The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Revolver Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old November 27, 2021, 10:01 PM   #26
105kw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 30, 2017
Location: Columbia Basin Washington
Posts: 381
Sorry my bad, I thought it was a 9 shot. My point still is that 9mm Revolvers are a niche market items.
105kw is offline  
Old November 27, 2021, 10:10 PM   #27
Screwball
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 16, 2012
Location: ME
Posts: 748
Quote:
Originally Posted by 44 AMP View Post
Just had a friend check when he visited the local gunshop. Top loaded .38 Special and 9mm JHPs are $1 to $1.50 apiece, depending on brands.
And?

What about reloaders? What about those in L/E, which had a large push back to 9mm, who gets extra ammo from their agency?

Sometimes availability/cost in one person’s eyes is completely different than it is in someone else’s. Personally, my ammo stash has been hit hard since all this COVID crap started… and I feel 1,700 rounds of 9mm is quite low. But hopefully I can make up for it with the lack of shooting during the winter.

The rest of your post… no idea where that came from… but completely entitled to your own opinion. I shoot standard pressure in my 642-1… because I plan on shooting it for a while. It gives me the performance I want, so no real need to mess around with +P or higher.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TruthTellers View Post
Of course I see some repeating the same misinformation about 9mm Federal being discontinued because it could fit in .38 S&W chambered revolvers and I don't believe that to be the only reason it got dropped because Charter Arms was pushing that 9mm Federal and made a revolver for it and a few years after had financial issues and went out of business.

It doesn't help when the one small gun manufacturer who makes a gun in 9mm Federal goes belly up, so I wouldn't say the concept of rimmed auto cartridge like 9mm and .45 ACP (remember .45 Auto Rim?) is unpopular today because 30 years ago the 9mm Federal didn't take off.
Rimmed rounds based off auto rounds to fit in revolvers are not really a money making idea. It just allows those revolvers to run without moon clips.

But if you look at it, it was an offering designed to fail. .45 AutoRim and 9mm Federal may work fine in revolvers… but they don’t work in automatics. That is part of the fancy for some people with these type of revolvers… because they can buy ammo and it work in their revolver and their Glock. People tend to be cheap… can’t sugarcoat it any better.

The rounds, or better yet the casings, are awesome for those who reload, but it isn’t for everyone. When I do my addition, and have a gun room/area for reloading… am I going to have 9mm Federal and .45 AutoRim to load in my 642-1 and 1937 (respectfully)? Maybe to see how it works… but the moon clips aren’t going anywhere.
Screwball is online now  
Old November 27, 2021, 10:53 PM   #28
TruthTellers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 22, 2016
Posts: 3,818
Quote:
Originally Posted by Screwball View Post
And?

What about reloaders? What about those in L/E, which had a large push back to 9mm, who gets extra ammo from their agency?

Sometimes availability/cost in one person’s eyes is completely different than it is in someone else’s. Personally, my ammo stash has been hit hard since all this COVID crap started… and I feel 1,700 rounds of 9mm is quite low. But hopefully I can make up for it with the lack of shooting during the winter.

The rest of your post… no idea where that came from… but completely entitled to your own opinion. I shoot standard pressure in my 642-1… because I plan on shooting it for a while. It gives me the performance I want, so no real need to mess around with +P or higher.



Rimmed rounds based off auto rounds to fit in revolvers are not really a money making idea. It just allows those revolvers to run without moon clips.

But if you look at it, it was an offering designed to fail. .45 AutoRim and 9mm Federal may work fine in revolvers… but they don’t work in automatics. That is part of the fancy for some people with these type of revolvers… because they can buy ammo and it work in their revolver and their Glock. People tend to be cheap… can’t sugarcoat it any better.

The rounds, or better yet the casings, are awesome for those who reload, but it isn’t for everyone. When I do my addition, and have a gun room/area for reloading… am I going to have 9mm Federal and .45 AutoRim to load in my 642-1 and 1937 (respectfully)? Maybe to see how it works… but the moon clips aren’t going anywhere.
It is a different deal for those who reload and those who don't. I personally don't reload 9mm, so the rimmed 9mm would be pointless for me, but a lot of people do reload 9mm and might find that rimmed 9 would be something they'd want to load for as the only difference on a press is a shellholder.

The .45 would be a completely different story, I would load a rimmed .45 ACP if someone made an aluminum frame snub with a cylinder the proper length for .45 ACP.

Don't get me started on rimmed 10mm Auto or 10mm Magnum.
__________________
"We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."
TruthTellers is offline  
Old November 27, 2021, 11:05 PM   #29
Aguila Blanca
Staff
 
Join Date: September 25, 2008
Location: CONUS
Posts: 17,928
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donald duck
The vast majority of 9mm rounds you will find in the shelf of your local gunshop is more powerful than the vast majority of .38 special loads you will find at your local gunshop. A +p 9mm is close to the power of a .357 and a +p+ 9mm is close enough that there is no real world difference.
I don't know where you shop, but no local gun shop around me stocks 9mm +P in any quantity, and nothing approaching the power of .357 Magnum. I have never seen 9mm +P+ anywhere other than on-line, and not much even there.
__________________
NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor
NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO
1911 Certified Armorer
Jeepaholic
Aguila Blanca is offline  
Old November 28, 2021, 08:23 AM   #30
Screwball
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 16, 2012
Location: ME
Posts: 748
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca View Post
I have never seen 9mm +P+ anywhere other than on-line, and not much even there.
Same… I got a few boxes of +P+ from the Oaks, PA gun show a few years back. Federal 115 grain JHP. Only time I’ve seen it in person.

+P… I used to see here/there prior to the COVID. I know I’ve seen it at Cabela’s, being I told myself that’s even more of a ridiculous price. A few of the smaller shops between me and there (I’m about 3 hours north) would have different loads/calibers in +P.
Screwball is online now  
Old November 28, 2021, 11:31 AM   #31
wild cat mccane
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 3,351
Not just a niche market, they are basically for gun games.

S&W makes a few 38/357 revolvers just for gun games. 686s with 6 round chambers and not the 7, Pro Series with 6 round chambers, and cut for moon clips.

The 986 is the 686 Plus equivalent.

One thing I don't like, they keep the frame of the L or N and don't elongate the cylinder to match. It looks totally odd to have that huge gap.
__________________
My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.
wild cat mccane is offline  
Old November 28, 2021, 12:55 PM   #32
buck460XVR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 28, 2006
Posts: 4,336
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donald duck View Post
I firmly believe the 9mm revolver makes much more sense than the .38 special. Regardless of what some people may believe the 9mn is a more powerful round than the .38. It's cheaper to shoot and you have the option to use the moon clips.
We all are entitled to our opinion, just as we all have different needs and preferences. This is a prime example of both. As a reloader and one that also reloads and shoots .357, I find that cost of components is pretty equal between the 9mm and .357, with the advantage to me being I can use the same projectiles in my .38s as I do for my .357s. As such, I see little or no difference in power between a .38 and 9mm. My preference is accuracy and not top velocity. My loads for SD in my .38 snub are at the cusp between standard and +p. I would not want to shoot a +p+ from it. As for moon clips, if I really wanted to shoot 9mm, I would use the platform that makes better use of it.
buck460XVR is offline  
Old November 28, 2021, 01:08 PM   #33
stuckinthe60s
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 31, 2017
Location: Va., Ct., Mo..
Posts: 679
i got tired of blistered fingers loading and unloading clips to my ruger speed six 9mm. i just keep it loaded and dont use it. its my bedside dust collector.
__________________
Retired Military Aviation
Former Member Navy Shooting Team
Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor
NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner
stuckinthe60s is offline  
Old November 28, 2021, 01:39 PM   #34
Screwball
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 16, 2012
Location: ME
Posts: 748
Quote:
Originally Posted by stuckinthe60s View Post
i got tired of blistered fingers loading and unloading clips to my ruger speed six 9mm. i just keep it loaded and dont use it. its my bedside dust collector.

http://www.bmtequipped.com/purchase.php
Screwball is online now  
Old November 28, 2021, 02:40 PM   #35
44 AMP
Staff
 
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 27,177
One thing about this discussion I find interesting, its centered almost entirely on small snub nose DA revolvers in 9mm Luger.

So, here's a point to ponder, IF a revolver in 9mm Luger is superior to one in .38 Special, where are all the 4" and 6" 9mm DA revolvers?

waits...listening to the crickets chirp........

Seems they are pretty scarce on the ground, compared to multi millions of .38 Specials....

I get the idea of ammo commonality between your primary pistol and your backup gun, SO, that would be a plus for a 9mm snub nose revolver, if you carry a 9mm pistol.

I don't.

But I also wonder, if you carry a 9mm pistol WHY choose a revolver for a backup gun, at all?? Why not a smaller 9mm semi auto? Ammo capacity will be at least the same as a revolver, and usually more. You don't need extra "doo-hickey's" like moon clips and a tool for loading/unloading the same...

And, if your concern is about the semi auto backup gun jamming, then why are you carrying a semi auto as your primary arm??

Just some things to ponder...
__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.
44 AMP is offline  
Old November 28, 2021, 03:28 PM   #36
TruthTellers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 22, 2016
Posts: 3,818
Quote:
Originally Posted by 44 AMP View Post
One thing about this discussion I find interesting, its centered almost entirely on small snub nose DA revolvers in 9mm Luger.

So, here's a point to ponder, IF a revolver in 9mm Luger is superior to one in .38 Special, where are all the 4" and 6" 9mm DA revolvers?

waits...listening to the crickets chirp........
They're all in .357 Mag.
__________________
"We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."
TruthTellers is offline  
Old November 28, 2021, 03:44 PM   #37
74A95
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 26, 2016
Posts: 1,443
Quote:
Originally Posted by 44 AMP View Post

So, here's a point to ponder, IF a revolver in 9mm Luger is superior to one in .38 Special, where are all the 4" and 6" 9mm DA revolvers?

waits...listening to the crickets chirp........
here you go:
https://www.ruger.com/products/super...eets/5066.html
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product...986?sku=178055
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-929
https://www.chiappafirearms.com/product.php?id=696

And there are the convertable guns like the Taurus 692
https://www.taurususa.com/?view=arti...-grip&catid=60

And I see you've chosen to exclude the SA revolvers like the Ruger Blackhawk.




Quote:
Originally Posted by 44 AMP View Post
But I also wonder, if you carry a 9mm pistol WHY choose a revolver for a backup gun, at all?? Why not a smaller 9mm semi auto? Ammo capacity will be at least the same as a revolver, and usually more. You don't need extra "doo-hickey's" like moon clips and a tool for loading/unloading the same...

And, if your concern is about the semi auto backup gun jamming, then why are you carrying a semi auto as your primary arm??

Just some things to ponder...
A lot of empty arguments there.

Caliber issues often come down to tradition. Take the 1911. Traditionally in 45 ACP. Yet, the 38 Super offers more power and more capacity. The 9mm offers the same power as the 45 in a barrel of the same length and more capacity. But try to convince someone they should get their 1911 in 38 Super or 9mm and hear them roar - hell no, the 1911 was built around the 45 and that's obviously why the 45 is better. . . .

Sometimes better cartridges are ignored. The 9X23 Winchester is an example. It has the same power as a 357 Mag and has 2 more rounds in a 1911 than a 45, but most people have never heard of it. A better cartridge ignored.

The 38 Special has been around in revolvers since forever - countless millions made. That's why they will still be made in that caliber forever. It's a capable cartridge, despite its shortcomings. So tradition will keep it alive and well for a long time.

Last edited by 74A95; November 28, 2021 at 03:55 PM.
74A95 is offline  
Old November 28, 2021, 04:02 PM   #38
Rob228
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 29, 2010
Location: Hampstead NC
Posts: 1,450
I have a 9mm cylinder for my Blackhawk, its coming into its own now that .38 and .357 are harder to find than 9 these days.
Rob228 is offline  
Old November 28, 2021, 04:28 PM   #39
Screwball
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 16, 2012
Location: ME
Posts: 748
Quote:
Originally Posted by 44 AMP View Post
One thing about this discussion I find interesting, its centered almost entirely on small snub nose DA revolvers in 9mm Luger.

So, here's a point to ponder, IF a revolver in 9mm Luger is superior to one in .38 Special, where are all the 4" and 6" 9mm DA revolvers?

waits...listening to the crickets chirp........

Seems they are pretty scarce on the ground, compared to multi millions of .38 Specials.…
Why is it centered on snub revolvers? Probably because those that shoot it either carry it for compactness or are looking to gain an edge out of their .38 revolver.

I stated that switching to 9mm yielded me an extra 37 grains of bullet weight… with zero loss. I carry my 642-1 because it is about 14 ounces… I really don’t have an argument when I’m tired, or rushing out. And if I did… LCP in my pocket.

But if you are asking…

S&W doesn’t do a 4”… but how about 5” and 6.5”?

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product...986?sku=178055

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product...929?sku=170341

Rhino does 4”, 5”, and 6”… but since you specifically asked about 4” and 6”.

https://www.chiappafirearms.com/product.php?id=439

https://www.chiappafirearms.com/product.php?id=440

Comparing .38 revolvers to 9mm revolvers is also a bit of a stretch… since your millions were produced for the past 120+ years. .38 Special has been around since 1898… arming a lot of police officers and being pushed thru production in two World Wars and a few other conflicts. I won’t say a caliber designed in 1898 can’t do it’s job, but doesn’t mean it is perfect for 2021.

When did the 547 appear? Late 1970s? 9mm was designed as a semi-auto round, without a rim. The 9mm was designed in 1901… but it was designed as a semi-auto cartridge. For a good chunk of time, semi-autos we’re not as reliable as they are now. And let’s also remember that the revolvers/.38 Special/.357 Magnum were widely used in L/E… it takes a borderline act of god to get people in L/E to change. Acts of god? Newhall… Miami… North Hollywood… Hell, look at .40 and the about-face that was.

Bullet technology advanced pretty far over the past century. .38 and 9mm are both leaps/bounds better than they were in the beginning. But considering 9mm is the more popular of the two… you tend to see more variety/funding going into that caliber. It isn’t a one is better than the other… but ammo companies want to make money. Also, goes back to the L/E (and also the military)… being ammo contracts are good to pickup.

But your argument is the same as me saying where are all the .38 Special /.357 Magnum autoloaders? That Colt and S&W that used wadcutters… Desert Eagle… and the Coonan. Must be such a terrible round since there isn’t a Glock made in it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 44 AMP View Post
I get the idea of ammo commonality between your primary pistol and your backup gun, SO, that would be a plus for a 9mm snub nose revolver, if you carry a 9mm pistol.

I don't.
Some might want to have that ability… I personally don’t care about it. Main reason, my agency doesn’t let us carry a backup gun.

But whereas we were issued .40 a little over a year and a half ago… I knew the .40 was going bye-bye. The Glock contract was announced the week I signed on. But my off duty carry guns tend to be 9mm. Said it before, but any extra training/duty ammo will work in them. Nice thing is we use 147 grain, just like I prefer to carry.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 44 AMP View Post
But I also wonder, if you carry a 9mm pistol WHY choose a revolver for a backup gun, at all?? Why not a smaller 9mm semi auto? Ammo capacity will be at least the same as a revolver, and usually more. You don't need extra "doo-hickey's" like moon clips and a tool for loading/unloading the same...

And, if your concern is about the semi auto backup gun jamming, then why are you carrying a semi auto as your primary arm??

Just some things to ponder...
I have 9mm autos that I carry… P938 is one that I want to get more rounds thru it before I carry. I just recently got a Glock P80 (retro one), which I plan to carry when I want a larger gun.

We carry Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS… and I’ll probably get a 26 Gen 5 in the future (just to have). Real goal is a 34 Gen 3, and maybe a LWD frame that takes Compact magazines and full sized slides. Would be a nice way to have the complete 9mm line… especially because I want non-railed 34. But I went with Glock magazines with my 9mm AR pistol, so it takes down to at least the 19 magazines (unsure about the 26). It is going to be a suppressor host, so will be nice to be able to shove in a duty magazine and not be super sonic.

It’s called having options, and carrying what I want to. I’ve said it a few times, but I don’t carry something to be cool or to get someone’s approval. 44 AMP, sorry… but I really couldn’t care less how you feel about X, Y, or Z. I do take other viewpoints, being sometimes you see things that you didn’t think of due to whatever reason. But just because you don’t like 9mm revolvers… it really isn’t going to change me carrying my 9mm 642-1.
Screwball is online now  
Old November 29, 2021, 07:52 AM   #40
Donald duck
Member
 
Join Date: April 19, 2021
Posts: 34
There are three gunshops in my small town. None have any .38 or .357 ammo. They all have 9mm ammo.
Donald duck is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 09:38 AM   #41
105kw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 30, 2017
Location: Columbia Basin Washington
Posts: 381
My favorite LGS has a good supply of 9mm, and 357. 38 special is a little thin, they had some stocked Thursday, gone by Saturday morning.
At times in the past 3 months, they've been out of all pistol ammo.
105kw is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 10:10 AM   #42
wild cat mccane
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 3,351
I am so confused.

There is a conversation that is ignoring what I said at the start of this thread.

1. S&W and Ruger both make L/N framed 9mm revolvers. They do in fact exist. 986 is a real 686 equivalent. It is no different than the set up of the 686 Pro or 686 Performance Center in that it uses moon clips. The JM 6" 9mm S&W exists too...

2. 9mm L frames are competition guns. You could certain use them for fun, but they exist for competition. You'll notice what Ruger named it's brand new GP100 in 9mm? https://ruger.com/micros/customShop/5066.html

3. Even Taurus makes a 9mm 4" and 6" with their convertible 38/357/9mm 692.
__________________
My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.
wild cat mccane is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 10:40 AM   #43
hammie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 18, 2009
Location: Temple, TX
Posts: 900
@wildcatmccane: I've learned that the only generalization you can make about the shooting sports is: You can't make generalizations.

9x19mm L frames are not necessarily competition guns. Smith & Wesson also offers the 986 with a 2.5 inch barrel and smaller round butt grips. That doesn't seem to be a configuration for a "games" gun.
hammie is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 11:04 AM   #44
Jim Watson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
Posts: 18,120
The newly available Spohr revolver, a German made refinement of S&W, is available with a 9mm conversion cylinder like the other high priced spreads from Europe.
Jim Watson is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 11:48 AM   #45
stuckinthe60s
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 31, 2017
Location: Va., Ct., Mo..
Posts: 679
here they are.......
https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101737832
__________________
Retired Military Aviation
Former Member Navy Shooting Team
Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor
NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner
stuckinthe60s is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 11:50 AM   #46
stuckinthe60s
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 31, 2017
Location: Va., Ct., Mo..
Posts: 679
ruger made 9mm's long time ago. the m209 series.
__________________
Retired Military Aviation
Former Member Navy Shooting Team
Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor
NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner
stuckinthe60s is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 12:38 PM   #47
wild cat mccane
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 3,351
USPSA does build most of the "need" for these revolvers though and the options are really targeted to gun gamers.

The S&W 10227 986 2.5 is still built on the 686 L frame. I don't think most are carrying even the 38/357 2.5" 686 or the GP100 in 3". That one is truly niche and probably why there is exactly one for sell online using gun.deals

The 45 revolvers also exist pretty much only for gun games because of the short round loads super fast.

The S&W 627 38/357 is stainless, yet unlike most all revolver pricing, costs less than the blue S&W R8. Gun game gun without the crazy R8 "self defense/duty" appeal pricing.

All I'm saying, is the 9mm, 40, 45 revolvers do exist in large frame. It's for USPSA. Someone saying they don't exist just don't know about it. The Brian Enos forum is enlightening on the subject of race revolvers. It's hard not to take away most get into the idea and back out of race revolvers though.

With 9mm being the main build right now for all US sources, it's not a crazy idea to look into an auto ammo revolver. $40 for 357mag FMJ is just kinda stupid waste of money, no matter your income.

However, the ammo problem is a US only problem. Non US 38/357 is still available. Just have to get the US sellers to act like it isn't a problem. Swiss owned Ruag sells 38special right now for cheap. Direct to consumer with free shipping. Normashooting and ammoshoponline have had 38 and gone for a bit 357 through this whole deal and it has been no higher than $35 for 357mag and $30 for 38spc. This whole time. Kudos to Ruag. It's interesting to watch South Korean PMC 38 special pricing online. It seems to be stacked deep but online retailers just keep bumping the prices incrementally down to see how much we will cough up for this ammo that is clearly not scarce.
__________________
My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

Last edited by wild cat mccane; November 29, 2021 at 12:55 PM.
wild cat mccane is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 02:55 PM   #48
4V50 Gary
Staff
 
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 21,680
I used to use one as a training gun. At one point 9mm was cheaper than 38 (back in the '90s) so I went with that,
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe!
4V50 Gary is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 04:06 PM   #49
Nathan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 1, 2001
Posts: 6,039
Smith and Wesson 547 doesn’t take moon clips and is a joy to shoot! Mine is a 3” round butt.
Nathan is offline  
Old November 29, 2021, 05:41 PM   #50
reddog81
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 16, 2014
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,604
Quote:
Originally Posted by hammie View Post
@wildcatmccane: I've learned that the only generalization you can make about the shooting sports is: You can't make generalizations.
Correct. I have the N frame 929 and haven't ever shot any games. It still works fine for me at the range. It's just an easy shooting, accurate gun.
reddog81 is online now  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2023, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.12363 seconds with 9 queries