Any diff b/t new Rugers and older?

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Northslope Nimrod

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Local guy is selling a Ruger .357 convertible (with 9mm cylinder). I believe it is about 20 years old. I'm not sure when Ruger made these convertibles but he stated it is about that old. He is asking $350 with holster. Some minor blueing wear but in good condition.
Thus, are the newer versions better, worse, the same? Wondering if I should hold out for newer model.

Also, anybody had issues with the 9mm cylinders?
 
Ruger switched from the old models to the new models in the 70's. Their guns (blackhawks anyways) have pretty much stayed the same since then. It sounds like a decent deal, but you should know that convertable guns aren't as accurate as guns designed for one caliber. If you don't demand ultra tight performance this won't bother you a bit.
 
Action_Can_Do said:
... but you should know that convertable guns aren't as accurate as guns designed for one caliber. If you don't demand ultra tight performance this won't bother you a bit.
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Actually, that's not quite correct. In this case, for instance, the .357 will be just as accurate as any other Blackhawk .357. The 9mm will likely be somewhat less accurate than a caliber-specific gun due to the bullet jump in the cylinder.

I have a .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible and find the ACP to group less well of the two. The .45 Colt is exceptionally accurate, however.

-- Sam
 
IIRC most 45 acp and 45 LC bullets are the same diameter. A 357 bullet is usually 357 and a 9MM is 355. That is only .002 which isn't much. I never did paper them but had a bunch of 9mm 115 grain bullets when I sold my Browning Highpower so used the bullets for plinking in 38 SPL. and 357 Mag cases in a couple of different revolvers with no problems They shot plenty good enough to knock down metal plates etc at the local range.

I wouldn't use .357 projectiles in a 9mm.
 
Every once in a while we hear about one of these convertibles that shoots better in 9mm than 357. The last time I heard of one I suggested he slug his barrel and see if it was on the tight side or maybe had a constriction. Such a matter is usually easy to sort out, possibly via fire-lapping.

Most of the time the 9mm cylinder performs poorly but...to me it's REAL useful in that it can be sent off for reaming into a 356GNR (41Magnum necked down to 357) or 38/44B&D (44Mag shell necked down). You can shoot these through your same barrel, just swap cylinders with the 357Mag (which will still work).
 
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