What’s the point of a 9mm Revolver? Why would someone want a 9mm revolver?
While it seems counterintuitive at first glance to actively seek out a revolver (traditionally made to use rimmed cartridges) chambered in a 9mm (a rimless cartridge made for auto-loading firearms), there are some compelling reasons why someone might want this type of firearm.
First, and most importantly, the best part for many people in a robust market for firearms and accessories, ammunition and affiliated products is that everyone can pretty much get what they want.
So, the number one reason a 9mm revolver exists:
Because someone wanted it. Lots of people probably. Firearm manufacturers are increasingly using the power of forums, social media and customer broad market outreach to determine which concepts will have the greatest potential on the market if produced. It’s a different time in the gun industry now – you don’t just sink or swim on a one-off idea. You can create focus groups, poll people easily and ask what people would be willing to buy before you even introduce it. Nine millimeter ammunition is among the most common and beloved on the planet, despite the ups and downs it has had over the years.
That leads us to the second reason such a firearm exists:
(mm is very popular, and if you are going to stock up on ammunition, having multiple ways to use it just makes sense, especially if you like to hand load, or want to get some diverse usage in your sporting life out of the cartridge. If you have a ton of 9mm sitting in your closet, and you want to use it to have fun, or bridge different shooting needs (from target practice to home defense), then having more options is a good thing.
Number three reason a 9mm Revolver might make sense:
The 9mm is living in something of a resurgence or heyday, after being considered “subpar” byu large portions of the law enforcement and shooting community at times in the past. For years it played second fiddle to the .45ACP and the .40S&W at times. Interestingly, there has always been a large portion of the market that has been dedicated to it, and rightly so. With the most recent improvements in projectile engineering, manufacturing processes and materials, and gunpowder, the 9mmis a hard to beat cartridge for defensive purposes in many cases.
In fact, most of law enforcement has embraced it after it’s been made clear that the easier recoil, cheaper base cost of ammunition, and ballistics can be made superior to any other mainstream option if the program for it is designed properly. When LE or the Military embraces something, the public generally embraces it too.
Another reason that a 9mm Revolver has fans:
It’s a novel concept. It’s fun, easy to shoot and has good baseline performance without being hard to handle or difficult to pay for. It’s less difficult to shoot than a .357 Magnum, but has enough ballistic fortitude to be in the same general class as lower level loads in .357MAG. That makes it a very interesting option, especially given most 9mm revolvers are secondary carry guns, or at least marketed as such.
How about another reason people might be looking at purchasing a 9mm revolver (#5):
The media powerhouses in the firearms industry like promoting the concept. The heaviest hitters in the market all are behind it or moving that direction, and there is never a shortage of people willing to go all-in on a new concept that bridges from already proven components (like the proven potential of the 9mm cartridge, or the use of a lightweight easy to handle revolver as a CCW option, etc.).
Finally, there is a movement for shooters to be more capable, well-trained, and able to do more with their guns. The idea that one must be extra diligent and make an effort to reload quickly, or be aware of round counts and able to act quickly during a “firefight” has at least some influence in why people purchase the guns they purchase. There are a lot of shooters who prefer to buy guns like a 9mm revolver for the baseline attributes, but appreciate that the uniqueness of the build requires them to be more proficient than they were before to achieve the same results (like fast reloads under pressure, for example).
When using a moon clip you need to be more aware of your surroundings and have good training to back it up, in order to make fast efficient reloads. To shoot with 7-8-9 rounds instead of 17-18-19 rounds, you need to be able to ensure you are on target. To utilize a lower velocity round, or a smaller payload, you need to understand how each load works in your firearm, and understand what to expect in the real world. The 9mm revolver is a perfect canvas for the type of person who wants to push themselves to be more comprehensive in their skill sets, or to train more.
So, while on the surface it might not make a lot of sense, you can’t help but agree that at least to some people, the idea of using a popular, well-regarded, and plentiful cartridge made for auto-loaders in a revolver could definitely make sense. When in doubt about why a product exists on the firearms market – remember there are a lot of different opinions out there, and sometimes what the people want, the people get, even if it doesn’t seem logical to you on the surface.