What else can I cram in a 9x23 chamber?

[RSVP2RIP]

So I read that it is possible to shoot a 9x19 luger in a 9x23 wichester chambered 1911 and have it headspace off the elxtractor. I know that it is possible to get a 9x23 into a 38 super chamber and fire that, but then I also read somewhere that it is possible to get the 38 super in the 9x23 chamber, and some people say that is safe. It is recomended on another site to use 9x23 largo in the winchester chamber for light practice. Others have dismissed the practice of putting anything other than a 9x23 winchester in it as unsafe. I know the cartridge makes about 45,000 psi, so the guns can handle alot of abuse, but where is the line drawn? Is there any HARD evidence to suport this practice or is it a good way to get what is called in IPSC as "Superface"?

 

[ReloaderFred]

You can shoot 9x23 Largo in your 9x23 chamber without any problem, but not the other way around, since the Largo works at much less pressure than the 9x23 Winchester round. You can also shoot .38 Super in it, but don't shoot 9x19 or 9x21 ammunition through it, since they are too short. They will fire, but it's not a good idea and you'll get a buildup of jacket material at the step in the chamber that the 9x23 case headspaces on.

I've shot 9x23 ammunition in some of my .38 Supers, and vice versa, but I usually limit my guns to the ammunition they're intended for.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[herohog]

I have heard of people trimming off steel of the same OD and ID of the brass and making a spacer to allow 9x19 or 9x21 to properly chamber in a 23mm chamber. They took the spacer and used Blue LocTite to anchor it in place. It can be removed with a shell extractor for removing stuck, headless brass of the proper caliber. For a test or fun, you could use brass trimmed from one of your spares. It just wouldn't last near as long!

 

[Mike J]

I thought 9x21 was 9mm largo & 9x23 was 9mm winchester. It's been a long time since I traded that old Star off though so I could be wrong.

 

[Jim Watson]

You are indeed wrong. Largo is on a 23mm case. The 9x21 is an Italian innovation to get around the prohibition of private ownership of "military calibers."

 

[herohog]

9x23 Winchester is WAY hotter than 9x23 Largo. You can shoot Largo in a 9x23 Winchester gun but you should NEVER shoot 9x23 Win in a gun made for 9mm Largo!

 

[Mike J]

Thanks Jim-Thats why I asked, I guess I need to read up on it some to make sure I know whats what. There are so many different 9mm calibers it is kinda confusing.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

What about bulging the 38 super brass in the 9x23 chamber? I would be real hesitant about that with an unsuported chamber. The 9x23 is .007" larger at the base. Would there be any concern about blowing the thin Super case?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Your best bet is to stick with the caliber the firearm is chambered for.

On the other hand, to answer your question, every .38 Super I've fired had a "generous" chamber for some reason, and the brass expands more than other calibers. With 9x23, the brass is so thick that even after firing, it will still drop all the way into a .38 Super case gauge. At least in my guns it will.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[RSVP2RIP]

You wouldn't have a fired 38 Super case that you could measure the base for me, would you?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Unfortunately, no. My practice is to throw my brass in the tumbler as soon as I get home and then size it as soon as it's through tumbling.

Fred

 

[herohog]

Low load and fire form some Brass if ya roll yer own.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

Didn't wat to buy 38 super brass and dies if it didn't work. I did get a good deal on a 38 super barrel and I'm gonna fit that to the gun.