would you buy a 9mm revolver?
- Thread starter default57
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Grey Morel
Member
Look up real chronograph data for 38spl and 9mm in 2" and 3" barrels. It looks like this:
115 grain bullets (velocity):
38----9
675---950
850---1020
125 grain bullets (velocity):
38----9
720---900
850---990
results:
115:
2" bbl - 9mm = 275 fps faster = 99 ft-lbs more energy
3" bbl - 9mm = 170 fps faster = 90 ft-lbs more energy
125:
2" bbl - 9mm = 180 fps faster = 73 ft-lbs more energy
3" bbl - 9mm = 140 fps faster = 67 ft-lbs more energy
There is no denying that 9mm blows the doors off of 38spl in barrels of 3" or less. Its not 'Magic', its called physics.
The 10mm does even better, gaining 130 ft-lbs over the best 9mm load in 2" barrels. Its still a 350 ft-lb gun, even from a snub barrel.
115 grain bullets (velocity):
38----9
675---950
850---1020
125 grain bullets (velocity):
38----9
720---900
850---990
results:
115:
2" bbl - 9mm = 275 fps faster = 99 ft-lbs more energy
3" bbl - 9mm = 170 fps faster = 90 ft-lbs more energy
125:
2" bbl - 9mm = 180 fps faster = 73 ft-lbs more energy
3" bbl - 9mm = 140 fps faster = 67 ft-lbs more energy
There is no denying that 9mm blows the doors off of 38spl in barrels of 3" or less. Its not 'Magic', its called physics.
The 10mm does even better, gaining 130 ft-lbs over the best 9mm load in 2" barrels. Its still a 350 ft-lb gun, even from a snub barrel.
RidgwayCO
Member
I'm in the process of creating a M649-3 "convertible". It will have separate cylinders for .357 Magnum and 9mm Luger. Here's hoping it turns out well...
LafayetteLA
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Would be very interested in hearing how this turns out.
charlie echo
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no. and i would not buy a 40S&W either
I'd buy: 45ACP, 44mag, or 45LC and 454 Casull.
For CCW I'd buy a compact and slim 357mag (corrected) revolver or a 45 semi-auto pistol.
for plinking only, a 22LR revolver
I'd buy: 45ACP, 44mag, or 45LC and 454 Casull.
For CCW I'd buy a compact and slim 357mag (corrected) revolver or a 45 semi-auto pistol.
for plinking only, a 22LR revolver
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John Wayne
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No such thing as a slim .45 revolver. I never saw the point of the .45 ACP in a revolver anyway, it seems like you're handicapping a gun that could shoot .45 Colt instead.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I have a S&W 642 with a 940 cylinder and it works great. I would love a factory version.
Chuck Perry
Member
I don't deny the chrono results. I am trying to point out that there is nothing magic about the 9mm's superior performance. If you load the 38 Special to 30K cup it too will post those bigger numbers. Seems to me that a snub loaded with the mid range 357 Magnum loadings available should duplicate what people expect out of a 9mm revolver.
I'm getting the notion
This is good stuff by the way.
So because the 38 and 357 is working fine as is, changing to a 9mm would be bad? because why fix it if it's not broken. I agree
But my main idea is that 9mm is more common(not sure by how much) than both 38 and 357 magnum. To me this presents a clear advantage over both of them, and as said by other posts, also has other advantages as a concealed carry revolver. What use is a gun that you can't find ammunition for?
Take no offense, I like those calibers. But sadly a lot of good calibers are stomped out by politics and petty things by people who don't know the truth. Maybe even the simple number 9 for 9mm has made it more popular.
"On paper, sure, the 9mm is a more modern cartridge. But in real life, is that extra 200fps and 100ft/lb going to matter? I really doubt it, but I could be wrong. ". It may not matter, but finding any ammunition does matter.
hey and no need to get all riled up, I'm just trying to understand.
I'd also add that what I described could be 6shot and/or be much lighter than the said 17 oz, that was an overestimate to keep it realistic. and considering the cylinder would be shorter it's very possible to have its weight pushing 12 OZ. Is it not?
here's my other thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=561104
thanks everyone
This is good stuff by the way.
So because the 38 and 357 is working fine as is, changing to a 9mm would be bad? because why fix it if it's not broken. I agree
But my main idea is that 9mm is more common(not sure by how much) than both 38 and 357 magnum. To me this presents a clear advantage over both of them, and as said by other posts, also has other advantages as a concealed carry revolver. What use is a gun that you can't find ammunition for?
Take no offense, I like those calibers. But sadly a lot of good calibers are stomped out by politics and petty things by people who don't know the truth. Maybe even the simple number 9 for 9mm has made it more popular.
"On paper, sure, the 9mm is a more modern cartridge. But in real life, is that extra 200fps and 100ft/lb going to matter? I really doubt it, but I could be wrong. ". It may not matter, but finding any ammunition does matter.
hey and no need to get all riled up, I'm just trying to understand.
I'd also add that what I described could be 6shot and/or be much lighter than the said 17 oz, that was an overestimate to keep it realistic. and considering the cylinder would be shorter it's very possible to have its weight pushing 12 OZ. Is it not?
here's my other thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=561104
thanks everyone
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statelineblues
Member
I voted yes -
Had a S&W Model 547 (4" barrel, square butt) many years ago. Bought it cheap (around $250.00, IIRC) and sold it a couple of years later. Even tho it would probably never be my primary gun, I still like the idea.
Had a S&W Model 547 (4" barrel, square butt) many years ago. Bought it cheap (around $250.00, IIRC) and sold it a couple of years later. Even tho it would probably never be my primary gun, I still like the idea.
My 9mm 360J weighs 12.6oz empty without grips. With the CT LG-105 laser grips I use it weighs 13.9oz empty.
Taurus made a version of the 905 called the "Instant Backup", it had a shortened cylinder and frame. The problem is that it weighed 20+oz and was a Taurus.
RidgwayCO
Member
WC145, I haven't decided yet between TK Custom or Pinnacle Guns for the work. Do you have a recommendation?
Chuck Perry
Member
Oh, so you want to add a sixth shot and keep 9mm ballistics? Well then, you're looking for a 327 Federal Magnum! 
The 327 is another cartridge that we really didn't need (except for adding that sixth shot to a five shot revolver). I admit, it doesn't do anything that the 357 can't. I like mine alot. It's something different-love guns like that. For that reason, have at it with a 9mm revolver.
The 327 is another cartridge that we really didn't need (except for adding that sixth shot to a five shot revolver). I admit, it doesn't do anything that the 357 can't. I like mine alot. It's something different-love guns like that. For that reason, have at it with a 9mm revolver.
ForumSurfer
Member
Absolutely not
For defense I'll stick with my bottom feeders. I would feel perfectly well prepared with fewer rounds on me if I carried such a thing but I don't have a snubbie, I don't train with them and I haven't had much experience with them...so I wouldn't be effective with a snubbie in any caliber. Bottom feeders are what I train with and what I'm accustomed to.
I do want a 9mm revolver for range use since I'm starting to reload for 9mm and 45 soon. So a Ruger Blackhawk in 9mm/357 with a barrel longer than 2" is more suitable to my needs and wants.
For defense I'll stick with my bottom feeders. I would feel perfectly well prepared with fewer rounds on me if I carried such a thing but I don't have a snubbie, I don't train with them and I haven't had much experience with them...so I wouldn't be effective with a snubbie in any caliber. Bottom feeders are what I train with and what I'm accustomed to.
I do want a 9mm revolver for range use since I'm starting to reload for 9mm and 45 soon. So a Ruger Blackhawk in 9mm/357 with a barrel longer than 2" is more suitable to my needs and wants.
default57 said:
I have never found a good shop (or box stores) without a few selections of .38's along with 9mm. Not sure of the ammo shortage is an issue with either round? Not trying to say you shouldn't get a 9mm revolver, but for me, sourcing ammo has never been an issue.
Pinnacle did the work on my gun so I can speak from experience, Mark does great work. WHen he did the caliber covnersion I also had him do an action job and some other work and he did a top notch job on everything.
I've heard very good things about TK Custom's work but I don't have any personal experience with them.
WC145, how cheap do you think we could get something like that done for? 800? a good job though of course
And yeah I think it's really neat to have a 9mm revolver, that might be mostly why I reaally want one. but for the reasons said it would also be cool to have the same caliber as my semi to make it simple. But I don't think it's a serious problem to be solved as you guys proved. .38 is still pretty common.
And yeah I think it's really neat to have a 9mm revolver, that might be mostly why I reaally want one. but for the reasons said it would also be cool to have the same caliber as my semi to make it simple. But I don't think it's a serious problem to be solved as you guys proved. .38 is still pretty common.
gordy
Member
I voted yes,
As to defalt57 remark as the 9mm being a more modern round.
38 spl. was introduced in 1899.
The 9mm was introduced in 1902.
and the 357 was in 1934.
So as the facts go the 357 is the modern round.
I do think the 9mm was not as good in those days as it is now.
You could not get any thing but ball ammo in-till the late 70's early 80's.
I have been reloading the three above for close to 30 years.
And they are all great rounds.
As to defalt57 remark as the 9mm being a more modern round.
38 spl. was introduced in 1899.
The 9mm was introduced in 1902.
and the 357 was in 1934.
So as the facts go the 357 is the modern round.
I do think the 9mm was not as good in those days as it is now.
You could not get any thing but ball ammo in-till the late 70's early 80's.
I have been reloading the three above for close to 30 years.
And they are all great rounds.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I had Mark at Pinnacle do some work on a S&W 65 along with doing the install of my 940 cylinder in my 642.
If all you want done is the caliber conversion you just need to send your cylinder to Pinnacle and for $225 plus return shipping Mark will ream the chambers, cut the cylinder face for moonclips, and chamfer the charge holes. When you get the cylinder back all you do is install it in your gun and get yourself some moonclips and your ready to go. You'll use 940 moonclips, I buy my moonclips right off the S&W website, IIRC they're around $1.30 a piece. If you buy another cylinder you can send it and your gun to Mark and he'll fit it to your gun so that changing calibers is as simple as a cylinder swap, which only requires the removal of one screw.
Check his price list - http://pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp
OrangePwrx9
Member
I voted no. But I have a 9mm revolver that I enjoy very much. It's the 9mm/357 Ruger BH Convertible. As a fun and accurate range toy, it's great and I don't have to deal with moon clips.
For a concealed carry revolver, I'd go with +P .38 Special or .357 Mag. If I wanted to carry a 9mm concealed, it would be a Glock, Kahr or any of a dozen other good choices.
Guns usually work best when shooting the ammo they were originally designed for.
Bob
For a concealed carry revolver, I'd go with +P .38 Special or .357 Mag. If I wanted to carry a 9mm concealed, it would be a Glock, Kahr or any of a dozen other good choices.
Guns usually work best when shooting the ammo they were originally designed for.
Bob
jimmyraythomason
Member
I voted no. I wouldn't buy one but might trade for one in a $200-$300 trade. Cheap ammo would be the only reason I'd trade for it.
RidgwayCO
Member
WC145 and Brian Williams - Thank you! I'll be calling Mark at Pinnacle tomorrow.
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