Greetings - first time post (long-time lurker!).
I am interested in finding/acquiring the smallest/lightest revolver that meets the following constraints:
- Must be able to safely fire any/all factory-loaded 9mm ammo (+P, <125 gr, etc)
- Must have a shrouded hammer (preferred) or be "hammerless" (I know there's still a hammer in there)
- Reason: holster-less coat pocket carry (and potential use from coat pocket)
That's it.
Things I'm not interested in (sorry - but this could save some time and typing!):
- Recoil
- Whether or not it can shoot .38 Spl, .357 Mag, etc.
- Debating the efficacy of the 9mm vs above (or any other) calibers
- Debating holster-less coat pocket carry
- Debating revolver vs. auto for self-defense
I thought it would be easy to find a J-frame to fit the bill, but it's actually quite confusing (to me) given the above constraints. Then I thought I could just get a dedicated 9mm cylinder for converting an existing J frame platform, but starting reading about getting the right frame window size, endshake shims, etc. and quickly realized it was probably something better left to professionals.
So, what say ye? Thanks in advance.
Way back when in 2008 I went on a hunt for a lightweight compact 9mm revolver for a BUG to carry on duty only to find that, just as today, no one made one. All of the factory offerings (S&W 940, Taurus 905, Ruger SP101) were steel framed and around 22oz and the Taurus was the only one still being made at that time. I'd seen the converted 642s like Brian Williams' gun but that required an earlier "non-J magnum" frame 642 and a 940 cylinder (the 940 cylinder is too short for the J magnum frame window), I had found a cylinder but finding the right gun was more difficult, plus they weren't rated for +P and I had concerns about the 9mm pressures.
The next option was to have someone build what I wanted, which is what I ended up doing. Mark Hartshorne at Pinnacle High Performance Guns was offering 9mm conversions (and still does), rechambering steel .38spl/.357mag cylinders to 9x23 and cutting them for moonclips. S&W had just come out with the 360J scandium frame/steel cylinder .38spl, they were +P rated and weighed only 13.5oz. It sounded like the perfect base gun for the project and Bud's had them for just $409. After speaking to S&W and confirming that the 360J used the same frame as the 360 .357mag, and that the cylinder was also the same as the .357mag except for the depth of the chambers I bought one.
I spoke to Mark about what I wanted and sent him the gun. He reamed the original steel cylinder to 9x23, cut it for moonclips, made it DAO, did an action job, bobbed the hammer, polished the trigger face and added a trigger stop, chamfered the forcing cone, and replaced the front sight with a green fiber optic. I added a set of CT LG105 laser grips. The gun turned exactly the way I wanted it, works great with 9mm, and also gives me the option to shoot other "auto" calibers like .38 Super, .38ACP, 9mm Largo, 356TSW, etc, in a pinch. I've seen no appreciable difference in accuracy between .38spl and 9mm and have had no trouble qualifying with it on the MCJA duty pistol course of fire which includes shooting from as far as 25yds. Mark does not recommend shooting .38spl or .357mag out of rechambered cylinders because they will bulge with standard pressure ,38s and can split with +P and .357mag. In the interest of making the gun more versatile I had Mark fit a titanium .38spl cylinder a few years ago so now it's a 9mm/,38spl convertible, all I have to do is swap cylinders. The gun is very light, just under 13.5oz with the converted steel cylinder and just over 12oz with the titanium .38spl cylinder. The lightest small frame factory 9mm is the Ruger LCR at 17oz, that doesn't sound like much difference but it's noticeable in a pocket or on an ankle.
So, it took some work and creative thinking but I ended up with the gun I wanted - a very light, reliable, 9mm snubby - which sounds exactly like what the OP is looking for, and it's been carried/used regularly for 11 years now. However, it was an expensive proposition and most folks might find that cost prohibitive. Between the original price of the gun, the cost of the initial modifications, the grips, and, later, the cost of a titanium cylinder and having it fit, I think I'm into it for around $1350-$1400 all together. I consider it money well spent and love the gun but the lack of availability of a lighter than 22oz 9mm snubby was the impetus for the build and, had it been available 11 years ago, I probably would have compromised on the weight and just bought a 9mm Ruger LCR and called it a day.
OP, I hope this info helps.
ETA: In spite of the weight of the gun I've never had an issue with crimp jump and I mostly shoot 115gr 9mm ammo.