Can the same 9mm ammo be used for revolver and semiautomatic?

[Patmcclat]

I am a new gun owner, and was wondering about ammo.

Can the same 9mm ammo be used in a revolver and in a semiautomatic?

[Alk8944]

Of course it can. You don't find 9mm ammunition labelled "For Revolvers", or "For Automatics" do you?

[murphydog]

Generally, any factory 9 mm should function normally in both a revolver and semi-auto. The revolver does not need full-power ammo to function, and 'may' be slightly more tolerant of slightly longer or unusually shaped bullets that may not feed in a given semi-auto. With a few exceptions, to extract from a revolver 9 mm will need moon clips to be able to get the empties out also. Hope this is helpful.

[colt_saa]

No problem whatsoever

As has been stated, revolvers are far more forgiving of under-powered ammunition

[TEB]

Colt SAA may I ask what ammunition is loaded into the moon clips with the pictured 940? Looks like the Fiocchi 147 grain jhp I have a few boxes of. Which look like the old Talon / Ranger round.

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by TEB

Colt SAA may I ask what ammunition is loaded into the moon clips with the pictured 940? Looks like the Fiocchi 147 grain jhp I have a few boxes of. Which look like the old Talon / Ranger round.

NO, that is Winchester RA9SXTP, aka Winchester Ranger SXT 9mm 127gr +p+

[TEB]

The cases look brass, not nickled.

[Patmcclat]

Thank you all for the responses and information. Thank you Colt SAA for the photos.

I own/shoot a S&W Model 19 (.357 Magnum) blued 4" revolver. I have seen the ejected brass that the semiautomatics spit out at the range. I know that style of cartridge case would not work in my revolver.

I didn't consider moon clips as an enabler that would allow for s/a style ammo to be used in a revolver. I like the versatility of one caliber of ammo being able to be used in a revolver and pistol.

[Doug M.]

Generally, yes. One advantage of the pistol caliber revolver is that validated duty ammo (Doc Roberts' list) will work in both platforms; few revolver loads have been validated in testing. You might find that in a 940, for example, that standard velocity 147 grain ammo ammo is less unpleasant to shoot and easier to eject than for example the 127 grain +P+. I've used stout duty ammo in my 940 - not fun. I should have some of the standard pressure 147 shortly, and I suspect it will be less bad.

For some purposes, of course, the standard revolver rounds are better - for hunting and the like, the magnums from .357 on up are the better choice. Your use/needs will drive the train.

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by TEB

The cases look brass, not nickled.

They are supposed to be brass

[k22fan]

You received good answers above but as is so often the case there are exceptions. In my experience both 9 MM and .40 S&W Wolff steel cased FMJ cartridges stick to the chamber so tight you’ll bend your ejector rod trying to push out 5 or 6 empties at a time. This was not related to dirty chambers or rough cut chambers as empties from U.S. made brass cased cartridges nearly fell out on their own before firing the Wolff and in the case of 9 MM after firing Wolff. I didn’t fire my 10 MM revolver again until after replacing its ejector rod. The lesson from that is if you can’t push the ejector rod by hand then push out the empties individually with a rod.

.45 ACP is the auto pistol cartridge most often used in revolvers. Due to their lower pressure Wolff might work in .45 ACP double action revolvers. I never tried because I never saw it priced low enough to distract me from reloading my own.

[drive_sideways]

If u own a charter arms revolver that specifically takes semi auto cartridges like 9mm or 40 or 45 then it has a ejector design that ejects rimless cartridges without the need of moon clips. I personally want to get a 40 s&w version for concealed carry, they're reliable and inexpensive sidearms

[cmj8591]

Unless, of course, you're talking about the 9mm Federal which has a rim and can't be used in an auto.

[Ramikrav]

Originally Posted by Patmcclat

I own/shoot a S&W Model 19 (.357 Magnum) blued 4" revolver. I have seen the ejected brass that the semiautomatics spit out at the range. I know that style of cartridge case would not work in my revolver.

what your noticing here, not to be stating the obvious if you already know, is the difference between rimmed, and rimless cases.

JFYI (if you dont already know):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rim_(firearms)

[aurora40]

In a small 9mm revolver like the LCR, you might experience crimp jump with some factory ammo, that wouldn't be a problem in a semi-automatic. And as mentioned, you could load ammo really soft, long, etc and have it work in a revolver but not a semi-auto. And you could roll-crimp your ammo for use in a revolver, making it unsuitable for semi-auto use. But for the most part, yes you use the same stuff in both.

[SuperMan]

I would say that all 9mm rounds will function in the semi-autos the round was designed for but I have found some 9mm too hot for revovers and will tie them up.

A friend has a 940 and CorBon 115s and PoweR'Ball will lock the revolver up. I tried them in my 649 TK Custom conversion and locked it up also.

Also the rim thickness and diameter varies enough that one needs to make sure the rounds will seat properly in the clips and then into the chambers.

Bob

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by cmj8591

Unless, of course, you're talking about the 9mm Federal which has a rim and can't be used in an auto.

That round has been out-of-production for a long time, still some on the collector market at high prices. I don't think it was ever loaded by anyone except Federal. Basically a very hot .38 S&W round (or a rimmed 9x19mm if you prefer). That was the problem - some tried using it in old top-break .38 S&W revolvers (it fits) with bad results.