ruger 357/9mm convertable

[normus]

Hello, I would like to know if any of the shooters of this Ruger Convertable, find that shooting the 9mm cylinder is accurate (not considering the versatilty), compared to the 357 cylinder, or should I just get the 357 model?
Thanks

 

[Sistema1927]

I purchased one on my 21st birthday, many decades ago.

Yes, the .357 cylinder was more accurate, but mainly due to the fact that I shot quality .357 ammo and surplus 9mm out of it. I chalked up the difference to the ammo.

 

[Tilos]

I have found the 9mm less accurate and attribute that to bullet diameter with 9mm bullets being 0.355" dia and 357 is 0.357" .
If you re-load and can stuff bigger bullets into 9mm cases that will fit into the 9mm cylinder chambers you will get better accuracy.
I do it, but found I needed to use a 357/38 expander and use 357/38 bullets in 9mm cases.
jmo

Edit: You have to decide if "the juice is worth the squeeze" considering a custom/tailered load for the 9mm conversion cylinder.
After I shoot a handgun/ammo combo from a rest to determine group size, I know what the gun/ammo is capable of, so any bigger group size or misses are from me, not the ammo/gun.
jmo

 

[rbernie]

I have found that shooting offhand at 15 yards – I can’t tell the difference. While there may be some superiority to the 357 cylinder in terms of accuracy, I don’t notice it short of shooting the handgun from a rest.

 

[Fiv3r]

the gun is more accurate than I am, for sure. I don't notice a big difference between 9mm and .357 our of my Blackhawk. Probably the more versatile gun I own. Love it.

 

[normus]

ok, thanks guys. When I get that convertible, I will try .355s first to see how it shoots, then try .356 and 357 diameter bullets. I do have the proper expander, and I will also check and see what the cylinder throat diameters actually measure.
norm

 

[JONWILL]

I had one a at my 25 yard range I couldn’t tell the difference
I always like multiple caliber handguns

 

[Saleen322]

We load .356 lead in our match 9mm loads. Loads that shoot well from 9mm match pistols shoot well from our Blackhawk convertible. The main issue I had with 9mm is much of the factory stuff is not that accurate compared to good 38 Special factory loads for example. Good loads will do 1.5" groups or better @ 25 yards.

 

[Tallball]

I'm with rbernie and Fiv3r. If there is a difference in accuracy, I'm not a good enough shooter to notice the difference at 15 yards offhand.

 

[Tilos]

We load .356 lead in our match 9mm loads. Loads that shoot well from 9mm match pistols shoot well from our Blackhawk convertible. The main issue I had with 9mm is much of the factory stuff is not that accurate compared to good 38 Special factory loads for example. Good loads will do 1.5" groups or better @ 25 yards.

Your mention of "factory stuff" made me think of the difference in price between 38 factory and 9mm factory, something that would important to someone who does not reload, and is considering buying a Blackhawk convertible.
For reloaders, not so much.

 

[TTv2]

I've wondered about the 9mm Blackhawk myself and here's one of my favorite videos on the subject:



First, I think Ruger uses .355 diameter grooves in all their .357/.38 barrels. Second, I don't think there's any bullet jump issue because with the 9mm cylinder, the jump is more of a guide as the fractions of an inch it travels in the cylinder until it exits the bullet is being guided with a proper chamber that's a couple thousandths of an inch larger and that's not enough to make the bullet go into the forcing cone cocked. In a DA revolver like the .45 Colt/ACP Redhawk, yes because the ACP bullet has to go down a chamber that's .480"+ due to the .45 Colt case dimensions, but the 9mm Blackhawk has it's own cylinder that the case mouth headspaces off of.

I do think factory ammo plays a part in accuracy issues given that most ammo used is cheap and in a revolver it's not designed for, it's not gonna give as good accuracy.

The 9mm Blackhawk doesn't interest me as I don't like centerfire revolvers that are Single Action only, but also I don't like combo revolvers. If I want a 9mm revolver, I'll buy a 9mm only revolver because I don't like having the same sights to shoot .38 or .357 and then use them with 9mm where the sights will not shoot to the same POA.

 

[silvermane_1]

I've wondered about the 9mm Blackhawk myself and here's one of my favorite videos on the subject:



First, I think Ruger uses .355 diameter grooves in all their .357/.38 barrels. Second, I don't think there's any bullet jump issue because with the 9mm cylinder, the jump is more of a guide as the fractions of an inch it travels in the cylinder until it exits the bullet is being guided with a proper chamber that's a couple thousandths of an inch larger and that's not enough to make the bullet go into the forcing cone cocked. In a DA revolver like the .45 Colt/ACP Redhawk, yes because the ACP bullet has to go down a chamber that's .480"+ due to the .45 Colt case dimensions, but the 9mm Blackhawk has it's own cylinder that the case mouth headspaces off of.

I do think factory ammo plays a part in accuracy issues given that most ammo used is cheap and in a revolver it's not designed for, it's not gonna give as good accuracy.

The 9mm Blackhawk doesn't interest me as I don't like centerfire revolvers that are Single Action only, but also I don't like combo revolvers. If I want a 9mm revolver, I'll buy a 9mm only revolver because I don't like having the same sights to shoot .38 or .357 and then use them with 9mm where the sights will not shoot to the same POA.

Well 9mm+p+ might be near 38spl.+p and/or mildish 357 mag, but 9mm +p+ pressure will be a lot higher than both 38spl. or 357 mag.

 

[ChiefTJS]

I've had probably at least a half a dozen Blackhawk convertibles in both the standard and flat top versions and they have all been wonderful shooters. The vast majority of shooters would never be able to tell the difference in accuracy between the .357 and 9mm cylinders.

 

[Tilos]

I've wondered about the 9mm Blackhawk myself and here's one of my favorite videos on the subject:



First, I think Ruger uses .355 diameter grooves in all their .357/.38 barrels. Second, I don't think there's any bullet jump issue because with the 9mm cylinder, the jump is more of a guide as the fractions of an inch it travels in the cylinder until it exits the bullet is being guided with a proper chamber that's a couple thousandths of an inch larger and that's not enough to make the bullet go into the forcing cone cocked. In a DA revolver like the .45 Colt/ACP Redhawk, yes because the ACP bullet has to go down a chamber that's .480"+ due to the .45 Colt case dimensions, but the 9mm Blackhawk has it's own cylinder that the case mouth headspaces off of.

I do think factory ammo plays a part in accuracy issues given that most ammo used is cheap and in a revolver it's not designed for, it's not gonna give as good accuracy.

The 9mm Blackhawk doesn't interest me as I don't like centerfire revolvers that are Single Action only, but also I don't like combo revolvers. If I want a 9mm revolver, I'll buy a 9mm only revolver because I don't like having the same sights to shoot .38 or .357 and then use them with 9mm where the sights will not shoot to the same POA.

Thanks for posting the FC vid, he has a lot of informative vids out there.
To the barrel slug measuring 0.3555" (with a caliper) and knowing that most all revolvers have barrel restriction in the threaded area, that slug diameter represents that restriction.
Think of it as the bullet 1st being squeezed the restricted dia. and then rattling down the bigger dia. of the rest of the barrel.
The reason most serious revolver shooters lap out that restriction for better accuracy, even on double action guns.

You said, "First, I think Ruger uses .355 diameter grooves in all their .357/.38 barrels."
It's good to see the work "think" stated, as I have measured a lot of Ruger barrels and found not all are 0.355".

I suggest you buy/shoot a Blackhawk convertible to see the accuracy 1st hand, and the accuracy potential with a little massaging.
And as to your POA concerns, the gun has adjustable sites, and clicks can be counted/noted to return to any prior setting.
jmo

 

[TTv2]

Thanks for posting the FC vid, he has a lot of informative vids out there.
To the barrel slug measuring 0.3555" (with a caliper) and knowing that most all revolvers have barrel restriction in the threaded area, that slug diameter represents that restriction.
Think of it as the bullet 1st being squeezed the restricted dia. and then rattling down the bigger dia. of the rest of the barrel.
The reason most serious revolver shooters lap out that restriction for better accuracy, even on double action guns.

You said, "First, I think Ruger uses .355 diameter grooves in all their .357/.38 barrels."
It's good to see the work "think" stated, as I have measured a lot of Ruger barrels and found no all are 0.355".

I suggest you buy/shoot a Blackhawk convertible to see the accuracy 1st hand, and the accuracy potential with a little massaging.
And as to your POA concerns, the gun has adjustable sites, and clicks can be counted/noted to return to any prior setting.
jmo

Nah, 9mm Blackhawk doesn't interest me, but a 3 inch LCRx would.

The bullet can not "rattle" down the larger diameter, the lands prevent bullet rattling as was demonstrated in the video. I would believe the heat and pressure would make the lead bullet expand and re-obturate to the bottom of the grooves after it was swaged down from a restriction.

Barrel groove diameters can vary, but I think Ruger uses .355 as the mean and allows a tolerance on it. I don't see why Ruger wouldn't want to use .355's tho because they can use them in both their 9mm and .38 or .357 revolvers, it saves them money.

 

[Tilos]

sorry a double

 

[Tilos]

Nah, 9mm Blackhawk doesn't interest me, but a 3 inch LCRx would.

The bullet can not "rattle" down the larger diameter, the lands prevent bullet rattling as was demonstrated in the video. I would believe the heat and pressure would make the lead bullet expand and re-obturate to the bottom of the grooves after it was swaged down from a restriction.

Barrel groove diameters can vary, but I think Ruger uses .355 as the mean and allows a tolerance on it. I don't see why Ruger wouldn't want to use .355's tho because they can use them in both their 9mm and .38 or .357 revolvers, it saves them money.

Using "rattle" was just to add some brevity/humor and not to be taken literally, I was describing a loose fit.
My perfect barrel would be slightly tapered big to small from forcing cone to muzzle, just a belief though.
I never thought of a bullet being able to grow in diameter while traveling thru a barrel, but if that's your belief, so be it.
I understand your thinking that Ruger would use 0.355" barrels (with tolerances) for both 38/9mm to save money, but measurements by me and others has proved otherwise.
You seem to have some strong beliefs about what a 9mm Blackhawk, for someone who has not/has no interest in owning one.
I'm not interested in any further debate with you based on what you think or beliefs, and it has no merit to me but just seems to be some sort amusement for you.
I can't believe I took the bait and responded to you original post.
You can have the last word if you must, but know I won't see it because I'll be adding you to my ignore list...

 

[243winxb]

The convertable 9 is better, when using jacketed ammo. The bullet rides on the lands, not down in the groove diameter. Lead bullets may be a problem if undersize, when compared to groove diameter??

Had to return a convertable to Ruger. One 9 cylinger was chambered to deep. Caused misfires . The 9 headspaces on tne case mouth. Firing pin didnt have enough reach.(protrusion)..