Can you recommend a SA/DA convertible revolver? Ever heard of one?

T

theshootist

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My searches have not turned up much of anything for SA/DA convertible revolvers. I'd prefer to find one with a shorter barrel, say under 6". Looks like with the selection out there so far I can't be very picky. Any thoughts or opinions? The calibers I'm interested in are 45ACP/45Colt, 357Mag/9mm, and 22WMR/22LR.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks
 
That was going to be my question...... how much do you really want to spend?
A used Medusa will get you your .357/9mm but they are rare and expensive.

SA's on the other hand no problem.
 
I'd like to keep it under $1000.00. My main concern for now is to see if a D/A even exists. Seems strange that there is so little available. I wonder what it is I am not seeing? is there something impractile about a convertible DA/SA? Perhaps something to do with manufacturing costs. The main thing that turns me off with the ruger Blackhawk is I understand that you have to load/unload in singles through a loading gate. I'll have to search further to see if that is true. I'd like the ease of swinging open the cylinder to load/unload all at once. I also wonder if the Blackhawk can handle full house 45 Colt loads. Whenever I come up with a specific type of firearm its either not available, doesn't exist, or crazy expensive. I've got odd ball tastes I guess.
 
Saw a s&w 947 (9mm) with spare model 19 (.357) fitted, but would likley be over $1000 when all is said and done.

You can always fit a spare 45LC cylinder to a 45ACP 1917.

R
 
uberti cattleman series come with those combos, but SA only

there just isnt enough demand for semi auto cartridges in a revolver, and swapping cylinders in a DA is more involved than in a SA

that being said, I do want a 9mm and .45 acp revolver in DA
 
What I'm after is a revolver with maximum versatility. I wanted the 45 Colt for its power and it would lend itself well for handloading and bullet casting. I'd like the 45ACP cylinder for higher volume plinking, and the availability to buy 45 ACP in bulk. With 2 calibres of ammo to choose from I would hope to find a NR carbine (lever or semi) to take out on wilderness trips or just more shooting fun with the same cartridges. Same thinking goes for the 357/9mm combo.
 
Ruger Blackhawks can handle Ruger Only 45LC loads no problem.

As for why there isn't DA convertibles about, you've got to ask the question why you need one.

357MAG wheelies do 38Spl for lower power loads. 44MAG the same thing with 44Spl. If you have a 45LC DA, the chances are good you can run 45ACP in they with moon clips.

Just my 0.02 and worth what you paid for it.
 
The new chiappa white rhino comes in a .357/9mm convertible and is DA/SA.

However I have not seen the convertible in Canada yet, just in the US gun magazines as its a brand spanking new offering.

It's also somewhere around 1.5k$ if I remember correctly.

Other than that I'd really say just go for the ruger blackhawk in SA 357/9mm convertible.

I've owned both, and I kept the Ruger.
 
Everybody is talking big guns. He did list .22lr/WMR. I like my rugger single six. It's a nice gun that will work for years and years to come.
 
I have a Ruger Blackhawk 45LC/45ACP. I bought it with the intention of being able to shoot it lots with the 45ACP but ended up Reloading the long Colt for it. I even started casting my own bullets. Costs me 11 cents a shot now. I only used the 45 ACP cylinder twice. The Rugers Can handle the hotter loads.
 
Thanks everyone for your input so far. Its great having this website to throw questions out and recieve some good, informative responses. The comments I've recieved gives me more to look into. If it ends up being important enough to me to have a revolver with convertible capabilities, looks like I'll have to give up on the DA. I wanted the DA for its defensive qualities. The Ruger Blackhawk's cowboy style has never really excited me, however it is growing on me. Watched Django Unchained the other night.

r106 - Do you use gas checks on your 45 Colt cast bullets? Why haven't you used the 45 ACP much? I'd figure one would buy a batch of 45 ACP to shoot in larger quantities.
 
Charter Arms has for years had a .22LR/.22MAG double action revolver (Pathfinder). They sell them in Canada with a long barrel, but I don't know the specs. I think Epps carries them.
 
Once you get into reloading you'll quickly find that you can reload .45Colt for cheaper than you can buy bulk factory .45acp. So there's simply no advantage to having the dual cylinders for anyone that's commited to reloading. And you can reload .45acp for the same cost as .45Colt since they can use many of the same bullets. It all depends on which casing you want to use when you're pulling the press lever.
 
theshootist said:
What I'm after is a revolver with maximum versatility. I wanted the 45 Colt for its power and it would lend itself well for handloading and bullet casting. I'd like the 45ACP cylinder for higher volume plinking, and the availability to buy 45 ACP in bulk. With 2 calibres of ammo to choose from I would hope to find a NR carbine (lever or semi) to take out on wilderness trips or just more shooting fun with the same cartridges. Same thinking goes for the 357/9mm combo.
Click to expand...

45Auto is not cheap for plinking...unless your reloading.
 
If you are looking for max versatility in a DA, find a S&W 460V and send the cylinder it to TK Customs. Then you can fire 45ACP, 45LC, 454 Casul and 460 S&W Magnum all out of one gun. Or there's the Taurus Judge series, 45LC and 410 shotgun shells in the regular line and 45LC/454Casul/410 in the Raging Judge line.

Both these qualify as true Hand Cannons being really large units.
 
I have two revolvers that use moon clips. They are a bit of a PITA, hard to get the brass out of the clip afterwards. I like the convertible better in that respect. That and the revolvers that use the moon clips are rare as hens teeth and expensive as hell, about twice the cost of the Ruger convertible.
 
theshootist said:
r106 - Do you use gas checks on your 45 Colt cast bullets? Why haven't you used the 45 ACP much? I'd figure one would buy a batch of 45 ACP to shoot in larger quantities.
Click to expand...

1 - No I don't use gas checks, there's no need at lower velocity. There more useful with higher velocities like in a rifle.

2 - No point in using 45 ACP when I'm loading 45 Colt. Plus I can load the 45 colt to have a lot more punch

3 - No point in buying 45 ACP @ $.35 - $.50 a shot when I have been reloading the Colt at $.11 with cast bullets. And the beauty thing about a single action is you load and unload slower so you shoot a little less = saving money. lol

But the handy thing about the 2 Cylinders is - I just got another gun in 45 ACP. So I can load just ACP and still use both guns without having to run another batch of Colt. So who knows It might only see ACP from now on. And I did buy 3000 rounds of norinco 45ACP for my new Ruger SR1911 that I'm impatiently waiting for.

If I were you and you really like double actions I would look at a .357mag because you can also use 38 special and it's cheaper when buying factory ammo.

But if you plan on getting a rifle in the same caliber and use it for hunting or what ever and you plan on reloading I would get a 44 mag
 
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