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

[colt_saa]

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.

MSRP is $500. That is a cylinder, crane and speed loader

If you take the cost of buying a new cylinder from S&W and then having Pinnacle or TK chamber it for 9MM and cut it for moon clips, plus add the cost of 5 or 10 moon clips and these is not a bad value.

 

[colt_saa]

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.

The fingers are under spring tension. They retract when the ejector star is at rest so that ammunition can be easily loaded

I have already convinced them to make a second ejector rod for those folks that own snubbies.

A seven shot version is not presently on the table.

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

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Now this makes a perfect bug out gun.
38/357/9mm in one gun and no worries about "will this load feed in my 9mm auto?"

 

[ladder13]

I want one for my 686 snub. As COLT SAA mentioned, add up the cost of the cylinder and work by Hartshorn, PLUS shipping back and forth, $500 is a good deal.
Are they going to make one for a J?.

 

[justintyme]

MSRP is $500. That is a cylinder, crane and speed loader

If you take the cost of buying a new cylinder from S&W and then having Pinnacle or TK chamber it for 9MM and cut it for moon clips, plus add the cost of 5 or 10 moon clips and these is not a bad value.

Thank you for the additional information! I'm very interested once these hit the shelves

 

[colt_saa]

A few things I forgot to mention, these are already in America at Korth and available to be ordered right now

As I have mentioned in other threads, when we are discussing rimless cartridges, not using moon clips has a disadvantage as well.

The Korth design must headspace on the case mouth just like in an autoloader.

Traditionally, when using moon clips, the headspacing is on the clip. The advantage here is that a 9MM revolver could also chamber and fire 380ACP.

My 940s have been opened up for 38 Super, so they are capable of shooting 38 Super, 38 ACP, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum, 380ACP and some others I can't recall at the moment

My 627 with it's 9x23 cylinder is capable of shooting 9x23, 38 Super, 38 ACP, 356TSW, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum and 380ACP. Plus others

 

[jtcarm]

Sorry for what may be a really dumb question, I last shot a 9mm 20 years ago and my moon clip knowledge is limited to .45 ACP:

Will it work with moon clips?

That's the only reason I'd want one.

Moon clips would turn an L-frame into an excellent Limited-6 revolver for USPSA.

While I have no first-hand knowledge (see above), everything I've read indicates K/L moons for rimmed rounds are flimsy and very particular about brass, whereas rimless moons are much sturdier and more tolerant.

If so, I'll be all over one, even if it means buying a new 686.

 

[BBQer]

I have a question , since 38 Super is a straight walled case as opposed to 9mm would it have a stronger crimp than 9mm? I know crimp jump has been a issue for some of the Ruger LCR 9mms.

 

[Hapworth]

I'm curious about only the yoke requiring fitting; barrel-cylinder gap, headspace, carry-up -- all this will drop-in to proper spec?

 

[colt_saa]

Sorry for what may be a really dumb question, I last shot a 9mm 20 years ago and my moon clip knowledge is limited to .45 ACP:

Will it work with moon clips?

That's the only reason I'd want one.

Moon clips would turn an L-frame into an excellent Limited-6 revolver for USPSA.

While I have no first-hand knowledge (see above), everything I've read indicates K/L moons for rimmed rounds are flimsy and very particular about brass, whereas rimless moons are much sturdier and more tolerant.

If so, I'll be all over one, even if it means buying a new 686.

NO

A firearm not setup specifically for moon clips will not function with moon clips.

Moon clips for rimless ammunition are thicker than moon clips for rimmed ammunition because the grooves in the cartridge cases are thicker. As you are already aware a thinner clip flexes more than a thicker clip.

 

[colt_saa]

I'm curious about only the yoke requiring fitting; barrel-cylinder gap, headspace, carry-up -- all this will drop-in to proper spec?

I am only passing on what Korth said is needed

Once mine arrives and I fit it, I will be in a better position

 

[colt_saa]

I have a question , since 38 Super is a straight walled case as opposed to 9mm would it have a stronger crimp than 9mm? I know crimp jump has been a issue for some of the Ruger LCR 9mms.

Unfortunately I have no experience with Ruger revolvers and can not comment on their problems

I can only say that in 20+ years of shooting 9MMs out of Smith and Wessons I have never experienced this issue

 

[colt_saa]

Are they going to make one for a J?.

I would be very much surprised if they did.

Far too many early J-frames and alloy J-frames are out there whose metallurgy would not stand up to the stresses of 9MM

The possibilities for litigation outway the possibilities for profit

There are no early or alloy L-frames to worry about.

 

[jtcarm]

NO



A firearm not setup specifically for moon clips will not function with moon clips.



Moon clips for rimless ammunition are thicker than moon clips for rimmed ammunition because the grooves in the cartridge cases are thicker. As you are already aware a thinner clip flexes more than a thicker clip.

Thanks.

Guess I don't see the value. $500 to shoot 9x19 in your L-frame and not take advantage of the fastest revolver reload possible? Plus be forced to use what looks like proprietary SLs.

On the other hand, a 9x23 cylinder like what you have in that 627, that can digest almost any rimless, straight-walled 9mm using moon clips would make an enormous amount of sense. Not requiring the elaborate extractor would probably make it less-expensive to boot.

 

[Rock185]

I shoot mostly 9MM now days, so I admit I'd like to have one. Reference the tiny differences in bore dimensions, I don't believe it will make any difference whatsoever. I've slugged a few barrels. Barrels may or may not be what the spec would suggest, or what the general shooting public thinks. For instance, .357" is not unusual for FN/Browning Hi Power 9MM barrels. I've measured a few, none was smaller than .356". I've used .357" dia. bullets in 9MM and 38 Super and .355 bullets in .357 revolvers with no accuracy or other issues.

Just a comment over any concern about using the 6-rnd. cylinder in the 686+ with factory 7-rd. cylinder. Properly fitted, your revolver will work with both.

 

[Engine49guy]

Very interesting concept,
Guessing the market niche is for the revolver enthusiast that :
1) Owns an L frame .357 already, or
2) Desires a 9mm revolver that is smaller than the N frame 929 but larger than a K frame 547 (otherwise could just buy one of those existing guns)
3) Wants lower ammo cost but doesn't handload (otherwise would just handload 38 special or .357 ),
4) Doesnt mind spending $500 (plus fitting) for a conversion cylinder when a decent 9mm semi auto can be had for the same price...

Not bashing the product just not seeing the logic yet....
BTW this is the 9mm/357 combo Im waiting for:

 

[Dodge City]

I have a 6" 586 (no dash) and I'm concerned about the space between the cylinder and forcing cone. When S&W issued duel cylinders for certain revolvers, I'm sure both were fitted to that particular gun.

 

[thibaultfelix40]

I can get a pretty good 9mm auto for $500 or pay the difference for a lot of 38 special ammo. I look for this thing to flop.

 

[1TommyBoy]

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!!

I have the same question about a 686 plus and emailed Korth a couple of days ago to inquire and thus far no response. I will post if I get a response. BTW, I would buy this in a second if it works on a 686 plus....

 

[pwberndt]

A few things I forgot to mention, these are already in America at Korth and available to be ordered right now

My 627 with it's 9x23 cylinder is capable of shooting 9x23, 38 Super, 38 ACP, 356TSW, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum and 380ACP. Plus others

Hi colt_saa,
Is your 627 Cylinder also from Korth, I could not find it on their site because their store is being updated? This looks like something I'd like for my 627PC.