38 Super Blackhawk

[Ruber]

I've seen new model 357 Blackhawks with extra cylinders reamed out for 38 super. Anyone ever do that with an OM Blackhawk?

 

[BearStopper]

No but that sounds like a hell of an idea! I just happen to have a 9mm cylinder that might be happier as a 38 Super!

 

[foxtrapper]

Not a Blackhawk but a single six 38 super.

 

[Motex66]

The the 38 Super is a great round, but you don't really gain anything over the 357 Magnum. 357 Sig would also be neat to have.

The 9mm cylinder was for cheap commoly available ammo. The. Super and Sig don't fit that criteria, but don't let that stop you.Because I can and want to works.
John

 

[louiethelump]

Won't work with a 9mm I don't think. The 38 Super is smaller diameter at the base than the 9mm so the chamber is too big already. Many of my 357 guns will take 38 super ammo as they are, but have a little too much head space. Really should have the cylinder set back for the thinner rim on the 38 super. Not sure the reason for the conversion since the 38 super is inferior to the 357 that the gun comes with.

Can anyone supply the "why" on this conversion?

A single six 38 super makes sense......

 

[CraigC]

Can't really think of a good reason why. The advantage to the 9mm is cheap plinking ammo and easier ejection. The .38Super would definitely need to be handloaded. The .38Spl and .357 will do anything the Super will do, only with a better bullet selection and a rim. `Course, some folks just like to be different and I reckon that's a good enough reason.

 

[Axehandle]

38 Super has a shorter OAL for use in things like the Single Six.. The Super is not rimless as it appears from accross the room either. It is called Semi Rimmed and as such seems to work pretty well in DA revolvers with or with out moon clips. S&W has produced 8 shot N frame Supers and 6 shot L frame Supers.. Had a pair for a while. I'd like one of Reeder's Singe Six 38 Super conversions. I really like my 38 Super 1911s....

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Can anyone supply the "why" on this conversion?

A single six 38 super makes sense......

Let's say you have two guns an 38 super and a 357 Blackhawk. Would it not be nice to have a 38 super cylinder for the Blackhawk? Then you could shoot 357mag, 38special and 38super. Makes sense to me. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[edlmann]

Won't work with a 9mm I don't think. The 38 Super is smaller diameter at the base than the 9mm so the chamber is too big already.

This.

Getting a Blackhawk to properly shoot .38 ACP/.38 Super is certainly doable, but you either have to start with a .30 Carbine cylinder or a custom cylinder.

While dimensionally the .357 Sig cold work in a 9mmP cylinder, you run into the old bugaboo of bottle-necked cases in a revolver, setback.

 

[Ruber]

Won't work with a 9mm I don't think. The 38 Super is smaller diameter at the base than the 9mm so the chamber is too big already.

This.

Getting a Blackhawk to properly shoot .38 ACP/.38 Super is certainly doable, but you either have to start with a .30 Carbine cylinder ...

Don't think the 30 carbine cylinder would fit. Based on the 9mm cylinder I have, the chamber at the rear would be at most 0.0007" out of spec and very quickly coming in spec.

I understand that even a loose within spec chamber isn't the best for the longevity of the brass, but I wondered if anyone had experience with this being it would be less than one thousandth outta spec at the case head (given I'm already shooting 38 super in standard barrels anyway).

My 38 super handloads will not fit my 357 BH cylinder, but if that is the best way to go, I'll get another taper crimp die for it to bring it down a bit (or I might just try a light touch with a 9mm die).

As for why? Well, it adds another level of versatility for me. I understand the .357 magnum is the ultimate, super dreamy, do-all cartridge, but I personally like having just a few good loads for each cartridge I load for. I don't really have a small game load I like for the .357, nor do I have one for the 9mm, but I've got one I really like for the 38 super. It would be fun to be able to have those work well in a light, longer barreled SA.

Thanks all!!

 

[mindustrial]

"Can anyone supply the "why" on this conversion? "

How about 6 boxes of downloaded ammo & no gun....

They were set up as a target load for a EAA Witness that I never liked.

They chamber in only one of my S&W's .357, just haven't bother to take them to the range.

A single six in 38 super.... now that would be fun & handy!

 

[anachronism]

If you want a 38 Super, just drop 38 Super ammo into your 357 mag cylinder & blaze away. The Supers semi-rimmed, and will work fine.

 

[louiethelump]

It was the 9mm cylinder that I said was too big, and it is a HECK of a lot more than .001 bigger than 38 super.

As I mentioned, 38 supers go right into about half of my 357 cylinders and won't the other half. They may work just fine in your 357 cylinder depending on how tight your chambers are.

 

[Ruber]

Hey thanks. Ya, my 357 chambers are a bit too tight and my 9mm are tight enough I thought it might be close enough. Didn't know if any others out there were in the same boat.

Thanks

 

[CraigC]

38 Super has a shorter OAL for use in things like the Single Six.

Makes sense in the Single Six. Actually, Murbach got me thinkin' about a .380 Single Six after telling about one somebody had built.