Does anyone have a method of unloading .45ACP spent cases from half-moon clips that's easier on the fingers?

Yeah, one of these. In the spirit of the season if you PM me your address, I'll send it to you gratis.

Attached Images

20211129_093043.jpg (37.7 KB, 314 views)

Thanks! Who makes that particular model? I've seen similar, but was hesitant, as I thought they may have been intended for full-moons. I've used full-moons on occasion and have the loading tools, but they don't work with the "halfies". I prefer the half-moons, for some reason.

I use my crkt folder for 5 but the last round is by hand but if you twist it out instead of pull it it comes right out. Have a couple of demooners but my knife is always hung on my pocket. Have some half moons and 1/3 moons? but full moons are fast to reload, ask Jerry M.

They still go in and come out the same way.

TK Custom makes one that I bought and like. It's probably something that a person who is handy with tools can make. But since I'm not one of those people, the $30 seemed worth it too me. I have no affiliation with them. Find the item here.

I only shoot with full moon clips, and use a BMT tool. Great for loading and unloading the clips. I shoot five different 45acp revolvers and wouldn't be without it. I forgot about the cost of it a long time ago.

Attached Images

20200219_091712.jpg (95.2 KB, 149 views)

Try some RIMZ polycarbonate moon clips. Easy load and unload without tools. Save your fingers.

__________________
SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

That all I use, no problems. you can get them from Brownells, or maybe check their website.

50 BMG case. Modified as shown in picture. Works great and catches up to three 45 cases inside the body.

Attached Images

1FADDF41-21FA-45F1-9021-0299928A73E9.jpg (141.4 KB, 160 views)

Trade it for a G21, you won't have that problem.

BTW, you ca make a similar demooning tool for 9mm using a 30 caliber case. 308, 3006, 8mm...
Just cut off the shoulder and form the caming lip into the main body diameter.

Several de-mooning tools around; look at Brownells. I bought one of theirs and another from Dillon year ago but seldom use them anymore. I much prefer Auto Rim brass.

I use a similar tool, it is long enough to hold six empty cases in the handle. After you remove the de-mooned rounds you can dump the empties into a box.

Using 45 Auto Rim cases in 45acp revolvers is the way to go.

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

A number of places sell cheap little plastic tools for removing cases from clips online. I don't know what they're called though.

I wonder how many folks entered this thread with torches and pitchforks thinking the TC was referring to magazines as clips?

I'm honestly sort of impressed that the thread didn't get at least one rabid reply from someone who skipped the original post entirely in their compulsive need to chastise anyone who dares to use colloquial nomenclature on a firearms forum, bonus points if they're one of those folks who hypocritically uses regional slang or references in every single post they make.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Surf on over to Amazon and search for "moon clip tool". There are a bunch.

At least for de-casing a full moon clip, I find nothing beats the inside corner of a steel military ammo can. I have a bunch of two-cartridge clips also, made for the M1917s. I've had them for a long time. Wonder if they are still made?

A friend of mine makes the tools out of copper water pipe. Works great and will hold all six cases from a moon clip. Found some wooden handles meant for files and drilled it out to the proper size and now have one with a wooden handle.

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

The WWI clips I've seen were three round half moons

I'd love to know where I could buy one of these as well. The one I have works fine for full moon clips but I think that this one would work better and much better for half moons.

The RIMZ polymers are the way to go, that’s all I use also. No problems and they last forever! I think their website is ezmoonclips.com.

A popular source of demooning tools here is golf club handles. Cut the shaft where it's the right diameter and notch it.
Seems to be a ready souce of material. Apparently golfers like to destroy their clubs when things don't go their way.

For the DIY folks, the tool can be made from a piece of scrap 1/2" copper water pipe, 6" to 8" long. Split one end down in half about 1/4" and cut away one side. As you twist the casing off the moon clip it will slide down the tube and into the container you've conveniently placed under it. Works quick & easy.����

Couldn’t agree more!

1918 a lot of 3 each of 1/2 loded clips were used on the belt.

Me, too.



There are a couple guys in my USPSA squad that shoot revolvers, and they swear by BMT.



When I finally bought myself a 610 a couple years ago, I ordered a Better Mouse Trap and never looked back...

The golf club is the best; mine would hold 12 empties so you only have to dump them after two clips. Only a dollar to two at a thrift store.

I use the BMT Mooner it’s expensive @ $100 but it actually makes loading full moon clips (which is what I use ) fun to load and unload.
You load a clip in seconds no filthy or hurt fingers.

The OP asked about 1/2 moon clips. BMT won’t work for him. The 1/2” thin wall pipe or similar with the notch will. As will DWalt’s method. But, be careful not to twist the clip itself.

Kevin

__________________
Unshared knowledge is wasted.

You can get the 1/3 moon clips from Ranch Products in Malinta, Ohio.

HOME | Ranch Products

Kevin

__________________
Unshared knowledge is wasted.

If you can find auto rim, it will cost you as much as 45 Colt. And if you want to reload fast you'd have to use speedloaders. Even if you roll yer own and use speedloaders, still not as fast as moonclips. Probably all same same halfmoons.
RIMZ for range, steel for real. ymmv
Back in my preban days, collecting evil black rifles with the thirty clip mags and the thing in the back that goes up, a 625 was my house gun.😊 Here he is, on duty and dressed for a bbq

Attached Images

	Screenshot_20211130-071309~2.jpg (27.0 KB, 24 views)
	Screenshot_20211130-071532~2.jpg (27.4 KB, 27 views)

Go to your nearest thrift shop. Buy an old golf club for $1. Cut off the handle at an apropriate length. File or grind the open end to match the photo. Voila, custom-made big-bucks mooner/demooner.

__________________
Pisgah

I made mine from a piece of copper tubing.

__________________
Lorin

YES, They were less cumbersome to carry, & fit the issued canvas U.S. GI pouch.
I prefer the full moons for faster reload myself.
I have a vintage brown leather photo LENS case, same color as my commercial flap holster - just the right diameter to carry 6 full moons loaded, It can be carried on a belt.

For a couple of decades, I've been using a piece of 1/2" copper water pipe with one end capped and the other filed (or bandsawed) into a half-notch.
The bonus is that with a second cap, you can carry your needle oiler around in your range bag without it ever getting crushed or leaking.
Oh, and the price. You might spend two dollars if you go really extravagant.
You can get really carried away and slip some neoprene fuel line over the "handle" end. Deluxe version.
Demooner.jpg

I make them out of steel tube with an inside diameter appropriate to the cartridge. I cut the tube just long enough to hold 6 or 7 cartridges (depending on the cartridge).

I mill or cut the tube part way through to leave about 1/4” of the circumference to create the working end. Since I have a lathe, I knurl the other end for both grip and decoration, and either a) slip a rubber cap over the end or b) drill it for a roll pin. The cap or pin then serve as a temporary or semi-permanent stop to keep the case from falling out. I then de-moon the clip and then turn the device over to dump all 5, 6 over 7 cases in the empty case container.

Handy and portable.

Wow! I didn't expect so many great suggestions! Thanks, Everyone! I do have full-moons and a loading/unloading tool, but it's fun using the half-moons in a 1917 revolver! Authenticity!

Oucha, owa. Just finished de-clipping 100 rounds from my half-moons. The 1917 shot fine. I think it may be auto-rim time...... whenever I can find some primers.

Carried the 625 in Miami-Dade Homicide. Plastic clips were great for range duty. But I suggest steel clips if using the piece for SD. Consistent head space is very important. I had good luck with the Ranch curved style casing extractor for brass removal.

__________________
Metro Man

I have carried a 4”, 45 ACP, for about 3 decades. Always used the steel moons from Ranch Products. I have heard RIMZ has a tougher polycarbonate that withstands dropping but I have not tested this.

Kevin

__________________
Unshared knowledge is wasted.

A 625? Interest overwhelms me. What barrel length and how carried?

I can't understand the fascination with auto rim ammo, throwing away the rapid reloading of moonclips, in what was/is a fighting type revolver, in exchange for, what? Convenience at the range? If it's that much trouble, sell the gun and get a 25-5. Just my .02

4” carried in a high ride thumb break OWB customized by Ted Blocker and a uniform drop style thumb break for my raid belt, by the same maker.

__________________
Metro Man

I'll never use moon clips again.

When I carry my 625-8 PC in the field I use steel Ranch full moon clips and I de-moon the cases afterwards with the cheap Ranch tool.

I don’t bother with moon clips at the range because the cylinder charge holes are bored to allow the rimless cases to headspace perfectly on the case mouths.

To remove them I simply operate the ejector rod once or twice and although the extractor never actually touches them, the cases either fall all the way out, or mostly out, and then I flick them out the rest of the way with my finger tip.

It only takes a few seconds.

Apparently there's still some interest in half-moons out there. Not many offered for sale, but those that are........ not cheap. Just passed on a Fleabay offer for 13, NOS, some rust spots. They sold for $30.00.

Sweet! Thank for sharing!

Exactly! Convenience at the range! It's no trouble. Why spend the big bucks on a 25-5 when you can have both worlds with auto-rim (some loads easily match .45 Colt) OR clips! If you feel you need a rapid reload at the range, that's ok.

That's "thanks".