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07-03-2016, 10:02 PM
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Homemade Moon Clip Loader
Hello every one. This is my first posting to the S&W forum.
Two weeks ago I purchased a S&W model 25-2, 45 ACP revolver from Gunbroker. I needed a tool to load the moon clips. Instead of purchasing one for $50.00 I made one that works quite well for $4.00. I do not claim to have invented anything. I looked on line at what others have made and are using and watched some loading tools in use on Youtube.
The moon clip slips over the 3/8” nut and rests on the yellow plastic washer. The plastic washer is needed to raise the moon clip up 0.30” above the board to allow the case head extraction groove to snap into the moon clip. The plastic washer was made using a drill, sanding disk, and file. The aluminum bar pivots on the 5/16” carriage bolt. The screw driver slot was cut in the end of each of the bolts with a hack saw. The round notch on the aluminum bar keeps the cartridge from sliding away from the clip opening. The opposite side of the board was counter bored for the bolt heads to fit flush. Assembly is with wrenches and a screw driver.
It took about the same amount of time to make this thing as it did to photograph and write about it. I hope this is helpful to someone here.
Parts List:
¾”x 2 ½” x 8” hickory lumber
¼”x3/4”x7” aluminum flat bar
5/16”x 1 ½” carriage bolt
5/16” nylon lock nut
3/8”x 1 ½” carriage bolt
3/8” nylon lock nut
3/8” plastic washer 0.660” O.D., 0.030” thick made from the lid of a Berger bullet box.
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07-03-2016, 10:31 PM
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Neat- o! Thanks for showing that to us - it might actually get my gears moving.
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07-04-2016, 12:02 AM
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Nice work.! I made a De Mooner out of a golf club shaft, Made it long enough to hold all 6 empty cases.
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07-04-2016, 12:15 AM
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Slick..
Nice display of ingenuity.
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07-04-2016, 12:16 PM
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The next time I pass by the thrift shop I will stop to see if they have any cheap old golf clubs for a de-mooner tool.
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07-04-2016, 01:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DwayneV
The next time I pass by the thrift shop I will stop to see if they have any cheap old golf clubs for a de-mooner tool.
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Tiz where I got mine
I bought a wood/ driver. Cut it long and work your way up until the inside diameter is the correct size as they taper.
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07-05-2016, 11:03 PM
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Nice job. Simple as a hammer. I like it.
That said, I can tell you that making a tool for mooning 45 acp is the easy part as the clips match up with a standard nut size and those big cases pop in easy. Making one to fit a 357 N frame or 38/9mm L frame is a different matter. I spent considerable time and $ trying to short cut those tasks with only limited success. In the end a trip to mooncliptool.com got me a tool that worked on all calibers with equal ease ( and for cheap $). My 625PC cost me north of $900. An extra $50 for a tool and pile of clips to feed it is in the weeds IMHO.
p.s. Stil prefer a home made copper pipe demooning tool though
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Last edited by Wee Hooker; 01-15-2017 at 07:52 PM.
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07-07-2016, 11:11 PM
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I have been loading full moon clips with a piece of trim lumber that has a groove in it. For 45 ACP place 6 rounds in a row facing the same way, put the empty space of the clip over the round, with a 7/16 dowel rod (about 8" to 10" long) push the clip over the extractor groove, rotate clip until done, takes about 20 to 30 seconds. I use a 9" piece of copper pipe with a 1/8" tooth sticking out about 33% of the rim to de-moon. I load about 40 to 50 clips at a time and keep them loaded in an ammo can until needed. I unload/de-moon 2 or 3 sessions worth at a time and fill them right back up.
Ivan
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07-08-2016, 04:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher
I have been loading full moon clips with a piece of trim lumber that has a groove in it. For 45 ACP place 6 rounds in a row facing the same way, put the empty space of the clip over the round, with a 7/16 dowel rod (about 8" to 10" long) push the clip over the extractor groove, rotate clip until done, takes about 20 to 30 seconds. I use a 9" piece of copper pipe with a 1/8" tooth sticking out about 33% of the rim to de-moon. I load about 40 to 50 clips at a time and keep them loaded in an ammo can until needed. I unload/de-moon 2 or 3 sessions worth at a time and fill them right back up.
Ivan
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Wow, I like that! Thanks!
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07-08-2016, 05:15 PM
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I never had any particular problem in snapping loaded .45 ACP rounds into full-moon clips using only my fingers. My concern was always more in removing empties from the clip. For that, I use the inside corner of a 7.62mm metal MG ammo can to pry them out. Easy, and fired empties fall into the can.
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07-08-2016, 07:09 PM
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I enjoy coming up with a homemade inexpensive tool as much as anyone, but I also enjoy any excuse to buy a new toy. The BMT is awesome at loading and unloading your moon clips. Maybe a little expensive but a great product.
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07-13-2016, 02:24 PM
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I use RIMS clips they are made of plastic much easier... The future is in plastic lol
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07-16-2016, 06:44 PM
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I have found with 40S&W the brand of brass I use makes all the difference in the world as to whether I will need a tool or they just snap in no problem.
Try different brands of empty brass and see if that makes a difference.
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07-16-2016, 06:47 PM
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I got a busted can opener and I keep looking at it and thinking, I know the answer is there but just haven't spotted it yet.
Will let y'all know what I do.
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01-14-2017, 10:46 PM
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I stopped by the St Vincent De Paul thrift store today and asked them if they had any old golf clubs. They did. I bought a left-handed #4 iron for $5. Once home I cut the shaft and ground the end for a first class moon clip unloading tool as suggested by Rule3.
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01-14-2017, 11:01 PM
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01-15-2017, 03:00 PM
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Love the inventions shown above!!
justicetyme: what ARE those spiffy pliers you show in #16 above?
In a spree of trying-the-really-cheap for moon clips NOT from RIMZ or buying anything at all, just using what is laying about....
Most of my 6 hole 45 acp or even the 8 shot stuff, will push in just by applying downward pressure with the cartridge on a bench top. When the brand/size of case is really tight, using a large diameter nail as an axle shaft lever, helps.
I've used a $1 pawn tool pair of cheap long-bent-nose pliers to rotate cases out of the clip, along with the old mooncliptool style which is faster.
I did actually buy a $9 commercial version of a $5 golf club conversion, and it too works well.
I do like that grooved board idea though!
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Last edited by m657; 01-15-2017 at 03:01 PM.
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01-15-2017, 08:27 PM
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my demooning tool looks like justicetyme's. just a piece of stainless pipe with the end ground....works great. I put them in with fingers but it does make you a bit sore if you do alot
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01-15-2017, 09:14 PM
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First time loading moon clips (last year!) I was rummaging in my tool boxes looking for something that would work when I found these Knipex pliers. Had gotten them for a sheet aluminum project many years ago and never used them again. The jaws stay parallel as they close. Worked perfectly. The little black tool everybody sells for $3 pops them off.
At $50 now for these pliers I'm not recommending you run out and get them!
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01-16-2017, 10:48 PM
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Hay, here's my home made from u tube and a remooner, I use moons in my 625-8, 4",PC, (not a JM) nice job on the mooner!!
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