GJgo
Member
Spent some time today burning powder with my new 4 5/8" NMBH convertible in 357 mag / 9mm. Overall I'm very happy with the gun, I like it more than I thought I would! Out of the box it has a nice, consistent lockup & a trigger pull of 3.2 lbs with just a hair of creep. I bet it'll slick up nice with use. It's not as "tight" as my Smiths, but for lugging it around the wilderness where it'll get dirty I think that's probably a good thing.
Only thing I don't care for are the cheap serrated plastic grips, but I plan or picking up some replacements in walnut or ebony from Hogue. It does have the internal lock, oh well, but it looks like all the new Hogue grips have been re-designed to fit it per a note on their website. I did test fit the grips from my 3-screw Single Six w/ the XR3-RED grip frame & they bolted right up.
So, how does it shoot!? Great, I'd say, overall. I set a paper target out at about 20 feet & took 10 shots off-hand with a number of different types of ammo. With 10 shots each it was pretty clear what was performing well vs. not so much..
First with the 9mm cylinder-
-Blazer brass 115gr ball ammo actually shot shockingly well. One big, but ragged hole. I've read other guys with convertibles get the same result.
-Remington GS 124+P shot terribly. The turkey choke on my 870 has a tighter pattern, not kidding.
-My 124gr XTP handloads w/ Power Pistol shot OK. It'd suffice for defensive accuracy but I wouldn't take it to an IDPA event.
-Jury is out on WWB ball 115gr practice ammo, I have some but forgot to bring it today.
So, for cheap plinking fun I think we have a winner. The recoil had a bit of snap with the 9 but overall you could shoot this all day long. I'm even thinking I may do some handloads with 9mm brass & PP, but load in a 110gr 357 bullet?? If it'll chamber, I think that could make a great plinking / practice / varmint setup.
Next with the 357 cylinder-
-Federal 125gr HP blue box shot OK. Defensively I know this is an excellent carry round.
-My 125gr XTP handloads behind a full charge of 296 shot well. Almost a big ragged hole, but with a couple flyers that could have just been me. Lots of blast.
-Hornady 158gr XTP (factory load) were the shining star of the day, 10 shots in a not-so-big basically ragged hole. I think we have a winner here.
I'm thinking that I'll start by working up some handloads with the 158gr XTP-FP & 296. The purpose of this gun is woods carry. Since I'm not interested in shooting hard cast, I think that projectile at Blackhawk velocities will be my best bet for a great all around woods load. Given the modest barrel length any other "woods bullets" you'd recommend?
Only thing I don't care for are the cheap serrated plastic grips, but I plan or picking up some replacements in walnut or ebony from Hogue. It does have the internal lock, oh well, but it looks like all the new Hogue grips have been re-designed to fit it per a note on their website. I did test fit the grips from my 3-screw Single Six w/ the XR3-RED grip frame & they bolted right up.
So, how does it shoot!? Great, I'd say, overall. I set a paper target out at about 20 feet & took 10 shots off-hand with a number of different types of ammo. With 10 shots each it was pretty clear what was performing well vs. not so much..
First with the 9mm cylinder-
-Blazer brass 115gr ball ammo actually shot shockingly well. One big, but ragged hole. I've read other guys with convertibles get the same result.
-Remington GS 124+P shot terribly. The turkey choke on my 870 has a tighter pattern, not kidding.
-My 124gr XTP handloads w/ Power Pistol shot OK. It'd suffice for defensive accuracy but I wouldn't take it to an IDPA event.
-Jury is out on WWB ball 115gr practice ammo, I have some but forgot to bring it today.
So, for cheap plinking fun I think we have a winner. The recoil had a bit of snap with the 9 but overall you could shoot this all day long. I'm even thinking I may do some handloads with 9mm brass & PP, but load in a 110gr 357 bullet?? If it'll chamber, I think that could make a great plinking / practice / varmint setup.
Next with the 357 cylinder-
-Federal 125gr HP blue box shot OK. Defensively I know this is an excellent carry round.
-My 125gr XTP handloads behind a full charge of 296 shot well. Almost a big ragged hole, but with a couple flyers that could have just been me. Lots of blast.
-Hornady 158gr XTP (factory load) were the shining star of the day, 10 shots in a not-so-big basically ragged hole. I think we have a winner here.
I'm thinking that I'll start by working up some handloads with the 158gr XTP-FP & 296. The purpose of this gun is woods carry. Since I'm not interested in shooting hard cast, I think that projectile at Blackhawk velocities will be my best bet for a great all around woods load. Given the modest barrel length any other "woods bullets" you'd recommend?
