ltwguns.com

In a previous post ( http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... php?t=4541 ), I believe Ned's S&W 58 with a 45ACP conversion was shown.

I have considered having a simular mod done to one of my 357 revolvers. I thought I might have it converted to 9mm, cut the the cylinder down to a shorter length, and have the barrel set back.

My question is: How important is the shoulder in each chamber and why is it there?

I like the idea of 9mm on moon clips for steel plate shooting and such.

Thanks--Greg

I think you'd want to use a different barrel in that since 9mm is .355 and .357 is .357. Never really tried it, seems like I've heard of folk using a .357 barrel for 9mm, but it's just not a place I've ever been personally.

The shoulder in the chamber? If I understand correctly the question, the answer is that the bullets needs a just-over-bullet-diameter area to travel through before reaching the barrel. I mean, if a 9mm chamber is .374 (dimension pulled from air), it would not do to have the .355 diameter bullet traveling down a .374 hole and then trying to find it's way into the forcing come of the barrel.

Re-reading, maybe you were asking if, in shortening the cylinder, would it matter if you went beyond the shoulder for the .357 Mag. chamber. Yes. To do it right this mod would require a new barrel and cylinder.

Doesn't S&W make a 9mm revolver? Or is that only in a J-frame? Somebody somewhere is doing these conversions where you wind up with an 8-shot 9mm, I'm pretty sure. TK Custom maybe?

They use too. The 547(K frame) has been discontinued for a while but they do command a decent used price. They are in demand by S&W collectors and CCW people.

The extractor/star mechanism is a little unorthadox as it uses springs to grasp each rim under the star,not moon clips. Itcame in 3"&4" barrel lengths.

I think what Greg wants is a moon clip feed. If I read his post correctly.

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Thanks--

Ned, you answered both of my questions.

Al, I had a 547 and sold it. It shot very nicely, but looked like it would eventually need some extractor parts replaced. When S&W were contacted about parts, they disavowed all knowlege of any parts being available.

Greg,

Those extractors do seem to be the "achilles heel" of the 547. I understand S&Ws position as they must surely have run out of parts years ago. We all wanted the 3" version as a carry gun or backup.

I would like to have seen a K frame 3" in 9mm using FMCs. Good luck in your search!

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Geerlings.....have you considered the Ruger SP101 in 9mm? I think that these are still available....if you could get it in a 3"bbl. and send it to Marc at Gemini Customs, he could probably work his majic on one for you! He also makes a moonclip conversion for the .38/.357 SP's....so I bet he might be willing to try a moon clip for the 9mm also....plus he is a super fellow to talk with on ideas like this, and seems to have a huge following! Best of luck in your search!--John

_________________
"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

I just checked the Ruger website, and didn't find the SP101 listed in 9mm., but a quick check on Gunbroker and Gunsamerica both had some for sale on there, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a base gun for your project!

_________________
"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Sorry....it's just me again! I talked to Marc at Gemini today in regards to another matter, and we talked about your idea a little. He stated that Ruger doesn't produce the SP101 in 9mm anymore, but they are readily available on the market. Better yet..they were set up from the factory with moon clips, so you wouldn't need to do anything there. He said that he has done customizations and some of his excelent packages on a few of these with good results, too. The only drawbacks he could think of would be replacement parts, as Ruger will not sell/provide parts for ANYTHING...to ANYBODY! He said he has bought several spare SP101's in various calibers to cannibalize for parts as needed.
I am not sure if any of this will help you, or if the little SP101 might be a little smaller than what you wanted, since you mentioned shooting competition with it, but there it is if you want it!--John

_________________
"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

...in addition to the aforementioned Model 547 and the Ruger SP101, there IS another way to go...Mark Hartshorne at "Pinnacle High Performance" in PA can rechamber the six-shot L-frames to .38 Super or 9x23 Winchester and do a "Moonclip" conversion...If you have the gun rechambered to 9x23, you can shoot 9x23, .38 Super AND 9x19 Para. out of the SAME Gun...He's got a website...NEAT "Conversion"...HTH...and if that's you, Greg, you need to sell or trade me that six-inch seven shooter!!!....mikey357