Blackhawk 10mm/40

[elmo123]

I was fortunate enough to have purchased a Blackhawk in 10mm/40 with a 6.5" barrel a few years ago. I have a 1911 in 10mm and plenty of 40 S&W pistols but not one in 38-40, I do have an 1892 Winchester, so I had Borchardt Rifle Company make one for me. It took close a year and a half and a return trip to fine tune the overall length but it was worth the wait.

I fired it yesterday and it is more accurate then either of the factory cylinders. I have read a lot about how weak the 38-40 is and after shooting this caliber in a handgun I don't think you would be under gunned with one especially in a personal defense situation.

I have a feeling I will be using the 38-40 more than the 10mm and 40.

Mike

 

[BearBiologist]

I had a custom 38-40 Vaquero made to go with an 1892 Winchester take-down. It was engraved in homage to my Cherokee grandmother born in the Indian Territories (now Missouri). Gave it to my daughter. Grips and knife handle are rams horn and conchos are real Indian head pennies. Holster is a deconstructed/reconstructed EPS. I liked the 38-40 and it was easier to reload than the 44-40 which had thin necks. Don't try to hot-rod it although you can get better ballistics than factory loads with a Vaquero and '92.

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

I consider 40 S&W the rimless version of the rimmed 38-40. The bullet diameter is the same and if I recall correctly, wasn't one of the original 40 S&W rounds 180 grains? Original 38-40 loads were 180 grain bullets on top of a case full of black powder. Mike Venturino discussed using a 170 grain bullet on top of 33 grains of 3f black powder; he got just over 1000 FPS from his 7 1/2 inch 3rd gen Colt SAA in 38-40. Nothing weenie about that! (Venturino called the 38-40 the 'ballistic twin" of the 40 S&W.)
I recall reading it was considered a hard hitting, flat shooting round that allowed fairly fast follow up shots and was particularly liked by Texas Rangers at the turn of the prior century.
It's a hand loader's proposition these days, but quite rewarding, and yes, Ruger Blackhawks can be used with BP also...

 

[Hondo44]

I had a new model BH .357 converted to 38-40. It's a very versatile cartridge especially in magnum loadings (Ruger only). Google 38-40 Mag for the story. Just don't shoot them in Colt SAAs.

 

[Skeet 028]

Quite a few years ago I bought a 2nd model 73 win in an antique store. Mainly because I have a1900 Colt in 38-40. Condition was very good and I still shoot the old gun but nothing hot. I don't shoot the Colt at all. Could a Vaquero 357 be made into a 38-40? Or maybe find an Uberti in 38-40?

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

LGS has an Uberti SAA with 7 1/2 inch barrel in 38-40 on consignment...