I was googling something the other day and a comment in a S&W forum thread popped up. The poster was stating he had no idea why anyone would want a 9mm revolver.
He was apparently offended that someone might choose a revolver when there were so many 9mm semi auto pistol options available.
Given that it was an off topic comment in a Jurassic thread, I figured I’d post my thoughts in a new thread rather than resurrect a dinosaur.
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I own three revolvers in 9mm (as well as a S&W 625 in .45 ACP). They include an L frame sized Ruger Speed Six, a K framed sized Alpha-Proj AL-9 and a J frame sized Taurus 905.
I see a few advantages:
9mm ballistics compared to .38 +P and .357 Magnum
A 125 gr .38 +P load in a 3” revolver will produce about 1025-1050 fps. In comparison a 124 gr 9mm will produce about 1150 fps. That’s still about 150-200 fps less than a 125 gr .357 Magnum, but the 9mm is a significant 100 fps more than the .38 +P but with a lot less recoil than a .357 Magnum.
In a J frame sized pistol, like the Taurus 905 below, it can make a big difference, being a lot more controllable than a .357 Mag in a S&W Model 60.
Reloads with moon clips versus speed loaders
From time to time I like to shoot the current FBI qualification course with a revolver.
Shooting my 3” 686 or 3” Model 13 and either .38 Special or .357 Mag ammo, I generally score 49/50. I drop one point on the 7 yard line where you have to start with 4 rounds in the gun, from the ready fire 4 rounds, conduct and emergency reload, and then fire 4 more rounds, all in 8 seconds as it’s not quite enough time to get off that last round before the target turns.
However, shooting a 9mm revolver, using moon clips for the reload, it’s enough faster that it lets me consistently make that 8th shot in that stage.
Moon clips are more compact to carry and more reliable than any speed loader. With round nose bullets they almost fly in the cylinder by themselves, and even with hollow points they are quicker to align than hollow points from a speed loader.
You also will never have a case get stuck under the ejector star with a moon clip.
Ammo availability and commonality
In the ammo shortages that have unfortunately become both periodic and long lasting, 9mm Luger is almost always available while .38 Special, .38 +P and .357 Mag can become hard to find.
If you prefer carrying a revolver, having the option to use 9mm Luger is a big plus when .38 and .357 are hard to find.
From time to time I’ll carry a 9mm pistol as my primary and a J frame sized 905 as a back up and it lets me use the same load in both my primary and back up handguns.
Even if you carry a 9mm pistol exclusively, rather than a revolver, if your significant other carries a revolver, the ability to use common ammo is a big plus. As noted above, the recoil is also manageable, while offering better performance than .38 or .38+P.
He was apparently offended that someone might choose a revolver when there were so many 9mm semi auto pistol options available.
Given that it was an off topic comment in a Jurassic thread, I figured I’d post my thoughts in a new thread rather than resurrect a dinosaur.
——
I own three revolvers in 9mm (as well as a S&W 625 in .45 ACP). They include an L frame sized Ruger Speed Six, a K framed sized Alpha-Proj AL-9 and a J frame sized Taurus 905.
I see a few advantages:
9mm ballistics compared to .38 +P and .357 Magnum
A 125 gr .38 +P load in a 3” revolver will produce about 1025-1050 fps. In comparison a 124 gr 9mm will produce about 1150 fps. That’s still about 150-200 fps less than a 125 gr .357 Magnum, but the 9mm is a significant 100 fps more than the .38 +P but with a lot less recoil than a .357 Magnum.
In a J frame sized pistol, like the Taurus 905 below, it can make a big difference, being a lot more controllable than a .357 Mag in a S&W Model 60.
Reloads with moon clips versus speed loaders
From time to time I like to shoot the current FBI qualification course with a revolver.
Shooting my 3” 686 or 3” Model 13 and either .38 Special or .357 Mag ammo, I generally score 49/50. I drop one point on the 7 yard line where you have to start with 4 rounds in the gun, from the ready fire 4 rounds, conduct and emergency reload, and then fire 4 more rounds, all in 8 seconds as it’s not quite enough time to get off that last round before the target turns.
However, shooting a 9mm revolver, using moon clips for the reload, it’s enough faster that it lets me consistently make that 8th shot in that stage.
Moon clips are more compact to carry and more reliable than any speed loader. With round nose bullets they almost fly in the cylinder by themselves, and even with hollow points they are quicker to align than hollow points from a speed loader.
You also will never have a case get stuck under the ejector star with a moon clip.
Ammo availability and commonality
In the ammo shortages that have unfortunately become both periodic and long lasting, 9mm Luger is almost always available while .38 Special, .38 +P and .357 Mag can become hard to find.
If you prefer carrying a revolver, having the option to use 9mm Luger is a big plus when .38 and .357 are hard to find.
From time to time I’ll carry a 9mm pistol as my primary and a J frame sized 905 as a back up and it lets me use the same load in both my primary and back up handguns.
Even if you carry a 9mm pistol exclusively, rather than a revolver, if your significant other carries a revolver, the ability to use common ammo is a big plus. As noted above, the recoil is also manageable, while offering better performance than .38 or .38+P.
). . . for a while. Not trying to be killjoy, but I guess I'm just too dull. After the novelty wore off I examined the practical reasons why I should keep such and sent them on to the next 'curious enthusiast' to enjoy.
