Ruger 9mm/357

Well Ghostrider: firstly to avoid confusion, it'll actually be a Blackhawk convertible rather than a Super Single Six, which is a rimfire convertible. I'm just saying so in case you run into a clerk who doesn't know the difference and might then be unable to help you.

On topic, the cylinders change out quite easily which also makes them easier to clean than their DA counterparts.

If you should ever want to hunt with 'er, you may want to consider a longer barrel because some states will say that the one you mentioned is too short to hunt with.

Funny thing with mine was that I never was able to find an acceptably accurate .357 load for it. (IMPORTANT: I'm referring strictly to the specimen that I owned. Has absolutely nothing to do with anybody else's.) I'd also not yet started to handload before I had to sell 'er.

Funny thing with mine #2: With Sellier and Bellotts and the 9mm cylinder, that freakin' gun was a TACKDRIVER!!!! Makes no sense at all, since IIRC the 9mm is slightly undersize from a .38 spl./.357 mag. bullet diameter.

Overall, the Blackhawk convertible is one of my favories of all time. Damn-near indestructible and has the potential for serious accuracy, along with the ability to practice cheaply since she fires both of the least expensive centerfire handgun caliber ammunition. You also get a lot of gun for your money.

And lastly, she looks so cool. I love the SAA look, anyway.

Great gun and as was posted, we're talking about a Blackhawk convertible not the Single-Six.

I've owned 2 and a half of them and love them all. The two I had were factory models one in 4 5/8" and the other in 6 1/2", both were accurate and perfectly reliable in all aspects as are most Rugers. Cylinders switch out in a matter of seconds and accuracy was perfectly acceptable to outstanding in both examples with both cylinders.

The third one is what I like to call my "Frankenhawk" as it started life as a stainless 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .357, Ruger doesn't offer a stainless convertible in this caliber set so I decided to make my own with a blued 9mm cylinder from ebay. The cylinder took about an hour of fitting to work properly and has proven to be very accurate and totally reliable. Not leaving well enough alone I had a Super Blackhawk Dragoon frame sitting here so I grafted that on as well as a blued ejector rod housing. The two -toned effect impresses me so I'm leaving it that way for now- Gripframe needs a final fitting if it's going to stay though.
I ended up with a second .357 cylinder (blued) so I fitted that up as well and am considering having one of the two .357 cyl's rechambered to a wildcat of some variety. In the end, it's safe to say that some things get out of control.

Mine shoots best with .357 Fiocchi soft point.
It shoots almost as well with 9mm FMJ, good enough, but not as good as .357.
I can recommend it, mine is 4 5/8, and I like the size and balance.

I have a 6.5" new Model Blackhawk in .357 and I picked up a 9mm cylinder for it that only required minor fitting. Both shoot great and accuracy even with 9mm jacketed ammo is excellent.

If you like single action revolvers, this is a great all around choice.

Here are my 357/9mm Blackhawk convertibles. They're all keepers.






9mm cylinder not shown in this picture, but it's a convertible too:

Ghostrider, I sure like mine. Haven't really gotten a chance to test it out, but have fired some 9mm through it and some 38 specials. Fun to shoot, and if you reload, cheap as well. Good luck.

I bought a used one about a month ago and I really enjoy shooting it.
This is the first SA revolver that I've ever owned but I don't think it will
be the last .... maybe a .45 next

Blackhawk convertable

Fine guns, I have two, both in .45 Colt/.45 ACP. Mine have the 7.5in barrel, and one is the most accurate revolver I own.

The .357/9mm is on my want list, but hasen't got to the top yet. Ruger's are tanks, way overbuilt, and so they will last about forever. The only gripes I ever hear is that they are not identical to the Colt SAA (they are larger and have adjustable sights), and that the actions are not as smooth, or the trigger pull is not the best. There are a few simple things that can be done that make a tremendous difference in the smoothness of the action and the trigger pull, so that is not any big deal.

They are one of the best values for the money of any guns on the market today, at least in my opinion. An added plus is that with the transfer bar ignition system, you can safely carry 6 rounds in the gun, which is something you cannot do with the Colt SAA or copies. New Model Blackhawks do not operate in exactly the same manner as the Colt SAA, there is no half cock position for the hammer, simply opening the loading gate frees up the cylinder for loading and unloading.

Be aware that there are "old model" Blackhawks out there. They are also called "3 screw" models. These DO operate just like the Colt SAA, and cannot be safely carried with 6 rounds, only 5, with the empty chamber under the hammer. Ruger made the change about 1973 (as the result of a lawsuit), and the older guns are collected by some people. You can tell the difference at a glance, by looking at the side of the frame below the hammer. If there are screw heads, it is an old model, if they are round pins, it is a new model (or an old model that has been factory updated to new model specs). Ruger does the conversion to new model specs free, and will do it to any old model you send them, whether you want them to or not.

They are fine guns, and are alot of fun to shoot. You might look around for a used one, as they are often just as good, and a bit cheaper.

Do they sell the convertibles in stainless off the shelf or do you have to buy a separate cylinder? Gunsmith to fit it?

I sent mine in to Ruger for the extra 9mm cylinder in stainless. Sometimes they say "yes" to this request, but most of the time they will say that since a stainless 357/9mm convertible has never been cataloged they won't do a stainless cylinder. I got lucky, but give 'em a call.

I bought a Blackhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible, and wish I hadn't wasted the money for the "convertible" part. All I have shot in it is 45 Colt, and that started me reloading, and I may never shoot 45 ACP in the gun.

With the availability of 357/38 ammo, you might never shoot the 9mm.

Mike

"I bought a Blackhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible, and wish I hadn't wasted the money for the "convertible" part. All I have shot in it is 45 Colt, and that started me reloading, and I may never shoot 45 ACP in the gun.

With the availability of 357/38 ammo, you might never shoot the 9mm.

Mike"

Except that I find that I can buy the 9mm ammo cheaper than the .38 and a lot cheaper than the .357

So for just plinking the 9mm cylinder is nice to have.

JMHO
Larry