Converting .38 to 9mm?

[D.B. Cooper]

Is it possible to convert a .38 Spl (or a 357 for that matter) to shoot 9mm using just moon clips? If so, will that negate the use of 38 Spl AND the ejector star? (I don't want to end up with something like a Colt 1917 where I have to eject cases with a pencil one at a time.) My thoughts here are to take something like an older Model 10, Taurus, or Security Six, and have the cylinder machined to fit a moon clip or something rather simple along those lines.

EDIT FOR CLARIFICATION: In my original post, above, I used the term "convert." Perhaps I shouldn't have. What I intended to ask is some way to modify an original 38 spl revolver cylinder such that I can load a moon clip with 9mm, drop it in the original cylinder and safely fire them? (Ammo interchangeablity is the ultimate goal here.)

I know that there are 9mm revolvers out there, just not aware of one that is purpose built to interchange 38 and 9 in the same cylinder.

While bullet diameter is only .002" smaller for the 9mm, I'm not sure that the case diameters are close enough. If I hang a 9mm cartridge on a moon clip and stick it in a 38 Spl cylinder, will the case rupture because the cylinder walls are too big?

 

[jar]

No. Head spacing is different.

 

[1KPerDay]

No. Head spacing is different.

https://www.tkcustom.com/services/machining

Rechambering your J, K, L & N cylinder to shoot 9mm: 5, 6, 7 & 8 Shot Cylinders
When rechambered to 9mm the cylinder will still shoot 38 SPL or 357 with or without the proper moonclip.

 

[1KPerDay]

another option
http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2016/01/13/korth-9mm-conversion-for-sw-l-frame-revolver/

 

[1KPerDay]

apparently pinnacle high performance will do the work also

 

[jar]

https://www.tkcustom.com/services/machining

Read the question in the OP.

Is it possible to convert a .38 Spl (or a 357 for that matter) to shoot 9mm using just moon clips?

 

[1KPerDay]

Read the question in the OP.

Ah, my mistake. I read "to shoot 9mm using moon clips" not "to convert using moon clips."

 

[George P]

I do not believe a 38 is built to withstand the doubling of pressure from a 9mm either.

 

[Lucky Derby]

That Korth conversion L frame cylinder looks interesting. Anyone have any experience with one?

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Ah, my mistake. I read "to shoot 9mm using moon clips" not "to convert using moon clips."

Perhaps it's my mistake. I did, indeed, intend to say: "shoot 9mm in a 38 spl revolver using moon clips."

 

[D.B. Cooper]

No. Head spacing is different.

Would that matter? The 38 spl is already longer than the 9mm, so there is already going to be a big jump from the case to the lands. Obviously, accuracy will suffer.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I do not believe a 38 is built to withstand the doubling of pressure from a 9mm either.

Now that would be a show stopper. Would it be more successful to use a 357 magnum revolver in lieu of a 38 spl? (But then you get into an even greater difference in case length and increased bullet jump when using the 9mm.)

 

[D.B. Cooper]

https://www.tkcustom.com/services/machining

Thanks. This is pretty much what I was thinking. (I think.) Here, they're actually rechambering such that the 9mm fits properly within the gun. I was thinking about just cutting out a space in the cylinder face to allow for the moon clip thickness and dropping in the 9mm. (I'm seeing that may have been a bad idea in several respects.)

Ultimately, this whole concept may be a bad idea, or at least impractical or unfeasible; the link you shared lists a price of $300, not including shipping to and from the shop or moon clips. At that price, I may as well just buy a 9mm handgun.

No wonder no one else has thought of this.

 

[George P]

Now that would be a show stopper. Would it be more successful to use a 357 magnum revolver in lieu of a 38 spl? (But then you get into an even greater difference in case length and increased bullet jump when using the 9mm.)

I suspect you could have the cylinder cut down and a longer barrel threading through the frame - but then you need to watch your fingers from cylinder blast. S&W makes a 9mm revolver, but I do not know the length of the cylinder

 

[Jim Watson]

It is a routine job by those two shops.
They each have their own warnings about which loads to use.

One of them set up a Magnum in 9x23 for Richard Heinie. If he's happy, I figure I would be.

 

[jar]

Would that matter? The 38 spl is already longer than the 9mm, so there is already going to be a big jump from the case to the lands. Obviously, accuracy will suffer.

It not just matters but is essential.

It will work if you first get a good machine shop to mill down or recess the end of the cylinder so that the 9mm with cartridge will have the correct head space.

Remember that it is a one way one time transition.

Also it is no inexpensive.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

9mm is a tapered case and will not fit in the chambers, even if moon clips are used to headspace correctly. You’d also have to ream the chambers. So no.

This just came up in a different thread recently.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Thanks, guys. I've pretty much written this idea off. I'll put it with my other awesome idea: screen doors for submarines.

 

[jar]

9mm is a tapered case and will not fit in the chambers, even if moon clips are used to headspace correctly. You’d also have to ream the chambers. So no.

This just came up in a different thread recently.

There is also the issue of bullet walking when you try to shoot a Pistol round in a Revolver.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Sounds sketch. SAAMI specs for .38 Special is 17000 PSI for standard pressure and 20000 PSI for +P. The 9mm runs at 35000 PSI for standard pressure, which is the same pressure as .357 Magnum, and 38000 PSI for +P.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

There is also the issue of bullet walking when you try to shoot a Pistol round in a Revolver.

That’s true, though in a larger heavy gun like what the OP suggests, it’s not real likely I don’t think. After all we have the LCR in 9mm and it’s quite light. I’d want a pretty decent crimp in play.

Sounds sketch. SAAMI specs for .38 Special is 17000 PSI for standard pressure and 20000 PSI for +P. The 9mm runs at 35000 PSI for standard pressure, which is the same pressure as .357 Magnum, and 38000 PSI for +P.

Also a real good point. Even with crappy, light, standard pressure loads a 357 revolver would likely be needed to be considered a safe conversion.

 

[Jim Watson]

Wrong Pinnacle above
http://pinnaclehighperformance.com/cylinder-work/

Apparently the expense has discouraged the OP, but it can be done.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Wrong Pinnacle above
http://pinnaclehighperformance.com/cylinder-work/

Apparently the expense has discouraged the OP, but it can be done.

Pretty much. It's a case of "You can do anything you want, as long as you put enough money behind it." My goal in this was simply ammo interchangeability, nothing more. It's just way cheaper and easier to just buy another gun.

 

[jar]

Pretty much. It's a case of "You can do anything you want, as long as you put enough money behind it." My goal in this was simply ammo interchangeability, nothing more. It's just way cheaper and easier to just buy another gun.

Plus in my experience any ammo works best in a gun actually designed to shoot that ammo.

 

[Jack B.]

Why bother. Just go buy a 9mm firearm if you want to shoot 9mm.