Bigboom27

What would I need to do in order to convert a Rock Island .38 Super to 9x23? Just a barrel change?

Brian D.

I'd consider getting a heavier recoil spring, too.

JSX

Can the .38 super be reamed to 9x23 safely without the cost of a new barrel?

There seems to be a mixed bag of people (both here and elsewhere that I've looked), that HAVE done this, but is it 100% safe to run stout 9x23 loads through this configuration?

Many say you need a 9x19 barrel to ream, but you need a .38 super or .45 acp slide. (no "ONE" gun with all the parts to work from)

I reload, but I don't want to do anything that could cause a problem with the high pressures in the 9x23.

If my conversion can be done safely, who does it? What does it cost? Where can I find them?

Bill Caldwell

Over the years I've chambered 38 Supers to 9 x 23....Seldom is it a perfect chamber but if You want a 9 x23 Who cares if the chamber is a few thousands too big.....the 9 x23 case ( Winchester ) is so strong the hottest loads won't expand the case enough to cause problems. Primers will always let go before the case lets go.

I do have a little experience with the 9 x23.....9x23 is the case I use for the .224 zipperer. And the Zipperer is hot, 2500 fps from a 5" barreled 1911, 40 gr bullet......38 Super case lets go around 1600 fps.....9x19 can be loaded to 9mm Major and out run the 38 Super

Bill Caldwell

JSX

Awesome, Thanks Bill, I was hoping that would be the case. Do you ream them yourself?

That zipperer sounds hot! What do you do with it?

How can this be? The 38 super has a much bigger case. Since they shoot basically the same diameter bullets, couldn't the 38 super be loaded hotter than the 9x19?

Bill Caldwell

Yes, JSX.....I have a 9 x 23 reamer and do the work, I'm not takein' on any gun work now, Tryin' to finish up what I'm comitted to.....I can't make $400.00 perweek buildin' firearms as easy as I can make a $1000.00 perweek playin' Const. Supt.

Save Me a long Dissertation on 9mm Major...Go to Brain Enos...Maku mazo.....general reloadin' section, scearch 9mm Major

Bill Caldwell

JSX

Thanks Bill, lots of good info over there. I was trying to determine if this was something I could do myself or something that needs to be smithed.. not asking you to do the work. Sorry for the confusion.

What do you use for dies? 9x23 dies or .38 super? Or do you ream a set of .38 super dies to 9x23?
Once again, thanks!

I

Bill Caldwell

I use 9x19 reloadin' dies......Works the same as 38 Special /357Magnun dies. 38 Super Comp from Starline can be use in place of 9x23 Win. brass...BUT.....Before You load the Starline brass with 9x23 loads, split a Win.9x23 and a Starline 38 Super case, Look at the wall thickness, most of Us use Win. brass for Hot loads. If You can dissemble the 1911, have a vise to hold the barrel and get a 9x23 reamer from P T &G You should be able to do the job Yourself....You might want to get some info coverin' chamberin', lots of gunsmithin' books cover chamberin'
Bill Caldwell