I have decided I want to set up my model 66 for moon clips. Dont suppose anyone out there can recommend a good gunsmith in the Prescott Arizona area? Contacted Gary Reeder in Flagstaff, but he has a 3 month + backlog of work.

Bflobill69

You should just be able to send the cylinder to someone like tkcustom.com and they will cut them for you.

Clark Custom Guns in Louisiana does the moon clip conversions too.
Moon Clip Conversion - Clark Custom Guns, Inc.

Does cutting the cylinder reduce the value of the firearm, especially a 66?

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Existimo ergo sum armis

Check out the video on the TKCustom.com website. Will give you an idea of how they go about milling the revolver cylinder. Think they do j,k,l,and n frames as well as other makes and models. Frank

Unless you have a highly collectible piece, I would highly doubt it. I have a moon cut cylinder by TK Custom from a Model 442 that I have replaced the stock cylinder from my Model 642 with. I'm very impressed with the work that was done on the 442's cylinder. With the moon clip cut you can load the piece conventionally (one round at a time, or use speed strips or a speed loader), or use moon clips to load the full cylinder at once. I think one of the biggest advantages of the moon clips is better extraction of all the rounds in the cylinder at one push of the ejector rod. If you are really concerned about the possibility of decreasing the value of your Model 66, why don't you buy an extra "donor" cylinder and have that moon clip cut and use that cylinder while keeping the original one untouched in a safe place?

Best of luck,

Dave

Thankyou all for the recommendations. I am going to look into finding a 2nd cylinder for the gun before having it set up for moon clips.

My opinion is that ANY alteration of an original factory design WILL decrease value. Things like Magna-porting, bobbing hammers, cutting trigger guards, altering sights, and of course cutting the cylinder for moon clips etc. is what I am talking about.

That said, if this is what you want and you have a good purpose for making your gun into a moon clipper, than by all means do what you must. Why would you concern yourself about the value when you are going to use this weapon to possibly defend your life? Even if the value is lessened, so what?! You are not talking really big bucks here, and they are still available in G/B and other sites if you ever decide you want a Factory model once again.

Personally I don't care much for Moon Clips, but I know some people swear by them. Do what your gut instinct tells you.

Chief38