9mm Revolvers, Who Makes Them?

Bart68

Bart68

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I had my 9mm out today and I like the lower cost of the ammo compared to my 38s but it's just not as
accurate to shoot. or at least I'm better with a revolver than a 1911 or M&P style. So with that I started looking
for a 9mm revolver.
 
Ruger makes a convertible 9mm/.38Special. The 9mm is slightly smaller projectile than the .38S I think, makes the 9mm less accurate so the story goes. It isn't perfect but it is something. S&W makes 9mm revolvers they need moon clips I think. Moon clips are a PITA but with a correct tool not a big deal, all moon clips are not created equal. You can make your own tool, not that hard.
 
rustynut1 said:
Ruger makes a convertible 9mm/.38Special. The 9mm is slightly smaller projectile than the .38S I think, makes the 9mm less accurate so the story goes. It isn't perfect but it is something. S&W makes 9mm revolvers they need moon clips I think. Moon clips are a PITA but with a correct tool not a big deal, all moon clips are not created equal. You can make your own tool, not that hard.
Click to expand...

Alfa comes with a de mooner, but you don't really need to use them. Just have to manually eject the shells from the cylinder. I personally liked moon clips, It soo much faster to reload.

I had a Alfa 9mm, It shot well and felt good once I put better grips. Biggest issue I had was sticky cylinders. I'm not the first to complain about them.. Another guy at the club same issues. I had 2 cylinders tighter than the rest.
 
S&W -> 929 & 986

I’m going to go-ahead and be “that guy”. Instead of buying a new gun why not spend the money on a reloading set-up and roll your own? If cost is your only driving factor to go 9mm in revolver the equipment will pay for itself. 38spl is one of the easiest and cheapest rounds to load, load data is extensive, and components are plentiful. You’ll also be able to wring even more accuracy out of your ammo if desired.

If you’re really dead set of a 9mm revo I’d put the S&W’s at the top of the pile.
 
Hard to beat the Alfa Project for the money. I've had 2 and enjoyed them both. The reduced pull spring kit helped a bit but a bit of polishing and dry firing really helps smooth out the trigger.

The Ruger convertibles are single action, ive had a couple of those as well, and they were lots of fun but I'm assuming the OP is after double action.
 
I have an Alfa Proj Classic 9mm and am quite happy with it.

I've shot about 300 rounds through it so far and have had no trouble loading with factory ammo using the moon clips.

What I HAVE had trouble with is using my own reloads (which work quite well in my 1911 9mm and Ruger SR9) and the moon clips. For whatever unknown reason, I can't use the reloads with moon clips as the loaded clip won't seat in the cylinder. The reloads work just fine WITHOUT the clip, though :confused:

My only real beef with the revolver is the (IMHO) exorbitant cost of the moon clips themselves. Alfa churns these out by the hundreds of thousands, so I can't believe that vendors are charging anywhere from 8-12 dollars for ONE clip.
 
Another Alfa proj 9mm owner here. First time I took it out I left the moon clips at home and thought oh f&(k I guess I won't be able to shoot it but I was able to load the cylinder with out the moon clips and extract then with my fingers. Sometimes using the rim of a another case to help pull it out. Using clips is not issue tho, I don't even use the de mooning tool. It's easy enough to take the cases off by hand. One issue tho - factory grips are way too small feel awkward to use. I replaced them with wood grips, feels much better.
 
shredder said:
I have an Alfa Proj Classic 9mm and am quite happy with it.

I've shot about 300 rounds through it so far and have had no trouble loading with factory ammo using the moon clips.

What I HAVE had trouble with is using my own reloads (which work quite well in my 1911 9mm and Ruger SR9) and the moon clips. For whatever unknown reason, I can't use the reloads with moon clips as the loaded clip won't seat in the cylinder. The reloads work just fine WITHOUT the clip, though :confused:

My only real beef with the revolver is the (IMHO) exorbitant cost of the moon clips themselves. Alfa churns these out by the hundreds of thousands, so I can't believe that vendors are charging anywhere from 8-12 dollars for ONE clip.
Click to expand...

You can find them for under 6$ someplaces. Actually TK custom made the first batch of moonclips for it, Now Ranch does. TK ones fitted much tighter than the Ranch. But totally different than the ones that came with the gun. I tried very hard to try and get the ones like the factory and swung and a miss. Nobody stocks them. I ended up getting some TK from ABhobbyist. For 10$ a piece.

But I had the same issues. MY reloads would work in my semi auto but not really my revolver. But that was before I had a factory crimp die. Wouldn't mind trying the short cylinder one.

jacotsmith said:
Hard to beat the Alfa Project for the money. I've had 2 and enjoyed them both. The reduced pull spring kit helped a bit but a bit of polishing and dry firing really helps smooth out the trigger.

The Ruger convertibles are single action, ive had a couple of those as well, and they were lots of fun but I'm assuming the OP is after double action.
Click to expand...

9mm? the classic or the shorter? Ever have any issues with sticky cylinders?
 
I own a stainless Charter Arms Pitbull 5" in 9mm. Have had it for three or four years.

Plenty accurate, no moon clips to deal with. Insertion has never been an issue if the brass is to spec. Extraction initially was a bit touch and go, some quick polishing in the cylinder and never looked back. Just wish there were speedloaders available.
Single action is delightful. Double is reasonable.
 
OkayShooter said:
I had a Alfa 9mm, It shot well and felt good once I put better grips. Biggest issue I had was sticky cylinders. I'm not the first to complain about them.. Another guy at the club same issues. I had 2 cylinders tighter than the rest.
Click to expand...

Very common problem with Alphas. I worked at a range/store and every single member's gun had 1 - 2 tight cylinders. One was so bad that it would often pull the bullet from a factory round the one chamber unless you shot it first! The member ended up reloading and putting a heavy crimp on his 9mm, that seemed to help.

Still unacceptable IMO, and my experience with the brand steer me away from buying one.
 
Receipt said:
I own a stainless Charter Arms Pitbull 5" in 9mm. Have had it for three or four years.

Plenty accurate, no moon clips to deal with. Insertion has never been an issue if the brass is to spec. Extraction initially was a bit touch and go, some quick polishing in the cylinder and never looked back. Just wish there were speedloaders available.
Single action is delightful. Double is reasonable.
Click to expand...

S&W 547 ones don't fit?

jacotsmith said:
I've had the 4.5" and 6" models in 9mm, both standard cylinder. The only ammo that was sticky for me was steel case but the manual advises not to use it. I don't like being told what to do though.
Click to expand...

I had the 6" classic. I wanted to try the stubby cylinder next. I tried it with steel case ammo. I had to push the ejector rod against the bench to pop them out.

deadsea said:
Very common problem with Alphas. I worked at a range/store and every single member's gun had 1 - 2 tight cylinders. One was so bad that it would often pull the bullet from a factory round the one chamber unless you shot it first! The member ended up reloading and putting a heavy crimp on his 9mm, that seemed to help.

Still unacceptable IMO, and my experience with the brand steer me away from buying one.
Click to expand...

Yeah I never tried mine with a heavy crimp. Sold it before I started to use the factory crimp die. But I would love to have another 9mm revolver that 6 shot and could use speed loaders/moonclips.
 
TT1900 said:
S&W -> 929 & 986

I’m going to go-ahead and be “that guy”. Instead of buying a new gun why not spend the money on a reloading set-up and roll your own? If cost is your only driving factor to go 9mm in revolver the equipment will pay for itself. 38spl is one of the easiest and cheapest rounds to load, load data is extensive, and components are plentiful. You’ll also be able to wring even more accuracy out of your ammo if desired.

If you’re really dead set of a 9mm revo I’d put the S&W’s at the top of the pile.
Click to expand...

Agreed...reload 38
 
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