Why aren't 9mm revolvers more popular?

Why isn't 9 mm more popular in revolvers?

  • Because not enough people like moon clips

    Votes: 24 21.1%

  • Because 9 mm is not as versatile as 38 Spl / 357 Mag

    Votes: 23 20.2%

  • Because it's easier to shoot from auto pistols

    Votes: 29 25.4%

  • Other

    Votes: 38 33.3%
  • Total voters
    114
  • Poll closed .
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Smaug

Smaug

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For those who don't want to handload their ammo, 9 mm is a great choice; it has adequate power, in a compact package with affordable bulk ammo with which to practice.

I guess one possible reason is that with 9 mm, saving brass isn't so important. It's so popular it's everywhere, so why not shoot an auto, which are easier to clean and softer shooting.

BUT... for the revolver-shooting handloader, it could be loaded down to very light loads and still shoot well, since it has a much lower case capacity than its chief revolver cartridge competitor, 38 Special. Maybe even something with a flat point to cut cleaner holes in targets? And free brass everywhere.

I DO notice that 9 mm revolvers aren't in stock much these days. I don't remember how that compares to pre-COVID days. Maybe I'm wrong and they ARE popular and that's why they're not in stock?

What are you guys' thoughts on the matter?
 
That's a good question.
9mm in a revolver, at least theoretically, has a lot going for it.

I'd guess that maybe the current "revolver" cartridges (.38/357/44) are just so firmly intertwined in the development and history of revolvers: IOW, tradition???
 
IMHO the revolver chambered for a semiauto round is a fun item, and many have found moonclips provide a very fast reload. Conversion cylinders for revolvers-45 ACP for 45 Long Colt add variety. But why not a revolver chambered for 38 Super ? Also since is the correct bore diameter for 38/357 is .357 while the correct bore diameter for 9MM is .355, either the manufactured must go through the added expense of manufacturing separate barrels or shooters must settle for less than optimun accuracy.
 
Smaug said:
What are you guys' thoughts on the matter?
Click to expand...
As Claude Werner put it, the 9MM Parabellum round has a tapered case, which is preferable for feeding and extraction in a semiautomatic pistol. Revolvers work better with straight cases, because the cases do not end to come back out of the chamber and bind up the cylinder when fired.

The short OAL of the 9 benefits the semi-auto, but it is of little benefit in a revolver.
 
When thinking on this more seriously, it seems like the options for a revolver is a convertible cylinder model or a purpose built single caliber model.

The convertibles tend to be single action revolvers.

The purpose built DA/SA 9mm revolvers really ought to have a shorter cylinder for the shorter cartridge. But I don't know of many that also have a shorter frame to make for a more efficient use of gun length. So, we get some short cylinder guns with standard size frames. Which are purposeful, but unsightly to most. And most folks I know that like revolvers like their revolvers with traditional dimensions and appearances.

https://ruger.com/products/superGP100/specSheets/5066.html

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-929

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-986
 
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Kleanbore said:
As Claude Werner put it, the 9MM Parabellum round has a tapered case, which is preferable for feeding and extraction in a semiautomatic pistol. Revolvers work better with straight cases, because the cases do not end to come back out of the chamber and bind up the cylinder when fired.

The short OAL of the 9 benefits the semi-auto, but it is of little benefit in a revolver.
Click to expand...
Unless someone came out with a revolver designed from the ground up with a shorter cylinder so you could move the frame/forcing cone back and have a longer barrel for the same overall length. But the market isn’t there. I guess the 9mm competition revolvers effectively already do but there’s a lot of empty space between the front of the cylinder and the frame.
 
There is one of those new Taylor's single actions in dedicated 9mm at my LGS and I am seriously considering it. Never been a moonclip person.
 
Ive had three 9mm revolvers. A couple of S&W 940's when they first came out, and a Ruger Blackhawk 357/9mm combo.

I liked the S&W's, but apparently, they didnt like the 9mm, as both had something fail internally within the first 200 rounds when new, and had to go back to S&W. The second gun was a replacement for the first. The third gun I took in 38 as I didnt feel like dealing with them anymore. I did like the moon clips, and think thats a good idea, auto round or not.

The Blackhawk was, meh. Rugers just seem to annoy me more often than not, rifles or handguns. :) It shot OK, but Ruger needs to do something about how their SA's work on loading. Wasnt an issue with the 357's, but with the 9mm's, I had the gun lock up a few times trying to get it loaded and had take the cylinder out to clear it.


These days, I dont really see any advantage to them, other than a toy. If youre going to have a gun in the caliber, especially if youre going to use it for anything serious, it might as well be an auto.
 
1KPerDay said:
Unless someone came out with a revolver designed from the ground up with a shorter cylinder so you could move the frame/forcing cone back and have a longer barrel for the same overall length. But the market isn’t there. I guess the 9mm competition revolvers effectively already do but there’s a lot of empty space between the front of the cylinder and the frame.
Click to expand...

Definitely seems to be a rare bird.
https://www.nighthawkcustom.com/sky-hawk-9mm
https://www.sturmgewehr.com/forums/index.php?/topic/13615-korth-nighthawk-skyhawk-9mm-2-revolver/
 
BLACKHAWKNJ said:
But why not a revolver chambered for 38 Super ?
Click to expand...

S&W made them.

BLACKHAWKNJ said:
Also since is the correct bore diameter for 38/357 is .357 while the correct bore diameter for 9MM is .355, either the manufactured must go through the added expense of manufacturing separate barrels or shooters must settle for less than optimun accuracy.
Click to expand...

9mm and 38/357 have the exact same SAAMI groove diameter of .355 + .004. In other words, there is no difference in the groove diameter of those calibers.

That makes the accuracy issue moot.

SAAMI shows different twist rates for the 9mm and 38/357, but that is optional.

https://saami.org/wp-content/upload...FP-and-R-Approved-2015-12-14-Posting-Copy.pdf
 
chicharrones said:
When thinking on this more seriously, it seems like the options for a revolver is a convertible cylinder model or a purpose built single caliber model.

The convertibles tend to be single action revolvers.

The purpose built DA/SA 9mm revolvers really ought to have a shorter cylinder for the shorter cartridge. But I don't know of many that also have a shorter frame to make for a more efficient use of gun length. So, we get some short cylinder guns with standard size frames. Which are purposeful, but unsightly to most. And most folks I know that like revolvers like their revolvers with traditional dimensions and appearances.

https://ruger.com/products/superGP100/specSheets/5066.html

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-929

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-986
Click to expand...

I don't like the big gap in the frame either. It's not just Korth, that makes one without the gap, Charter Arms does too. (Model 79920) and there's no moon clips needed either. It's just a matter of playing the Quality Lottery with Charter. Got to order one from the LGS and inspect it before transfer, I guess, or be willing to send it back to the factory when they're bad.

https://charterfirearms.com/products/79920-9-mm-pitbull-rimless-revolver

79920_2_large.jpg ​
 
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chicharrones said:
When thinking on this more seriously, it seems like the options for a revolver is a convertible cylinder model or a purpose built single caliber model.

The convertibles tend to be single action revolvers.

The purpose built DA/SA 9mm revolvers really ought to have a shorter cylinder for the shorter cartridge. But I don't know of many that also have a shorter frame to make for a more efficient use of gun length. So, we get some short cylinder guns with standard size frames. Which are purposeful, but unsightly to most. And most folks I know that like revolvers like their revolvers with traditional dimensions and appearances.

https://ruger.com/products/superGP100/specSheets/5066.html

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-929

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-986
Click to expand...

Well, here is 5 more with appropriate frame size:
Charter Arms 69920 Pitbull Revolver Single/Double 9mm Luger 2.20" 5 Round Black Rubber Grip Black Nitride | Dahlonega Armory

Charter Arms 79920 Pitbull Revolver Single/Double 9mm Luger 2.20" 5 Rd Black Rubber Grip Stainless | Dahlonega Armory

Rock Island 9231B AL9.0 Standard 9mm Luger 6 Round 3" Blued Black Rubber Grip | Dahlonega Armory

My fav:
Charter Arms 79942 Pitbull 9mm Luger 5 Round 4.20" Stainless Steel Black Rubber Grip | Dahlonega Armory

no ejector rod shroud, meh:
Charter Arms 79960 Pitbull 9mm Luger 5 Round 6" Stainless Steel Black Rubber Grip | Dahlonega Armory
no moon clips needed; Charter Arms has a patented extractor design.
jmo,
 
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Smaug said:
I don't like the big gap in the frame either. It's not just Korth, that makes one without the gap, Charter Arms does too. (Model 79920) It's just a matter of playing the Quality Lottery with Charter. Got to order one from the LGS and inspect it before transfer, I guess, or be willing to send it back to the factory when they're bad.

https://charterfirearms.com/products/79920-9-mm-pitbull-rimless-revolver

Click to expand...

That Korth and the linked Taurus M380 in a different post have the short cylinders and the matching shortened frames that I was referring to. I'm guessing the Pit Bull has a cylinder long enough for a cartridge longer than a 9x19?

Even Charter Arms made shorter cylinders in "full length" frames back in the day. Compare the cylinder lengths to frame openings in these two Patherfinders in .22 LR.

One easy way to see is to lay a cartridge on the side of the cylinder, like the example below.

View attachment 1116220
 
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Kleanbore said:
As Claude Werner put it, the 9MM Parabellum round has a tapered case, which is preferable for feeding and extraction in a semiautomatic pistol. Revolvers work better with straight cases, because the cases do not end to come back out of the chamber and bind up the cylinder when fired.

The short OAL of the 9 benefits the semi-auto, but it is of little benefit in a revolver.
Click to expand...

For me it’s just the opposite with my 929. The taper means easier extraction and with moon clips no problem with binding. The short cases means a very short extraction stroke. So there are definite advantages to revolver shooters. 9mm is the round of choice for USPSA and ICORE (open & limited).
 
Smaug said:
I don't like the big gap in the frame either. It's not just Korth, that makes one without the gap, Charter Arms does too. (Model 79920) It's just a matter of playing the Quality Lottery with Charter. Got to order one from the LGS and inspect it before transfer, I guess, or be willing to send it back to the factory when they're bad.

https://charterfirearms.com/products/79920-9-mm-pitbull-rimless-revolver

Click to expand...
That cylinder is still a lot longer than it needs to be. Is it shorter than the .38 special cylinder?
 
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