Quote:
Originally Posted by RobzGuns
I wonder if the pressure lost in the Cylinder/Barrel gap of revolvers is why most (if not all) revolver rounds use larger cartridges than their self loading Pistol counterparts.
BTW: Nice catch on the PC Shield only being available in a Thumbs Safety version.  |
All common revolver rounds today are decedents of an original black powder loading. Black powder is bulky and low pressure, thus the need for the long cases. Loaded with [most] smokeless powders, there is very little case fill, as opposed to a 9mm (designed as a smokeless round) which is usually crammed full. When magnums came out, they lengthened the cases, so they would not chamber in their shorter counterparts' cylinders. That is why revolver rounds are "bigger;" they are mostly wasted space.