Why NOT Re-Chamber A UDR 627 in 9mm???

[dwever]

I would like a 9mm carry revolver if not just for another way to tap my 9mm ammo stock.

Arguable Enhancement: I am seriously considering re-chambering an N 8-Shotcylinder .357 to shoot 9mm, and getting it done over at TKC who has done work for me before.

I happen to have a couple of identical .357 UDR's (Perf Ctr 627 N Frame 8-Shot, one pictured below in SS). TK Custom charges $300.00 to rechamber cylinder, machine & chamfer cylinder plus $155 round-trip shipping - it remains moon clip capable in it's new caliber.

My carry revolver choices at home would then include two 627 UDR's with one in 9mm, and my 586 L-Comp.

ARE THERE ANY REASONS I WOULD NOT WANT TO DO THIS from any perspective especially long-term reliability or shootability???

Should the weapon's function and life be the same in the new caliber?

Thanks very much for your input!

 

[shovelwrench]

I would only suggest buying an extra cylinder to do it to...

From a value standpoint it would raise the value of the gun without destroying the collectors value.

 

[H Richard]

From a "collectors" standpoint anything done to change from the original as issued configuration will lower the value.

 

[Cal44]

I question the economics of it.

It would take an awful lot of shooting to save $300. 38 special is pretty cheap.

The original 357 version can do anything a 9mm can do plus some.

I don't see how it would shorten the life given 9mm is lower pressure than the 357 magnum the gun was designed for.

Maybe it's time to buy a 929 or 986. Perhaps sell one of the 627s.

 

[tomcatt51]

I would like a 9mm carry revolver if not just for another way to tap my 9mm ammo stock.

ARE THERE ANY REASONS I WOULD NOT WANT TO DO THIS from any perspective...?

Yes, and I have several 627s and shoot loads in 38 special brass
trimmed to .900", .38 super length, at times...

The usual .355 9mm bullets won't give good accuracy with the (relatively) large chamber throats and barrel of the 627.

Accuracy will be an issue with the short round. There's a reason folks shooting 38 shorts in these guns use long 170ish gr bullets. It seems it's to get the bullet into the throat and keep the expanding gases as much as possible from flowing around the bullet and out the throat before the bullet gets to the (chamber) throat to seal it. Or it's purely an issue of the bullet being in never never land, neither in the case or the throat before entering the throat that's a problem (or maybe both) but accuracy has sure been an issue for me.

Even with 158 gr RN jacketed bullets in my .900" brass accuracy is iffy. Those same loaded rounds in my 14-7 (actually chambered for 38 special) have great accuracy. .38 specials in my 627s shoot fine. I see the same thing in my 686, 38 specials are fine, the "shorter" rds aren't. The "bullet jump" to the throat with short rds in the 357 mag chambers seems to be the issue.

Others may have different views on this (and I'd love to hear them) but small diameter bullets in big holes isn't good and there does seem to be a point where you can have too much "bullet jump".

So while you can do the mod, you might not like what you end up with...

Just my 2 cents after playing with short rds in my 627s.

 

[Don.]

The usual .355 9mm bullets won't give good accuracy with the (relatively) large chamber throats and barrel of the 627.

I have a 686 converted to 9mm and, if anything, it shoots better than it did with .38 and .357. I had to change the front sight blade because it was shooting low, but it shot a little low with .357's prior to converting.

I'm no "Top Shot", but I can hold my own in the accuracy department.

 

[Jaymo]

I can load .38 target ammo cheaper than I can buy 9mm ammo.

If I were going to go the route you're considering, I'd buy a spare cylinder and have it rechambered to 9mm and timed to your gun.

That way, you have a convertible .357/9mm.
The gun is totally original and it's value has been enhanced, instead of diminished.