A bit of moon clip tech I though may help folks out in general.

While testing a ton of different cases during the development of my Original Precision J Frame CCW HD Moon Clips for 38/357 I devised an easy way to load and unload the moon clips by hand without bending them. There is other moon clip and tech info here if you'd like to read about it. J FRAME MOON CLIPS - ORIGINAL PRECISION - Home of J.D.'s Original Works


Original Precision CCW HD Moon Clip finger loading and unloading process:

No tools required, done without bending the moon clips

Hold CCW HD Moon Clip flat in center
 between thumb and fore finger tip

Grasp round around outside diameter 
between other thumb and fore finger tip

Place case recess under rim against moon clip opening

Apply gentle pressure with thumb on case toward center of moon clip and gently rotate case away from you.

Case will snap right in.

Once I get the first case in then I change my hold and gently grasp the moon clip by the perimeter.
 I rotate the moon clip towards me to reposition each case inserted.
 I rotate the round away from me as I clip in each fresh round in.
 This way you have the next empty opening away from you as you clip in each round inserted.

With some of the larger cases or to get the last round in I will grasp the road by the base and tip as in thumb over primer and bullet nose on tip of index finger.
 Then use the same gentle rotation and pressure as was done with the previous rounds.

To unload hold moon clip gently around perimeter
Grasp empty case with thumb over primer and case mouth on index finger tip.
Hold moon clip so it doesn't move.

Gently rotate case clockwise while applying gentle pressure outboard to remove case from clip.
Case will snap right out.

Once I get the first two cases out I usually just grasp the moon clip flat by its center and finish removing the rest of the cases.
 But you do not have to change how you hold the moon clip.
 Sometimes I just keep ahold of the perimeter and finish removing the empty cases.

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R/S
J.D.

Honestly, I always load moonclips up to a 45 acp with my fingers. Using my thumb and index ( pointing finger ) only.
It puzzles me greatly how much people buy those plastic loader toys , to load their rounds on the thin metal clips.
I've never bent one.

I'm positive, it's always the right moonclip and case combo that makes it easy for me.

Every now and then I forget and try loading a fiocchi on a Winchester clip. Then I know if I loaded a case I needed to fire, I grab the mechanical pliers, but that's about it.

EZ moons. Nuff said..

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My Daddy was a pistol..

Amen, brother. Life is too short to mess with cranky metal moon clips.

Ez Moon Clips

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I bought a 646 (.40 S&W) and the Brownells moon clips for it and never even owned a clip loader for years, casually loading the clips by hand, rotating the cases into the clips for IDPA matches. Bought EZ clips for practice sessions.

Then I bought some cheaper metal clips from Midway, and HOLY SMOKE! You aren't loading those suckers with your fingers!! OUCH!!
A MOONCLIPS Loader solved those little devils.

It's more the clips you have than any "secret technique!"

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Science plus Art

Might be.

Sounds like I must have created my moon clips perfectly then.

These Hornady snap right in and out with my fingers like described above.

They also fit really nice and snug with just enough room to spin so they drop in freely.

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R/S
J.D.

Right

I went thru a ton of cases when working out my new moon clips before I made the prototype. I only had to make one prototype, it just plain ol worked.

Set it up so you can load Hornady Buffalo Bore Federal Remington Winchester Fiochi Starline CBC Magtech PPU WRA RP FC Western PMC WW WCC over and over again all in the same clip.

There are more that work but I dont have any other cases on hand. Based on all the cases I went thru there cant be much out there that will be larger than Buffalo Bore. Except maybe CCI shot shells since last I knew those dont have a recess under the rim for the moon clip to snap into.

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R/S
J.D.

When I had two 9m SP101s I just used my fingers and never had an issue bending clips.

I will "Only" use my JD Moon Clip Tool to both load and unload my Moon's and "Nothing Else!" It's that damned good of a tool... Oh, wait, I got that little "B" from you didn't I??? Hahahaha, hello Buddy! Your Moon-Tool is strait Legit for loading/unloading Moons and is all I use and show other Revolover-Addicts! Probably sold 20-30 sets myself of your kit for you'se by sight seen/word of mouth JD. I hope you are doing well my friend!

-Hams

Well howdy man. Been a while. Hope all is well in the woods back East.

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R/S
J.D.

We've all suffered from China Virus and it's "Fall-Out" Nationally for sure... But other than that we're hanging in there! I hope business is well, (should be, solid, and innovative products) with everything! I've informed lots of guys that hate "The Lock" and about your remedy...

Last we talked on the phone you were working on some new exciting products. So I know you've been busy. Keep up the good work and stay in touch!

-Hams

I just use the good loading and unloading tools available.

I have old hands and fingers.

No problem.

Why fight it?