9mm Revolvers
A 9mm revolver chambers the same 9x19mm Luger ammunition used in semi-automatic pistols, letting you share your existing ammo supply between a revolver and a semi-auto without maintaining two different caliber inventories. Because 9mm is a rimless cartridge, 9mm revolvers use moon clips (thin metal discs that hold the rounds for insertion and extraction) or specially headspaced chambers that hold the cartridge by the case mouth. The result is a revolver that shoots the most common and least expensive centerfire pistol cartridge in the world.
Read our full 9mm Revolver Buying Guide ↓
Moon Clips: How 9mm Revolvers Work
The 9mm Luger cartridge has no rim for a revolver’s extractor to grab, so 9mm revolvers use moon clips — thin stamped-steel discs that snap around the cartridge rims and hold them in position for loading, chambering, and extraction. You load the moon clip with rounds, drop the loaded clip into the cylinder, and fire. Extraction pulls the clip and all spent cases out at once — actually faster than traditional revolver reloads with loose rounds. Some 9mm revolvers can also fire without moon clips using chamber-mouth headspacing, but extraction becomes manual (you poke out each case individually).
Popular 9mm Revolvers
The Ruger LCR 9mm is a lightweight, hammerless carry revolver that’s one of the most popular 9mm revolvers for concealed carry. The Smith & Wesson Model 986 is a 7-shot, full-size L-Frame competition revolver designed for IDPA and action revolver competition. The Charter Arms Pitbull uses a unique rimless-cartridge extraction system that doesn’t require moon clips at all — spring-loaded extractor tabs grip the case rim directly. The Taurus 905 is a budget-friendly 5-shot 9mm snub-nose.
Why Choose a 9mm Revolver?
Ammunition commonality is the primary reason. If you already shoot 9mm in a semi-auto pistol, a 9mm revolver means one caliber to stock, one set of defensive loads to buy, and familiar ballistic performance across both platforms. The 9mm also produces less recoil than .357 Magnum and comparable energy to .38 Special +P from the same barrel length, making it a practical carry revolver caliber. Moon-clip reloads are faster than speedloader reloads, giving the 9mm revolver a competition advantage as well.
9mm Revolver vs. .38 Special Revolver
The .38 Special is the traditional revolver cartridge, and .38 Special revolvers are far more common with a much larger selection of holsters, speedloaders, and accessories. The 9mm revolver’s advantages are cheaper ammunition, moon-clip reload speed, and ammo commonality with semi-auto pistols. The .38 Special revolver’s advantages are wider model selection, no moon clips required, and the option to step up to .357 Magnum in the same gun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do 9mm revolvers require moon clips?
Most do. The Charter Arms Pitbull is the notable exception — it uses a proprietary rimless-cartridge extraction system that works without clips.
Is 9mm good in a revolver?
Yes — 9mm delivers energy comparable to .38 Special +P with less recoil, cheaper ammo, and faster moon-clip reloads.
Can I shoot .380 ACP in a 9mm revolver?
No — .380 ACP is a shorter cartridge and will not reliably chamber or headspace in a 9mm revolver cylinder.
What’s the best 9mm revolver for concealed carry?
The Ruger LCR 9mm is the most popular carry choice — lightweight, hammerless, and pocket-sized.
See Also: Revolvers • .38 Special Revolvers • Snub-Nose Revolvers • 9mm Ammo • 9mm Pistols