Author Topic: need your opinion, please (Read 826 times)

rich e · « **on:** February 27, 2006, 05:05:06 AM »

Hi , Thinking seriously about buying a 357 mag, I kinda like the Ruger Blackhawk in the 4 5/8" barrel. however i'm debating between the 357 mod. or the 357/9mm mod. I don't reload, and probably never will, so cost of ammo is an issue, 9mm's are cheap and so are 38 spl. so I should be able to do alot of plinking at a reasonable cost. But, are the conversion cylinder models accurate? Seems that one gun to shoot 357mag, 38 spl, and 9mm's is just to good to be true. Would the 6 1/2" barrel be more accurate than the 4 5/8"

?

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2006, 05:09:19 PM »

The barrel length is fine no matter which you choose. They're all capable of fine accuracy. Some like the longer sight radius, but if you practice like you should, you'll be just as accurate with a shorter barrel as a longer one.

Very few of the 357/9mm convertables shoot 9mm's accurately. The 357's, and 38's are .357", and 9mm's are .355". Besides, you can buy bulk 38 specials from sources like "Cheaper than Dirt" about as cheap as bulk 9mm's.

rich e · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2006, 03:54:26 AM »

Thanks for the advice Jerry, I knew it was probably to good to be true. Thats why I asked for opinions. I figured that all 3 cartridges probably wouldn't shoot to poa, But if they grouped well, then just use old kentucky windage. Did you own one?? Or know someone who does???

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2006, 09:53:25 AM »

No I've never owned one. I almost bought one till I shot a few that other fellows owned. I figured since 38 specials often shoot very good in 357 revolvers that surely 9mm's would do at least OK. I didn't figure the .002" difference in diameter would be that critical, but it was. After really wringing out a couple that I borrowed with the 9mm cylinders and several different ammo combinations, I wasn't about to buy one.

I ended up buying my Stainless Blackhawk. It was 6.5", but I had it cut back to 5.5", and put a Single Six front sight on it. It balances better now, and still shoots like a dream. It's actually very accurate with 38 specials although I don't shoot many through it. I mainly down load my 357's to around 38 velocities.

The 9mm cylinders will shoot good enough to hit pop cans(somewhere) up to around 10 yards, but 38's in the magnum cylinder will generally shoot good enough for small game hunting at normal ranges, which I consider to be from 10-30 yards.

popplecop · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:18:18 PM »

Rich e, I already had a Blackhawk with 6.5" bbl, it was fine. Then I bought the 50th Aniversary Model. Liked it so much I got rid of the other Blackhawk. If you get a chance to look at one of these, take a good hard look. It's a much trimmer revolver. You still can find them around even tho they were only made in 2005. I'm so old that I had an original 3 screww in the early 60s but failed to keep it. Started a family and some things had to go, oh well sure like the one I got now.

rich e · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2006, 05:21:17 AM »

Popplecop, Yep, I remember the ole 3 screws vary well, When I bought my new model SBH 44mag. they just started selling the new model, I still have it, I also have a single-six with both 22lr & 22 mag cylinder that is a three screw, Now I want a 357mag. because the ammo is a bit cheaper, the 44mag gets xpensive to shoot if you don't reload, which I don't. Thats why I was inquiring about the 9mm conversion/ 357. 9mm are real cheap, and easier to find than 44 mag,and 38spl are pretty cheap too. But it sounds like the 9mms are not vary accurate, so I'm probably gonna go with a 357 mag. Not committed yet, still shopping, in fact I also saw a Taurus 357 that caught my eye.

EdK · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2006, 08:31:59 AM »

Quote from: rich e

Now I want a 357mag. because the ammo is a bit cheaper, the 44mag gets xpensive to shoot if you don't reload, which I don't.

Well, you should think about reloading because a setup like a good RCBS starter kit will only run you about half of what a new Ruger 357 will and then you can shoot your 44 all you want.

Catfish · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2006, 11:54:03 AM »

Were I you I would forget the 9mm cylinder. I doubt that you will get any accuracy with bullets that are .002 under bore dia., especially with so much free bore ahead of the rifleings. I do get real good accuracy with .410 dia. bullets in my .411 Hawk which has a .411 bore in it if I keep them around 2,200 fps. but they are only .001 under bore and not moveing near as fast when they hit the rifleings.
I don`t think you`ll go wrong with a Black Hawk. I think they are still about the best handgun on the market for the price. The trigger is not near what I like, but no new gun is today.

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2006, 04:52:42 PM »

:cb2: Sorry, but I felt I had to wade in here. I got a 5.5" Convertible with the 9mm cylinder, and it shot so well with the 9mm, that I went a got the short barreled one, too. The second was just as good as the first. Now I will have to admit that the tightest groups with both guns are with .357 loads, but for shooting cans, plinking, or even center of mass if need be, the cheap Wolf 9mm stuff is pretty darn good. I don't reload either, and I bought a case of it.

It's nice having the option when you find a good deal on either .357, .38, or 9mm ammo.

rich e · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2006, 04:56:20 AM »

Griz, thanks for jumping in, thats what I was looking for, someone that actually owns one and uses it, so the accuracy isn't all that bad if you can hit cans with it. I assume thats at vary close range. I read some were that lead 9mm bullets don't do well in the 357 barrel, but jacketed bullets aren't bad. I know that if I reloaded I would have allot more options, but my home is small and I just don't have room to set up a reloading bench.Besides , what it would cost me for a press, scale, dies, bullets , powder, etc. I could buy another gun, would rather have another gun. Thanks Grizz for jumping in, they almost talked me out of it.

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2006, 08:42:42 AM »

Oky, now let ME jump in. You don't need a fancy bench to reload. I have been rolling my own for over 40 years and have never had a bench set up. Check out the Lyman 310 tong tool and associated dies (they are smaller than the standard dies) or the Lee hand press with Lee dies (and the hand press accepts regular sized dies, so you can use another brand without problems). A set of Lee powder dippers, a good reloading scale and a loading manual, and you are set. I reload for the .357, .308 Win and .30-30 at present. All of my gear could fit in an attache case if it weren't for the extra "gun stuff" I have. As it is, it all goes into a Rubbermaid tote and slides under the bed.

It takes me a while to crank out the rounds at the kitchen table, but that is mostly case prep. I don't have a tumbler, I clean the cases with a green scrubby and Brasso, scrub out the neck with a brass bore brush. Oh, a Lee case trimmer and primer pocket cleaner is also handy to make sure the cases aren't too long. Also, I weigh every charge, even though I use a combination of Lee dippers to get there.

Back to the .357/9mm question, I have one of the convertibles also. I haven't tried the 9mm though. My main reason for wanting one is that most military handguns now use the 9mm so if push comes to shove I will have that much better chance of finding ammo. I'll probably buy some one of these years to see how the pistol handles it, but it has been 10 years since my Sweetie bought it for me so there is no rush!

Mostly the pistol resides in my backpack with 5 rounds of .38s in it...

-WH-

Old Griz · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:54:44 PM »

:cb2: That's true about the jacketed 9mm grouping better than the lead nosed ammo. The good thing is, the cheap Russian stuff is jacketed!

I don't reload yet either, but that's because we have a local brand of reloads that are excellent, very cheap, and most gun stores carry it. I know I could save a few more cents if I did it myself, but I'm working two jobs, and I just don't have the time. I hardly get out to shoot as it is, let alone other stuff I want to do (like spend time with the sweet little wife). When ever we get to move from here, I'll take up reloading, but until then I'll just buy the cheap stuff.

WingMaster · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2006, 11:20:07 AM »

I own a NM BlackHawk 357/9mm. 6 1/2 inch barrel. They had the standard too when I bought it.

My convertable was only $20.00 more so I bought that one. I figured I would have the extra cylinder if I ever decided to try the 9mm. So far, it hasn't been on my gun yet, but I'm still glad I have it.

My friend also has this model and he states that the 9mm is more accurate than the 357/38. For mine, the 357 is better than 38. I'm curious how the 9mm will do but the 357 is too much fun at the moment.