Shooting 9mm from a Enfield or Webley .38 S+W?

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groundskeeper willy

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A while back someone mentioned they shot 9mm out of their .38 S+W revolver.
They used pliers to "pinch" the 9mm rim and I suppose squeeze out enough rim so it sits properly in the chambers.

Anybody else do this?

Viable last ditch alternative for ammo for these difficult to feed, inexpensive revolvers?

Does it bind up the cylinder at all?
 
9mm Luger is significantly hotter than 38S&W. Was he simply using the brass and light loading? If no, it's dangerous. If so, its unnecessary as there is lots of ammo and brass available.
 
I don't think I would try this...it does'nt sound too safe. I think 9mm para has a lot more pressure that 38 S & W. To chance an injury to your eyes/body to shoot an old $75 dollar revolver? An alternative?...I've found 38 S&W ammo a few years ago in Edmonton and Provost. I still see stuff like this at gunshows. Perhaps another cartridge has similar dimensions could be trimmed by an experienced reloader and loaded down to 38 S&W pressures.
 
Some 9x19 is loaded to pressures more than 3 times the level of .38 S&W. More pressure than the .38's proof loads. Perhaps the slightly undersized bullet is the only reason that this didn't result in a blown cylinder.
 
I was told this idea by a WWII Spitfire pilot. After shooting the enfield 148gr jacketed & being (extremely) underwhelmed he accumulated some 9mm MkII & started to carry it in his service revolver.

He used a length of string in the extractor groove to engage the extractor star.

This was a "last ditch" idea, because he didn't expect to need to fire more than 1 cylinder & really didn't care about the long term survival of the GUN. :shock:

ie. not a recommended practice.

Regards
D
 
Enfield .380" ctg was proofed at 22000psi and service pressure of about 15-16000psi. 9mm develops about twice this pressure. In WWII trials were made with .380" Enfield and S&W converted to 9mm in Canada and Britain. Aftyer a few shots the cylinder was found to be bulged at the locking slot on both arms and the expriment was abandoned. The .380" ctg develops more pressure than commercial .38S&W load.
This substitution is not recommended.
The use of 9mm Luger ammo in 9mm Brg long arms is also not advised.
 
"The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions" says this about making 38 S&W cases:

"Make from 38 Special. Trim case to length (.780"), chamfer and full length size. Case body will fireform slightly in the chamber."

The nominal bullet diameter is .359" which means regular 38/357 bullets will be slightly undersize. However, if you cast your own and load them unsized they should be pretty close.

Sample load: 150 gr. lead bullet, 4.7 grs. Alliant Unique powder = 880 fps
 
Handloading can really bring this tired old cartridge off its knees.
Remember, for a couple generations this round was common for police and self defence use.
I think its a great mild round for plinking and isn't greedy for powder.
A can goes a hell of a long way.

I have a war finish Webley and its a great gun. With shipping it the gun cost me $150! Can't go wrong with that. Handloads are really cheap once you get enough brass. I think Webleys and Enfields are underappreciated. Its an inexpensive, not cheap, way to get into centerfire handgunning. The little guns have history and character to them. All the Lee Enfield collectors should buy one or two to complete their collections and to fully appreciate what our fighting men had to work with.
Its neat to watch American WW2 movies and grunts blazing away with .45 pistols, now imagine having a little top break .38!

They are the Rodney Dangerfield of handguns.
Just get no respect..............................................
 
Shooting 9mm from a Enfield or Webley .38 S+W is insane. Roughly 5 thou difference in the bullet diameter, plus the pressure difference.
 
My younger brothers father-in-law was a meat head in WW2, specifically in Normandy. I asked him what firearm he carried. 'Just a minute' he said and left the room. Came back with a 6" Smith in .38 S&W calibre, the so-called victory model.'I guess I should have turned it in' he sez. 'And you know finn, ammo was tough to get so I took some of those black german bullets and pinched the rims with a pair of vise grips'. 'Worked real good, and what a flash'.
The revolver was in good shape and he came home undamaged. you use what you can get.

Finn Nielsen :lol:
with vise grips
 
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