I have a 686 PC cut for moon clips. Just decided to use the clips for SD. This gun is carried lots and shot a little. Would you guys verify it fires ok with the S&W supplied clips before comitting to use them. Or, just start carrying without shooting the gun with them first? Anyone ever have a FTF using moon clips that aren't bent? Thx.

Yep they bend I won't use them.If you want it relaible stay away from moon clips.

I would never carry anything that I had not tested first. I test the brand and load of ammunition I use, make sure the holster draws smoothly and that the gun fires.

I love moon clips. They can't bend while they are in your gun.

Moon clips really shine in a personal defensive revolver. A moon clip will 100% insure that you have reliable ejection of all casings. This is super helpful when using snubbies that have short ejector rods.

I carry my reload in a speed strip so it sits very flat in the pocket. If you are going to carry a belt mounted pouch your reload(s) can be in speed loaders or moon clips. I would not carry loaded moon clips in a pocket.

Strong agreement with colt_saa, with one bit of emphasis and one caveat.

Emphasis: any firearm, ammunition, accessory, technique, etc., used for self-defense must be tested and re-tested; it is madness to put into defense rotation without vetting and periodically revisiting.

Caveat: I've been carrying moon clips in my front pockets for years and they're sturdy -- never had one damaged or fail, and I check them at the range regularly.

I always carry two spare moon clips for my 640 Pro in my front pants pocket or jacket pocket. I switch out the ammo after each backyard shooting session and have never had a moon bend or not be reliable. I use factory and T K Custom .025" moon clips.

Have to disagree with the above somewhat. I have used metal moon clips for about 30 years (mostly in 1917 revolvers) and if they become even slightly bent (as they sometimes do with loading and unloading) they can cause a failure to fire; probably by slightly cushioning the hammer blow.

The problem is that, even after many successful uses, I can't tell if the last unload/reload cycle bent a clip to the point I can't rely upon it. My solution is to use the plastic moon clips. I have never had a failure to fire with those (unless the gun fails also when used with the bare round).

Best of luck to you.

Yeah, once. With a 325NG but, I'm blaming it on an "unseated" primer with factory ammunition. It went "bang" the second time around.

I've been running my moon clips in my 640 fairly often in the 7-8 months I've owned it. No malfunctions yet.

Edmo

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FTF, yes and no. Depends on the revolver.

940- no FTFs even without clips. (ETA:First one purchased about 1997-9 and is still primary EDC.) If they are bent it still fires but the cylinder wants to bind in rotation. I do a function test periodically.

M1917- No FTFs (20 years)

Model of 1955- No FTFs (About the same time)

625s- Some yes, some no. (5 of em, I think at last count) Vintage not the issue. Have had some very bad. Others no dramas.

986- A few, but loads were suspect. Too new to form conclusions

929- not enough rounds downrange.

I have just about all of my revolvers (over a dozen) cut for moon clips. I have never had a single failure while firing. I have also never had moon clip fail. When I carry my revolver I always carry a moon clip or two in my pocket. They have never bent. I test them regularly and they always work fine.

I highly recommend you shoot your carry gun often and practice shooting with the moon clips. Practice loading and unloading drills with moon clips. I really think it is a bad idea to carry a gun that you don't shoot often. My carry guns are the guns i shoot the most. I shoot my carry gun(s) every time I go to the range.

The moon clips that come with your 686PC are very good quality.

The second post on this thread by "Jeeps" seems completely unfounded and backed by nothing. I would ignore that one and listen to the rest of us who have posted here and have extensive experience shooting and carrying moon clips. Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions.

Went bang every time. Thx for all the responses.

The only time I have had a bent clip was in the beginning when I had not purchased the proper tools for loading/unloading. Moon Clip Tool, or BMT are good. IMHO moon clips are not worth it without the correct tools. With them they are the most fun shooting experience. Theo

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Take my advice Im not using it

I'm relatively new to moon clips but have evolved a few techniques that might pertain.

I test each type of round in moonclips to make sure it loads and unloads from the Mdl 640 or the Mdl 442 with no drama. I am carrying Speer 135 grain Gold Dots .38 +P and Buffalo Bore 158 gr hard cast .38 +P hollow points. Both of these types of ammo work well -- for me -- with TK moonclips.

Major observation: You cannot depend on "looks," you have to test a loaded moonclip to make sure it fits in the revolver. Some types of ammo and thicknesses of moonclip and particular revolvers just don't have good geometry.

But I assume if it loads and unloads, and everything else is normal, it will fire.

I am keeping one loaded moonclip in the Mdl 442 (the go-to carry gun for now) and a second one in TK Custom's holder -- which cost $30 or so.

I have about five or six 1-ounce Nalgene bottles I bought at REI that I cut off just below the curve line where it tumbles home to the cap. So it is a little white plastic cylinder that is almost exactly the size of a loaded moon clip! I intend to carry additional ammo in these - probably secured with a rubber band over the top. This should guarantee the moonclips are unbent or damaged if needed. I see me doing this when I carry the Mdl 640 (a truly wonderful gun) in a holster while in the woods or fishing, when I want to have 20 rounds with me. Zombies, wild boar, and feral dogs run in packs.

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S&W Rover

I shoot my 625 in IDPA monthly and only had problems reliability wise when my ammo had high primers, so the ammo's fault not the gun nor the moon clip. Key thing I do is I check the loaded moon clips on a "moonclips checker" I got from Revolver supply co. Highly recommend those folks for moon clips and accessories. George, the owner, is a great guy.

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