686 PC

[hittman77]

Are these factory cut for moon clips? Its a 7 shot with no flutes cut on the cylinder.

If its factory .... why moon clips on a 357?

[YkcorCal]

Moon clips are far faster reloads without having to use speed loaders. I have used both speed loaders for a .44 Magnum and full moon clips now in may S&W 625-8 JM .45 ACP. The full moon clips are way way faster of a reload for me because you don't have the speed loader to deal with, before or after. It is just eject all rounds that are connected by the full moon clip so there is no chance of one round getting hung up behind the ejector and dropping in all six new rounds in one neat connected condensed package without any real chance of a round dropping out; or in the S&W 686 Performance Center's case 7 rounds. I hope that helps.

You did not specify what barrel length 2.5", 4", or 5". The 2.5" and 5" specs specify the cylinders are cut for the moon clips the 4" does not show that it is.

[L-2]

Model 686 | Smith & Wesson
S&W's descriptions for the 7-round 2.5" and 5" barreled 686PC models say the cylinders are cut for moon-clips.
The 4" 6-round version (which isn't asked about in the OP omits having moon-clip features in its description).

Why? S&W's marketing must have determined moon-clips is a desirable feature. I've got three moon-clip capable S&W revolvers and it's nice to have the option of using them. If your revolver is moon-clip capable, you can still use the revolver without them. More-positive ejection of all spent cases is one benefit; the other benefit would be the ability for a fast reload of all cylinders (with practice), but using speedloaders is a close 2nd (or for some folks, perhaps equally fast).

[bigwheelzip]

For me, the best thing about moons on a 7-shot cylinder shooting .357 ammo, is the fast extraction of fired rounds.
There is just enough flex in a moon clip that aligning 7 long magnum rounds with mating charge holes is faster with the rigidly held rounds of a speed loader.
Better results yielded from moons holding shorter rounds on 6-shooters than longer rounds on 7-shooters. YMMV

[hittman77]

This one has 2.5 inch barrel.
I’m just a recreational shooter at a private range so, speed of reloading doesn’t concern me. Having to use moon clips seems to be extra steps I don’t need.

[bigwheelzip]

Originally Posted by hittman77

This one has 2.5 inch barrel.
I’m just a recreational shooter at a private range so, speed of reloading doesn’t concern me. Having to use moon clips seems to be extra steps I don’t need.

That's the one Santa left for me. As you can see, the cartridges headspace off the cylinder rims, so the moon clips are strictly optional.

[YkcorCal]

Originally Posted by hittman77

This one has 2.5 inch barrel.
I’m just a recreational shooter at a private range so, speed of reloading doesn’t concern me. Having to use moon clips seems to be extra steps I don’t need.

You don' have to use moon clips as the gun will fire the rounds without them. If for any reason you start having inconsistent ignition problems with any of the ammo you want to use (you should not however being a PC) there are several good after market upgraded firing pins made for S&W revolvers to solve such problems with moon clip revolvers. I recommend the ones made by Apex Tactical Specialties; hope this helps.

[hittman77]

Ahh ..... not HAVING to use the moon clips makes a huge difference!

Thank you very much for that info.

I appreciate all the input.