Tinygnat219
Member
All,
Just out of curiosity I was wondering what everyone thought about revolvers chambered in Auto calibers, like .45 ACP, 10MM, .40 S&W, and 9MM. For the most part, I look at them as novelties with a niche with the exception of the 940 9MM S&W, which is probably going to earn a spot in the rotation of my carry guns.
I have always been fascinated by these guns from a historical perspective and commercial perspective. I have in my collection, a S&W 1917 in .45 ACP, a 610 Pre-lock S&W in 10MM/.40 S&W, and I recently picked up a S&W 940 in 9MM and I've had the Taurus 905 in 9MM. It seems that most of the manufacturers have toyed around with the 9MM in a revolver at some time or another. S&W with the 940 and 547 (which I also want at some point in the future), Ruger with the SP101, and Security Six, Charter with the 9MM Federal, and Taurus with its on and off availability of the 905. The 9MM revolver in particular seems to be popular, but it never taken off commercially even though the ballistics out of a J-Frame seem to be a nice fit for the cartridge.
The S&W 940 was picked up with the original box and 5 moonclips. I took it to the range and I am very pleased with this gun. It's easier to shoot than .357 Magnum out of my 640, and about as stout to shoot as 38 SPL +P. Muzzle flash is MUCH lesser, and the gun is accurate, easy to shoot (did I mention that already, yup I did), and ammunition is easily available all over the place. Much more so than is typical for .38 SPL nowadays and typically cheaper with a better bullet selection. I carry it with the Hornady 115 Grain XTP bullets and it handles nicely. This will probably replace my 640 as my main Back Up Gun.
The Tarusu 905 was a lemon, I found metal shavings in the action that were causing some binding. I cleaned it out and then more shavings were found. I sent it off to Taurus for repair and it came back "fixed" but since I had lost confidence in the gun I promptly sold it. I bought it because at the time it was the only available 9MM Revolver still in production. It's gone now.
The S&W 610 is a recent acquisition as well. I had the 4 inch variant with the lock, but did a straight up swap for a 6.5 inch barreled pre-lock variant. I see no real purpose for this gun, as a Glock 20 or even my 1076 serve the 10MM role better as they are smaller and both have more capacity for the weight (which is saying something for the 1076) However, shooting .40 S&W out of this gun is simply a giggle-getter, while 10MM full bore loads are handled with authority. This gun, while kind of a novelty, simply brings a smile to my face and that's enough to satisfy the "why" I have this gun. I have no intention of ever carrying this gun. It's definitely one in the collection where folks go, "HUH?"And as such, is simply a cool gun to have and I'm glad to have it considering S&W's "on again off again" affair with the 10MM Revolver. The 610 in particular can't seem to find traction. In its first run, it didn't even make the S&W catalog so it's production run was short. They re-introduced it a few years ago, it didn't really do so well as it was recently dropped from production again, and I've also learned that the 310 Nightguard was just dropped.
The S&W Model 1917 is my oldest auto caliber chambered revolver. It's a joy to shoot and it scratches that "C&R" itch that I often have. This gun was created as a stopgap measure to outfit troops in WWI because Colt 1911s couldn't be made fast enough. They were brought out in WWII as well for the same problems. Thus, these guns often show an inordinate amount of use. I shoot it sparingly since it's an older gun. I actually like .45 Auto Rim for this revolver as I don't need a moonclip for extraction. Felt recoil on this is like opening a bottle of champagne, it even sounds the same when shot. The light barrel is also something nice, I'm not sure if I like the full underlug that's so common ever since the 686. However, I might pick up a 625 at some point to join this revolver as it's simply a damn cool gun to have.
This is kind of a niche market at best, but it's been one that I have enjoyed getting into. Now, if I can find a 646 chambered in .40 S&W, I'll be a really happy camper.
Anyway, here's some eye candy and please let me know what you think of the whole niche market of auto-calibers in a Revolver. From top to Bottom: S&W 1917, S&W 610, and S&W 940. These are my auto chambered revolvers. The 940 is the only one I see with any kind of practical applications. The rest are fun to shoot and serve as something neat that I simply wanted.
Just out of curiosity I was wondering what everyone thought about revolvers chambered in Auto calibers, like .45 ACP, 10MM, .40 S&W, and 9MM. For the most part, I look at them as novelties with a niche with the exception of the 940 9MM S&W, which is probably going to earn a spot in the rotation of my carry guns.
I have always been fascinated by these guns from a historical perspective and commercial perspective. I have in my collection, a S&W 1917 in .45 ACP, a 610 Pre-lock S&W in 10MM/.40 S&W, and I recently picked up a S&W 940 in 9MM and I've had the Taurus 905 in 9MM. It seems that most of the manufacturers have toyed around with the 9MM in a revolver at some time or another. S&W with the 940 and 547 (which I also want at some point in the future), Ruger with the SP101, and Security Six, Charter with the 9MM Federal, and Taurus with its on and off availability of the 905. The 9MM revolver in particular seems to be popular, but it never taken off commercially even though the ballistics out of a J-Frame seem to be a nice fit for the cartridge.
The S&W 940 was picked up with the original box and 5 moonclips. I took it to the range and I am very pleased with this gun. It's easier to shoot than .357 Magnum out of my 640, and about as stout to shoot as 38 SPL +P. Muzzle flash is MUCH lesser, and the gun is accurate, easy to shoot (did I mention that already, yup I did), and ammunition is easily available all over the place. Much more so than is typical for .38 SPL nowadays and typically cheaper with a better bullet selection. I carry it with the Hornady 115 Grain XTP bullets and it handles nicely. This will probably replace my 640 as my main Back Up Gun.
The Tarusu 905 was a lemon, I found metal shavings in the action that were causing some binding. I cleaned it out and then more shavings were found. I sent it off to Taurus for repair and it came back "fixed" but since I had lost confidence in the gun I promptly sold it. I bought it because at the time it was the only available 9MM Revolver still in production. It's gone now.
The S&W 610 is a recent acquisition as well. I had the 4 inch variant with the lock, but did a straight up swap for a 6.5 inch barreled pre-lock variant. I see no real purpose for this gun, as a Glock 20 or even my 1076 serve the 10MM role better as they are smaller and both have more capacity for the weight (which is saying something for the 1076) However, shooting .40 S&W out of this gun is simply a giggle-getter, while 10MM full bore loads are handled with authority. This gun, while kind of a novelty, simply brings a smile to my face and that's enough to satisfy the "why" I have this gun. I have no intention of ever carrying this gun. It's definitely one in the collection where folks go, "HUH?"And as such, is simply a cool gun to have and I'm glad to have it considering S&W's "on again off again" affair with the 10MM Revolver. The 610 in particular can't seem to find traction. In its first run, it didn't even make the S&W catalog so it's production run was short. They re-introduced it a few years ago, it didn't really do so well as it was recently dropped from production again, and I've also learned that the 310 Nightguard was just dropped.
The S&W Model 1917 is my oldest auto caliber chambered revolver. It's a joy to shoot and it scratches that "C&R" itch that I often have. This gun was created as a stopgap measure to outfit troops in WWI because Colt 1911s couldn't be made fast enough. They were brought out in WWII as well for the same problems. Thus, these guns often show an inordinate amount of use. I shoot it sparingly since it's an older gun. I actually like .45 Auto Rim for this revolver as I don't need a moonclip for extraction. Felt recoil on this is like opening a bottle of champagne, it even sounds the same when shot. The light barrel is also something nice, I'm not sure if I like the full underlug that's so common ever since the 686. However, I might pick up a 625 at some point to join this revolver as it's simply a damn cool gun to have.
This is kind of a niche market at best, but it's been one that I have enjoyed getting into. Now, if I can find a 646 chambered in .40 S&W, I'll be a really happy camper.
Anyway, here's some eye candy and please let me know what you think of the whole niche market of auto-calibers in a Revolver. From top to Bottom: S&W 1917, S&W 610, and S&W 940. These are my auto chambered revolvers. The 940 is the only one I see with any kind of practical applications. The rest are fun to shoot and serve as something neat that I simply wanted.
). Anyway, I decided to consolidate my purchases around the 9mm round. I only need a few good guns. So far I have spent around $3000 for guns and ammo. Mostly ammo. 9mm, 22LR and 7.62X39. Everybody should have a good revolver in their collection. The 547 3" is my choice. Kel-Tec's sub2000 S&W 9mm carbine and S&W59 round out my S&W group. All are good guns. I want to add one more 9mm revolver. I'm holding out to see who comes up with the next best thing.
