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hi, i have a .357 ruger sp101 that i would like to convert to 9mm. is there any gunsmith you guys would recommend in california? how easy would it be to pick up a 9mm cylinder and just pop it in.
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Give Randy Lee a call @ Apex Tactical. I know he has done the conversions in the past.
His shop number is 805-528-5250. -
can anyone else chime in on this topic?Comment
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Ruger makes/used to make an SP101 that'd chamber 9mm.
It's not on the current Roster of approved handguns, however. (You could probably find one in CA and get it via PPT or intrastate intrafamiliar xfer; I don't believe these guns are that uncommon.)
Methinks it's cheaper to find one of those than to do gunsmithing.
BTW seems Ruger only sells cylinders to gunsmiths.
I'd bet that the cost of fair labor for gunsmith fitment + cost of cylinder may well exceed the cost of a used SP101.
Curious, why do you wanna do this? Stepping down from 357 to 9mm is kinda lame, and even a 38Spl +P is very serviceable round.
Bill Wiese
San Jose, CA
CGF Board Member / NRA Benefactor Life Member / CRPA life member
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I have an SP 101 in 9MM. Besides the moon clips being hard to find and expensive when you do. The gun is perfect size for the round and is a different feel than shooting a 38. I cant explain it better than my targets can, they are improved when I shoot that gun."I would kill for a Nobel peace prize." Steven Wright"
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I'm not a fan of moonclips -- but that's why I bought a S&W 547 at Cow Palace a few weeks ago (I pick it up in a week). It's a one-of-a-kind S&W model that uses nifty beryllium catches to retain the 9mm cartridges without moonclips.
Everybody says that 9mm in a 3" revolver is 'snappier' than you'd expect.
--NeillsigpicComment
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I had a 9mm SP-101 and it's really a nifty little package. Ivan is right that the SP-101 is a perfect platform for the 9mm.
The gunsmithing is pretty straightforward, it just takes a reamer to do it on the .357 cylinder, no new cylinder required. If they ream it for the .38 Super then you have another option as well. The .38's and .357's can still be shot, but the cases will bulge and likely stick and need to be poked out.-Tim-Comment
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The 9mm Sp101 is not all that common in CA, I have only ever seen 2-3 here. Most 9mm is a good bit snappier in power than most +P .38spl..22short .22lr .22mag .25acp .32acp .32H&Rmag,.35rem .30carbine
7.62x25Tok 7.62x38r .380acp .38S&W .38spl 9x18Mak 9mmPara .35rem
9mmLargo .38super .357mag .40S&W 10mm .41mag .44spl .44mag
.45acp .45LC 6.5Carcano 7.7Japanese 7.62x54r 6.5Swede,6.5x54r
.30-40Krag 7.5French 8x57Mauser .223Rem 7.62x39 .410bore .30-30
20ga 12ga .303British 8x56r 7.5x55Swiss .30-06...Comment
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I have a J frame .38 (642) that I'm considering converting. Mostly to save on ammunition costs so I can get out to the range more often
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I'm just not sure if I can make it pay off and how much of a PITA the moonclips would be.
Also concerned how much the recoil in 9mm would affect the shooting experience."That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there."
- George OrwellComment
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If you are looking for a revolver-smith to make the tranformation from 38 to 9mm, try Randy Lee @ http://www.apextactical.com/ . He can cut it for moons and 9mm. 805-528-5250Comment
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Why would one want to limit themselves with a 9mm??
Throwing good money after bad, IMO"I kill things for a living, don't make yourself one of them"Comment
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your not limiting yourself.. you can still shot 357 and 38Comment
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