If I buy Ruger Blackhawk .357 can I later add 9mm cylinder?

[Squid]

I remember hearing something about "fitted" regarding the other cylinder on the convertible.

Does that mean some real gunsmithing is done to match the cylinder to the gun and they aren't interchangeable or aftermarketable?


I kinda noticed there aren't any aftermarket 9mm cylinders for any other .357 revolvers.


Yes, I'm aware there are some reported accuracy issues due to 9mm being a little loose in .357 barrel.

[CBruce]

I'm doing some research into revolvers and .357/.38 calibre myself. Why would you not just shoot .38specials?

[JeremyS]

Yeah, 'smithing is usually required. The "timing" has to be PERFECT. If the cylinder doesn't line up with the barrel just right, it's a problem. Revolvers either come with multiple cylinders that are checked at the factory to be timed properly for that frame, or the company requests that you send the gun to them if you want to get additional cylinders.

[Bug Splat]

9mm is a smaller bullet than a 38/357.

9mm=.355
38/357= .358/.359

While 9mm bullets can be shot out of a barrel cut for 38/357 it might not be as accurate or as fast as you would get with a true 9mm barrel. Works in a pinch but not ideal. Would take a good smith to time a new 9mm cylinder to your pistol. I think it would just be cheaper to buy a new pistol.

[emtmark]

I'd like to send mine in for the same but was told they will modify the firing pin?
It's an older .357 that is pre lawsuit. I was also told I can undo what they did but lately my tinkering adventures have ended with less than favorable results.

[milotrain]

1. Yes it is a fitted cylinder (even has a sort of SN on it so they stay together at the factory)
2. Accuracy might be a problem but unless you are shooting at long range with a scope or very very good you won't notice. The 9mm is also more of a SHTF/plinking accessory, not an accuracy accessory (but you knew that).
3. If they are modifying the firing pin with the block off plate that came on the later versions I only see this as a positive. Mine has that plate and it's no less reliable. Also lets you comfortably carry six in with the hammer down on a live round, which has usually been considered a bad idea with SA revolvers.
4. I bought my blackhawk 9mm/.357 used, the whole thing was $350 with the 9mm cylinder. I used to carry the 9mm with me to the range but only shot it out of curiosity once. Now it stays at home in a box. Unless you want one for a fantastic reason I wouldn't bother trying to search one out.

Reloading
If you reload .357 then the cost is nothing, the only thing that might encourage use of the 9mm is if you already reload 9mm and don't have dies or anything for .357. Otherwise just reload .357, not worth messing about.

Casting boolits
In general the Lee TL356-124-2R round nose cast is considered very cheap and very accurate. While it's rated as a .356 bullet most moulds cast upwards of .358 or more. If you have a .355 sizing die and a .358 sizing die you could cast the same boolit for .38sp/.357/9mm and just size to either .38sp/.357 or 9mm. This is insanely economical in both time and money.

[dfletcher]

I'd like to send mine in for the same but was told they will modify the firing pin?
It's an older .357 that is pre lawsuit. I was also told I can undo what they did but lately my tinkering adventures have ended with less than favorable results.

Ruger used to include the "old parts" when going from 3 screw to transfer bar configuration. I'm not sure they still do that, I've read of people trying to track down original parts on the internet after being surprised the original parts weren't returned

My guess is years ago when Ruger policy was to return the "updated" gun and original parts some mo mo then went back to original configuration and shot off his big toe or some such thing. Ruger then had to deal with "well if you knew it was dangerous enough to warrant switching out, why'd you include the "bad" parts when you sent it back?"

I've used a convertible with the 9mm. Accuracy was lousy.

[22popnsplat]

Ruger will not fit the revolver with a 9mm cylinder unless it left the factory with one orignailly . If you buy a 9mm cylinder off of a auction site it may need to be fitted or it may just drop in and be fine, May also not work without the attention of a gunsmith witch would make it more costly than it would be worth . I have fitted cylinders in .45 but there is a limit to what the hobby smith can do at home. You need to know how to perform the tests to tell if it is properly fitted.
If you go to a gunsmith they can make one for you but it will cost you what a new blackhawk would cost.
Last i knew if you sent a gun in for conversion you had to send a note with it for the old parts , I would call and ask first .I would not send it to them for the transfer bar conversion to begin with . The conversion could result in the gun not being worth as much depending on current condition

[railroader]

To the OP I have shot 9mm bullets out of a s&w 686. To try them I loaded them into 38 special cases. Yes they went bang but the accuracy was poor compared to my 38 special swc loads. I guess I really don't see the point of the conversion using the stock barrel.

[PEZHEAD265]

To the OP I have shot 9mm bullets out of a s&w 686. To try them I loaded them into 38 special cases. Yes they went bang but the accuracy was poor compared to my 38 special swc loads. I guess I really don't see the point of the conversion using the stock barrel.

If the SHTF 9mm will be a lot easier to find then 38 or 357 and if you had both cyl. the gun would be more versatile.Granted the 9 wouldn't be as accurate but sure beats using it as a club.

[railroader]

If the SHTF 9mm will be a lot easier to find then 38 or 357 and if you had both cyl. the gun would be more versatile.Granted the 9 wouldn't be as accurate but sure beats using it as a club.

I guess but in that scenario I would be using one of my 9mm pistols and my hi caps.

[rp55]

The cylinders are engraved with the last 4 digits of the serial number and it comes with lots of warnings not to use with other guns. The 9mm is as accurate out of it as 38/357

[nitro-express]

4. I bought my blackhawk 9mm/.357 used, the whole thing was $350 with the 9mm cylinder. I used to carry the 9mm with me to the range but only shot it out of curiosity once. Now it stays at home in a box. Unless you want one for a fantastic reason I wouldn't bother trying to search one out.

Ruger cylinders vary, one cylinder will usually not "fit" in another frame. Sometimes they do, but it is seldom. My Ruger frame is marked "357 Cal." No "Magnum" like my other Ruger BlackHawks. That circumvents any legal issues.

I have a convertible, shooting jacketed factory 9mm is not an issue. what is an issue is that after shooting a couple of hundred rounds, the mouth of the ammunition batters the front of the chamber. With every shot, the unfired round is slammed into the chamber. A 9mm pistol would probably need several thousand rounds before this would happen.

A 9mm cylinder takes advantage of cheaper factory ammo, but at the end of the day, I can load 357 Mag with cast as cheap.And cast 355 bullets in handloaded 9mm cases is a joke, a real recipe for a leaded barrel, believe me, I tried it.

I've been thinking of having my cylinder rechambered to 38 S&W, still in the thinking stage.

Sorry for resurrecting such an old thread, but it came up on my search about 9mm Ruger cylinders.

[Mr. Beretta]

You pose several excellent questions. I suggest calling Ruger Customer Service @ 1-336-949-5200 & asking them.

FYI...A good friend has the New Model Blackhawk Convertible model # 0308. He says the 9mm is just as acculturate as the 38spl. / 357 mag rds. This is my next gun purchase.

Good Luck.

I remember hearing something about "fitted" regarding the other cylinder on the convertible.

Does that mean some real gunsmithing is done to match the cylinder to the gun and they aren't interchangeable or aftermarketable?


I kinda noticed there aren't any aftermarket 9mm cylinders for any other .357 revolvers.


Yes, I'm aware there are some reported accuracy issues due to 9mm being a little loose in .357 barrel.

[Jimmy's]

They already made that gun and they are readily available for sale.