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Convert DW-15 to 9MM
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jspence
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September 11, 2012 - 10:25 pm
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A lot of S&W forums talk about converting "J" frame pistols to 9MM and several gunsmiths advertise these services (eg. Pinnacle, TK Custom).

Question - has anybody done this to a DW 357/38?

Tks jbs/

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Steve
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September 12, 2012 - 8:43 am
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I don't remember exactly who, but someone here was doing a caliber conversion. To go to a rimless cartridge would probably require Moon Clips, and I'd suggest trying to find a second cylinder,I know there's one on ebay right now, complete with crane and latch.

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

George Carlin

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jspence
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September 12, 2012 - 1:39 pm
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Thanks Steve BUT there's no DW cyl  on ebay. 

Glad to know ebay has some gun parts tho.

jbs/

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Steve
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September 12, 2012 - 3:28 pm
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Maybe the ones I saw were close to deadline, and have sold.There is an ebay seller "paulpopcorn" selling a lot of DW parts, one auction had 8-10 sideplates, another was the complete cylinder/crane.

This seller is moving a LOT of DW stuff lately

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

George Carlin

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Bullwolf
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September 12, 2012 - 9:56 pm
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I have a Smith and Wesson J-frame 940 chambered in 9mm.

Smith-940-Jframe-9mm.jpgImage Enlarger

Smith-940.jpgImage Enlarger

 

I typically use 9mm moon clips with it, but sometimes I will hand load auto rim rounds just for the 940.

You just don't see that many of these around anymore, and I really like J-frames quite a bit.

The Smith and Wesson 940 is a neat gun. It will never replace my lightweight and super convenient Smith 442 Airweight with a DeSantis Clip Grip®, or my Ruger SP101 in .357 Mag for a compact carry piece. (I have also seen SP101's chambered in 9mm)

I still like the Smith 940 just because its a J-frame chambered in 9mm, instead of the more common 38/357. For that reason alone, I will likely never get rid of it.

 

- Bullwolf

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Bullwolf
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September 13, 2012 - 11:07 pm
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You might find the thread below interesting.

I was searching a bit, and I found the 9mm conversion thread on the Dan Wesson Forums.

https://www.danwessonforum.com/forum/revolvers/dan-wesson-9mm-project-update/

9mm typically uses a .355 diameter bullet, and we all know that 38 Special and 357mag is supposed to use a .357 diameter bullet.

I have slugged quite a few 9mm barrels, and I have to say they can be all over the place. I have even seen some as large as .358 or even .359. Very few have actually came in at .355 or even close, most were over bore size

Heck I had a 9mm Browning Hi Power barrel that slugged out at .357 and shot .358 cast lead bullets with amazingly accuracy.

I don't think I would worry about shooting jacketed 9mm in a .357 barrel, after all it worked just fine with in the Ruger convertibles.

I have loaded 115 to 124 grain .355 jacketed projectiles in 38 Special, and 357 Magnum before, with minimal difference in grouping at close ranges (25 yard or under) other than point of aim.

In my experience jacketed ammo is a lot more forgiving when using undersized projectiles, unlike cast. When you are working with cast bullets, fit is king. You want to be as close to bore size, or over .001 or so, or accuracy suffers and you WILL get gas leaks, and have leading problems.

I personally get pretty decent results using 38 S&W factory brass (not 38 Special) as an alternative for rimmed 9mm brass along with 9mm loading dies, and a 38/357 shell holder. However when doing this, I do keep the pressures on the lower target side of things, as the 38 S&W round was never designed for 9mm pressures.

I get quite a few firings out of the rimmed brass, with no split cases, bulged brass or extraction problems. I also get an easy extracting target round this way, and I can move away from using moon clips with the 9mm if I so desire. Remember the 38 S&W was originally was designed to use a .358 diameter bullet, and with much lower black powder pressure levels.

A quick example for comparison:

Maximum SAAMI pressure for the 9mm cartridge is 35,700 cup.

Maximum SAAMI pressure for the 38 Special cartridge is 18,900 cup.

Maximum SAAMI pressure for +P 38 Special cartridge is 22,400 cup.

Maximum SAAMI pressure for the 357 Magnum cartridge is 46,000 cup.

Maximum SAAMI pressure for 38 S&W cartridge is only 14,900 cup.

 

Disclaimer: As with all reloading endeavors, if you try this yourself, be sure to approach it with extreme caution. Work your way up slowly with reduced charges watching carefully for pressure signs. ALL guns are individuals, and what works fine in one firearm, may not work at all, or it could work completely different than you expect in another.  Above all be safe, check your load data from more than one source, especially if you found it online. I would recommend at least 2-3 modern reloading books so you can cross reference things, as well as the powder manufactures website, and/or using a program like Quick Load.

 

- Bullwolf

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Tacobobbo
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September 15, 2012 - 2:32 am
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Darn. A day late for the ebay sideplates from paulpopcorn. He sold them all YESTERDAY...madcrymine is broken on my 15-2 and I'm in need of one. If anybody knows where to get one, please let me know. Anyhow, that was a good lead and he still has lots of items for sale.

Thank you.

Bob

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Steve
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September 15, 2012 - 9:23 pm
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Is your sideplate completely broken, or is it just the cylinder stop?

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

George Carlin

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danwesson41fan
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February 26, 2013 - 9:52 pm
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jspence said
A lot of S&W forums talk about converting "J" frame pistols to 9MM and several gunsmiths advertise these services (eg. Pinnacle, TK Custom).

Question - has anybody done this to a DW 357/38?

Tks jbs/

I have done the mechanical part successfully. I haven't shot my converted 714 yet but if you are still interested, contact me offline or look for my handle on my ongoing project. DW41F.

 

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