best 9mm revolver out there

[WestKentucky]

Taurus makes a 5 shot 9mm revolver. 905.?
I dont know a thing about it.

I think it’s discontinued now, but it was a moonclip gun. Light and snappy. I wasn’t really a fan of it, but the 405 was much heavier and I WAS a fan of that gun. In fact it’s the only .40 I ever actually liked and I would still have it except for a stupid trade I could t say no to.

I have shot 9mm in a ruger LCR, a converted smith model 10, and a pitbull. None of those were really enjoyable. The model 10 wasn’t bad. I have never warmed up to the LCR either so make of it what you will. Look at velocity and bullet weight though. 9mm and .357 mag are in the same ballpark. Recoil will be similar in similar guns.

 

[fxvr5]

I think it’s discontinued now, but it was a moonclip gun.

It's still on their website. https://www.taurususa.com/firearms/revolvers/905/

Look at velocity and bullet weight though. 9mm and .357 mag are in the same ballpark. Recoil will be similar in similar guns.

Not even close. 357 with a 125 grain bullet at 1450 fps from a 4" barrel, compared to a 9mm 124 grain bullet at 1150 from a 4" barrel.

Here's some stats from my Ruger Blackhawk 6.5" barrel with 2 cylinders. Remington 357 Magnum 125 grain SJHP at 1739 fps producing 839 ft lbs ME. Winchester 9mm Nato 124 grain at 1283 fps producing 453 ft lbs ME. The 357 is standard pressure, the 9mm Nato is +P pressure. They're not even close to the same.

And for the OP, the 9mm has more recoil than a 38 Special in the same gun. More stats from my Ruger 6.5" barrel: Winchester 125 grain +P at 1075 fps producing 321 ft lbs ME. A Federal 38 Special 148 grain wadcutter at 750 fps producing 185 ft lbs ME.

If you're looking for something with less recoil, you're better off with a 38 Special than a 9mm.

 

[WestKentucky]

Not even close. 357 with a 125 grain bullet at 1450 fps from a 4" barrel, compared to a 9mm 124 grain bullet at 1150 from a 4" barrel.

That’s not really similar though. That’s a 20% difference in velocity. There are light .357s that shoot at the top end of 9mm range just the same as some really heavy loads in 9mm that are shooting slow but in the same range as some basic magnums. Maxed out the old v8 engine addage comes into play... there’s no replacement for displacement... and the case volume of .357 goes far above what a 9mm can do, but in lighter loads of .357 you get good comparable numbers to 9mm.

 

[fxvr5]

but in lighter loads of .357 you get good comparable numbers to 9mm.

Then it's not really a fair comparison, is it?

 

[Tilos]

Edit: tracked this gun down at local gun store $499 .

Too rich for my blood, just hoping Ruger would make/sell a SP101 with 4" barrel/adj sites/SS/9mm
They already sell a 9mm snubby

 

[Rock185]

TexasPatriot, I haven't owned any of the latest 9MM revolvers, but have had Ruger Blackhawk convertibles, two S&W 547s, a 940, and Ruger SP101. I enjoyed them all, especially the 547s. I would think now days something like the S&W 986 and 929 series of medium and large frame revolvers, or in small revolvers the Ruger SP101 or LCR might be something to consider. The Korths are reportedly excellent, but I admit I was never willing to spend that kind of money on a 9MM revolver...

Reference comparisons to .357, I'll offer my 2¢ worth. While I would never claim 9MM is ballistically equal to .357, 9mm velocities and energies when fired in revolvers are greater than many might suspect. Dare I say snappy? Especially in the little 2" and 3" revolvers. Some 9MM ammunition would seem to approximate low end 357 ballistics in these short barrels. For instance the popular 9MM Federal 124 +P HST in my 2" revolver averages 1197 FPS, in a 3" revolver 1291 FPS. The Federal 115 grain 9BPLE averaged 1213 FPS in the 2" gun, 1313 FPS in the 3" revolver. Even standard 9MM ball ammunition produces more recoil in the little 2" revolver than any major manufacturer 38+P I've tested. So certainly no .357, but IMHO 9MM is not exactly wimpy as compared to .357 when fired in these short barreled revolvers...

 

[reddog81]

I’ll vote for the S&W 929. It’s got enough heft to tame the recoil. Shooting 9mm out of an N frame revolver is quite a bit easier on the wrist than 45 ACP out of a 1911.

The metal moonclips are a pain to load but Rimz plastic moonclips aren’t any worse than loading your typical magazine. Drop in a lighter trigger return spring and the DA trigger weight isn’t too bad.

 

[kidneyboy]

I have shot the S&W 986 and 929, the LCR and SP101 and the 4" Chiappa Rhino in 9mm. The Smiths were the easiest to shoot (big revolvers with longer barrels) followed by the Chiappa then the SP101 then the LCR. Snappy is a good descriptor for 9mm revolvers. If you have wrist issues I'd consider a 38sp or 357 over the 9mm.
If I was getting one for conceal carry it would be the Chiappa or the SP101. For HD or as a range gun it would be the 986.

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a S&W 642 and a 60-4. I had the 642 fitted with a 940 cylinder. The best little carry gun if you are in love with 9mm and moonclips. On a whim I took the cylinder and put it in the 60-4 and it fit perfectly. That is what I feel is the perfect 9mm revolver, a bit lighter than the Ruger SP-101 but with adjustable sights. Very concealable, quick reloads, accurate, great trigger pull.

 

[Tallball]

As others have said, 9mm revolvers are snappier than 38 special revolvers.

38 special might be a better choice.

As others have said, if someone's hands and wrists are very painful, 32 caliber revolvers are the ticket. 32 S&W long has barely more recoil than a 22lr. 32 H&R magnum has just a little more recoil than 32 long, but is about as effective as a mild 38 special.

The Charter Arms Undercoverette is a decent little revolver in 32 H&R magnum. IIRC, Ruger has an LCR and/or LCRx in 327 magnum (which would allow you to use the two cartridges mentioned above). Ruger also has an SP101 in 327 magnum. There are probably others, but those are the ones I'm aware of that are currently being manufactured.

 

[bdickens]

To the OP: when you say "my hands are starting to get arthritic, makes my 1911s and semis a bad choice..." what issues are you having specifically?

That's a genuine question. I am a fellow arthritis sufferer myself. I have osteoarthritis in both wrists, elbows and knees. My left wrist is so bad I wear a brace almost all the time now. I'm a lefty, too.

Even though I am in constant pain, I find that I can handle the recoil of even my .45 1911 just fine. Now, I don't think I could go all day, and I certainly know about it when I'm done, but 100 - 200 rounds is absolutely doable.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Taurus makes a 5 shot 9mm revolver. 905.?
I dont know a thing about it.

Taurus also now makes the 692. It's a 7 shot L frame sized 357 mag revolver that also comes with an extra 9mm cylinder

 

[TTv2]

As others have said, 9mm revolvers are snappier than 38 special revolvers.

38 special might be a better choice.

As others have said, if someone's hands and wrists are very painful, 32 caliber revolvers are the ticket. 32 S&W long has barely more recoil than a 22lr. 32 H&R magnum has just a little more recoil than 32 long, but is about as effective as a mild 38 special.

The Charter Arms Undercoverette is a decent little revolver in 32 H&R magnum. IIRC, Ruger has an LCR and/or LCRx in 327 magnum (which would allow you to use the two cartridges mentioned above). Ruger also has an SP101 in 327 magnum. There are probably others, but those are the ones I'm aware of that are currently being manufactured.

Gp100 as well, but that's kind of silly buying such a heavy revolver in a small caliber, especially considering a .38 in that will feel like nothing.

 

[TTv2]

Taurus also now makes the 692. It's a 7 shot L frame sized 357 mag revolver that also comes with an extra 9mm cylinder

And it's ported. Makes the .38 feel like a .22.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have and like my S&W 986 L-frame revolver chambered in 9x19. I also have a Ruger SP101 chambered in 9x19. The larger S&W soaks up the recoil better than the SP101.

I do not have experience with any other 9x19 revolvers.

One recommendation that I have is to get a BMT Equipped moon clip loading/unloading tool. It is a bit expensive but it is the cat's meow for working with moon clips.

http://www.bmtequipped.com/purchase.php

 

[Orkanen]

Why do you want to go for a 9 mm revolver? If ammo prices is the issue, reloading your own is a much cheaper option, particularly since revolvers retain their shells, unlike pistols. I don't know what your experience level on revolvers are, but even a rookie like me knows shooting one is far more difficult than shooting with a pistol, particularly in DA mode. Another thing, 9 mm cartridges are charged with faster burning powder than the average .38 round, so if how the weapon kicks is the issue, switching to a 9 mm revolver may not be the best of ideas.

It's possible to order 9 mm cylinders for new Manurhin MR-73s, an idea I considered and discarded, as I have no real use for one. I shoot .38s for the most part, but also enjoy the occasional .357 magnum round. I cut costs where it's reasonable to do so, as such, reloading saves me lots of money to spend on beer and the occasional pair of shoes for my kids. I've had the barrel on mine measured to .354", perfect for .355 and .356 projectiles typically found in 9 mm ammo. If economy is the issue, an MR-73 may not be an option, costing far more than the average Smith or Colt.

 

[ThomasT]

Another thing, 9 mm cartridges are charged with faster burning powder than the average .38 round, so if how the weapon kicks is the issue, switching to a 9 mm revolver may not be the best of ideas.

I'm not so sure about that. There are lots of 38 Special loads loaded with Bullseye powder. IIRC the standard for 38 special for many years was 3.5grs of BE and a 158gr bullet. I use the same Bullseye powder with a bigger charge for my standard 9mm load. I believe Speer uses a heavy charge of Power Pistol in their 9mm loads. I have read Power Pistol is a cleaner but slightly slower burning version of BE.

But handloading the 38 is the way to go. You are right there. I loaded some 9mm lead 124 gr bullets with that same 3.5gr BE load and it was a very gentle round to shoot. It was a load anyone should be able to handle and had less recoil than my hot loaded 32 mag loads

 

[C0untZer0]

I wouldn't recommend the LCR. I love 9mm revolvers but the recoil of the 9mm LCR, to me, is pretty pronounced. IMO.

 

[kidneyboy]

I wouldn't recommend the LCR. I love 9mm revolvers but the recoil of the 9mm LCR, to me, is pretty pronounced. IMO.

View attachment 897911

How do you like that Czech Point?

 

[C0untZer0]

I like it, its a nice revolver.

The one that Rock Island Armory is selling is a lttle different though.

The RIA model seems to have better bluing, The RIA model also has a 38 spl or 357 mag cylinder, which I don't like. I'd rather have the shorter cylinder and have the barrel come back into the window.

I like mine alot.

Fit is good, I don't see machines marks/chatter marks, nicks, gouges, or scratches anywhere on this revolver. The finish though is not so great. When I put a light coat of oil on it, it looks OK,



But when you wipe all the oil off it looks like coal.



Here is my complete review of it:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/review-of-the-alfa-proj-9231.818914/



.

 

[kidneyboy]

I like it, its a nice revolver.

The one that Rock Island Armory is selling is a lttle different though.

The RIA model seems to have better bluing, The RIA model also has a 38 spl or 357 mag cylinder, which I don't like. I'd rather have the shorter cylinder and have the barrel come back into the window.

I like mine alot.

Fit is good, I don't see machines marks/chatter marks, nicks, gouges, or scratches anywhere on this revolver. The finish though is not so great. When I put a light coat of oil on it, it looks OK,

View attachment 897956

But when you wipe all the oil off it looks like coal.

View attachment 897958

Here is my complete review of it:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/review-of-the-alfa-proj-9231.818914/



.

Great review! Thanks.

 

[Orkanen]

IIRC the standard for 38 special for many years was 3.5grs of BE and a 158gr bullet.

Not far from what I load my .38s, 3.5 grs of N320 and 148 grs DEWC, flush with the edge and no crimp.

You're right. Same fast burning powder. I was thinking one thing while writing something completely different, my mistake. I put 4.0 grs of N310 and 124 grs LRN in my 9 mm rounds. Put that in a .38s shell and you'll get higher projectile velocity with the 9 mm than with the .38s, thus more of a kick. Here is a comparison chart that at least makes sense to me: http://www.frfrogspad.com/burnrate.htm

Hmm, somewhat off topic, but hopefully relevant to choosing between a 9 mm and a .38s revolver, or any other calibre if my assumptions are correct.

 

[jstert]

i had a charter arms pitbull 9mm revolver. it worked as advertised but tore up my hand something awful. i got rid of it fast. i have a ruger blackhawk 357/38/9mm convertible single action revolver and a 9mm barrel for a bond arms derringer. both are great 9mm shooters.

 

[AustinTX]

I like it, its a nice revolver.

The one that Rock Island Armory is selling is a lttle different though.

The RIA model seems to have better bluing, The RIA model also has a 38 spl or 357 mag cylinder, which I don't like. I'd rather have the shorter cylinder and have the barrel come back into the window.

I like mine alot.

Fit is good, I don't see machines marks/chatter marks, nicks, gouges, or scratches anywhere on this revolver. The finish though is not so great. When I put a light coat of oil on it, it looks OK,

View attachment 897956

But when you wipe all the oil off it looks like coal.

View attachment 897958

Here is my complete review of it:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/review-of-the-alfa-proj-9231.818914/



.

Someone on Gunbroker is trying to sell an Alfa Proj with a multi-caliber set (.357 Mag/.32 S&W Long) for $4,000.

 

[C0untZer0]

I have the original 6-shot PITBULL and I don't have a problem with the recoil. On the other hand, I think the 9mm LCR is pretty snappy but others on this forum have said they have no problem with the recoil.