9mm Conversions of a .357 Revolver

[314159]

It seems Korth is marketing an accessory cylinder for some S&W revolvers that converts them to using 9mm ammo. Additionally, there are conversions of existing cylinders available from some custom gunsmiths.

So, do these work well? A .355 bullet in a .357 barrel wouldn't seem to be a big deal but I don't really know. I would appreciate comments on accuracy or any other obscure issues.

[Stephanie B]

It seems Korth is marketing an accessory cylinder for some S&W revolvers that converts them to using 9mm ammo. Additionally, there are conversions of existing cylinders available from some custom gunsmiths.

So, do these work well? A .355 bullet in a .357 barrel wouldn't seem to be a big deal but I don't really know. I would appreciate comments on accuracy or any other obscure issues.

I expect there's an answer to that, since the Ruger Blackhawk .357 has been available with a 9mm cylinder for a very long time. I just don't know what it is.

[jeep45238]

Depends on what ammo you're using - my Beretta slugs at .3565, and does fine with FMJ 9mm ammo. Add lead or coated, and accuracy goes downhill unless I load it with .38 special bullets (.358 dia in a 9mm case). If you handload, you won't have a problem, if you just use jacketed ammo as well, you won't have a problem.

[Malamute]

I had one of the Ruger Blackhawk convertibles ages ago, but don't recall much specific about how the 9mm cylinder shot. I dont think I ever shot it (9mm) much in any event, 38s were cheaper. The comments Ive seen recently about them seem to indicate accuracy is not as good as regular 38s and 357s in the sane gun.

[Edwin]

You can get .357 sized 9mm bullets. http://www.xtremebullets.com/9mm-147-RN-357-p/xc9mm-357-147rn-b0500.htm

[jetfire]

About a million years ago, S&W did a run of 627s with .38 Super cylinders, but the guns still had .357 Magnum barrels. I recall fairly widespread reports of accuracy issues unless you used .38 SPC bullets in reloads in the gun, as factory .38 Super FMJ wouldn't quite engage the rifling correctly.

Of course, for the average shooter an eight inch group at 25 yards isn't a big deal, but for the sort of people who buy .38 Super 8-shot revolvers, it was.

[OlongJohnson]

If you shoot lead, bullets smaller than the groove diameter will tend to lead up the bore very quickly. The powder squeezing past the bullet down the bore melts the lead, which is then free to stick to the steel.

[314159]

I had completely forgotten about the Ruger Convertibles. Maybe that means I'm on the cusp of being old enough to have lived through stuff but too old to remember it. Bummer.

An 8 inch group at 25 yards does seem to be pretty large, particularly for a pistol meant for the competition arena. Any other reports on accuracy would be appreciated, perhaps from the 9mm Ruger Service Six shooters that might be out there (or did those have properly sized barrels?).

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Doesn't the appeal of the Korth cylinder be based on that it doesn't need moon clips? There was the Medusa years ago that was supposed to shoot all the 9/38/357 etc. in the universe. It was pushed as being a great SHTF gun if you only were down to the 9mm Latverian Boozki Express round and the zombies were coming.

They went belly up even though the gun rags loved them. IIRC, they were bought by Colt (maybe?) but it went nowhere. They also advertised a non-moon clip cylinder for SW guns but they went nowhere also. I might misremember this. Where are my keys?

[Hambo]

My main question with .357/9mm conversion is: what's the point?

Ruger made Blackhawks in .32-20/.32H&R Mag, .38-40/10mm, .357/9mm, and .45Colt/.45ACP because they could, not because the world needed them. Some worked better than others for various reasons.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Point:

1. SHTF - any ammo you can get!
2. 9mm is cheaper

Now I don't have one but that's the mantra.

[serialsolver]

Don't forget you can shoot 38 super in a 357 and you don't need another cylinder.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Malamute]

My main question with .357/9mm conversion is: what's the point?

Ruger made Blackhawks in .32-20/.32H&R Mag, .38-40/10mm, .357/9mm, and .45Colt/.45ACP because they could, not because the world needed them. Some worked better than others for various reasons.

I mainly agree with you,...although, in the case of the 45 Colt/45 auto, I do like having a 45 auto cylinder along when travelling, because that ammo is commonly available, and 45 Colt isn't always available, or is stupid expensive. I mainly load all my own, but do like having the cylinder along in case I run short for some reason. Nearly everyone I know also has 45 autos and load for it.

After shooting it a little, and finding that its a little temperamental about fouling with lead reloads and sticky chambers with rounds not seating easily, I rarely shoot the acp cylinder, but do like having it available when away from home.