First Handgun

[eocoolj]

i realize that .357 revolvers are only designed to fire the two rimmed cartridges, but what would be the result of putting one of the rimless cartridges into a revolver and trying to fire it? Would it fire at all? If it would fire, would it damage the gun?

[Draven]

The taper on those rimless cartridges is completely different.

[eocoolj]

The taper on those rimless cartridges is completely different.

So, they wont even fit in the cylinder?

[Mud_Dog]

i realize that .357 revolvers are only designed to fire the two rimmed cartridges, but what would be the result of putting one of the rimless cartridges into a revolver and trying to fire it? Would it fire at all? If it would fire, would it damage the gun?

More than likely it won't fire, but push itself further into the chamber, being that the chambers of rimmed are usually longer than their rim-less cousins. Rimmed cartridges are headspaced off the rim, and rim-less are headspaced off the neck which is why that would occur. Unless of course the cartridge was fitting snug in the chamber, to keep it from moving forward.

I wouldn't try it to see if it would contain itself, but I'm fairly sure it should. Just to be on the safe side, I wouldn't recommend it.

[1911Man]

Just to add to the good information from Mud Dog, there are revolvers designed to fire "rimless" ammo. They use a moon clip (or 2 half-moon clips) to hold the ammo so it doesn't fall too deep in the chamber. That's how the 25 and 625 work.

I wouldn't try rimless or even .38 Autorim in a .357 revolver.

9mm Luger and .380 ACP (9mm Kurz or Short) are the same diameter as each other but a couple thousandths different than .38/.357. 9x18 Mak is .364 diameter. It's a tad too big for any of the above weapons.

[DwightG]

There was only one fiream that did almost everything you describe(I still don't know how, I'd love to look at that chamber and/or make a chamber casting) and it's called the Medusa Multicaliber Revolver.

It has a Popular Mechanics link, but I arrived here 5 years later so it no longer works..

As I recall, the Medusa had a sort of six fingered expanding collet sort of affair for an extractor/ejector that could clip into the extractor cannelure of rimless cartridges and retain it for the firing pin strike. I suspect the .38/.357 family of cartridges bulge quite a bit if the chamber is large enough to chamber 9mmP. Wouldn't really be a problem unless you're hoping to reload the brass more than about once.

[cu74]

In a SHTF situation you should be able to scrounge something that will fire safely in it.

A good point. Does "something that will safely fire in it" just encompass .38 special and .357 magnum, or are the various autoloader cartridges of ~.38 included in that too? Would 9mm, .380 ACP, 9x18, maybe even .38 super fire without damage to the gun or user? Wouldn't there be an issue with the cartridge just sliding to the front of chamber, out of reach of the firing pin, since there is no rim to hold it in place?

Methinks you may be reading way too much into the CombatController post - there is no "panacea" handgun. A revolver chambered for .357 Magnum will shoot a wide variety of .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads. They range from the light .38 Special loads to the ++ loads and from light .357 magnum loads to the "holy shiite, what was that?" .357 loads.

The .38/.357 combination is one of the most popular in the US. Most multiple-revolver owners have at least one chambered in one or both calibers, and ammunition to feed them. Perhaps "scrounging up something" merely means you can shoot your daughter's ammo or your mother's ammo or your son's ammo or your macho cousin's ammo, all in the same gun.

[eocoolj]

Methinks you may be reading way too much into the CombatController post - there is no "panacea" handgun. A revolver chambered for .357 Magnum will shoot a wide variety of .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads. They range from the light .38 Special loads to the ++ loads and from light .357 magnum loads to the "holy shiite, what was that?" .357 loads.

The .38/.357 combination is one of the most popular in the US. Most multiple-revolver owners have at least one chambered in one or both calibers, and ammunition to feed them. Perhaps "scrounging up something" merely means you can shoot your daughter's ammo or your mother's ammo or your son's ammo or your macho cousin's ammo, all in the same gun.

Well aware that .38/.357 are the only cartridges these revolvers are designed to fire; was just wondering if you could make something else work if push came to shove and you had absolutely nothing else.

[SeekHer]

There is also the .45 LC and the .454 Casull

Lots of similar caliber cartridges will fit in another caliber's chamber but when fired lots of different things might happen...the bullet will probably exit the barrel but the case neck will be stretched out--how you fire form a new case, case may be ruptured, will probably get stuck in the chamber, may not eject from a semi auto...regardless the accuracy will be horrendous and you'll be fearing for your safety every time you shoot it so a really bad twitch will develop...

In a life or death situation would be the only time I'd even remotely consider attempting it...

There is also the ability to get a lever action rifle in the same pistol caliber so you have dual purpose weapons....32, .357, .41, .44, .44-40, .45LC etc. will give you a little better accuracy and more energy and velocity...

[cu74]

Well aware that .38/.357 are the only cartridges these revolvers are designed to fire; was just wondering if you could make something else work if push came to shove and you had absolutely nothing else.

Sorry if my post came across as demeaning. Perhaps my bias toward .38 Specials and .357 Magnums is too strong - I have a difficult time recognizing that not every household has a supply of those rounds on hand.

SeekHer does a much better job of pointing out the hazards of attempting to get "creative" with alternative ammunition.