2016 Shot Show....9mm conversion cylinder for the L-frame

armorer951 · Jan 21, 2016

One of the items I noticed when reviewing new products.

Korth is making a cylinder/yoke assembly to convert existing L-frame revolvers to 9mm.
Apparently the extractor works without moon clips, so we will have to see if these will be reliable as far as fit and extraction are concerned. No suggested MSLP was listed in this particular write up.

Korth 9mm Conversion for S&W L Frame Revolver

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0xLtBU64dg[/ame]

ridgewalker · Jan 21, 2016

Wow! Looks like a great conversion.
Made by Korth, you know the quality will be great but so will the price. If it is at all reasonable, I can see one of these in my future.
Begs the question, why didn't S&W do this?

A question for our ballistics experts, what will be the significance in terms of accuracy of the slight difference in bullet diameters of the 9mm (0.355 inch) vs 357 mag (0.357 inch) when shot out of a S&W revolver chambered for 357 mag?

justintyme · Jan 21, 2016

Thats pretty cool, no fitting the hand and ratchet needed?

muddocktor · Jan 21, 2016

ridgewalker, while I can't guess what accuracy would be like with a 9 MM bullet out of a 357 S&W, my older brother has an old 3 screw Blackhawk convertible that has a 38/357 cylinder and a 9 MM cylinder. From what I remember (been a very long time), accuracy was acceptable with the 9 MM cylinder installed and was like firing 38 Specials in felt recoil. All you did to convert on the BH was to swap out the cylinders, as they were both fitted to that pistol.

foytfoyt · Jan 21, 2016

I plan to buy it if it costs less than $300. I suspect it may be (much) more.

I understand and respect that most people love moon clips. I do not want to change anyone's mind.

I dislike them, so this looks great to me, as a way to sometimes shoot cheaper ammo. I'm sure it's chance if any given gun will need to be re-timed. For my purposes, for this potential set-up, I have no concerns about potential accuracy loss. I'll have plenty of other pure 357's.

9146gt · Jan 21, 2016

ridgewalker said:
Wow! Looks like a great conversion.
Made by Korth, you know the quality will be great but so will the price. If it is at all reasonable, I can see one of these in my future.
Begs the question, why didn't S&W do this?

A question for our ballistics experts, what will be the significance in terms of accuracy of the slight difference in bullet diameters of the 9mm (0.355 inch) vs 357 mag (0.357 inch) when shot out of a S&W revolver chambered for 357 mag?

929 cylinder throats are .3575"

Tom

HEADKNOCKER · Jan 21, 2016

I want one!!
I'll buy the 6 shot 686 to go with it later..
Make a L frame 547..

I'll note that not every gun is gonna time correctly or have a proper cylinder gap with this drop in cylinder, No way that could ever happen..

Have a look at the 9mm Sky Marshall ------> korth-sky-marshal-9mm-revolver

Now for them to make a 5 shot J Frame 9mm Cylinder

Yorkie Man · Jan 22, 2016

Looks like it won't work in the older 686's with the old style yoke screw. Hopefully they will offer both types of yokes.

Kernel Crittenden · Jan 22, 2016

You can see the ejector star has little tabs in it to engage the cartridges rims. Probably spring loaded. Very interesting. I wonder if they will make a version for the 2 1/2-inch gun and it's shorter ejector rod.

The only way I see this working is if every kit comes with a shipping label to send the gun to Korth for fitting. I hope they make a 7 shot version.

Hopper · Jan 22, 2016

HEADKNOCKER said:
I'll note that not every gun is gonna time correctly or have a proper cylinder gap with this drop in cylinder, No way that could ever happen..

Ugh, I suspect this will be my problem for sure. I have a 686 Plus 7-shot 3" barrel, and being a 7-shot, I don't see how the timing of a 6-round cylinder will work for me. But I want one of these Korth conversion barrels too!!

oldman10mm · Jan 22, 2016

Definitely want one !
Been reloading 38/357 since the mid 70s and added 9mm in the late 80s'. I reload 90/88 gr 380acp bullets in 38/357 cases. Crimping onto a non-cannelured bullet was never a problem and never noticed any strange accuracy problems in M19 6" and M36 3".

tekarra · Jan 22, 2016

HEADKNOCKER said:
Make a L frame 547..

Now for them to make a 5 shot J Frame 9mm Cylinder

I hope S&W reads this.

HEADKNOCKER · Jan 23, 2016

I asked Korth about the L Frame Kit & also inquired about a 9mm 5 shot cylinder kit for j frames..
I don't own a L Frame = 6 shot 686 anymore but would go after one if/when these kits become available.. That 3" CS-1 was a great revolver, I remember selling it to fund a $1000 veterinary bill for my ole buddy Mr. Duncan.. He's still around @ 14 1/2 now..

Hey Smith & Wesson are you gonna let Korth get your market share on S&W replacement cylinders?? Step up & see if they will sell, You know they will, Just post it here & they will sell out..
And what ever happened to the nice wooden grips you used to offer as replacement parts?? There's lots of guys here that will buy em..

Might Be getting a 940-1 Very Soon

robvious · Jan 25, 2016

dropped them a line thru the website... waiting on a post SHOT show reply with price and availability.... hoping for reasonable on both parts...

M29since14 · Jan 25, 2016

German-made and "reasonable" price are almost invariably mutually exclusive.

jimbo728 · Jan 25, 2016

M29since14 said:
German-made and "reasonable" price are almost invariably mutually exclusive.

I suspect you are correct. Korth is high end high dollar.
In the early `80s the Korth .357 revolver sold for $3000.00.
Close to 10x more than most S&W revolvers being produced at that time.
Jim

1angrycat · Jan 25, 2016

Great idea I would have considered it if I had not already just bought a 986.

jtcarm · Jan 26, 2016

1angrycat said:
Great idea I would have considered it if I had not already just bought a 986.

The 986 might have cost you less.

colt_saa · Jan 26, 2016

ridgewalker said:
A question for our ballistics experts, what will be the significance in terms of accuracy of the slight difference in bullet diameters of the 9mm (0.355 inch) vs 357 mag (0.357 inch) when shot out of a S&W revolver chambered for 357 mag?

None whatsoever.

I have been doing it for decades

For the most part accuracy is a function of spin. The correct spin need to be applied to the projectile based on it weight, length and diameter.

Rifling is made of lands and grooves. What folks commonly call bore diameter is actually groove diameter. A typical .357 barrel will have a land diameter approximately .346.

So the rifling has plenty of grip on the projectile to cause spin.

The issue of projectile not tightly fitting a bore is mostly a leading problem

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/460532-its-january-so-i-must-shot-show.html

colt_saa · Jan 26, 2016

justintyme said:
Thats pretty cool, no fitting the hand and ratchet needed?

The crane is shipped oversized and requires fitting, but that should be all

2016 Shot Show....9mm conversion cylinder for the L-frame

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