S&W 442 PRO shoot 9mm?

[Dcaroselli]

I paid 379.00 for my S&W, 225.00 to Pinnacle High Performance for machine work, 75.00 for moon clips. Saturday I got my gun back, the work is excellent with fast turnaround. I shot the gun this morning and with 147 grain ammo I am very happy. I think I will have a second one done now. Also I am in the market for a 44 special 396 or 296 if anyone wants to let one go.

After more research and information from forum memebers a 442 pro will not shoot 9mm unless machined for moon clips. I looked on the S&W web site they advertise it as a 38 special cut for moon clips and nothing about using 9mm. I have been looking at TK custom services and want a small 9mm revolver as a secondary gun to my glock 19. I want the lightest weight possible for the revolver.

Updated information I purchased a new 442 PRO and this is going to Pinnacle High Performance to be machined for 9mm. TK Custom is suppling moon clips and other accessories. I will post pictures and a review of the work being done.

I want to thank everyone for the advise and help I got here and in PM's.

 

[M29since14]

You could probably fit a 9mm Model 940 stainless cylinder to the gun, and I think it has been done by a few here, but S&W probably wouldn't do the work nor would they recommend it, but you could always ask. A better approach might be to fit the 940 cylinder to a M&P340, or a 340PD - where the 9mm pressure more closely matches the operating pressure of the original clambering. Either way, it's probably a you're-on-your-own project.

 

[armorer951]

You can have the cylinder modified by TK or Pinnacle High Performance so that it will accept the 9mm cartridge. The unmodified 442-1 or 642 moon clip versions will not accept the 9mm without modification.

 

[Dcaroselli]

You could probably fit a 9mm Model 940 stainless cylinder to the gun, and I think it has been done by a few here, but S&W probably wouldn't do the work nor would they recommend it, but you could always ask. A better approach might be to fit the 940 cylinder to a M&P340, or a 340PD - where the 9mm pressure more closely matches the operating pressure of the original clambering. Either way, it's probably a you're-on-you're-own project.

I only shoot 147 and no plus p or NATO ammo, but I think yo may be correct about going with a M&P 340, I like the 9mm cylinder idea. The end goal is a light weight 9mm revolver with a reasonable cost attached.

 

[ChiefTJS]

I'd find a second cylinder for it and send it off to Pinnacle to be rechambered. I did it for a model 60 so now I have a double cylindered gun that will handle a bunch of different rounds. If you have the original cylinder rebored then the .38's or in my case .357's will bulge and stick as a 9mm base is bigger around than the .38/357. Makes for a great package.

 

[M29since14]

I only shoot 147 and no plus p or NATO ammo, but I think yo may be correct about going with a M&P 340, I like the 9mm cylinder idea. The end goal is a light weight 9mm revolver with a reasonable cost attached.

Its usually not the cheapest way to try to do it the "right" way, but in the long run it's often the best idea. Rechambering a .357 cylinder to 9mm is a poor idea. Will it "work"? I suppose so. But it's nothing I would want. JMHO.

The project you want to do is not a cheap one, but if done right it would be a nice one. Let us know what you end up doing and good luck!

 

[Dcaroselli]

Its usually not the cheapest way to try to do it the "right" way, but in the long run it's often the best idea. Rechambering a .357 cylinder to 9mm is a poor idea. Will it "work"? I suppose so. But it's nothing I would want. JMHO.

The project you want to do is not a cheap one, but if done right it would be a nice one. Let us know what you end up doing and good luck!

TK Customs recommended a S&W 340 machined for moon clips. I am leaning in this direction. I don't mind spending money I just want the most bang for the buck.

 

[colt_saa]

This may seem like a stupid question but can a 442 pro shoot 9mm with the moon clip. I looked on the S&W web site they advertise it as a 38 special cut for moon clips and nothing about using 9mm. I have been looking at TK custom services and want a small 9mm revolver as a secondary gun to my glock 19. I want the lightest weight possible for the revolver.

NO, an unmodified 442 will not chamber and shoot the 9MM Parabellum cartridge.

It is possible to have a 357 Magnum cylinder re-chambered to function with the various 9MM family of cartridges.

 

[colt_saa]

You could probably fit a 9mm Model 940 stainless cylinder to the gun

Most of the 940s were built on the J-frame while the 442Pro is built on the J-Magnum Frame

The cylinders for the Model 940 or 940-1 will be too short. It would require a cylinder from the -2 engineering revision of the 940. That is when the 940 switched to the J-Magnum Frame. These cylinders are very hard to come across due to the very short time this variation was in production.

Fortunately, 357 Magnum cylinders intended for the J-Magnums can be rechamberd for 9MM Parabellum and cut for moon clips

I have opened up all of my 940s for the 38Super

Since the rimless cartridges head space on the moon clip instead of the case mouth when it comes to revolvers, all of the shorter cartridges can be placed in the moon clips and fired. That includes the 38SUPER, 38ACP, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum, 380ACP and more

 

[M29since14]

TK Customs recommended a S&W 340 machined for moon clips. I am leaning in this direction. I don't mind spending money I just want the most bang for the buck.

Check me. Is my understanding correct? By modifying the .357 cylinder you end up with a gun that (1) is not properly marked to fire 9mm ammo, (2) it fires 9x19 from a chamber that is not to recognized specs, and (3) the original cylinder is basically ruined for use in its original chambering (.357). This sounds like a good idea, just because it is cheap? Wouldn't interest me, but it must others or else TK and other shops wouldn't be doing it.

Why not buy a 940 cylinder? They are out there. The gun still won't be properly marked, but at least your original .357 cylinder will still be worth having.

Edit - Yes, the 940 cylinder would have to be used with the older frame. Didn't see Colt SAA's post until now. I'd guess he's correct. Such a refit of the 940 cylinder would likely have to be done on the older 442s. S&W made a few guns like this, I believe. I don't think any were ever released for sale to the public. I have maintained elsewhere that S&W effectively blew the opportunity to chamber the 340PD in 9mm instead of .357 - which gains nothing over 9mm that I can see, except hype, and monumental recoil. I'll stick with that position, even if it does me no good.

 

[Mister X]

I think S&W should make a 9mm J-Frame. It seems quite a few people want them. I thought they might after Ruger came out with the 9mm LCR, but no indication that is happening anytime soon.

 

[M29since14]

Yes, a lightweight J-frame. I'd be happy to have one.

 

[colt_saa]

Check me. Is my understanding correct? By modifying the .357 cylinder you end up with a gun that (1) is not properly marked to fire 9mm ammo

That is correct

(2) it fires 9x19 from a chamber that is not to recognized specs

This is not correct. The rechambered cylinder is correctly chambered for the 9MM Parabellum or which ever cartridge you have chosen to rechamber

(3) the original cylinder is basically ruined for use in its original chambering (.357).

The rechambered cylinder will chamber and safely fire all of the cartridges that can be used in a 357 Magnum cylinder including 38 Specal, 38 Short and all the others. The major drawback to utilizing the 357 Magnum family of cartridges is that it will be more difficult to reload

This N-frame has a second cylinder that has been rechambed from 357Magnum to 9x23 Winchester allowing most of the 9MM family of cartridges that are shorter

 

[Dcaroselli]

You can have the cylinder modified by TK or Pinnacle High Performance so that it will accept the 9mm cartridge. The unmodified 442-1 or 642 moon clip versions will not accept the 9mm without modification.

With your post I have narrowed my choices to the 340 series revolvers or a 442 PRO. I have contacted both of the companies you recommended. Now I need to find a used 340 or 442 PRO. Thanks

 

[326MOD10]

I purchased a 360J in .38 special, and had it chambered for 9mm by TK Customs.

Lightweight and fun to shoot.

Had to slightly modify the Bianchi Lightning Grips to fit the 360J frame but I like the concealable hammer and the added weight doesn't hurt with recoil.

Added a XS Dot front sight and ready to go.

 

[326MOD10]

Now that I think about it I also had them modify an older Model 60 cylinder for me and dropped it into a Model 649. I believe I am going to switch this back to its original .38 special cylinder though because I came across a 940.

 

[Dcaroselli]

Its usually not the cheapest way to try to do it the "right" way, but in the long run it's often the best idea. Rechambering a .357 cylinder to 9mm is a poor idea. Will it "work"? I suppose so. But it's nothing I would want. JMHO.

The project you want to do is not a cheap one, but if done right it would be a nice one. Let us know what you end up doing and good luck!

I paid 379.00 for my S&W, 225.00 to Pinnacle for machine work, 75.00 for moon clips. Saturday I got my gun back, the work is excellent with fast turnaround. I shot the gun this morning and with 147 grain ammo I am very happy. I think I will have a second one done now. Also I am in the market for a 44 special 396 or 296 if anyone wants to let one go.