Convert Ruger SP101 to 9x23?

[Cthulhu]

Any idea if a Ruger SP101 in 9mm could have its chamber lengthened to allow a 9x23 to be chambered? I've seen a similar conversion for S&W 686s on www.moonclips.com. They claim that the 686 so equipped will chamber and fire 9x19, 9x23, .38 Super, and other 9mms with a similar head size. They also state that .38s and .357s can be fired using a conventional moon clip, although the cartridge head expansion will render them unreloadable. The .357mags metric designation is 9x33R, so it should be ok on length.
Why would anyone want this done? Seems that it would increase the versatility of an already versatile weapon. The 9x19 loads are already pretty close to the short barreled .357, so the increased capacity of the 9x23 should allow them to be met or exceeded. Cheap 9mm Lugar or Blazer 9mm Largo rounds can be used for practice. In a pinch one could also use .38 Specials or .357 mags.

Feasible or shall I keep dreaming?

[George Stringer]

Cthulhu, it's feasible. And the statements made about the versatility of that chambering are true. I've heard the 9x23 referred to as the SuperComp and for a while everyone was getting their race guns built in 9x23 instead of .38 Super. I built a couple of those myself and still have a 9x23 project of my own on the shelf. One of these days I might even find time to build it. George

[Romulus]

Are you sure about the 9mm Largo? I heard that their chambering is not interchangeable with other 9mm's...

Just axin'

[popeye]

Is not the Largo 9x21?

[mikey357]

Dane Burns of "Burns' Custom Pistols" rechambers 9mm SP101's, Speed Sixes and S&W 940's to 9x23 fairly regularly...last time I checked, he charged around a C-note for the job...he's got a website, but I'd check HIS BBS--"Pistolsmith.com"--for his contact info...FWIW....mikey357

[WESHOOT2]

Largo is longer than 9x21

[Cthulhu]

Largo is 9x23. 9mm Steyr should also work. oh, and perhaps 9mm Win Mag. But I'm not going to be the test fixture for it.

Mikey357-
Thanks for the lead. I've been to his site before, and read his article on the 9x23, but I was unaware he built these on platforms other than the 1911/STI/Para.

I'll definitely look into it.

[Jim Watson]

9mm Win Mag would not chamber in a 9x23, it is about a 9x29. Have they ever sold any 9mm Win Mag ammo, anyway?

9mm Steyr is a straight case and would expand a lot in a (tapered) 9x23 chamber. If you were on a secret squirrel assignment and had to resupply ammo in some bazzar, I doubt you would care. If you are not, I doubt it would matter. Not much 9mm Steyr at my FLD. A local guy who deals odd ammo at gun shows will usually have some, but I'll leave it for when a Steyr Hahn comes along.