.357 Sig in a revolver, tell me why it wouldn't work...

[dbarale]

I was thinking about that last night, take a beater M28, have it moonclipped and the chambers reamed for 357 Sig. There will be no power gain when compared to the .357 Mag but the reloads would be super fast with the small bullets finding their way into the big holes.
I realize that proper bullet to barrel fitment will be needed for the best accuracy but it should be at least OK even with commercial ammo.

The big issue is, would the bootleneck cases expand and backup, tying up the gun? Has anyone else tried it? Should I stop having ideas after I've had a scotch?

 

[colt_saa]

This should probably have been posted in the gun smithing section.

There is no reason why it would not work. However, why do it for no gain in performance.

If you want better performance you can have the 28 re-chambered for 357/44 Bain & Davis. This is a 44 Magnum necked down to accept 357 projectiles. It could be moon clipped. The factory does sell 44 Magnum moon clips. These would be jiggly just like the 357 Magnum moon clips are for the 27/327/627 family of revolvers.

If you wanted to use moon clips, you could go for the 9x25 which is a 10MM cartridge necked down to 9MM. You would use factory available moon clips for the 610 revolvers.

Then there is the 38 Cassull or the 38/45 Clerke. Both of these are 45ACP cases necked down to 9MM. They would use factory available moon clips for the 25/325/625 family of revolvers.

Now if you wanted to use moon clips, and straight wall ammunition, you could have the cylinder converted to 9MM, 38 Super or 9x23 Winchester. Here you would have a harder time finding a supply of inexpensive moon clips. Unless you left your cylinder alone and converted the revolver to an 8 shot using one of the Performance Center cylinders.

 

[OKFC05]

Are you aware the .357 SIG is a true 9mm and not a .357?
.355 vs .357 possibly gets into bullet size/rifling issues with factory ammo.

I accidetally used undersized bullets in some .357 loads, and those particular bullets were noticeably inaccurate.

 

[kennyb]

ummmm....maybe switch to a cold beer?

 

[dbarale]

There is no reason why it would not work. However, why do it for no gain in performance.

....If you wanted to use moon clips, you could go for the 9x25 which is a 10MM cartridge necked down to 9MM. You would use factory available moon clips for the 610 revolvers.

Then there is the 38 Cassull or the 38/45 Clerke. Both of these are 45ACP cases necked down to 9MM. They would use factory available moon clips for the 25/325/625 family of revolvers.

Well, while I really like the 9x25 idea, the .357 is not a wildcat and brass, moonclips (for the 610), dies and data are available.
I should have specified that I already have a 625 that I love and I was thinking about something (a little) more carry friendly like a M28 recut to 3" and round butted.
A Bowen conversion to 10mm would also be great but a lot more $$$ as I can do most of the .357 sig converion myself and I have a local gunsmitth who can cut for clips.

Are you aware the .357 SIG is a true 9mm and not a .357?
.355 vs .357 possibly gets into bullet size/rifling issues with factory ammo.

Yes, sorry that's what I meant when I mentioned bullet to barrel fitment. It shouldn't be a problem to reload using true 38/357 bullets after playing with the dies a bit.
Factory .357 ammo would not be really accurate but it would be safe to shoot and bullets should be heading at least in the general direction the barrel is pointed... LOL

 

[Hoplophile]

I'm a little surprised no one mentioned the possibility of the cylinder locking up due to setback in the bottleneck cartridge. That was the reason S&W used a long taper on the .22 Jet, and why Ruger offered the .256 Hawkeye as a single shot.

I haven't paid much attention to that aspect of the shooting sports in decades, but back in the day, setback with botleneck revolver cartridges was an issue.

 

[Dan Cash]

.357 Sig is an attempt to get .357 performance from an auto. It does that but is not a very flexible cartridge. The .357 Mag will digest everything from 110 grain screamers through 200 grain pumpkins in an amazing variety of bullet shapes. With the Sig, you are stuck with light bullets and putting it in a revolver, you are stuck with some iffy function and moon clips. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it.
Dan

 

[n4zov]

Is reloading with moon clipped .357 Sigs significantly faster than using speed loaders for the .357?

 

[john traveler]

The bottlenecked .357 Sig chambers are slightly faster to load than the .357 Magnum chambers. As for "significantly faster", I don't know.

 

[tomcatt51]

I would expect them to reload significantly faster. They're short enough the exractor will push them clear of the chambers and they should hit the holes and drop in easily. One problem will be the bullet jump to the cylinder throat, particularly if you start with a .357 mag chamber. The bigger problem will be if they set back and tie up the cylinder.

 

[MKT]

The bigger problem will be if they set back and tie up the cylinder.

That could be a problem but actually, I think the bigger problem would be the ease with which the short .357 Sig case could get caught under the extractor star if not moon clipped. I have had .38 Specials get caught under the star of a .357 mag on a sloppy unload. That will put you out of commission in a heart beat

 

[J. Galt]

...the possibility of the cylinder locking up due to setback in the bottleneck cartridge.

I don't think that would be a problem when using moon clips.

 

[tomcatt51]

That could be a problem but actually, I think the bigger problem would be the ease with which the short .357 Sig case could get caught under the extractor star if not moon clipped.

I'm not sure how you're going to get them out of the cylinder/chambers without moonclips.

 

[MKT]

D'OH...I'd complete forgotten about them having a rebated rim. I purely locked onto the thought of them being short. I really should slow down when I reply.