38 to 9mm conversion

[Kenneth07ex]

I'm sure there's a thread here about the process, but darned if I can find it. So I'll ask. Exactly what's involved in converting a 38+p rated revolver to fire the much cheaper, better selection 9mm? Will it still fire 38 safely? Is it just the cylinder, or will I need to send the whole revolver for the work? Are 9mm half moon clips available?

 

[326MOD10]

I can only speak for the cylinders I had converted by TK Customs.

They cut the cylinder for moon clips and do some reaming I believe to make the 9mm work.

They informed me that I could still fire .38 Special in the cylinder with no ill effects.

I only sent the cylinder off to them and they worked their magic and sent them back to me. Once was from the revolver I was going to use it in so just had to reassemble. The other one I had done was a replacement cylinder so had to have it timed up with the revolver I had it placed in.

I do not know of any half moon clips for 9mm but mine are both 5 shot revolvers so I really didn't look.

I know there are plenty of other gunsmiths that do conversions so just make sure you find one with a good reputation for this work.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

Wow, that pretty much answers everything there! Thanks!

I was also curious about whether the new 9mm cylinder could be used for 38 afterwards. My thoughts were it would likely have a case splitting tendency, with the 38. Glad to hear that it's a one cylinder needed affair. I fully expected to need a separate dedicated cylinder. Not that I'd expect to ever even shoot 38s again. Mostly because of price, but availability also.

Good point about the moon clips. I forgot about the 5 shots, so they probably wouldn't have anything like that. This is my first j-frame 5 shot revolver, and I'm not used to the lower capacity yet. I haven't even got to shoot it, I was just thinking about which way I'm going with it.

 

[326MOD10]

The 9mm is pretty zippy when you shoot it.

I have a 2nd cylinder that was non-fluted from a Model 60 that I had cut but don't use right now. Had it in a 649 for a while.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

The 9mm is pretty zippy when you shoot it.

I have a 2nd cylinder that was non-fluted from a Model 60 that I had cut but don't use right now. Had it in a 649 for a while.

Funny how you put that..."pretty zippy". Dunno if I like the sound of it though lol.

I didn't want a lightweight 357, because of the snappy recoil. My thought was that it would be better to have a light j-frame, that shot similar to 38, only using 9mm instead.

But I expected somewhere in the +p category of recoil. Are you suggesting that it'll be above that?

 

[John Patrick]

I keep wondering why, when Buffalo Bore offered a 38spl +P load that far out performs 9mm ammo.

 

[1sailor]

But, how expensive is the Buffalo Bore ammo compared to 9mm fmj? If you shoot a lot, the BB ammo could break the bank. I only bought BB one time. That was for a .357 when we were going to be in bear country. Don't remember what I paid for a box but I'm sure it wasn't cheap.

 

[DWalt]

You can convert anything to anything else with enough money. Might be possible to find and convert another cylinder. Or if ammunition cost is the major consideration, you might take up reloading .38 Special, it can be done with used equipment fairly inexpensively. But the main problem now with doing that is finding primers which are not outlandishly priced.