Ruger .357/9mm Blackhawk opinions?

[Lonegun1894]

A friend called and asked me my opinion on the convertible Blackhawks that come with both .357Mag and 9mm cylinders. I have thought about getting one sooner or later, but have not had the money, and won't by the look of things lately. My only convertible is a Ruger Single Six with the .22LR and .22 Mag cylinders, and it is great, but I shoot so little .22Mag that I may as well not have the extra cylinder to begin with. Mine does not seem to have the common preference for one over the other that so many report, but my Single Six is not relevant to the .357/9mm BH. So what do you all think of them? Any problems or quirks that he needs to be aware of, and I need to be aware of when I get around to getting one someday? He has been talking about getting one for a while, and says he's ready to buy, but I will be at least a year away, especially since I keep being told that I have enough .357s--but I call BS on that. Maybe I do for now, but that will change when I build my toy fund back up, and get a few more molds, and...

[Bullshop Junior]

Ive had several Rugers, including three convertables. I liked all of them. The only thing I see having a issue with the 9mm and 357 is bullet diamiter, but if you shoot cast, that can be resolved.

[Larry Gibson]

I had one, a NMBH with 4 5/8" barrel. That was back in the day before we knew we'd get no accuracy if we didn't have bullet that matched the throats. Have no idea what the throats were but cast bullets of .357/.358 shot very well out of .38 SPL and .357s. The 9mms I used were commercial jacketed at .355 & .356 and my own cast 356402s were sized at .356. Shot lot's of my own cast out of both cylinders with excellent accuracy and no leading. Of course I couldn't do that now because we know the 9mm .356 were probably too small and it would shoot horribly and probably lead up in a cylinder full.......I guess ignorance was bliss back in the day.......

If you load for 9mm and/or have access to 9mm ammunition then the convertible makes sense and would be useful (same with 45 Colt/45 ACP or .44 Magnum/44-40 convertibles). However, if you don't load for the 9mm or have access to 9mm ammo then stick with the regular .357 BH. The .38 SPL and .357 magnum offer more versatility and ammo combinations than you will probably use. The convertibles are nice to have......wish I still had that .357/9mm NMBH.........

Larry Gibson

[oger]

I have had one since the early 80s, every couple of years I look at the 9mm cylinder to make sure it hasn't started to corrode.

[kenyerian]

Had one for a while but never used the 9 mm cylinder in it.

[Outpost75]

I have and like most people, I use the .357 cylinder 99-44/100ths of the time. I own no other 9mm handguns and don't want any, but simply checked the 9mm cylinder for function and point of impact. I will keep it and use only to be able to exploit a source of 9mm ammunition, if a case of it should fall from the sky off the alien spaceship.

[Sasquatch-1]

I have one and about the only time I use the 9MM is when I have rounds that wont fire in my daughters SRC. At close distances (under 15 yards) I can usually keep 6 rounds on a piece of notebook paper with 9mm.

[Lonegun1894]

I kinda figure the 9mm wouldn't get used much, but still keep thinking it would be nice to have. In my case, I use my .357s at least weekly, while my only 9mm hasn't been fired in at least 2-3 years. The friend who asked and got me thinking on the other hand carries his 9mm and fires it at least once a month, so it makes more sense for him.

[L Ross]

I had a New Model 6 1/2" and I liked the 9m/m cylinder. I shot Magma 130 grain rnfp cast from COWW and sized to .358". Cheap on powder with small case, free range brass from LE qualifications and grouped around 2 to 2 1/2" at 25 yards. Only sold it to help fund my other serious hobby, a hovercraft for ice fishing.

Duke

[wcp4570]

I'm surprised that there is no one here that has thought to try a wildcat in the 9mm cylinder. The Bain & Davis is the first one that comes to mind. I've never owned a Blackhawk with a 9mm cylinder to give it a try.

wcp

[beagle]

I have a 4 5/8" and a 6 1/2". I shoot a lot of 9mm in both. The normal run of the mill loads used in autos are kinda ho hum but using a Lyman 358480HP really makes them into a nice small game load. Takes a little messing around with seating depth and sizing diameter to get them functioning right but it's worth it./beagle

[bedbugbilly]

I reload both 9mm and 38 spl - and cast my own. It would be an ideal handgun if it was probably the only one I owned - but I have a feeling if I had one, the 357 cylinder would be in it most of the time. I', mph against "convertibles" - I'm sure that for some, both cylinders get used. However, having said that, those that I know that have "convertible" handguns, usually have one cylinder collecting dust for a long time regardless of the caliber.

[Boogieman]

I have had one since the early 80s, every couple of years I look at the 9mm cylinder to make sure it hasn't started to corrode.
I found a 9mm cyl. at a gun show cheap. fitted it to My old 3 screw Ruger, shot 1/2 box of factory amo Everybody needs 1 gun that shoots government cal. amo. I'm not a fan of 9mm autos.

[junkpile]

With the ability to shoot 38spl and 357 in it, I saw no reason to get the 9mm cylinder. Ammo flexibility in times of scarceness would be good, but I just haven't seen the reason to. I own several 357 revolvers, and shoot that caliber more than any of my others, and have just never said to myself, "I wish I could put 9mm in here."

On the flip side, I suppose it's better to have and not need, than need and not have. I think I just talked myself into trying to track down a 9mm cylinder.

But, I have been very happy with my blackhawks. I definitely prefer a shorter barrel, and I think the 357 balances a lot better than the 45 does. But, it's pretty heavy. Fun to shoot, but it really tries to pull my pants down. I'd recommend a blackhawk to anyone, although the new vaquero sees a lot more use.

[Thumbcocker]

I have a 4 5/8" one that I have had for years. Lee 125 rnfp sized .358 over 4.8 of power pistol does very well for me in the 9mm cylinder. Lots of once fired brass at the range so life is good. Beagle's article on convertible revolvers in the Castpics section has good information.

[Mohillbilly]

I use mine to take advantage of cheep 38 spec. and 9mm brass that can be had . .357 Rem mag brass cost good money and is " saved " for important work .

[williamwaco]

I had one, a NMBH with 4 5/8" barrel. ......wish I still had that .357/9mm NMBH.........

Larry Gibson

:bigsmyl2:

Larry,

I really enjoyed your reply!

[MT Gianni]

I fitted a cylinder to a 6.5" BH and like it. All Ruger revolvers chambered for auto cartridges that I have seen appear to have tight chambers. OAL is critical on them but accuracy is good with mine. Go to Castpics adn read cast in the Ruger BH9mm by John Goins, Beagle here.

[bhn22]

Accuracy with mine was abysmal with the 9mm cylinder, so I never used it. Then I discovered DA revolvers, and to this day don't own any single actions.

[375supermag]

Hi...

I have had a convertible BlackHawk in .357/9mm for years and years.
It gets shot a lot with the .357Mag cylinder in it...pretty accurate with my handloaded 158LSWC and Blue Dot.

The 9mm cylinder has never been put in the gun. I'll hold onto it, though.
Maybe some day I'll decide to start hunting chipmunks or field mice and then I'll have a use for a 9mm revolver.

[bob208]

the .357/9mm blackhawk came out for two reasons. I was told one was so you could get ammo just about anywhere. the other was in the early 70s a lot of 9mm machinegun ammo came in and was dirt cheap.

I have shot mine with both the 9m/m is good but not quite as tight shooting as a good .38 load.

[happie2shoot]

http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkDE/specSheets/0320.html

Dont leave home without it

[Powersgt]

I have it, no need to shoot 9mm as it really doesn't save any money. I am going to send mine in to get converted to a 356GNR. :bigsmyl2:

[Sasquatch-1]

Resurrection time for this thread.:-P

Below is a picture of a target where a boolit sized to .356 in a 9mm case was shot through a Ruger 357 convertible. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Target was set at 15 yds.

99972

[sandman228]

ive got 2 ruger bh convertibles 1 on 357-9mm and 1 in 45lc-45acp . as far as the 9mm goes I love it ive also got a s&w686 357 mag so the ruger shoots allot more 9mm I slugged the bore at .357 ive shot precision delta 115 fmj bullets through it with good results as for lead bullets I cast a 105 swc size it to .358 load it in a 9mm case over 3.8 gr of pb its deadly accurate at 25 yrds . I would really love to find 1 of the older convertibles in 32-20/32h&r .

[Outpost75]

This is the 9mm cylinder in my BN44X, firing 115-grain Remington JHPs and Western .38 S&W 146-grain lead RN, after running it through a Lee 9mm Factory crimp die.

99978

[Thor's Daddy]

...I am going to send mine in to get converted to a 356GNR...

I'm really surprised this is the only mention thus far of using the 9mm cylinder as a base for a wildcat. Personally, I'd have it rechambered to 357 Bain & Davis, but the 356GNR is another nice option.

[Mohillbilly]

sandman228 you are referring to a " Buckeye " special run , done in two guns , one in 10mm / 38-40 and the other in 32 H&R / 32-20 .. the 32 is verry heavy as it is the same approximate outside dimensions as say a .45 Colt /ACP barrels of the same length . the difference is the hole size .. I think you would like an eight shot 32 Fed as it is lighter , and can shoot 32 S&W short/long, 32H&R , 327 Fed and ACP . If you really want a hot rod get the " Buckeye" and enjoy another cylinder in 32-20 . six different cases ..... I need to find a .357 cylinder to fit my 10 mm and have it done in 40 S&W . I like the idea of 356 GNR , or a 9mm Winmag . then again Garys 300 GNR on the 30 carbine revolver or 300 Blackout .... As you can tell love the convertables , and odd balls ......

[crazy mark]

I have to agree with Beagle. I have a 6.5" one and with my cast bullets it shoots good. Don't try to shoot loads for it in a 9mm bottom feeder as they usually won't chamber. I have thought about turning my 9mm cylinder into 38 super.

[MT Gianni]

http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/ByFireArm/Cast%20in%20the%209mm%20Blackhawk.pdf
Surprised no one has linked Beagles article yet. I remain amazed how many members ignore CastPics.

[mac60]

I have 6 1/2" .357/9mm convertible NMBH. I haven't fired any .357 or .38 spl through it yet. It likes the Lee 105 gr. swc sized .358 over 3.6 gr. bullseye. Taking advantage of the homework Beagle did, right away had it shooting good. I like it, it's a keeper for sure.

[TCStehle]

Just found this thread and I must say thanks for the great information here and in linked article. I just purchased a NM Blackhawk 45LC/45ACP convertible and next on my list is a NM Blackhawk in 357/38. I was going to skip the convertible with the 9mm cylinder but after reading the information here I think I'll go ahead and get the convertible. It's good to have options and the 9mm cylinder gives me cast boolit 9mm options and a rechamber option to 357 B&D or 356GNR.

[opos]

I had one, a NMBH with 4 5/8" barrel. That was back in the day before we knew we'd get no accuracy if we didn't have bullet that matched the throats. Have no idea what the throats were but cast bullets of .357/.358 shot very well out of .38 SPL and .357s. The 9mms I used were commercial jacketed at .355 & .356 and my own cast 356402s were sized at .356. Shot lot's of my own cast out of both cylinders with excellent accuracy and no leading. Of course I couldn't do that now because we know the 9mm .356 were probably too small and it would shoot horribly and probably lead up in a cylinder full.......I guess ignorance was bliss back in the day.......

If you load for 9mm and/or have access to 9mm ammunition then the convertible makes sense and would be useful (same with 45 Colt/45 ACP or .44 Magnum/44-40 convertibles). However, if you don't load for the 9mm or have access to 9mm ammo then stick with the regular .357 BH. The .38 SPL and .357 magnum offer more versatility and ammo combinations than you will probably use. The convertibles are nice to have......wish I still had that .357/9mm NMBH.........

Larry Gibson

+1 on that...sort of like fishing....I have spent a lifetime fishing offshore for game fish...I am always amused when I pull out some of the "old school" lures that we used with great success for many years and someone comments that "those don't work anymore"..who talks to the fish? We have gotten to a point of "technical excellence" that if the absolute most current thing isn't being followed..it can't work. I've watched offshore "anglers" roar right by a biting school of fish because they heard that the fish were at "so and so location" and they plug the numbers into a GPS and never take their head out of the cockpit instrument panels and look around...I've shot lots of 9mm in a convertible and never had issues...also shot 45acp in my convertible 45/45 and it's a decent way to use up some of the cheaper 45acp that's around...maybe it's a mindset that "it won't work" so it doesn't work.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I have two Ruger Black Hawks, one is the old three screw with a six inch barrel and the other is the 357/9mm convertible with a 4&5/8 barrel. The short barrel out shots the six incher with 357 ammo but the 9mm ammo was abysmal. I was shooting factory ammo so that may have been the problem. I never tried it again.

[robertbank]

I cast 9MM boolits for one our guys at the club who shoots his convertible BH in 9MM. I size the 356402 Lymans with my .358 die. I might as well say they are shot as cast. They work great for him. When sized .357 accuracy fell off. Bigger for his gun is more better. He shoots IDPA with a (mm semi so he has lots of loaded ammo around. If you can get the convertible for the same price as a regular .357 go for it.

I prefer my flat top .45Colt/45acp but would not pass on a .357 convertible if one came my way.

Take Care

Bob