Kerf
Member
I have this basically “beater” Model 49, .38Spl that I was thinking about having the cylinder cut to accept moon clips. That conversion is pretty cut and dried, makes a reload muy quick, and doesn’t hurt the gun muy mucho. Then I notice on the website (http://www.moonclips.com/) that he can cut the cylinder to accept 9mm w/ moonclips. Having had a recent 9mm epiphany (hat tip; and it does take an epiphany) and love affair with the 9mm in the form of a CZ 75B SAO, I think it would be neat to have the two guns I carry the most have the same cartridge. But then, why stop there. Why not go with a .38 Super re-chamber w/ moonclips in the 49? I’m not even sure a .38 Super will fit in a .38 Spl. chamber. At least it has a straight case wall.
So, the two concerns I have to resolve are: 1) Pressure and 2) Accuracy.
I know the 9mm/.38 Super are operating at a higher pressure level than the .38 Spl. But, I believe the Model 49 is rated for +P loading, I believe. I think I would be happy with a 9mm/.38 load that’s a tad hotter than a .38 Spl, and therefore, would be at a lower pressure. I have practiced with this gun a lot over the years and feel comfortable shooting it, so it’s not like I would need to shoot it a lot in practice. And, I could always load it down with light target type loads for practice.
My second concern, and probably more critical, is the accuracy issue. I have visions of a .355/.356” bullet rattling down an oversized bore and totally ruining the guns accuracy. I’m thinking of loading some 9mm bullets in 38 cases and testing the accuracy potential that way. Oversized cast bullets in the 9mm might also work depending on how the cylinder chambers measure out.
So, I’m looking for wisdom here; thoughts, enlightenment, past experience? Rants are okay, too. Tell me what you really think.
P.S. What got me thinking about this was another post about the Tyler T-grip and bannockburn posted a great photo of his 49 with the T-grip (which is what I have). http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=798415 Funny how your mind wanders and associates things.
Thanks in advance;
kerf
So, the two concerns I have to resolve are: 1) Pressure and 2) Accuracy.
I know the 9mm/.38 Super are operating at a higher pressure level than the .38 Spl. But, I believe the Model 49 is rated for +P loading, I believe. I think I would be happy with a 9mm/.38 load that’s a tad hotter than a .38 Spl, and therefore, would be at a lower pressure. I have practiced with this gun a lot over the years and feel comfortable shooting it, so it’s not like I would need to shoot it a lot in practice. And, I could always load it down with light target type loads for practice.
My second concern, and probably more critical, is the accuracy issue. I have visions of a .355/.356” bullet rattling down an oversized bore and totally ruining the guns accuracy. I’m thinking of loading some 9mm bullets in 38 cases and testing the accuracy potential that way. Oversized cast bullets in the 9mm might also work depending on how the cylinder chambers measure out.
So, I’m looking for wisdom here; thoughts, enlightenment, past experience? Rants are okay, too. Tell me what you really think.
P.S. What got me thinking about this was another post about the Tyler T-grip and bannockburn posted a great photo of his 49 with the T-grip (which is what I have). http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=798415 Funny how your mind wanders and associates things.
Thanks in advance;
kerf