Texas Hunting Forum

Ruger Blackhawk 9mm

Posted By: texasdude28

Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/10/16 07:23 PM

I am contemplating getting a Blackhawk with the 357 and 9mm cylinders. Have read mixed reviews on the accuracy of the 9mm cylinder, anyone have first hand experience with this?
Posted By: Cast

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/10/16 07:48 PM

I have one, an old three screw. The nine mm shell head spaces on the relieved shoulder in the 9mm cylinder. The 9mm is just a small 357 round. I haven't fired mine yet but I figure it should shoot about the same at similar velocities.
Posted By: gusick

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/10/16 08:32 PM

I didn't know that even existed.

I would imagine you would get bad accuracy with jacketed .355 bullets going down a .357 bore. Soft lead bullets would be better if you can find them. If you reload, you could fix this problem by putting .357 bullets in 9mm cases but that would probably defeat the purpose of a 9mm revolver to begin with.
Posted By: RiverRider

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/10/16 08:39 PM

There is a thread here concerning a polymer-coated bullet which is available in several different diameters. An over-sized bullet might work to give decent accuracy using the 9mm cylinder. A lead 125-grain .358" bullet might work well if you can avoid having to taper crimp the devil out of it and still get the cartridges to chamber. A .357" lead bullet might work.

I have never read a report where the shooter was thrilled with 9mm performance in his .357/9mm Blackhawk.
Posted By: beatarmy

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/10/16 09:24 PM

What is the purposes of a revolver
That shoots auto cartridges? .38 and .357 should cover everything. Just curious what the attraction is. Cheaper ammo maybe?
Posted By: Cast

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/10/16 09:37 PM

Snake shot
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/10/16 09:50 PM

Originally Posted By: beatarmy
What is the purposes of a revolver
That shoots auto cartridges? .38 and .357 should cover everything. Just curious what the attraction is. Cheaper ammo maybe?


same question here, cheap ammo for sure but.........
Posted By: kmon11

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/11/16 02:19 AM

There are a lot more ammo choices for one chambered in 357 and 9mm than excluding the 9mm. Also can practice with cheaper ammo from the same gun.

Like RR said, have never heard great reports of accuracy with the 9mm cylinder in the gun. The one I have shot was much more accurate with 38s and 357s than 9mm but still accuracy wasn't that bad for close range work.
Posted By: BigPig

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/11/16 02:26 AM

Originally Posted By: beatarmy
What is the purposes of a revolver
That shoots auto cartridges? .38 and .357 should cover everything. Just curious what the attraction is. Cheaper ammo maybe?


No idea. I have the same gun in 45LC/45ACP. It's fun, but I prefer the 45LC
Posted By: KC

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/11/16 03:11 AM

If I could only have 1 handgun in a post apocalyptic scenario it would be such a Blackhawk. Outside of that, I don't see a great deal of usefulness in a 9mm cylinder.
Posted By: texasdude28

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/12/16 09:47 PM

Anyone else who has one or who has shot the 9mm cylinder?
Posted By: DH3

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/12/16 10:32 PM

Why would you even try to shoot 9mm in a revolver built like a tank? loco
Posted By: charlesb

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/13/16 12:18 PM

Originally Posted By: DH3
Why would you even try to shoot 9mm in a revolver built like a tank? loco


You've answered your own question. Shooting 9mm in a Blackhawk would much like shooting pleasant .38 special rounds - except that the 9mm ammunition can be bought dirt cheap, in bulk off of the surplus market.

- A nice, inexpensive plinker.

I doubt that anybody will be doing any competitive shooting with the 9mm cylinder, or using the pipsqueak round for hunting anything bigger than a rabbit - but as an inexpensive plinker for informal shooting it ought to do just fine.

Those who disparage the 9mm cylinder for being less accurate and less powerful seem to forget that the gun comes with a .357 mag/.38 spl cylinder too. - So if you are all done with plinking and want more power or accuracy, well about five minutes later, after a cylinder change, that is exactly what you will have.

So, I'm not certain where all of the negativity is coming from but from what I can tell, it appears to be somewhat misplaced.

The convertible Blackhawk is what it is - No more and no less.

Would I pay a bit extra to have the ability to shoot cheap 9mm ammo for plinking fun? - Sure, why not?

I am sure that there are some preppers who would buy this model with ammunition shortages after the apocalypse in mind, and to some extent they might have a point about that. A dubious point if you ask me, but a point all the same.
Posted By: Choctaw

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/13/16 12:35 PM

If you haven't already, you should probably go to the Ruger forum. They can answer any question you could possibly have about your Blackhawk.
Posted By: blackcoal

Re: Ruger Blackhawk 9mm - 04/13/16 12:57 PM

Short time back it was hard to find 357 mag ammo and 38 special was $18-20. Was easier to find 9mm and price was $12-14. At least you could still shoot. Also easier to find reloads in 9mm.

I have the Blackhawk in the 45 Colt/ACP. Same basic principal and I wanted the two cylinders for the same reason. I had many rounds of 45acp but when I was gifted a Winnie 94 in 45 colt I had trouble finding ammo. People were buying the Judge/Governor revolvers in 45/410 and finding out there was no ammo. The 45 acp cylinder gave me the option of shooting the Ruger as often as I wanted.
© 2024 Texas Hunting Forum