Blackhawk Convertible question

[cgturner7]

I am looking at buying a Blackhawk Convertible as my first revolver.  I like the idea of switching out the cylinders, much like my NEF hunting rifle.  I'd like to get the 9mm/.357 Convertible so my wife can shoot the 9mm and I would like to begin deer hunting with the .357.  My question- Does this revolver require the moon clips I've read about?  I see no mention of it on the Ruger website or other on-line resources.  Thanks.

[mjbgalt]

no moon clips on these...the 9mm's headspace off the front of the brass since there is no shoulder or rim.

but the system works.

-Matt

[bilmac]

I have a 9mm/357 and never use the 9mm cyl. I guess if you don't reload and can get 9mm bullets for a lot less than 38's it may have a use, but for light loads the 38 is a lot easier to load than the 9 and more versital. I have never been very happy with 9mm in the Ruger especially to reload.

[44 Man]

It will also depend on the barrel's bore diameter.  I once had a .357 Blackhawk that would shoot wonderful with .38's or .357's.  Then a friend of mind got a great deal on a bunch of 9mm bullets and loaded them up in .357 brass.  Those .355 diameter bullets wouldn't shoot for a hoot in my gun.  They just were too small for the bore to be accurate.  You may have the same problem with a 9mm cylinder fitted to your gun, or then again if your bore was a little tight, it might shoot fine.  But I would say the odds are against you on that.  Of course if you had a big (or cheap) supply of 9mm ammo you wanted to shoot up, it could be a lot of fun.  44 Man

[Blackhawk44]

On average, the 9mm/.357 convertibles seem to offer mediocre accuracy at best with their 9mm cylinders and fine accuracy with the .38/.357 cylinder.  The .45ACP/Colt convertible on the other hand seems to offer very good to sometimes superior accuracy with both cylinders.  I can't offer the exact reason since no one that I'm aware of has reported a definitive study, but that has been the general reporting and my personal experience over a good many years.  On the same subject, you may want to locate one the Anniversary models in .357.  They are built on a smaller, easier to handle (for women) frame size than the Blackhawks (on the .44 mag frame).     

[Win 73]

One of my two Blackhawk convertibles is the .45.  I shoot it almost exclusively with ACP ammo and the accuracy is just fine for me.  I don't reload and I can get the ACP ammo cheaper.

My other Blackhawk is a 10 mm/.38-40 convertible.  I bought it to be a companion to my 1873 Winchester.

[LRB]

   Stick with the .357. The combo is just more money, really for little return. Let your wife shoot .38's. The BH is superbly accurate in .357, and .38's. A Ruger Blackhawk, in .357, 6" barrel, was my first centerfire handgun, in 1969. I quickly found that Rem. 158 gr. HP, was what it liked. I made shots that even I was surprised at. I took a rabbit at a measured 80yrds, second shot, but the first made him duck his head. I would say, don't waste your money on the combo, it's already a combo with .38's.

[timothy]

LRB, did that HP expand at that range?

[blhof]

I agree with LRB as 38's can be found on sale as cheap as 9 mm.  For close range target and self defense the 38 wadcutter is hard to beat; accurate and makes a large hole.  I've used wadcutters for rabbits and squirrels in an 8" Dan wesson 357 out to 40' with excellent results.

[LRB]

In answer to Timothy. No, but he was quite dead. I shot a nice six point whitetail with a OM 4 5/8" .45 Blackhawk, using a 250gr Hornady XTP, with a stout load, and it did not open either. 35yrds, just behind the shoulder midway. He ran about 40 yrds, and hit the ground dead. Dead is dead. I never count on a hollow point opening. I concentrate on placement.

[Old Griz]

Gee, I hate to sound a positive note, but both of mine shoot 9mm pretty darn well. Jacketed bullets do better than lead. It is true that they shoot .357s the best, but I've had good results with the cheap Wolf stuff.

I'd sure like to know where you can get .38s as cheap as 9mm.

[Barbegris]

Given a choice I'll allways take the convertible models over a single cylinder..Nothing to loose with two cylinders and guns that fire multiple cartidges make me happy!

[greener]

I have a .357/9mm convertible.  Great accuracy with .357/.38 and not as good with 9mm.  I haven't shot 9mm but once and should spend more time with it.  Been shooting lead reloads.  I like the idea of the convertible revolver.  The .45 convertible is on my wish list, just haven't found one when price and inclination meet.

I have a Super Single Six that doesn't see many mag rounds.  Expensive ammo for punch holes in paper.  But you can have a great day at the range with a Blackhawk and single six.

Like Old Griz, I'd like to know where I can find .38 at the same price as 9mm.  One of the things that got me into reloading was the price of .38.

I'm new to Blackhawks.  After buying one, I wonder why I waited so long.  I highly recommend the .357/9mm.  Great shooting fun with a choice of ammo.

[WILD_WEASEL]

I have a Ruger 38/357/9mm Convertible with 4 5/8” barrel.  With 357 Magnum it is a tack driver, when sighted in with Federal/Eagle .357 Mag 158gr JSPs it shoots inside of 2” at 15 yards.  Switching over to the 9mm cylinder it shoots into a 3” group about 2” low, with the same settings.  Shooting factory ammo from WalMart 9mm runs about $19 a box of a hundred, 38 Special $25 per hundred, and 357 Mag runs $39 per hundred.  If you reload, 357 is going to give you the most bounce for the buck.  Also, this Convertible is available with 4 5/8 and 6 ½ inch barrels.  The shorter barrel is very handy while the longer would giving a bit better performance with heavier bullets.