Re-Chambering .357 to 9mm. Any worries?

[dwever]

After posting this question over on the S&W Smithing site and getting zero responses, I am hoping for some help here.

I am seriously considering re-chambering an N Frame 8-Shot cylinder .357 to shoot 9mm, and getting it done over at TKC who has done work for me before.

As of August I now have two identical .357 UDR's (Perf Ctr 627 N Frame 8-Shot w/2.625" barrel) so I was going to get the work done on one of them. TK Custom charges $300.00 to rechamber cylinder, machine & chamfer cylinder plus ca. $155 round-trip shipping - it remains moon clip capable in it's new caliber.

My carry revolver choices at home would then include the two 627 UDR's with the one in 9mm, and my 586 L-Comp.

ARE THERE ANY REASONS I WOULD NOT WANT TO DO THIS from any perspective especially long-term reliability or shootability??? Should the weapon's function and life be the same in the new caliber?

Thanks very much for your input!

 

[Muss Muggins]

Where does one obtain 8 shot 9mm N Frame moon clips? That's a lot of handgun for a 9mm round, but if it makes you happy, go ahead.

 

[BE Mike]

Wouldn't you want a barrel for 9mm (.355")? I for one, don't see the purpose of this. You'll probably decrease the value of the revolver. Why do you want to step down to 9mm?

 

[Engine49guy]

If the cylinders are the same length might be cheaper and easier to buy a 929 cylinder from S&W,
If the cylinders wont interchange probably more cost effective to sell your 357 and buy the 929.

Product: Model 929

I know someone that bought a spare 357 cylinder for his Model 327 and had it cut to fire 9mm as well as .38 super , IIRC these may even fire 9mm Mak. but dont recall the specs on that.

 

[dwever]

Where does one obtain 8 shot 9mm N Frame moon clips? That's a lot of handgun for a 9mm round, but if it makes you happy, go ahead.

Numerous sources including TK Custom, especially since the N Frame 8-Shot 9mm began being produced by the S&W Perf Ctr in 2014 in the 929 in a 6.5" barrel. Those weapons are reportedly showing up at USPSA and Speed Steel events.

Wouldn't you want a barrel for 9mm (.355")? I for one, don't see the purpose of this. You'll probably decrease the value of the revolver. Why do you want to step down to 9mm?

One of the big motivators is the amount of 9mm I have amassed over the years. Especially Winchester Win3Gun for competition which I have cases of.

For hunting 9mm is a step down, although there are +P loads that approach .357 performance; but I rarely hunt anymore. For self defense, I'm not sure the 9mm is a step down. To my knowledge for example, Federal Premium doesn't produce it's premiere load, HST, in .38, .38+P, or .357. HST is what our agency issues, and is an incredibly well performing cartridge with surprisingly little recoil. I also like the consistency and performance of the 9mm. I bought a Wilson Combat 1911 X-Tac in 9mm, full carbon steel slide and frame, fantastic recoil control, I'm wondering with a UDR if I'll not have a similar experience.

If the cylinders are the same length might be cheaper and easier to buy a 929 cylinder from S&W,
If the cylinders wont interchange probably more cost effective to sell your 357 and buy the 929.

Latter not really an option as I'm not in need of the 6.5" barrel length of the 929 for carry.

Why so much for shipping?
TK says "Just send the cylinder assembly, NO gun."

Good correction. Last time I sent a weapon to them it was for an action job and they had to have the whole gun. Thanks.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

To me, chopping a 8-shot M929 to the barrel length you prefer makes more sense. Probably less expensive, in the long run. Sell one of the UDRs to help finance it.

 

[M29since14]

What KC said. I can't imagine how what you are contemplating will work out very well. Long jump for the bullet to the exit bores of your .357 cylinder, and wrong bore size. My advice is don't even think about it. Just doesn't make sense to me but... it's your gun.

 

[Jim Watson]

Why so much for shipping?
TK says "Just send the cylinder assembly, NO gun."

 

[dwever]

Great comments. Thanks. Hope long term reliability, life, and shootability gets addressed if known.

With the release and success of the two S&W 9mm revolvers last year in 8-Shot N Frame and 7-Shot L Frame, I think it is only a matter of time until we see some carry solutions such as a UDR or L Frame + chambered in the 9mm. Perhaps patience is the real solution here. Thanks!!!

What KC said. I can't imagine how what you are contemplating will work out very well. Long jump for the bullet to the exit bores of your .357 cylinder, and wrong bore size. My advice is don't even think about it. Just doesn't make sense to me but... it's your gun.

Well said and noted. TK Custom are master revolver smiths, and have done this work quite a bit in four frame sizes. I would guess they wouldn't offer this without it working on a fairly high level. Having said that, I haven't talked to anyone else who has said, "Yeah I had that done." and was hoping that person(s) might be here. Anyway, I'm probably going to just wait as S&W inevitably releases more in 9mm. Thanks

 

[Engine49guy]

Have you considered a Model 547 ?
Smaller lighter K frame and no need for moon clips as it has a unique extractor system to eject 9mm brass ,
HKS made 9mm speed loaders for it which are still around .

Otherwise I would order a new cylinder from S&W and have that one converted, IIRC there was one up on the FS forum for $150 a few weeks back,
This way you end up with a 2 cylinder gun that wont hurt its resale later.

 

[Model39]

Model 66-2 Done By TKC In 9 MM

I also had the desire to create a 9 MM revolver. I was able to get a second cylinder for my Model 66-2, and sent the gun and both cylinders to TKC for full moon clips and the second cylinder for the 9 MM conversion. I could not be more happy with how the revolver came out. Tom told me I might lose some accuracy, but I did not see any difference when shooting the gun in what I intended it to be used for, and it is sure a lot cheaper to shoot 9 MM out of the gun than 38/357 ammo. I would suggest to you if possible to locate/buy a second cylinder for your gun, and have TKC do the same for you as they did for me. You will still keep the integrity of your gun with the original caliber/cylinder, yet have the second cylinder option for 9 MM.

 

[M29since14]

...Anyway, I'm probably going to just wait as S&W inevitably releases more in 9mm. Thanks

Probably wise. I am not criticizing TK and know nothing about them but 0.002" is 0.002" no matter what shop is doing the work. After a huge, uncontrolled "jump" your 9mm bullets will be leaving the cylinder through the wrong size exit bores, and will be traveling down a barrel that is the wrong size.

 

[dwever]

I also had the desire to create a 9 MM revolver. I was able to get a second cylinder for my Model 66-2, and sent the gun and both cylinders to TKC for full moon clips and the second cylinder for the 9 MM conversion.

I could not be more happy with how the revolver came out. Tom told me I might lose some accuracy, but I did not see any difference when shooting the gun in what I intended it to be used for, and it is sure a lot cheaper to shoot 9 MM out of the gun than 38/357 ammo.

I would suggest to you if possible to locate/buy a second cylinder for your gun, and have TKC do the same for you as they did for me. You will still keep the integrity of your gun with the original caliber/cylinder, yet have the second cylinder option for 9 MM.

Excellent. Seems obvious now that you've said it. I think the second cylinder approach is prudent because it also gives you a reverse gear on the chambering if you want to go back. Thank you!

After a huge, uncontrolled "jump" your 9mm bullets will be leaving the cylinder through the wrong size exit bores, and will be traveling down a barrel that is the wrong size.

Thanks. See comment by Model 39.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Will S&W sell a M929 cylinder as a separate part? If so, this project would be easy peasy.

Regarding barrel size, 0.357" isn't ideal for 9mm (0.355") bullets, but it's only two thousandths of an inch. At least the bore diameter is in the right direction -- BIGGER. So pressure isn't an issue.

Ruger's been selling their .357/9mm Blackhawk for a long, long, time. Works fine for them.

 

[jstanfield103]

I know Ruger makes a 357 / 9mm revolver. The thing that most people say is the 9mm being a little smaller in size is not as accurate.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Will S&W sell a M929 cylinder as a separate part? If so, this project would be easy peasy.

The titanium cylinder from the 929 is considerably shorter than the 627 cylinder, so that opens another can of worms in having to set the barrel back.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

I have thought about a 929 cylinder for my 627-4 - I think they are the same length - anybody done this?

 

[S&WIowegan]

This project is eminently do-able but NOT with a 929 cylinder! If you look at the pic of the 929 in this thread you'll see immediately the cylinder is short and the barrel stub long. I own and shoot a Model 929, 2 627-5s(.38/357) and a 627-4(.38 Super). The barrel bore diameter is the same on all these models. S&W is not going to say this if they can help it but it's true. As long as jacketed ammo is used there is no problem.

I shoot .38 Short Colt handloads in my two 627-5s loaded with lead bullets sized .358" weighing 160 grains. FYI: 38 Short colt factory ammo is hard to find and very wimpy. I buy new Starline brass and roll my own ammo. This is widely done by most revolver shooters in ICORE, Steel Challenge and USPSA.

The best advice given to the OP is to have a different cylinder modified to use in your gun. I would go one step further and suggest the cylinder be reamed to fit 9x23mm Winchester ammo. The ammo is hard to find but is hotter than a firecracker and good for PD. Any shorter 9mm ammo will still work in the same cylinder.

Lastly, I think the OP is right to expect S&W to produce a 9mm-8 shot snubby soon. The only knock on the 929 is it's too long.

 

[K-framer]

Bore size may not be an issue, but the cylinder definitely will be. Every K-frame I've ever owned has had a barrel with a groove diameter of around 0.354 - 0.355". All of them handled cast bullets of 0.356" diameter just fine, as well as 0.357" or 0.358".
I am speaking of older K-frames, by the way, in my case all from the 1970's through a portion of the 1980's. Can't speak about K's newer than that.

 

[S&WIowegan]

This thread is about N-frames.

 

[Goblin]

To me, chopping a 8-shot M929 to the barrel length you prefer makes more sense. Probably less expensive, in the long run. Sell one of the UDRs to help finance it.

I think this is the best avenue. Shooting 9mm in a .357 barrel will work, but nothing good is likely to come from it in the long run.