 'field' do you mean 'land' or 'lands'? SAAMI calls the lands 'bore' and their specs for the bore diameter for 9mm/38/357 is .346" + .004", so your Alfa Proj 9231 is perfectly within SAAMI specs!
 
I guess that I get to be the negative Nancy on this one. I have a S&W J frame 9 mm revolver and it is one of my least liked guns. I bought it at a time when I was in an “ammo commonality” phase and I already had 9 mm autoloaders, so it seemed like a good idea at the time. If you look at C0untZer0’s pictures it would be most like the bottom one.

The problems for me with this gun are threefold. First of all, it’s DAO with a shrouded hammer, and the trigger pull is loooong. Long as in almost pulling the trigger to its limit before it fires. It breaks fine, but you have enough time to think of 20 things before you get the trigger back enough for it to fire. I get it - no safety and a concealed carry pistol so the travel is long to help avoid ADs. Still for someone who mostly shoots semi-autos, it’s a pain.

Secondly the moon clips are a PITA. I have lots of them and I can load up all I need for the range at once. But if you compare to a 357 with a speedloader, it’s no faster to load when using. And then when you get home you get to tediously unclip each used brass from each moon clip, so it’s messy at the end. A 357 doesn’t have this problem.

And lastly, the recoil is brutal and very punishing. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know. But I’ve shot my friend’s mid and full size 357s/44s and had no issues with recoil. Now that I think of it, the first 357 I shot I thought “That’s it? Much less recoil than I expected..”. So maybe it’s the very small frame, or maybe it’s me.

The pistol is also limited by its intended use - very close range as a last defense. I don’t blame the gun for this, it’s the nature of it’s intended function. But if you want to go to the range and shoot at targets 25 feet out you need to realize that the “sights” are just a groove in the top of the gun.

Put a 9mm in a mid or full size revolver and maybe I could deal with the moon clips as I’d have a hammer and SA if I wanted it. But as it is and what I bought, it’s on the “to sell” list.
 
I have the original 6-shot PITBULL and I don't have a problem with the recoil. On the other hand, I think the 9mm LCR is pretty snappy but others on this forum have said they have no problem with the recoil.
 
"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..."

As you alluded to later in your post, it's faster in total time spent. I am not in a revolver competition. I'm just leisurely shooting at the local range. Just dropping the rounds into the cylinder, then dumping/picking them out after I've shot them is less time consuming overall than loading and unloading moon clips with a tool. If I were using the revolver for SD or competition, I would use the moonclips.
 
Armscor is importing from the Czech Republic a 9mm revolver. There are a few u tube videos on it.

I have What Alfa Proj calls the "Revolver PARA 9231"

http://www.strelivo-zbrane.cz/zbran...a-para-9mm-luger/revolver-para-9231-s72596145

I purchased it from CzechPoint USA:

https://www.czechpoint-usa.com/czechpoint-9231-9mm-para/product

Arscore is importing the "Revolver PARA 9231 Classic"

http://www.strelivo-zbrane.cz/zbran...mm-luger/revolver-para-9231-classic-s72664021

https://armscor.com/firearms/ria-imports/revolver-series/al9.0-revolver/

I don't know for sure if these revolvers are based on a 38 Special Frame or a 357 Magnum frame, but the main point is that the frame is designed to fit a 38spl/357 mag cylinder. The main 2 differences are that the Revolver PARA 9231 Classic has a longer 38spl/357 magnum length cylinder which fits the frame window, and the cylinder is fluted.

The Revolver PARA 9231 version has a shortened non-fluted cylinder which leaves a gap in the frame window with the barrel coming back into the cylinder window to meet the cylinder.

Here is a picture of the Alfa Proj Revolver PARA 9241 Classic. It is the 4" barrel version, but you get the idea of how the cylinder is:

9241.png

Here is the Alfa Proj Revolver PARA 9231. You can see the shorter, smooth cylinder and the barrel extending back into the window to meet the cylinder:

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"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..."

As you alluded to later in your post, it's faster in total time spent. I am not in a revolver competition. I'm just leisurely shooting at the local range. Just dropping the rounds into the cylinder, then dumping/picking them out after I've shot them is less time consuming overall than loading and unloading moon clips with a tool. If I were using the revolver for SD or competition, I would use the moonclips.

I hear you and understand but I guess I have never found loading and unloading moonclips all that slow. With the proper tools I can load an eight shot moonclip in nearly the same time as I load an 8-shot single stack magazine but since I have well over a hundred moonclips (for each of my competition guns) I load enough ahead of time for my range trip, practice session, or match that while there I never have to mess with loading/unloading. I focus on my shooting, more time spent shooting and less time spent handling ammo. When I get home I can unload and sort spent and unspent rounds and reload the moonclips and give them a quick QC check before they go into the Plano cases for the next session. Unlike magazines I can easily have enough moonclips loaded to shoot an entire match even a big match and never worry about reloading. I shot the entire USPSA Revolver National Match and never had to load or unload a moonclip (had a bit over 800 rds on moonclips for that trip).

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Again it may or may not be worth the cost/effort but if you invest in the moonclips and the moonclip tools it can be a big time saver IMHO and it is the fastest way to reload a revolver while shooting. YMMV
 
I also am a fan of moonclips with rimless cartridges. To me, loading moonclips is about the same level of hassle as loading magazines, ie. not a big deal. Unclipping the empties, using the proper tool (I made mine out of a bit of steel tubing I had laying around) takes just a moment and is easy enough.
 
I went the SW 929 route for both ICORE Limited and USPSA Revolver. 8 shots w/ moon clips. But I chopped off the extra 1/2" of the barrel. There's no need, in a 6" 9mm, for either barrel weight or comp. (Neither competition allows comp'd revolvers anyway) It's a fun gun to shoot.

Range time is more valuable to me than prep time at home. I pre-load all magazines, speed loaders and moon clips at home. (I have ~40 clips for the 929).

I don't think I'd do a 9mm just as a plinking gun, but then again the ammo situation is such 9mm, on sale, is the same price as reloading without the effort. Over the counter, that's 1/2 the price of the cheapest .38spl. If you do reload then, yeah, 9mm and.38spl cost about the same


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I hear you and understand but I guess I have never found loading and unloading moonclips all that slow. With the proper tools I can load an eight shot moonclip in nearly the same time as I load an 8-shot single stack magazine but since I have well over a hundred moonclips (for each of my competition guns) I load enough ahead of time for my range trip, practice session, or match that while there I never have to mess with loading/unloading. I focus on my shooting, more time spent shooting and less time spent handling ammo. When I get home I can unload and sort spent and unspent rounds and reload the moonclips and give them a quick QC check before they go into the Plano cases for the next session. Unlike magazines I can easily have enough moonclips loaded to shoot an entire match even a big match and never worry about reloading. I shot the entire USPSA Revolver National Match and never had to load or unload a moonclip (had a bit over 800 rds on moonclips for that trip).

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Again it may or may not be worth the cost/effort but if you invest in the moonclips and the moonclip tools it can be a big time saver IMHO and it is the fastest way to reload a revolver while shooting. YMMV

I do not shoot competition, but sure as heck shoot the LCR9mm often. About 200 rds per session. Really appreciate the moon clips. So easy to load up and have ready. I have a lot of guns, and with them a lot of magazines. At least a dozen for all my main carry guns and they are not cheap. Moon clips are IMO simple, so easy to load and bring to the range and they make shooting time much more enjoyable, efficient.
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I have the original 6-shot PITBULL and I don't have a problem with the recoil. On the other hand, I think the 9mm LCR is pretty snappy but others on this forum have said they have no problem with the recoil.

When the LCR9mm first came out, I jumped on it. It was a little harsh when I first started shooting it, but that was a long time ago and a lot of rounds under the bridge. Recoil on the gun is not even a thought now. Just became use to it. The LCR handles the recoil of 9mm very well. At least for me. I leave the range after shooting the LCR9mm and 200 rds and not saying gosh my hand hurts, but rather, gosh, I wish I had brought more ammo.

PS Viper,I like that Tracker, very interesting Revolver. Congrats. Like that Pittbull as well.

I have the Smith 642 love the gun for carry. Even thought about the Pro with moon clips. But they are not many out there. I have been using these and have become more and more proficient with them.

ZETA-Not moon clips but I like them better than speed loaders.That Price is for TWO.
They also have 6 rd.

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https://revolverguy.com/zeta-6-j-strip-and-j-clip-reloading-devices/
 
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I have a Blackhawk convertible. I load and shoot 9mm in it quite often. Cases cost almost nothing. My plinking loads are all plated or coated bullets and I do not like to shoot .38 special in the cylinder. I load them in .357 cases. I get about the same accuracy with the 9mm cylinder. You cannot load .357 bullets in the 9mm case and shoot them in this gun. Sounds good until you actually try it, The throats are too small.

I have never see the Tarus convertible but would like to.
 
I think Taurus still offers the 905. But I dont know a thing about it.

I got a chance to handle the Ruger 9mm LCR, Charter Arms 9mm PITBULL, and the Taurus 905 side by side by side.

There was no doubt that the Ruger LCR had the best DA trigger of the three guns, the Taurus 905 had the worst DA trigger of the 3 guns, the Charter Arms was obviously in the middle.

I've had my 9mm PITBULL for a while and the DA trigger has smoothed out some but its still not as good as the LCR right out of the box. The Charter Arms DA trigger is also not as nice as the Alfa Proj or the S&W 929

I've wanted a Taurus 905 for a while now, but not as badly as the other 9mm revolvers out there. I'd like to get the S&W 986 and the Ruger SP101. I would only get the stainless models from Taurus, I think their Matte Black coating looks horrible. The stainless 905 goes for $310.00 to $335.00. Everyone that I know who has one says they are dependable little guns with acceptable accuracy, the DA trigger is not that great but the SA trigger is not that bad. Everyone complains about the "Stellar" clips eventually bending and not holding up to use. There are quality after-market moon clips you can purchase for the 905.

For 9mm plinking, there isn't anything more enjoyable for me than my S&W 929.

I can have fun at the range with my PITBULL, but for plinking, I have more fun with something that has quality adjustable sights that have been zeroed. The 905 has fixed sights, the front sight is just a serrated stainless steel blade.
 
I do not shoot competition, but sure as heck shoot the LCR9mm often. About 200 rds per session. Really appreciate the moon clips. So easy to load up and have ready. I have a lot of guns, and with them a lot of magazines. At least a dozen for all my main carry guns and they are not cheap. Moon clips are IMO simple, so easy to load and bring to the range and they make shooting time much more enjoyable, efficient.
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When the LCR9mm first came out, I jumped on it. It was a little harsh when I first started shooting it, but that was a long time ago and a lot of rounds under the bridge. Recoil on the gun is not even a thought now. Just became use to it. The LCR handles the recoil of 9mm very well. At least for me. I leave the range after shooting the LCR9mm and 200 rds and not saying gosh my hand hurts, but rather, gosh, I wish I had brought more ammo.

PS Viper,I like that Tracker, very interesting Revolver. Congrats. Like that Pittbull as well.

I have the Smith 642 love the gun for carry. Even thought about the Pro with moon clips. But they are not many out there. I have been using these and have become more and more proficient with them.

ZETA-Not moon clips but I like them better than speed loaders.That Price is for TWO.
They also have 6 rd.

View attachment 905983

https://revolverguy.com/zeta-6-j-strip-and-j-clip-reloading-devices/

Yes, I've emailed Ruger many times about building/selling a 9mm SP101, with a 4.20" barrel and adjustable sites like this 357 model:
https://ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5771.html
It was sent thru some kind of "write the president" promotion on the Ruger site, I never heard back...

Now I see they have a "special" space age race gun looking GP100 in 9mm that retails for $1549. :what:
Pretty pricey for a range gun.
An affordable 9mm revolver would bring/convert slab-sided/brass chucking scrap-o-matic shooters to revolvers because of the cheapness of 9mm ammo over other revolver calibers.
It just has to be affordable...not a $1550 space gun with a fluted barrel shroud:cuss:
end of rant,
:D
 
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I hope this isn't seen as beating a dead horse. The social distancing is giving me cabin fever so I had to use my free time for something so I made a few quick videos to show that with proper tools moonclips are really not that much worst than magazines.

First up, unloading and reloading three moonclips for my S&W 610 with 40 S&W, this is the closest I have to 9mm. It a rimless cartridge. I use a home made golf club handle for demooning and a tool from Revolver Supply to load the moonclips with fresh rounds. To unload and reload 18 rds / 3 moonclips is roughly 1:40.



Next up I will unload and reload three moonclips for my 8-shot 627. This is a 357 Magnum revolver but I will be unloading and reloading 38 Short Colt since that is my competition ammo. As much as I prefer rimless cartridges for robust moonclips I have to say the BMT mooner tool for rimmed cartridges is one of the slickest gadgets going. Their rimless version is very good also but not as nifty at this version. To unload and reload 24rds / 3 moonclips is roughly 1:20.



And finally just for a comparison and cause I was curious as much as anything I grab a bag of loose 40S&W and one of my 20rd Limited magazines. Using the aid of an UpLULA I load 20rd of 40S&W into the magazine. Take roughly 48 seconds but remember I did not have to unload anything just load.

 
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