9mm revolvers

[Alan Fud]

I see from their website that Taurus is producing a number of 9mm revolvers. Apparently sales are good and warrant new models.

Two questions:

1. How does a 9mm kick compared to a .38special in the same gun (meaning a gun which is identical in size, shape & weight except for the caliber)?
   
   
2. Why would anyone want a 9mm over a .38/.357? I mean, I love the 9mm in an autoloader but in a revolver? Am I missing something?

 

[9x19]

Shooting .38/125gr vs 9mm/124gr loads (both standard pressure) from my 3" SP-101s reveals a barely noticeable increase in felt recoil for the 9mm... chronograph readings (sorry, I don't have them "on" me) are better for the 9mm, though not by a huge amount.

Moon clips do make for fast reloads, but also require a bit more care in handling than do the HKS speedloaders.

Overall, I enjoy shooting 9mm from my little SP-101, but it isn't so much better, that I'd entertain ridding myself of the .38.

My other 3" SP-101, shooting .357/125gr loads trumps 'em both, in terms of velocity, recoil and muzzle blast!

 

[Tacoma]

I have a SP101 in 9mm. Seems to kick less than my similarly weighted S&W 3913. Recoil is like +P38 out of a similar sized revolvers when shooting mil spec ball ammo. Very tollerable. I like the moonclip concept (it's just cool) and it does reload FAST. If you don't reload, 9mm is dirt cheap (costing less than 22 mag) and available everywhere.

p.s.This has been discussed allot before so a search might help you out.

 

[KurtC]

Once you've used auto cartridges in a revolver, you may never go back to rimmed. Nothing beats them loading, unloading or reloading. They are especially useful if you need to unload (clear) your firearm often.

The stories about bending clips is pretty much nonsene. I have been using (abusing) them for nearly 20 years in every conceivable fashion and have yet to damage even one. However, it is important to use high quality clips. The factory ones by Ruger are pretty lame, I recommend the solid ones by Ranch. Plastic ones are an accident waiting to happen.

I stopped carrying revolvers that need speedloaders years ago, and now rely on a S&W 625 and Ruger SP101 with moon clips.

 

[Tacoma]

Nice hammer job on that 9mm 101 KurtC. You're inspiering me

 

[KurtC]

That is the factory DAO hammer. Rather expensive with the round-trip shipping charges, but worth it if you want to maintain the value of a rare model like the 9mm.

 

[45crittergitter]

Yeah, but those clips are a pain in the patooka compared to regular revolver cartridges if you shoot two rounds at a varmint and just want to top it off.

 

[DragonFire]

I have several guns that use moonclips, and there's a noticable difference between the various clips. The ones for my S&W N and L frames are pretty durable, but the ones for my Taurus 9mm are a bit flimsy. I'm not sure if it's the difference between S&W and Taurus, or if it's the difference between a 10mm and 9mm sizes. The price for the 9mm are very much higher than for the larger sized ones, and so far I've only found them from Taurus, or a Taurus gun dealer.

I have used the RIMZ moonclips and find them more than acceptable, though I admit I still use the metal ones when I'm carrying. They are durable, hold the cases as well as the metal ones, and I don't have to worry about them bending.

Is there a website for the Ranch products? I've heard them mentioned on the forums quite often, but I haven't found a place where I can order them.

 

[GrandmasterB]

I think you have to call Ranch Products to place an order, as they don't have an online store. But they do have a website: http://www.ranchproducts.com/

Some of their products are also carried by www.midwayusa.com