I have a 6” barrelled 686-4 with the 4 position AFS front sight which these days I only shoot in Service Match (a 90 shot NZ/Australian version of PPC/1500) about 4 or 5 times a year.

Over the past few years I have got to know a few of the NZ IPSC Revolver Division shooters, and have often thought of shooting revolver in a Club level match. What has stopped me to date is that I only have 4 speedloaders and can’t really justify the cost of buying another 4 and a similar number of belt holders.

Yeaterday at a comp I found myself wondering if it was possible to obtain a 9mm cylinder for my 686, have it cut for full moon clips and swap between two calibres. The 686 should be strong enough to handle 9mm pressures, and I can handload with 125 gn 358 projectiles, which I have tried out in one of my 9’s with no problems.

Yes it will cost more than a few additional speedloader and clips, but it would be something “different”. I also have the option of using the two front sight position I do not presently use (they are sighted in for 25 and 50 yards) for the 9mm loads. The only obsticle I can see is finding a 6 shot 9mm 686 cylinder for sale.

Your idea is certainly possible. I had a 686 4" barrel revolver converted to 38 Super some 10 yrs. ago for fun. The 38 Super round has a larger diameter than 357 Magnum cartridges so the chambers had to be reamed. You can drop test 9mm cartridges to see if they fit the 357 cylinder....I doubt they will. I also had the cylinder milled a bit so I use full moon clips to prevent the rounds from going too far in. Moonclips also facilitate reloading.

This is not a complex project for a well-versed machinist.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Yes, there is a well-respected US firm named TK Custom who does this (conversion from .357 to 9 mm cylinder) work. Don't know about import/export regulations from NZ, however.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Korth sells them, but I think they only work with speedloaders, not moonclips.

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USAF AMMO

You can ream a regular .357 cylinder for 9mm and cut it for moon clips. The key to accuracy is loading the .358 bullets in the 9mm case, as you stated above.

If you reload, Option B would be to have your existing cylinder cut for moon clips and run 38 short colt rounds with the same 125 gr bullets.
The 686 Pro's and several other 357 models come precut.

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Dave

I've never seen speedloaders in 9mm since 9mm is a "rimless" cartridge. If anyone could make 9mm speedloaders it would be Korth. Then you would have to find the money.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821