FireInCairo
member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 710
What makes and models are there out there?
9mm Revolvers?
- Thread starter FireInCairo
- Start date
- Status
boricua9mm
Member
S&W 547 Review
S&W also made the model 940 J-frames (moon clips) and is now making the model 929 on the big N-frame.
Ruger made the SP101 in 9mm at one time. They also made a convertible single action Blackhawk.
Charter Arms makes small framed CCW versions.
There was a caliber convertible Medusa revolver. I've never even seen one.
Manurhin made some, IIRC, but would be exceedingly rare, if they were even imported at all.
I might be missing some.
S&W also made the model 940 J-frames (moon clips) and is now making the model 929 on the big N-frame.
Ruger made the SP101 in 9mm at one time. They also made a convertible single action Blackhawk.
Charter Arms makes small framed CCW versions.
There was a caliber convertible Medusa revolver. I've never even seen one.
Manurhin made some, IIRC, but would be exceedingly rare, if they were even imported at all.
I might be missing some.
bikemutt
Member
You may find a S&W 940 out there.
The only one I've owned and cared for somewhat was a Ruger, I don't recall it being an SP101 but, it was real nice and accurate, stupidly sold it.
Charter Arms I know started on one where you don't have to use moonclips; if it's anything like the .40 I bought, forgetaboutit.
S&W has a couple new model 9mm revolvers you can find on their website, or check the YouTube stunt with Jerry Miculek hitting a 1000 yard steel plate with one.
After trying just about all of them I came to the conclusion that, for me, it's a solution in search of a problem. There is absolutely not one area in which a decent 9mm revolver can even come close to my CZ 75B, that's why I quit chasing the windmill, YMMV.
The only one I've owned and cared for somewhat was a Ruger, I don't recall it being an SP101 but, it was real nice and accurate, stupidly sold it.
Charter Arms I know started on one where you don't have to use moonclips; if it's anything like the .40 I bought, forgetaboutit.
S&W has a couple new model 9mm revolvers you can find on their website, or check the YouTube stunt with Jerry Miculek hitting a 1000 yard steel plate with one.
After trying just about all of them I came to the conclusion that, for me, it's a solution in search of a problem. There is absolutely not one area in which a decent 9mm revolver can even come close to my CZ 75B, that's why I quit chasing the windmill, YMMV.
BobWright
Member
The very best 9mm of all is the Ruger Blackhawk .357/9mm convertible.
Bob Wright
Bob Wright
boricua9mm
Member
Comparing a 9mm revolver to a semi-automatic is one of the great failings of the gun-buying public. They should be compared to .38 Special revolvers, since that's a closer comparison. In that case, I would take the 9mm revolver over the .38 every time.
Cheaper ammo, higher velocities with comparable bullet weights, short, easy-to-eject casings and a wide range of loadings make the 9mm more attractive to me than any .38SPL. It is also much easier for me to find 9mm locally in a non-panic market than it is for me to come across .38s.
When I carry a revolver, it's a .357 Magnum. When I carry a 9mm, it's a semi-auto. However, if it were between me carrying a .38 Special or a 9mm revolver, give me the Parabellum, each and every time.
Cheaper ammo, higher velocities with comparable bullet weights, short, easy-to-eject casings and a wide range of loadings make the 9mm more attractive to me than any .38SPL. It is also much easier for me to find 9mm locally in a non-panic market than it is for me to come across .38s.
When I carry a revolver, it's a .357 Magnum. When I carry a 9mm, it's a semi-auto. However, if it were between me carrying a .38 Special or a 9mm revolver, give me the Parabellum, each and every time.
Schwing
Member
I would second this opinion, especially if you cast your own bullets. Being able to cast 9mm bullets that are .001 larger than the barrel size makes them extremely accurate. The weight of the gun makes it feel like you are shooting a .22 so they are great for young kids etc.
My brother-in-law bought one of these some time back. I can spend hours at the range and go through a fraction of the ammo that I do with my semi-autos. I also don't have to chase my brass.
frankiestoys
Member
Other then the cost of ammo I really don't see the advantage I like the 9mm but believe it best suited for a semi...WTS I have a friend who has Taurus I've only fired it once and really couldn't tell any decline in recoil ,in a snub nose a .38 spl works fine for me
Panzerschwein
member
I really like the new S&W 929. I know it's made for competition but I'd imagine it'd be a great defense revolver firing hot 9mm +P+ ammo. It's got plenty of barrel and is supposed to be very low recoil, both of which help in accurate rapid shooting in a defensive situation.
Add to that the gun takes 8 shot moon clips that allows for RAPID reloading with practice. Add to THAT the incredible reliability of a quality revolver, and the proven effectiveness, manageability, and efficiency of 9x19mm ammo, and you have the makes of a fantastic home/camp (out of bear country) or car defense gun.
Add to that the gun takes 8 shot moon clips that allows for RAPID reloading with practice. Add to THAT the incredible reliability of a quality revolver, and the proven effectiveness, manageability, and efficiency of 9x19mm ammo, and you have the makes of a fantastic home/camp (out of bear country) or car defense gun.
bikemutt
Member
The comparison you suggest is all well and good until price enters the equation. To wit, LGS has a well used 940 for $900, I just bought a no-lock 642 38 spc from said LGS for $400. The 940 weighs close to twice the 642, costs more than twice the price, holds the same number of rounds, and requires moon clips.
No thanks.
First, let's set ammo cost aside.
Other than a police/military situation where 9mm is the required caliber but a revolver is permitted and preferred, there is really no reason for a 9mm revolver. There is nothing the 9mm can do that the .38 Special can't do and that the .357 can't do better. Even FMJs can be used in either of the revolver cartridges if penetration is necessary.
Way back when I got a Ruger convertible, 9mm/.357. The 9mm goes POP! The .357 goes BLAM!
Nuff sed.
Jim
Other than a police/military situation where 9mm is the required caliber but a revolver is permitted and preferred, there is really no reason for a 9mm revolver. There is nothing the 9mm can do that the .38 Special can't do and that the .357 can't do better. Even FMJs can be used in either of the revolver cartridges if penetration is necessary.
Way back when I got a Ruger convertible, 9mm/.357. The 9mm goes POP! The .357 goes BLAM!
Nuff sed.
Jim
midland man
Member
Taurus makes one its on the website right now!
ljnowell
Member
I would like a quality 9mm snub, but I won't throw money away buying a Taurus or charter arms.
It's not that it does anything special, I just want one.
It's not that it does anything special, I just want one.
Monac
Member
IMO, the perceived advantage of a 9mm revolver is more power than 38 Special +P in a shorter cartridge, which should allow a more compact gun. The problems are 1) no one builds a revolver tailored to the round, so the compactness advantage is lost, and 2) the rimless, tapered shape of the cartridge is unsuited to conventional swing-out cylinder revolvers, which necessitates the use of trick extractors or moon clips, neither of which are popular. So, as MAKster points out, they routinely fail on the market.
Look at the Czechpoint design that Jimbo53 links to. It's a conversion of a .357 Magnum revolver to 9mm. As JimK says, that is pointless. With a .357, you can fire anything from Magnum loads to 38 Special wadcutters. 9mm is a versatile cartridge, but it's not as versatile as that range of loads.
I think Taurus makes a 380 ACP revolver on a special small frame. If they had done something similar with 9mm Parabellum they might have had what people have been looking for. As it is, IMO, guns like the Ruger LCP make the 380 ACP revolver idea a non-starter. Although I suppose the same thing might be true of the Kel-Tec P-11 and similar guns versus a 9mm revolver.
Look at the Czechpoint design that Jimbo53 links to. It's a conversion of a .357 Magnum revolver to 9mm. As JimK says, that is pointless. With a .357, you can fire anything from Magnum loads to 38 Special wadcutters. 9mm is a versatile cartridge, but it's not as versatile as that range of loads.
I think Taurus makes a 380 ACP revolver on a special small frame. If they had done something similar with 9mm Parabellum they might have had what people have been looking for. As it is, IMO, guns like the Ruger LCP make the 380 ACP revolver idea a non-starter. Although I suppose the same thing might be true of the Kel-Tec P-11 and similar guns versus a 9mm revolver.
Last edited:
midland man
Member
well I like the looks of that 9mm revolver by Taurus it has a 2in barrel and is small in size I was thinkin about buyin one! it looks good to me 
weblance
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2011
- Messages
- 912
My Taurus 905 has been excellent, and Im certainly no fan of Taurus revolvers...
Crossed One Off My Bucket List. 9mm Revolver
Why Arent 9mm Revolvers More Popular?
Crossed One Off My Bucket List. 9mm Revolver
Why Arent 9mm Revolvers More Popular?
To clarify what I wrote. There is nothing wrong with 9mm in a revolver, if that is what someone wants and is willing to go along with some method of using a rimless pistol cartridge in a firearm designed for rimmed cartridges. But trick ejectors have not been a big success and have been known to give problems, mainly cartridges slipping past them if the ejection stroke is not vigorous enough. Moon clips work well (as they do for rimmed cartridges) and allow fast reloading, but introduce another factor into the equation.
Possible the main drawback for a reloader is that the 9mm's compactness (sometimes seen as an advantage) makes it relatively inflexible. That is especially so if the load is to also to be used in an auto pistol, which requires a fairly narrow range of velocity/bullet mass in order to function.
Jim
Possible the main drawback for a reloader is that the 9mm's compactness (sometimes seen as an advantage) makes it relatively inflexible. That is especially so if the load is to also to be used in an auto pistol, which requires a fairly narrow range of velocity/bullet mass in order to function.
Jim
boricua9mm
Member
The reason a 940 or 547 costs so much is that they have been discontinued and are highly sought after. The first problem is partially your fault; you are one who dismissed 9mm revolvers, which hampered sales and led to their being discontinued. The second problem is the fault if people like me; we recognize the benefits of a 9mm over a .38 Special revolver.
Monac
Member
Sure. I also like the idea of a revolver more powerful than 38 Special +P but not as obnoxious to fire as a 357 Magnum. But without designing the gun for the round, such revolvers wind up oversized and overweight.
Plus, I tend to like oddball things, like 32 S&W Long for target shooting (sure, some people like it, but not many) and 9mm Browning Long for blowback pistols with more punch than 380 ACP.
I have a S&W 547, and I've had a 9mm Ruger Security Six and an FN Barracuda, and they all have one thing in common: They are very big and heavy for a 9mm pistol.
A J-frame or Ruger LCR sized gun would make more sense, but the extra length of a 38/357 length cylinder makes them bulkier than they should be, and not enough people want a compromise between 38 and 357.
All the above is obviously my opinion; I apologize if I sound like I am laying down the law.
Plus, I tend to like oddball things, like 32 S&W Long for target shooting (sure, some people like it, but not many) and 9mm Browning Long for blowback pistols with more punch than 380 ACP.
I have a S&W 547, and I've had a 9mm Ruger Security Six and an FN Barracuda, and they all have one thing in common: They are very big and heavy for a 9mm pistol.
A J-frame or Ruger LCR sized gun would make more sense, but the extra length of a 38/357 length cylinder makes them bulkier than they should be, and not enough people want a compromise between 38 and 357.
All the above is obviously my opinion; I apologize if I sound like I am laying down the law.
S&W offers two models plus Czechs and Brazilians make couple models. During Assault rifle buying craze someone traded old stainless S&W and I ended up buying it. Previous owner was retired cop from MN if I recall correctly. They were issued those a back up to 9mm pistols. Being second-hand I saved few hundred over new .357 version and that is ok. Since I picked up R9 pistol it just lingers in my gun safe. Slow reload plus pia relatively fragile moon clips are major drawbacks. I would not pay premium prices for those.
ljnowell
Member
I have an uncle who loads carry ammo for a 9mm S&W j-frame. I bought a bunch of 158gr SJHP a while back that when I measured them they were .3555". I sold them to him and he loads them in 9mm cases. He can load them pretty long in that particular pistol and chronograph data showed a very nice load that exceeded factory 38 +p 158gr loading a.
Tophernj
Member
Glad you like it. Perhaps you can enlighten me, because I just don't understand the appeal of an N-frame 9mm revolver. I could see a 9mm revolver if it were a tiny concealable pocket piece, but it makes no sense to me in an N frame given the alternatives available in that size frame. What does it do that can't be done better by a 38/357, 44 magnum or if moonclips appeal to you, a 45 ACP?
Unless you happen to have a bountiful supply of free 9mm ammo, I just don't get it.
Tophernj
Member
It's fun? Isn't that reason enough?
- Status