Has anyone chronographed 9mm from REVOLVER?

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DirtyHarold

New member
Just wondering if there is any velocity difference caused by the cylinder gap and if so how much. considering getting an LCR for the GF for CC in 38 spl (maybe the 357) or 9mm whichever kicks out hotter lead. I like the idea of the 9mm because of how cheap ammo is but if it comes out of a 2 in bbl at like 650-700 fps then ill get her the 357.

I dont want to start a debate on the effectiveness of calibers in self defense, lets keep this on topic of the chrono numbers a 9mm revolver kicks out.
 
Harold.....One does not have to chronograph it to tell you. I load all three with the same bullet and the .357 has it over the other two hands down BUT get real and have her pick out the gun herself as it has to fit her not you and do not be stuck on a two inch barrel as she will have better control with a bit longer barrel say in the three to four inch length.
 
Absolutely the 357 is going to "kick out hotter lead" but I choose to shoot 38+p from mine. Plenty of snot to get the job done. At least that is what I choose to believe until proven otherwise. :o
 
I think most people will agree, especially in the case of a gun for your GF, that the determining factor will not be what comes out hotter, but what she will be able to tolerate in the way of pain and recoil!

Even grown men cry at the thought of .357 out of the LCR!
Not everyone, but many!
Not that she can't do it, but will she do it enough to be good with it.

Getting some Buffalo Bore .38 +P outdoorsman today for my LCRx and will report back how it feels.
It's reported to be somewhere in the 350 foot pound range out of the 17/8" LCR.
Don't have a chrono today, but can report what it feels like in comparison to regular +P.

The .357 will be definitely hotter in your two choices.
 
4 or 5 years ago I chrono'd some 9mm loads out of a 2" 9mm revolver (Taurus 905IB 1.75" barrel). This is what I got for a 5 shot avg from each load:

Win White box 115gr FMJ - 1096fps
Magtech 115gr FMJ - 1057fps
Magtech 115gr JHP +P - 1098fps
Federal 9BPLE 115gr JHP +P+ - 1174fps

As a general rule, 9mm out of a 2" revolver out performs .38spl +P of similar bullet weight, approaching .357mag velocities. As a for instance, I clocked WW .38spl 125gr JHP +P at 832fps from a S&W 637 (1.875" barrel) on the same day. The 9mm does have sharper recoil than .38spl, more like .38spl +P, but much less recoil and muzzle blast than .357mag.

Hope this helps.
 
Never chronographed it, but I've seen similar results posted in the past. The best 9mm 124 gr loads are awful close to typical 125 gr 357 loads when the 9mm is fired in a 4" semi vs a 4" or shorter revolver.

Remember, a 2" revolver is about the same overall length as a 4" semi and the length of the cylinder adds some useful length to the barrel.

You lose some speed because of the cylinder gap, but the best 9mm+p loadings from a revolver will come a lot closer to 357 mag than 38 +p. And with a lot less recoil and blast than 357. I don't understand why 9mm revolvers aren't more popular. A small 5 shooter with pre-loaded clips should be pretty effective for revolver guys.

The revolvers advantage is the ability to shoot much heavier bullets than 9mm if wanted.
 
ALMOST ALL 9MM revolvers are faster than most any 9MM autoloading pistol, and I've chrongraphed a LOT of both. My S&W M940 3" is highly accurate and sits right at the heels of lightbullet 357MAG ammunition from 3" or 4" guns.
And so it goes...
 
IIRC, tests have shown that the average barrel/cylinder gap costs 25-50 fps in velocity. That is within the variation to be expected in factory rounds from the same box, and is not significant enough to be important.

Jim
 
SP101 v SW986

3" SP101 in 38 is very pleasant to shoot. It is the favorite of my wife and daughter. 5" SW986 (9mm) kicks more sharply even though about 7 oz heavier. Be sure your GF shoots a compact 9mm before buying one; my guess is she will prefer the LCR in 38.
 
The 9mm seems like a very good fit for a small revolver. Seems an efficient cartridge remains so within reason no matter what firearm it's fired out of.
 
Don't discount the incredible cost difference in range ammo between 9mm 38 357. Yes, the 9mm has a snappier recoil than a 38spl, but that'd because its running at higher pressures and more velocity. Make sure wifey has no issues with the sharper recoil and go with the 9mm. If not, nothing wrong with running Hornady 38 +p for SD.
 
I used to have an LCR in 357 and an LC9 (I have since traded both). I wish I kept all the numbers and ammo I used for this test. I did it about two years ago. I chronoed 38, 38+p, 357 and 9. Was surprised to find that 9mm from the LC9 chronoed slightly less than regular 38 from the LCR. I do remember it was Aguila 115 gn fmj. I then tried the same load in a full size 9mm pistol and it outperformed the 38+p. The experience has put me off of subcompact 9mm for carry. It was this test that finally convinced me to get rid of the LC9. I've gone with revolvers and never looked back.
 
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