Converting J frame to shoot 9mm

[John Patrick]

Quick reply from home…

I’m seeing an ongoing pattern here… like you keep saying something and thinking that means it true. Trust me, you carrying whatever you want is the furthest thing from bothering me. But obviously… the opposite isn’t true for yourself, because you have to “reply quickly [multiple times] from work” regarding 9mm conversions. Trust me, telling me I’m butt hurt because of your opinion isn’t any truer now than it is tonight/tomorrow/six weeks from now. Because when I leave the house, I’ll still have my J-frame on me. Still have zero idea why that really bothers you… but it now makes me smile a little bit more.

I don’t have to weigh out anything, because I don’t care enough to argue it with you. I gave my carry gun’s loaded weight, you called me out because it didn’t have a reload. Gave you what a reload weighs in the carrier… and now you want me to weigh the entire loadout. Maybe I should weigh each individual round while I’m at it…

No, I’m not doing that. Doesn’t prove anything shy of someone acting like a child because someone disagrees with them.

I also really don’t care about IWB being I rarely carry in that manner. OWB (White Hat Holster, if interested) with cover shirt or cargo pocket (JEA Custom) when shorts weather comes up. Either way, you aren’t really arguing anything effectively anyway.

If IWB was a concern, the J-frame isn’t 0.25” bigger than your P365 from end to end. It is that at a single point, and narrows down to a narrower width the rest of the profile. Also has less of a rear hump from the slide, which gets in the way more than the cylinder does. Again, you are arguing something that is purely subjective…

Costs… I don’t understand why you are worrying about money I spent almost 7 years ago. But let me break it down this way… every two weeks, I get a deposit put in my bank account from work. I work for said money… it is mine. If I want to buy a purple Hi-Point and carry that… it’s completely my prerogative. I can tell you one thing… I’m not selling my J-frame at a loss and buying a P365. Sorry… but not sorry.

Likewise, you get paid similarly… however often you get paid (weekly, biweekly, etc). That money is your money, which you can do what you want with it. Guess what… if you don’t want to spend it on a 9mm revolver conversion… YOU DON’T HAVE TO! Nobody is arguing that you must… and that has been made clear multiple times.

That being said, I’m done. Can tell a troll from the quick replies, trying to say they are doing a “service” to the forum when it really is just whining because someone doesn’t agree with them.

I’m actually running out the door to go to dinner… with my J-frame on me. Have a good rest of your shift. [emoji41][emoji106]

The whining because someone disagrees is yours, same with the acrimony.

And what better to do than check auctions and S&W Forum while taking a break at work? Watch CNN on the tube?

 

[John Patrick]

"BB states it’s +P ammo is within SAAMI specs. SAAMI 38spl + P max pressure is substantially lower than SAAMI 9mm or 9mm +P max service specs".

That's right, and all of them provide adequate power.
Standard pressure subsonic 147gr 9x19 gives me an average of 952 fps and 292 ft-lbs out of a J-frame. That hurts my hand enough in a 12 ounce gun to be plenty of power for my purposes.

The wisest use of our money is anything that pleases us.
I choose to spend some of mine on guns and airplanes. Makes me happy.

You are now contradicting one of the stated reasons do do a 9mm conversion - alleged better performance of 9mm ammo.

 

[John Patrick]

"If speed of access to rounds 6-? is not an issue, then why all of the chest pounding about the speed of clearing 9mm and speed of reloading 9mm with moon clips?"

I dunno, you're the one doing the chest pounding. I just told you how long it takes to reload. About the same as in an Auto, but typically you are unlikely ever need to reload either in a hurry.

I’m neither bragging about reload speed or how wonderful I can shoot at 25yds.

But you are contradicting a second stated reason for a 9mm conversion - alleged speed of reloading.

 

[JimCunn]

"You are now contradicting one of the stated reasons do do a 9mm conversion - alleged better performance of 9mm ammo".

Not one of my stated reasons. Though we all know over the counter standard pressure 9mm does out perform standard pressure .38Sp by quite a margin. But who cares? I don't. One of my favorite firearms is a Browning 1911-380. Cute little thing that is ideally sized for pocket carry - but you can't trust the safety to stay engaged in your pocket, and it shoots a foot and a half low at 100 feet. Power is adequate though.

When it comes to this stuff, Screwball makes a lot of sense. Some others don't.

 

[JimCunn]

"But you are contradicting a second stated reason for a 9mm conversion - alleged speed of reloading".

Not one of my reasons for doing it. But hey, now that you mention it, it is a lot faster than .38Sp or .357 Mag. No reason to care, unless you plan to miss a lot while a grizzly bear is charging you.

Best reason for doing it is because I like shooting it. So far, no bears have charged me, and the only gunfight I've been in, I wasn't armed. After I took his pistol away from him and put it in my pocket, the other guy wasn't either.

 

[John Patrick]

"You are now contradicting one of the stated reasons do do a 9mm conversion - alleged better performance of 9mm ammo".

Not one of my stated reasons. Though we all know over the counter standard pressure 9mm does out perform standard pressure .38Sp by quite a margin. But who cares? I don't. One of my favorite firearms is a Browning 1911-380. Cute little thing that is ideally sized for pocket carry - but you can't trust the safety to stay engaged in your pocket, and it shoots a foot and a half low at 100 feet. Power is adequate though.

When it comes to this stuff, Screwball makes a lot of sense. Some others don't.

BB and the couple other +P loads that match or exceed 9mm or 9mm ARE over the counter.

Jeez, it’s been easier to get BB’s 38spl +P SWCHP-GC ammo than 9mm HP for two years.

 

[JimCunn]

"Jeez, it’s been easier to get BB’s 38spl +P SWCHP-GC ammo than 9mm HP for two years".

That's good to know. Luckily, I have several thousand rounds of 147gr 9mm jhp on hand because I have never seen a Buffalo Bore round in a store. Or anywhere else for that matter. Send me five rounds and I'll stick one of my titanium .357Mag cylinders in my 637-2 and give them whirl.

Also, since recoil of stock 9mm in a 12 ounce gun is quite painful, please explain to me why I would want to use something that generates even more severe recoil.....

 

[John Patrick]

"Jeez, it’s been easier to get BB’s 38spl +P SWCHP-GC ammo than 9mm HP for two years".

That's good to know. Luckily, I have several thousand rounds of 147gr 9mm jhp on hand because I have never seen a Buffalo Bore round in a store. Or anywhere else for that matter. Send me five rounds and I'll stick one of my titanium .357Mag cylinders in my 637-2 and give them whirl.

Also, since recoil of stock 9mm in a 12 ounce gun is quite painful, please explain to me why I would want to use something that generates even more severe recoil.....

Two contradictions of stated reasons for a 9mm conversion in one post - cheap 9mm practice ammo (HPs aren’t cheap,) and more powerful and effective 9mm than is available in 38spl.

But PM me your address and I’ll send the ammo.

I use BB’s non +P version of their 158gr SWCHP-GC load in my non +P rated 3” 37ND and 2” Colt Agent. I’ll send some of that too.

Non +P specs:
➤ 854 fps (256 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 60, 2-inch barrel
➤ 871 fps (266 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 66, 2.5-inch barrel
➤ 930 fps (303 ft. lbs.) -- Ruger SP101, 3-inch barrel
➤ 979 fps (336 ft. lbs.) -- S&W Mt. Gun, 4-inch barrel

 

[JimCunn]

Thanks for the 5-round offer.
I sent you my address.

Heres's another chrono data point
147gr jhp standard pressure 1-7/8" barrel
952 fps 292 ft-lbs

I've explained why I did the conversion.
Because I wanted to, and the cost was insignificant to me. I liked the first one enough that I did two more.
Explain the contradiction in those two reasons to me.

 

[JimCunn]

'HPs aren’t cheap"

Why does that matter?

 

[ladder13]

S&W converted mine @the factory.

 

[John Patrick]

'HPs aren’t cheap"

Why does that matter?

Because I like to eat after spending money on practice ammo?

 

[WC145]

Wow. If someone doesn't see the point of any custom work or just the "want" factor of a gun or modification, why not just move on instead arguing against an idea in a thread?

I had my 360J converted way back in 2008 when they first came out, bought it specifically to do a conversion on it. I was an LEO and wanted a lightweight BUG that I could easily fire or reload with either hand and was capable of contact shots. And, I wanted more punch than a .38spl without the muzzle blast and recoil of a .357mag. No manufacturer was making a gun with all the features I wanted at the time so I had it done. I've posted here on the forum when Mark Hartshorne finished the gun and many times since. The gun came out exactly as I wanted and I eventually had Mark also fit a titanium .38spl cyl to it, as well. It is accurate, very light, and does the job I wanted it for perfectly. The money I spent doesn't mean a thing since I got what I wanted and don't intend to sell it.

The only way you're going to get a 9mm revolver under 17oz is to do it yourself. If that's what you want, have at it. If it isn't, stick to your SIG or whatever and don't fret over other people's choices.

 

[JimCunn]

WC145 says it well.
Nobody makes what I wanted either, so I did it myself.
Liked it enough that I did two more.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

What a fantastic resurrected thread! Some great back and forth, BTW! As I try to explain to my (current) wife, "There really can be a difference between an argument and a discussion."

I really enjoyed reading it: unfortunately, my personal experience with an attempted J-frame 2nd cylinder conversion didn't work out at all... I've given up on the idea of a small 9mm revolver. My various 380acps, a PM-40 & the ol' 442 are going to have to suffice for awhile...?

So I'm now still looking for that ever so elusive Charter Arms Pitbull in 40 S&W!

Cheers!

 

[John Patrick]

What a fantastic resurrected thread! Some great back and forth, BTW! As I try to explain to my (current) wife, "There really can be a difference between an argument and a discussion."

I really enjoyed reading it: unfortunately, my personal experience with an attempted J-frame 2nd cylinder conversion didn't work out at all... I've given up on the idea of a small 9mm revolver. My various 380acps, a PM-40 & the ol' 442 are going to have to suffice for awhile...?

So I'm now still looking for that ever so elusive Charter Arms Pitbull in 40 S&W!

Cheers!

There are a couple S&W 940s for sale. 940 = 9mm Centennial J frame, like the one in the photo above. Guns International has two listed. They aren’t bargain priced.

 

[ACORN]

What a fantastic resurrected thread! Some great back and forth, BTW! As I try to explain to my (current) wife, "There really can be a difference between an argument and a discussion."

I really enjoyed reading it: unfortunately, my personal experience with an attempted J-frame 2nd cylinder conversion didn't work out at all... I've given up on the idea of a small 9mm revolver. My various 380acps, a PM-40 & the ol' 442 are going to have to suffice for awhile...?

So I'm now still looking for that ever so elusive Charter Arms Pitbull in 40 S&W!


Cheers!

I know of a dealer that has one for sale used. PM me if you want his info.

 

[JimCunn]

"unfortunately, my personal experience with an attempted J-frame 2nd cylinder conversion didn't work out at all.."

What went wrong?
(the 940 is awfully heavy)

 

[STORMINORMAN]

"unfortunately, my personal experience with an attempted J-frame 2nd cylinder conversion didn't work out at all.."

What went wrong?
(the 940 is awfully heavy)

A long (sad for me) story, mostly concerning a converted cylinder and crane that needed to be re-fitted to my 442 (and, apparently, to any other J-frame other than the original "donor" assembly to be sent in)....

Had to eventually return it to the seller here on the Forum.

Just got it (my 442) back last month from Warranty Service (for the 2nd time!): the good news is that it now functions perfectly.

Anyone having a total of 9 cylinders (assemblies?) and 3 J-frames must be keeping them in strict order to not run into the problems I experienced: swapping them doesn't just always work as intended, and it's not like simply switching 22lr & 22 Mag cylinders on my Single Six...

Cheers!

 

[smithra_66]

Several reasons.
9mm is more powerful than .38Sp+P.
Most of my other pistols are 9mm.
Cause I could.
9mm is cheaper than .38Sp, but you'll never shoot enough of it to pay for the conversion.

Man, for that I would have just bought a reloading press and made up 38 special loads to whatever power you'd like, then you wouldn't have to hassle with moon clips.

The 38 Spl is MUCH more powerful than 9mm if you can reload your own and not be beholden to what ammo companies make.