38 S+W brass in 9mm revolver

MiG25

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There are some 9mm Luger revolvers on the market meant to be used with moon clips.

Can these revolvers be used with 38 S&W brass, trimmed to length ala the 9mm Federal or 45 Auto Rim? Or are the rims too thin?

Thanks.
 
Good question.

Going the other way, 9mm brass first a 38S&W perfectly.

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Unlikely based on rim only. If the chambers are meant to headspace on case mouths (likely), just in case you run out of clips, yes.
The question is then to see if your rims are caught by the ejector.
 
Unlikely based on rim only. If the chambers are meant to headspace on case mouths (likely), just in case you run out of clips, yes.
The question is then to see if your rims are caught by the ejector.

I have fired 9mm out of a .38 Webly Enfield. It works; if his pistol has enough room for the case heads; .38 S and W may work, but he needs to note that .38 S & W bullets are a bit larger in diameter than 9mm.
 
I don't have one of these revolvers, but they do appeal to me. My question is not whether 38 S&W ammo can be used, but rather the brass, timmed and loaded with .355 bullets.
 
I don't have one of these revolvers, but they do appeal to me. My question is not whether 38 S&W ammo can be used, but rather the brass, timmed and loaded with .355 bullets.
I forgot that some revolvers are meant to work without clips. These might not have room for rims.
Best is to make a search gun by gun and ask around. I know a shooter who has a big S&W 8(?) shots in 9 Luger. If he hasn't given up on current restrictions like me I might see the gun next month.
Gunblast has usually clear pictures of cylinders back ends in their articles.

Ed Harris wrote about doing what you want, but I cannot find the article/post.
 
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.45 Auto Rim was designed with a rim that duplicates a .45 ACP round in a moon clip. Is the rim of .38 S&W similar?
 
I have fired 9mm out of a .38 Webly Enfield. It works; if his pistol has enough room for the case heads; .38 S and W may work, but he needs to note that .38 S & W bullets are a bit larger in diameter than 9mm.

Is that safe to shoot 9mm out of a webly/enfield long term? I avoid buying one because of the cost of ammo but if 9mm works I would go buy one. I imagine accuracy is bad but I would not really care. Is 9mm even practical to use in a 38S&W?
 
Is that safe to shoot 9mm out of a webly/enfield long term? I avoid buying one because of the cost of ammo but if 9mm works I would go buy one. I imagine accuracy is bad but I would not really care. Is 9mm even practical to use in a 38S&W?
No and no. Over twice the .38's pressure and questionable headspacing.

Regarding the .38 short in a 9mm gun you cannot get a general answer as some makers might not allow for a rim at all and others give clearance for rim(less)+clip.
 
Is that safe to shoot 9mm out of a webly/enfield long term? I avoid buying one because of the cost of ammo but if 9mm works I would go buy one. I imagine accuracy is bad but I would not really care. Is 9mm even practical to use in a 38S&W?

9mm is a 35,000 psi round

38 S&W is more like 15,000 psi


It will fire ok, but the gun will be damaged if you keep at it. A cheap gun might blow up.

If you re-load, you can use 9mm brass to make plinking ammo for the 38S&W, IF your 38 chamber has a shoulder in it to hold the 9mm case on the case mouth.
 
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If you did use 38 S&W brass you would have to make sure you use 9mm dies as 38 S&W dies are going to swage the brass larger by about .003". On that note the stress of squeezing down the brass more than was meant might fatigue it sooner. Trimmed down 38 Special brass might work better.

Cheers
Moe
 
forum.castbulletassoc org/thread/10443-ruger-new-model-blackhawk-357-9mm/
 
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Going the other way, 9mm brass first a 38S&W perfectly.

Many years ago Federal ammo and Ruger firearms were working on building a rimmed version of the 9mm for use in a revolver. The project was scrapped when the scenario you've described presented itself. The common thought was the some shooters would foolishly use the high pressure ammo in a firearm designed for low pressure ammo.
 
Don't know about all brands but a buddy with a 38S&W revolver gave me a few to check in my Alfa Project 9mm revolver. They worked fine. Bought 100 38S&W brass and used them now and then in that revolver with out the need to use the moonclips. Yes, they had to be slightly trimmed. And I used 9mm dies to reload them. Just had to alter the sizing die to avoid stopping hard on the rim.

The spacing of the head stamps and primers off the back surface of the cylinder was slightly greater than 9mm with moonclips. But it was close enough that the 38 S&W still worked fine. At least on the AP revolver. Can't say about any others.
 
Many years ago Federal ammo and Ruger firearms were working on building a rimmed version of the 9mm for use in a revolver. The project was scrapped when the scenario you've described presented itself. The common thought was the some shooters would foolishly use the high pressure ammo in a firearm designed for low pressure ammo.
See last two paragraphs:
www grantcunningham com/2011/09/multi-caliber-revolvers-why-you-dont-see-them-on-gun-store-shelves/
 
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Don't know about all brands but a buddy with a 38S&W revolver gave me a few to check in my Alfa Project 9mm revolver. They worked fine. Bought 100 38S&W brass and used them now and then in that revolver with out the need to use the moonclips. Yes, they had to be slightly trimmed. And I used 9mm dies to reload them. Just had to alter the sizing die to avoid stopping hard on the rim.

The spacing of the head stamps and primers off the back surface of the cylinder was slightly greater than 9mm with moonclips. But it was close enough that the 38 S&W still worked fine. At least on the AP revolver. Can't say about any others.

Nice, this is the type of info that I was seeking.
 
If you did use 38 S&W brass you would have to make sure you use 9mm dies as 38 S&W dies are going to swage the brass larger by about .003". On that note the stress of squeezing down the brass more than was meant might fatigue it sooner. Trimmed down 38 Special brass might work better.

Cheers
Moe

.38 Special brass may be too thick as well.
 
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