9mm revolver question

[dmarbell]

I recently bought a Kel-Tec P11 for CCW gun. I also am in the market for a wheel gun, and I've been considering j-frame Smiths and SP101s. I did some reading today on the Taurus 905. Since I got the P11, I've been beating around getting a 9mm revolver, so I can buy one caliber of ammo.

There a threads that give the Taurus 905 models bad reviews. The Rugers seem to get good reviews, but the moon clips give me some concern. Also, I haven't seen one for sale recently, and I'd bet the prices are high. The Smith revolvers in 9mm get good reviews, but for those prices I could get a small villa on Oahu!!

It just looks like the 38s and 357s in the wheel guns are better bets, and just keep the speed loader ready for the snubby caliber. Does that sound about right? Also, I don't see buying the 38 sp. or +P guns when you can get the 357s and shoot the other ammo. The SP101s in 38 sp are a few bucks cheaper, it seems, than the 357 models.

Danny

 

[Jack2427]

The Tarus revolvers are quite a mixed bag as far as QC is concerned. Some of them run like a swiss watch, some never work.
Both the Rugers and S&W are excellent 9mm revolvers, I have a couple of both. You will need mooon clips in all but the Smith 547, which is collector pricey anyway. The moon clips are actually quite a bit faster to reload than speedloaders, and more compact to carry. Typically, I can fit two moon clips in the space needed for one speedloader.
You can get near 357 punch out of the proper 9mm load. And practice ammo is dirt cheap. If you use 124-125 gr +P HPs for carry, and 124 gr NATO FMJ for practice your POI will be very close. Any of the9mm revolvers will wewigh about the same as your P11. If you do get a 9mm wheelgun, especially a SP101, or a Smith 940, I bet you will be carrying it more than the KT.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I've had enough bad luck with Taurus handguns to make me never buy one again. I know people that have them and love them, but I've owned three and had multiple problems with each.

I have a S&W 547. It's a great shooter.

 

[gandog56]

The gun I am most accrate with (and I own a few!), is my 19 year old Taurus 66 .357 magnum. Did I get one that was the cream instead of the lemon, I don't know. But I woould trust my life with that gun, and that's all that matters.

 

[461]

Much as I'd love to jump on the thread hijack bandwagon and take some shots at Taurus myself, I believe we were discussing 9mm wheelguns.

I've got a 9mm wheelie (SP-101) and just love it. I think the lessened recoil of the 9mm over the .357 along with the weight of the SP makes for a great little shooter. I'm sold on the moonclips as well, they make for a superquick reload and very reliable extraction. I've had mine for over a year now and have a hard time finding anything not to love.

 

[ribbonstone]

Have had four..still have one. Ruger SS, S&W 940 3", 940 2', and a Ruger 101. Still have the Ruger 101. I like the concept, esp. when surplus 9mm ammo is/was so cheap. .357 is a better defence round, but the 9mm is about as much as can be shot well and fast with the MINIMUM size grip.

But the only one you're likely to easily find would be the Taurus: they have a spotty reputaion for quaility control, so I'd become knolwedgable about revolvers and testing (the sticky on buying a used revolver is a good guide) efore buying even a NEW one.

 

[Confederate]

You're correct about the expense. I advise getting a .38/.357 because the .38s are available at a good savings. Having said that, let price guide you there. I can't recommend Taurus if you'll be shooting a lot; the 9mm Ruger Speed-Six with the clips is a good way to go. Rounds can be loaded three at a time if memory serves. I know the Egyptian police used the Ruger 9mm and they did get good reviews.

Still, being able to fire .357 is a real asset, especially if you travel with a weapon. (I've gotten to the point where I just won't go out in the wild without some sort of protection and for home protection, .38s are hard to beat.

 

[daBear]

Some time ago I was lucky enough to score an Astra 357 Police 3in bbl NIB, which came with a second cylinder for 9mm. At one point they came with either a second cyl in 9mm Luger or 9mm Steyr. Reliability has been superb and for a small revolver is has been very accurate up to 10yds but beyond that it starts to wander. I have only seen a couple on the sale posts, and they often only have the 1 cylinder(357).. I'll probably be holding onto this little fella..
Cheers
dB

 

[ribbonstone]

Never know what the local used gun market is like.

Found that Ruger 101 9mm on the used gun shelf in a local gunshop, prices a bit lower than a used .357 version becasue, "It's in 9mm and no one around here seems to want that caliber." Have .357's, but also had +900 rounds of Egyptian surplus 9mm that many of my autoloaders refused to fire on the first firing pin strike (hard primers).

Took a chance the Ruger would fire them; it ate them all without a problem.

Even without the dirt-cheap 9mm prices of a few years ago, the little Ruger is a useful addition....9mm cases are still basically free, the bullets as cheap as any .38special, primers cost the same no matter what round fires them, and the 9mm is stingy about powder weights. Still might be the least expensive centerfire revolver to feed.

 

[sgtb]

I have a 9mm Speed six and love it.

 

[Moonclip]

My 2" model 940 is superior to my 2 3/4" speed six for some reason. 940 shoots to poa and does not have sticky extraction.
I stupidly missed a 547 4" 2 years ago at $410 in CA

Have never seen the Astra. I have passed Sp101s 9mm in CA due to rediculous prices, extreme abuse, or stupid customizations by non name gunsmiths.

 

[0007]

DaBear -
I bought my Astra with a 2" barrel more then 20 years ago. I sure wish it had come witha 9mm cylinder... That said, the wife took it away from me and I've neverbeen able to get it back. At 50 feet she will tear up 4" rug tubes until she gets tired of shooting.