To buy or not to buy!

[Semper Fi Cowboy]

I recently saw a cowboy action revolver on sale in the 9MM caliber. I want to buy it, but need to find out two things. First, does anyone sell ammunition for this revolver that is legal for a SASS match? Second, if I load my own ammunition, what kind and amount of powder do I use, what is the bullet weight, and what primers are best to use?

If anyone would like to answer these questions, I would appreciate it very much!!

Thank you,

Semper Fi Cowboy SASS #77245,

Edited January 29 by Semper Fi Cowboy
I can’t believe all the great responses I've received about this!! Thank you everyone for all of the good advice and insight ya'll have given me!! Thanks again, Semper Fi Cowboy

[DeaconKC]

Can't use 9mm NATO for SASS, it has to be a rimmed cartridge.

[Leroy Luck]

You most likely won’t find factory loaded 9mm with lead bullets. But you can load anywhere from a 90gr up to a 147gr bullet. With pretty much any pistol powder. My manual shows titegroup, bullseye, red dot, W231, unique, CFE pistol to name a few. 
 

3 minutes ago, DeaconKC said:

Can't use 9mm NATO for SASS, it has to be a rimmed cartridge.

SHB pg 37

 

Revolver Calibers

- Must be centerfire cartridges of at least .32 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber

or percussion calibers of at least .36 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber.

- Must be in a cartridge commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but

are not limited to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum,

.44-40, and .45 Colt. (Includes some semi-auto pistol cartridges, e.g. 9mm, 10mm,

and .45 ACP).

Edited January 29 by Leroy Luck

[DeaconKC]

Learn something new everyday! Thanks

[Leroy Luck]

I will add that for Classic Cowboy category it does have to be a rimmed cartridge 40 caliber and larger. 

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

1 hour ago, Semper Fi Cowboy said:

I recently saw a cowboy action revolver on sale in the 9MM caliber. I want to buy it, but need to find out two things. First, does anyone sell ammunition for this revolver that is legal for a SASS match? Second, if I load my own ammunition, what kind and amount of powder do I use, what is the bullet weight, and what primers are best to use?

If anyone would like to answer these questions, I would appreciate it very much!!

Thank you,

Semper Fi Cowboy SASS #77245,

Refer to published loads for load data.  These can be found in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, free load booklets from powder distributors and their online loading information.  I prefer a ball powder like W-231/HP-38 for 9 mm Luger as it fits into cases better than lower-density powders.  Any small pistol primer will do though revolvers with lighter springs prefer Fed100s.  Many casters sell cast bullets sized for 9 mm Lugers.  Bullet weights around 124-130 grains should work well for CAS.  I would not buy a 9 mm Luger revolver for shooting black powder as one might have trouble achieving the required amount of smoke.  BTW, Taylors sells an 1873 rifle chambered in 9 mm that could be paired with the revolver you saw.  Unlimited amounts of once-fired brass are available at the ranges I frequent.  Federal Syntech in 147 grain bullet weight would be barely legal.

Edited January 29 by Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971
syntech info

[Chief Rick]

Yes - the 9mm can be used is CAS competition in most categories

 

Yes - you can buy 9mm ammo that is SASS legal; Federal Syntech is an example of a polymer coated lead bullet

 

Your reloading question does not lead me to believe you already reload.  Refer to above by @Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 for reloading information.

[Badlands Bob #61228]

I actually have a pair of Ruger Blackhawks that came with the 9 mm cylinders in addition to the .357 mag. cylinders.  One of the many things I have collected, just because... I've considered shooting 9 mm during a monthly match but since I shoot Gunfighter, the adjustable sighted Blackhawks are illegal for my category.  They would be acceptable is most of the standard categories. Wrangler, 49er, Senior etc.

 

You would need a lead only .356 diameter bullet somewhere in the 115-125 gr range.   I load all my pistol rounds with Titegroup but there are many powders that would work.  All 9 mm use the small pistol primer.

[Krazy Kajun]

I have loaded a lot of 9mm coated lead bullets and shot them out of 9mm pistols and PCCs.  These bullets are available from a number of suppliers.  I'll drop a link in here for Bullets By Scarlet because that's who I buy them from.  I use the same powder loading for lead bullets that I use for plated or FMJ. The bullet speed and distances we shot pistols at isn't bullseye precision.

 

Kajun

 

 

Edited January 29 by Krazy Kajun

[watab kid]

4 hours ago, Chief Rick said:

Yes - the 9mm can be used is CAS competition in most categories

 

Yes - you can buy 9mm ammo that is SASS legal; Federal Syntech is an example of a polymer coated lead bullet

 

Your reloading question does not lead me to believe you already reload.  Refer to above by @Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 for reloading information.

 

4 hours ago, Leroy Luck said:

You most likely won’t find factory loaded 9mm with lead bullets. But you can load anywhere from a 90gr up to a 147gr bullet. With pretty much any pistol powder. My manual shows titegroup, bullseye, red dot, W231, unique, CFE pistol to name a few. 
 

SHB pg 37

 

Revolver Calibers

- Must be centerfire cartridges of at least .32 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber

or percussion calibers of at least .36 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber.

- Must be in a cartridge commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but

are not limited to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum,

.44-40, and .45 Colt. (Includes some semi-auto pistol cartridges, e.g. 9mm, 10mm,

and .45 ACP).

 

interesting , which is correct here ? 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

I'm thinking most 9mm reloading data is for semi-autos which need enough power to cycle a slide.  So stay at the lower end for CAS use.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Here is an example of a SASS legal load using a lead bullet in a 9 mm Luger case.  (Data from Hodgdon's website)

 

[Leroy Luck]

5 hours ago, watab kid said:

which is correct here ? 

I did look up the Syntech stuff and do see they are available, so I stand corrected. Although the price of them makes me want to think they don’t exist. Darn things are high. 

[Chief Rick]

7 hours ago, watab kid said:

 

 

interesting , which is correct here ? 

Did you look up and see the specs of what I posted?

[Kid Rich]

9mm is very close to 38 short colt. It is pretty easy to figure out loads for 9mm from all the data that is available.

kR

[Hells Comin]

4 hours ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

Here is an example of a SASS legal load using a lead bullet in a 9 mm Luger case.  (Data from Hodgdon's website)

 

120 - 140 power factor!!

[Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667]

14 hours ago, DeaconKC said:

Can't use 9mm NATO for SASS, it has to be a rimmed cartridge.

That is NOT correct.  The rimmed cartridge requirement applies only in the Classic Cowboy category.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

1 hour ago, Hells Comin said:

120 - 140 power factor!!

Yes, published loads for 9 mm Luger run hot - way hotter than I shoot in 38 Specials.  The posted data was just to show that there is published data for lead bullets with less than 1,000 fps.  I would develop lighter loads if I were loading for CAS.  Like Abilene said, published loads are meant for semi-auto firearms.

[Marauder SASS #13056]

As others have noted, generally the load data for 9mm is for semi-auto guns which require a little more pressure for proper operation..  With a revolver that is not an issue, so you can readily download.  You can get 90 to 115 to 124 lead and coated bullets readily.

 

As has been mentioned,  faster powders will work great, such as Bullseye, Clays, Red Dot, AA #2, TightGroup, Cleanshot,etc.  Even medium fast such as 231/HP38, Unique, CFE, etc will work fine.  A great source of info is the  Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook,  but there is a great amount of loads on line.  Just realize that since you are using a revolver, you can somewhat reduce their minimum listed loads.

Edited January 29 by Marauder SASS #13056

[Three Foot Johnson]

As previously mentioned, you can't use it in Classic Cowboy, and you can't use it in black powder categories - not because 9mm isn't legal, but because it doesn't have the case capacity to meet the smoke standard. The .40 S&W will, but just barely.

 

I almost bought a pair of Cattleman TC9's from Taylors during their Black Friday/Christmas sale - they were down to $455 ea. 

[DeaconKC]

On 1/28/2025 at 6:21 PM, DeaconKC said:

Can't use 9mm NATO for SASS, it has to be a rimmed cartridge.

Shows I am a Classic shooter!

[watab kid]

15 hours ago, Leroy Luck said:

I did look up the Syntech stuff and do see they are available, so I stand corrected. Although the price of them makes me want to think they don’t exist. Darn things are high. 

OK , i wanted to know if its really SASS LEGAL , im sure its a fine rifle and interesting as well , but is 9mm usable in SASS ? 

[watab kid]

13 hours ago, Chief Rick said:

Did you look up and see the specs of what I posted?

no not the specs , i wanted to know the real SASS rule on 9mm use 

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

1 minute ago, watab kid said:

OK , i wanted to know if its really SASS LEGAL , im sure its a fine rifle and interesting as well , but is 9mm usable in SASS ? 

 

Wrong thread...this is about 9mm revolvers.

[watab kid]

Just now, PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L said:

 

Wrong thread...this is about 9mm revolvers.

OK , i thought the legality came up a couple times in this thread and was contradicted , sorry , 

[Rye Miles #13621]

I'm thinking about buying one also but I'll just use it for the range not for SASS. 

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

Given SASS/ Cowboy action does not require 9mm loads to be hot enough to cycle blow back, locked breach or toggle action like the P08 on can get by with much wimpier loads. The 9 mm case is actually very close in volume to the .38 S& W of yester year. Hench .38 S& W load data might be a good place to start for cowboy not wild bunch level loads

[watab kid]

OK so its legal to use 9mm as long as it falls into our FPS requirements ? that is what ive been asking and not getting an answer to , very disturbing to any new folks here - i thought we were restricted to cartridges of that era but hey i get itthat this falls into the era of wild bunch and this new revolver is fun ,  just want to hear anyone reflect on the rules - ill live with whatever that is ...............................

 

if im wrong the 9mm cartridge was after our era but you can correct me if im wrong and i will commend you , i do know it was an early cartridge , just not common on our frontier 

Edited February 7 by watab kid

[JP Remington]

11 minutes ago, watab kid said:

OK so its legal to use 9mm as long as it falls into our FPS requirements ?

SHB P.38

Revolver Calibers

- Must be centerfire cartridges of at least .32 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber

or percussion calibers of at least .36 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber.

- Must be in a cartridge commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but

are not limited to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum,

.44-40, and .45 Colt. (Includes some semi-auto pistol cartridges, e.g. 9mm, 10mm,

and .45 ACP).

[Warden Callaway]

Just get an extra 38 special cylinder and you'll be fixed for anything that runs, flies or barriers in the ground. 

[Chief Rick]

10 hours ago, watab kid said:

OK so its legal to use 9mm as long as it falls into our FPS requirements ? that is what ive been asking and not getting an answer to , very disturbing to any new folks here - i thought we were restricted to cartridges of that era but hey i get itthat this falls into the era of wild bunch and this new revolver is fun ,  just want to hear anyone reflect on the rules - ill live with whatever that is ...............................

 

if im wrong the 9mm cartridge was after our era but you can correct me if im wrong and i will commend you , i do know it was an early cartridge , just not common on our frontier 

YES - as long as you are not shooting in a category that requires a specific caliber.

 

[watab kid]

10 hours ago, JP Remington said:

SHB P.38

Revolver Calibers

- Must be centerfire cartridges of at least .32 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber

or percussion calibers of at least .36 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber.

- Must be in a cartridge commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but

are not limited to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum,

.44-40, and .45 Colt. (Includes some semi-auto pistol cartridges, e.g. 9mm, 10mm,

and .45 ACP).

OK < no vintage limits specified , GOT IT 

[Shawnee Hills]

Since when is the correct answer NOT to buy more guns??  Sheesh!  This place sometimes.  🤣