9mm Revolver

Your are simply replicating the short lived cartridge called 9mm Federal a rimmed 9x19mm cartridge. It was loaded to 9x19 specs but was for a revolver without moonclips.

But the real question is why? Moonclips rule! 9mm in cheap and available.

The only reason (to me) to have a 9mm revolver is to be able to use moonclips.

I could see this being useful in a pinch or as a novelty.

TK custom and I think one or two other custom revolver gun smiths will actually take many 38/357 revolver and will create a hybrid 9mm/38/357 chamber. They will run a 9mm reamer into a 38/357 chambers and then cut the face of the cylinder for moonclips. When finished you have a revolver that will shoot 38 and 357 Mag (if it was 357 to start with) with or without a moonclip and then 9mm on moonclips. And if you have 9mm Federal or the OP converted brass it would shoot that too with or without moonclips.

Yes, but there are caveats about just which 9mm to shoot and what might happen as .357 expands into the now-tapered chamber.

One argument against the 9mm Federal was that it would chamber in .38 S&W, setting up the potential for a triple pressure round in an old top break. There appears to be no legal requirement to follow instructions, so they were setting themselves up to be sued.

There are competitors shooting .38 Short Colt in their 9mm S&W model 929s, still with clips. I am sure they have their reasons but they are not clear to me.

Jim Watson said:

Yes, but there are caveats about just which 9mm to shoot and what might happen as .357 expands into the now-tapered chamber.

One argument against the 9mm Federal was that it would chamber in .38 S&W, setting up the potential for a triple pressure round in an old top break. There appears to be no legal requirement to follow instructions, so they were setting themselves up to be sued.

There are competitors shooting .38 Short Colt in their 9mm S&W model 929s, still with clips. I am sure they have their reasons but they are not clear to me.

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At least from TK custom the only limitation is no 9mm +P or 357 Mag over standard pressure (same as regular 9mm 35,000 PSI). For the flexibility you give up the ability to hot rod it.

I don't put much weight in the 38 S&W argument against 9mm Federal. No doubt you are right it would chamber in a 38S&W and be way over pressure (I have two 38 S&W revolvers one a black powder 38S&W). We still sell 38 Super despite it chambering in 38 ACP guns that can't handle the pressure. They still sell 45/70 for Marlin lever guns that would blow up a trap door or similar vintage 45/70. We sell 45 Colt that is for Ruger's only and would blow up original 45 Colt revolvers.

I can't think of any reason to run 38 Short Colt in a 929 other than to prove you can. I am sure there are a few of those people floating around. It doesn't give any competitive advantage I can think of.

I fired 9's in my Blackhawk once (using the 9mm cylinder) accuracy sucked. Now that cylinder serves as the Plunk test for loaded 9's from Mr Dillon.

Clipper67 said:

I fired 9's in my Blackhawk once (using the 9mm cylinder) accuracy sucked. Now that cylinder serves as the Plunk test for loaded 9's from Mr Dillon.

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I always found heavier 9mm worked better in the blackhawk conversion cylinder. 115gr did not shoot very accurately but 124 grain did noticeable better and with 147 gr bullet the accuracy was better than some cheap 38 Special. I think the great bearing area in the barrel helped with accuracy.

The 949 shooters do better with heavier, larger bullets.
Kind of like a 38 Special with cheap brass.

I had a 940 and have a 642 with a 940 cylinder and they shoot 127gr HPs best.

kjone2007 said:

My 357 cylinder is by far more accurate than the 9mm but also cost more money

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Evidently, you don't reload....I do, and can load .357 for about a nickel a round..cast 158 grain Keith type bullet, small magnum primer, H110 (Win 296) powder.

Interesting idea.

I like having revolvers that are versatile enough to shoot more than one kind of ammo.

mcb said:

Your are simply replicating the short lived cartridge called 9mm Federal a rimmed 9x19mm cartridge. It was loaded to 9x19 specs but was for a revolver without moonclips.

But the real question is why? Moonclips rule! 9mm in cheap and available.

Click to expand...

I'm still waiting to run across a CA chambered in the 9mm Federal.

No no no no 9mm revolvers
Especially during the ammo craze
Get a 38