S&W does not have the caliber I want

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neviander

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I started a thread about b.u.g.s the other day http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=384485&page=2 and am still researching stuff.

I really would like to patronize S&W. Why is it that all revolvers I read about, they do not make any more? The 940 sounded like a sweet little shooter...not in production any more. I don't know if they've ever made anything to shoot the .380 acp, .32 acp has fallen out of my favor, so no love lost there. I can't remember all of the other ones I don't see on the S&W site, that they used to make...I'm sure there were some autos that I liked too...anyway.

I haven't even looked at other gun sites, because I WANT A SMITH. It seems to me, that a 5 shot 9mm revolver would be pretty small, and be a lot easier on the hands than say a .357 airweight.

Is it really that expensive for Smith to keep a 9mm revolver on the shelves in limited production? I understand they have to make stuff that sells...I don't know, semi-rant. I would like to buy a NEW gun. I know there are tons of used guns out there, but I would really like a new one.

I realize I'm not going to get anything the size of a kel-tec in a revolver now. But after all the good things you guys have told me about .45 acp wheelguns, I figure the 9mm would have similar results....and the 9 is considerably smaller than the .45 for BUG purposes.
 
Why don't you just take a good look at the 642/442 in 38spl. It is rated +P. The 38 is about the same as the 9mm.
 
I wish someone would build a tiny 5 shot in 327 mag/32H&R. The cylinder could be made smaller diameter if they only designed it for 5 rounds of 327.

Also, I've been wondering why nobody has done this with 30 carbine. A 5 shot in 30 carbine could have a very small diameter cylinder.
 
I would certainly buy a 940 if S&W would bring it back. It would be cheaper to shoot than my 642 and that's really the only reason for me.
 
Smith & Wesson, Ruger and Taurus all have had problems with 9mm x 19 revolvers, partly because of the extra backthrust against the breechface caused by the rimless/tapered case; and also making full-moon clips that worked. Taurus told me that they gave up because of a lack of sales, but to the degree the sales fell it was because of the associated issues.

As for a "little" .327 Magnum. It's indeed a neat cartridges, but it gererates pressures in the 40,000 PSI range, which is close to the M1 Carbine, and double that of the .32 H&R Magnum. Engineers are looking at that one very carefully before they jump. Note that Ruger put it in their stout not-so-little SP-101, and they did so for good reason.

Revolvers were designed around cartridges that had straight cases and rimmed heads. Keep that in mind when you make a choice.
 
At one time, NAA had plans to make a larger version of their mini revolver to chamber 32 H&R. They scrapped those plans.

I wish they'd went through with it.
 
From what I read, the modern J's are made for a 357. The cyclinder is different, meaning a 22LR is no more compact than a 357. Same with a 9mm.

If you look at the J's on S&W site, you can see the gaps in the different size cylinders, which to me, is well, lame.

Make things like a true Firearm Manufacturer, not like Walmart.
Course in this day and age, we are lucky there are still Firearm manufacturers.
 
Revolvers were designed around cartridges that had straight cases and rimmed heads. Keep that in mind when you make a choice.
Click to expand...
I realize that, that's the reason I was slightly surprised when the .45 acp revolvers got raving reviews http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=370911 again, I figure the 9mm is essentially the same shape and moonclips seem like a good idea for fast loading anyhoo.
 
If it's just the shorter case you want, competition shooters have had great luck with .38 Short Colt, basically a rimmed 9mm with a .357 boolit. If it is 9mm you want, I don't believe the problems associated with it are worth it in the J frame, especially when the .38 Spl has proven so well.
 
The .45 has a straight case, and lower pressure distributed over a larger area on the breechface. The moon-clips are also larger with more "spring" to them.

I know that S&W K and L frame revolvers shooting rimmed revolver cartridges have been modified to use moon-clips (for faster reloading), but I'm not sure about J-frame conversions. You might look into that.
 
You can get j frame clips. My opinion is that they would suck to carry vs. a speedstrip though. To each their own. The positive ejection of the moonclip would be a plus.
 
The .45 has a straight case, and lower pressure distributed over a larger area on the breechface.
Click to expand...
Alrighty, I'm pickin' up what yer layin' down, good point.

the .38 Spl has proven so well.
Click to expand...
I guess I overlooked the 'ol 38. I always equated it with the .357, since they are mostly interchangeable.
 
The .45 has a straight case, and lower pressure distributed over a larger area on the breechface. The moon-clips are also larger with more "spring" to them.

I know that S&W K and L frame revolvers shooting rimmed revolver cartridges have been modified to use moon-clips (for faster reloading), but I'm not sure about J-frame conversions. You might look into that.
Click to expand...

Gemini will cut a J frame for moon clips. The clips themselves aren't cheap though, running about $40 for ten. Gemini will also cut K frames, L frames, and N frames for clips, along with the Ruger SP101(they might do the GP100 too).
 
Also, I've been wondering why nobody has done this with 30 carbine.
Click to expand...
If you have ever shot a .30 Carbine revolver, you wouldn't have to wonder.

The muzzle blast is fearsome out of a 6 1/2" barrel.

It would set your hair on fire & knock your fillings loose out of a Snubby!

rcmodel
 
It would set your hair on fire & knock your fillings loose out of a Snubby!
Click to expand...

now I want to shoot one.

But I'd also like to see a convertible 9mm/38spl 5 shot on a reduced size j frame. that way i could shoot what I wanted, when i wanted. It would be steel instead of alloy, with an exposed hammer that would be less likely to snag, but still useable for SA shooting. and it be under $300. yeah I can dream, cant i?
 
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The last time I looked, Ruger still made the Blackhawk SA in .357M/9mm and .45 ACP/Colt, each with separate cylinders, although I don't recall seeing the .30 Carbine version on their site lately. That thing is a hoot to shoot - bright and loud, with no recoil. Ah, but the OP was re S&W...

Yep, I want an S&W in a caliber they don't make now... .44 Russian! Yeah, a small DA wouldn't be bad, nor would a new old #3. That break-top was a neat design... and, the .44 Russian - with modern smokeless propellants - can approach Keith-like .44 Special performance. I was shooting some 240gr LSWC over 4.0gr of Titegroup yesterday at the range - they make ~740 fps from my 3" 696. Even at 3.5gr Titegroup, they make 692 fps from that 3" tube - that's major power factor (>165!), even though it seems like ferret flatulance.

Yeah cute little round. I guess I'll keep doing as I did yesterday - make carbon/lead rings in my 696 & 629 chambers to clean out.

Stainz

PS I do have several revolvers which use ammo with dimunitive rims and a tapered case. In fact, I modify .32-20 brass - and size it with the M1 Carbine sizer, which is a tapered round. Yeah, its that techno-marvel of it's day... the 1895 Nagant. No, S&W doesn't need to add 7.62x38r to their mix.
 
If you really want a M940 you can find a used one on the market. If you can't find one you might have to get a 9mm cylinder fitted to a .38 Special revolver.
 
Yeah cute little round. I guess I'll keep doing as I did yesterday - make carbon/lead rings in my 696 & 629 chambers to clean out.
You could probably get a good pistol smith to cut 44 Spl. chambers in a S&W cylinder blank for you. If you wanted to pay that kinda money.
 
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