627, 929 Barrel discrepancy?

[captainwayne]

Ok; Bit of a quandary here. Love shooting my 627-2 in USPSA, except for the fact that you really need shorter cartridges to facilitate quick reloads. Standard length 38 special cost seconds per stage in time vs. short 38 specials which drop right in, which also NO ONE PRODUCES except for some powder puff loads which make my friends scoff at me using them in practice matches. They rarely knock over steel.
I don't reload. So, thought I'd entertain the idea of getting a second cylinder for my 627 cut for 9mm. TK Customs price is about $300. This sounded acceptable until I asked about accuracy with the new cylinder. I think they guaranteed 3-4 inch groups at 25 yards from a rest? Might be good enough for USPSA, but is sub par as far as I'm concerned. The reason being 9mm bullets are slightly smaller than 38 special, which is what the barrel is.
Then, I consider buying a 929, although I really don't like the barrel, only to find that S&W 929 barrels aren't 9mm, but 357?
***. So to make my gun the best 9mm it could be I'd still be reloading, 357 bullets in 9mm shells. Hmm.
It's no wonder there are so few revo users comparatively speaking. I can pick up my Springfield XDM in limited, hit 65 out of 80 alphas, with off the shelf ammo. INSTEAD....I'm looking for someone to reload short 38 specials or 38 short Colt to shoot my favorite gun, basically competing against only one other guy at times. Doesn't add up in the fun category.
While I'm at it, USPSA stages NEVER are kind to revo users, a valid complaint. I would get it if there were many revolvers competing, but that doesn't happen in South Florida. It's no wonder revolver fans are declining. It's easy to enjoy the competition in limited or carry optics, or open for that matter. Blast away, one reload max! Even the "Grand Master" or A shooters I've offered to try my revos get all nervous and jerky and decline.
Not sure if I'm soliciting comments, just venting the frustration!
But at 69 years young, I guess I'll figure out what gives me the most pleasure!

 

[Protocall_Design]

Try 38 Super. A lot of times factory ones will fit in a 357 chamber. They have plenty of horsepower to knock down the steel and are usually pretty accurate out of a 357 chamber. You will need different moonclips for those, but you could buy or borrow just one or two to try it out.

 

[captainwayne]

Try 38 Super. A lot of times factory ones will fit in a 357 chamber. They have plenty of horsepower to knock down the steel and are usually pretty accurate out of a 357 chamber. You will need different moonclips for those, but you could buy or borrow just one or two to try it out.

I could have guessed you'd have a solution! So I'll buy a few 38 super moonclips for my 627, and a box of 38 super to test.
Sounds like a plan!
Thanks

 

[colt_saa]

38 Super will not drop into all 357 Magnum chambers, but it is more likely to happen than not

I have been shooting various 9MM cartridges in my 357 Magnum revolvers for decades.

The second cylinder for this 627 is chambered for 9x23 Winchester so obviously it will chamber and fire all of the shorter cartridges as well. That includes 38 Super, 38 ACP, 356 TSW, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum, 380ACP and others that do not come to mind at the moment



Accuracy is mostly a function of proper bullet spin.

Bullet spin is caused by the rifling engaging the projectile

Most people forget that there is both a land and a groove diameter involved when they talk about bore diameter. What is actually measured when folks slug a barrel is the groove diameter.

The difference between the land and the groove is the depth of the rifling and what engages the projectile and causes spin. This difference is somewhere around .008" - .013" depending on the type of rifling and who did it

Image courtesy of Hand Gun Safety Course​

Jacketed, plated and coated 9MM projectiles measure anywhere from .355" - "356" depending on the manufacturer. There is still plenty of projectile for the lands to grab onto and get spin even in a .357" barrel.

Just take a look at auto loaders, 38 Super projectiles are supposed to be "3565" but everybody has been using 9MM projectiles in them just fine for many decades now. You never hear folks complaining the bore is too big for the 9MM bullets

The accuracy exception comes when we are discussing lead projectiles. For least amount of leading and therefore best accuracy the lead projectile needs to properly fit the barrel it is being fired from. But since you do not hand load, so lead projectiles should not be an issue

 

[captainwayne]

Thanks for the information, greatly appreciated!
You're saying you do shoot certain 9mm ammo in your 357, without cylinder modifications?

 

[swamprat]

Have your caster size your bullets to .357 diameter.

 

[colt_saa]

Thanks for the information, greatly appreciated!
You're saying you do shoot certain 9mm ammo in your 357, without cylinder modifications?

I am not saying that at all

I am saying I can chamber and fire 9MM Parabellum in the cylinder that is setup for 9x23 Winchester

 

[captainwayne]

got it. It seems the 9mm is tapered, and doesn't want to go into a 357 cylinder.
Maybe I'll just buy a 929 and have them put a barrel i like on it!!!!!
I just don't appreciate the look of the 929 as it is

 

[Engine49guy]

Have you considered the S&W L frame 696 ?

Performance Center(R) Pro Series(R) Model 986 | Smith & Wesson

YouTube

 

[openshooter]

I shoot 9mm Barry bullets loaded in 38sc using TRR8 327 Accuracy is not an issue. Friend tried my load in 627 and was very impressed with the accuracy.