9mm revolvers

[C0untZer0]

Review of the Alfa Proj 9231

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/review-of-the-alfa-proj-9231.818914/

 

[TTv2]

A 357 produces MUCH more recoil than a 9mm.

Uh... yeah, if we're talking about 158gr .357 vs 115gr 9mm. I'm talking grain for grain, 124gr 9mm vs 125gr .357 there should be no difference in recoil, it's effectively the same weight projectile with the same amount of PSI, and in +P loadings the 9mm would have higher PSI.

I say that, but everyone says the recoil with 9mm still feels lighter and the only reasons why I can figure that is the powder used in 9mm is much faster burning than what is being used in .357

 

[TTv2]

Read up on Alpha Proj before you buy. Seems that they may be a sleeper that is right up your alley.

I see those Rock Island imports of Alfa Proj and they look like solid, general use revolvers, but when accuracy is the focus, IDK if they're going to be better for that than a Blackhawk or Taurus large frame.

What they will be tho, as of this post, is MUCH more readily available to purchase.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Yay ! I love 9mm revolvers !

I agree.

 

[fxvr5]

Uh... yeah, if we're talking about 158gr .357 vs 115gr 9mm. I'm talking grain for grain, 124gr 9mm vs 125gr .357 there should be no difference in recoil, it's effectively the same weight projectile with the same amount of PSI, and in +P loadings the 9mm would have higher PSI.

Ballistics from a 4" barrel:

9mm Luger. 124 grain bullet at 1150 fps.

357 Magnum. 125 grain bullet at 1450 fps.

That 300 fps increase will produce much more recoil.

 

[Whiskeyhotel2020]

Me and my shooting buddy these last few years have really got into benchresting at 25 yards with our reloads. All calibers, revolvers and 1911's to see who can come with the tightest groups and the best reload recipes. I'm thinking of getting a 5 or 6 inch 9mm revolver to see how good I can make it shoot but I don't know which one to get. And I'm not going to spend $1300 on a S&W 986.
The two I'm thinking about is a 6" Charter Arms 9mm or a Taylors/Uberti 5.5" single action. I've never owned any caliber in either brand. Is the Charter Arms cheap feeling? I know it's on a small 5-shot frame like a J frame. Do they have nice crisp triggers like a S&W?
Which would you choose?

IMHO I would check out Ruger's offerings. My first 9mm is a Ruger sp101. It from the first time they brought them out. I think the brought the gp100 out in 9mm. That's my take on firearm choice. If it were only between the two I would go with the charter no need of special moon clips.

 

[TTv2]

Rugee never made the GP100 in 9mm, the Security Six they did.

 

[Rock185]

bluetopper, I've had the Ruger Blackhawk convertible, SP101 9mm, S&W 940, two of the 3" 547s, and a 686 with an extra cylinder converted to 9mm. So I guess it's kinda obvious I like the 9mm revolvers Now days, for your use and at a reasonable price, I'd look at the Ruger Blackhawk convertible and perhaps the SP101. I prefer the 3" SP10, especially for your use.
FWIW I've done some chronographing of 9mm factory ammunition in the little revolvers. The 9mm cartridge is no .357, but seems to be pretty efficient in the short barreled guns. Closer to the .357 in the short barrels than to 38+P in the examples I've tested. With bullets heavier than about 125 grains and/or barrels longer than about 3", as I said, the 9mm is no .357.

For example, a couple of favorite high performance 9mm loads that I've used a fair amount of over the years, in a variety of 9mm firearms, the popular Federal 124 HST +P, and old tech Federal 115 9BPLE +P+ 115 JHP. The 124 HST averaged approx. 1195 FPS in a 2" revolver and ~1290 FPS in a 3" revolver. The old 9BPLE 115 JHP averaged 1213 FPS in a 2" revolver and ~1313 FPS in a 3" revolver. I was once testing some of the old CorBon 9mm 115+P JHP in some other guns, and had a couple rounds left over. I shot them in my 3" revolver. They averaged 1419 FPS.

Anyway, I always enjoy these discussions and the viewpoints expressed.

 

[Tallball]

I had my 6.5" Blackhawk out at the range again earlier this week.

None of my other 9mm handguns are as accurate for me, and I have quite a few.

Are used Blackhawks affordable these days?

They're so sturdy that I only buy them used. This one is from the late 70's.

 

[DMW1116]

Mine was built in 1980. I bought it from a local pawn/gun store for about $550 a year ago. It isn’t a convertible version though. There is a new 45/45 convertible at PSA near my office but it’s $799.99 give or take.

 

[TTv2]

I had my 6.5" Blackhawk out at the range again earlier this week.

None of my other 9mm handguns are as accurate for me, and I have quite a few.

Are used Blackhawks affordable these days?

They're so sturdy that I only buy them used. This one is from the late 70's.

View attachment 1135818

Depends on your definition of affordable. Generally you will not find used Blackhawks for under $500. I would like to go off of the gunbroker prices I saw a few years ago, but apparently that has all changed, there was a time not long ago a used .30 Carbine Blackhack could be had for $400.

Sad to say, but the days of the affordable used Ruger seem to be long gone. As long as there are people willing to pay $700 for a used Blackhawk or $900 for a GP100 the prices will stay there and buying new is taking a chance given the quality at Ruger with their revolvers is declining with each passing year. About the only line that this doesn't apply to is the LCR's, they've stayed at an affordable price and the quality on this is fine, but when the gun is half polymer I expect the cost to be low.