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Author Topic: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?  (Read 1391 times)

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Offline PredatorHunter

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Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« on: January 22, 2009, 04:47:31 AM »
I was playing with the idea of getting a Blackhawk convertible with 38.spcl/357 and 9mm cylinders. My question is, could 380's also be shot using the 9mm cylinder? Just curious.

Thanks.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2009, 05:21:57 AM »
WELCOME ABOARD!!
 To answer your queation, No not relyably... ;D

 The case sits on its mouth to head space. The 380's are too short and would fall into the chambers too far for the firing pin to reach. Ruger didn't made it to work with full moon clips. Mostly because the cylinder would need to be completely removed to facilitate its use.

CW

 Edit for welcome...
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Offline Blackhawk44

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Re: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2009, 02:18:16 PM »
Re-read cw.  The .380 is a short, straight case with nothing to headspace on in the 9mm's longer tapered chamber.  From experience with a couple, I also believe that you will find the .38/.357 cylinder accurate while the 9mm will be mediocre at best.  The .45/.45ACP is usually accurate with both cylinders.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2009, 02:59:13 PM »
Quote from: PredatorHunter
I was playing with the idea of getting a Blackhawk convertible with 38.spcl/357 and 9mm cylinders. My question is, could 380's also be shot using the 9mm cylinder? Just curious. Thanks.

My answer was NO, in not so many words...

Quote from: Blackhawk44 on January 22, 2009, 02:18:16 PM
Re-read cw.  The .380 is a short, straight case with nothing to headspace on in the 9mm's longer tapered chamber.  From experience with a couple, I also believe that you will find the .38/.357 cylinder accurate while the 9mm will be mediocre at best.  The .45/.45ACP is usually accurate with both cylinders.

 HUH???
  I know its is shorter. (.680/.754) That's what I said, when I wrote "The 380's are too short and would fall into the chambers ". I do know both cartridges case dimensions.
 
   It is a legitimate and common question, from the OP, as they both fire a .355 dia. bullet. But as you and I know, its not applicable as the dimensions for both are different and both headspace off the mouth. The 380 is too short, as we have both pointed out. The 380ACP is NOT a short 9mm as many people surmize.

 Maybe I missed it, but I don't see the point of your comment...

CW
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Offline PredatorHunter

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Re: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2009, 04:35:18 AM »
I was also lead to believe the .380 was basically a 9mm short.
I have owned a .38/.357 before, but haven't had any hands on experience with the 9mm's or the 380's.

Thanks for the welcome and information fellas.
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Offline Autorim

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Re: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2009, 05:26:50 PM »
The .380 and 9mm are rimless cartridges and the .38 and .357 are rimmed. Any straight wall rimless cartridge case must headspace on the case mouth. If it goes too far forward in the chamber the firing pin strike will be light or non existent.
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Offline greener

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Re: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2009, 05:34:21 AM »
Quote from: Blackhawk44 on January 22, 2009, 02:18:16 PM
Re-read cw.  The .380 is a short, straight case with nothing to headspace on in the 9mm's longer tapered chamber.  From experience with a couple, I also believe that you will find the .38/.357 cylinder accurate while the 9mm will be mediocre at best.  The .45/.45ACP is usually accurate with both cylinders.

Agree on the .380.  Not a good idea.

Also agree on the mediocre performance of 9mm up to a point.  The 9mm round is about .002" smaller in diameter.  My 125gr cast lead reloads do not shoot well in the 9mm cylinder.  I've shot six rounds of Speer 125 gr lead moly coated reloads that did well.  I've also loaded some .38 special 125gr lfp in the 9mm case that did pretty well.  My press got a little cranky using the 9mm seating die for .38 special bullets.  Why not just load .38 in .38 brass?
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Offline Autorim

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Re: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2009, 04:09:17 PM »
FWIW, I would keep the 9mm cylinder in the box with the papers and never use it. It is a great cartridge for autos, but the .38/.357 is far superior in a revolver.
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Offline Tom C.

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Re: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible?
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2009, 03:41:33 AM »
No, the .380 won't work in the 9mm cylinder.

Yes the .357 is an all-around better rd. than the 9mm.

Yes, sometimes the 9mm can be accurate in a .357 NMBH. I took mine out yesterday and shoot some 9mm CCI Blazer and it was nearly as accurate as the .357, and I don't need to worry about saving and reloading the "brass."
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Tom
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