Moon clips.. waste of time??

[smoothshooter]

I never liked moon clips because if I only shoot less than 6 I have to eject 1 or more unfired rounds with the empties.
The cylinder can’t be topped off without dumping the whole cylinder’s load.
I prefer to use .45 ACP and a pencil or .45 Auto Rim.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I use moonclips for both my Model of 1917 and Model 25-2. Yes, they can be kind of a PITA but I think it's nostalgic and kind of cool! I use 2-rd, 3-rd, and 6-rd moonclips.

 

[Oldsalt66]

I often don't bother with moon clips when I shoot my 625-8 PC casually at the range.

Even though there's no contact with the cases, flicking the ejector rod briskly, sends the empties out of the charge holes far enough for me to use a finger to get them the rest of the way out without effort.

When I carry the revolver in the field I use Ranch moon clips.

 

[series guy]

It seems to me that the real waste of time is complaining about a product that has been successfully used for over 100 years.

 

[rwsmith]

Yeah....

It seems to me that the real waste of time is complaining about a product that has been successfully used for over 100 years.

If you don't like them or have a need for them, don't use them. And they are a lot less bulky than speed loaders.

 

[tops]

I pull the empties with my fingernails and if one is stuck I use the rim of a spent case to pry against the rim of the stuck case. Larry

 

[Rodan]

If you don't care how long it takes to load/unload, you certainly don't need to bother, but moon clips were designed for rapid loading unloading. Like others have said, just load a bunch up before heading out, and unload them when you get home.

Also previously mentioned, the BMT Mooner is the way to go!

 

[Heinz]

I, personally, like the original GI style half-moon clips. They are far less bulky, and you do not need to eject the whole six rounds as smoothshooter complained about in post 21.
My 1917 is perfectly happy with them also

 

[DWalt]

I remove empties from full moon clips using the corner of a GI ammo can. But unless rapidity in unloading and reloading your revolver is essential, the clips are unnecessary. Except for some early Colt M1917s that had bored-through chambers.

 

[Model29-26.5]

If you don't care how long it takes to load/unload, you certainly don't need to bother, but moon clips were designed for rapid loading unloading. Like others have said, just load a bunch up before heading out, and unload them when you get home.

Also previously mentioned, the BMT Mooner is the way to go!

144 rounds right there.
I get loading up at home.
That makes sense.

 

[series guy]

Take this to the range. Shoot as much as you want. Process your brass at the loading bench listening to your favorite music.

 

[Waldo]

I have had a Model 25-2 for over forty years. I also bought a Model 625 when they first came out. When I first got the Model 25-2, I only shot .45ACP ammo in it.. At the time I was only aware of the 1/2 moon clips. They were not fun to load and unload. So I just used a pencil to push out empties that did not fall out when I held the gun upside down. I tried and liked the .45 Auto Rim, but they were a lot harder to find and more expensive than the .45 ACP. When I started reloading, I got set up for the .45 ACP. I found out that if you just changed the shell holder, it was easy to load .45 Auto Rim also. Now I have a Dillion press and when I load a bunch of .45 ACP, I just change the shell plate and load all of my empty Auto Rim. Buy a thousand pieces of Auto Rim. You won't lose it and it will last you forever.

 

[Oldsalt66]

If you don't like them or have a need for them, don't use them. And they are a lot less bulky than speed loaders.

And much faster too.

 

[sodacan]

I shoot five different 45acp revolvers, I use moonclips almost all of the time. They're fun and convenient to use. I use a BMT tool for loading and de-mooning. I don't reload and auto-rim is expensive and hard to find. Moonclips are great for defensive use with 45acp revolvers, and they are much easier and faster to use than speedloaders.

 

[Model19man]

I have a couple of 45 colts.
Can I just drop a 45 colt cylinder into the 25-2?? Not sure if the measurements are exactly the same.
Thanks

The 25-3 cylinder is the same dimensions and fits perfectly. Not sure if you can buy one now. I bought mine new around 1983 and the extra cylinder came with it.

 

[StrawHat]

Al of you who do not like moon clips, please, pm me with a price. Or just ask for my address. I will be happy to take them off your hands, those nasty little buggers.

With 17 ACP revolvers to feed, moon clips are a help.

Kevin

 

[Oldsalt66]

Al of you who do not like moon clips, please, pm me with a price. Or just ask for my address. I will be happy to take them off your hands, those nasty little buggers.

With 17 ACP revolvers to feed, moon clips are a help.

Kevin

There are some beautiful examples in your pics.

 

[Dino44]

StrawHat, your commitment to the caliber is very admirable and commendable!

 

[StrawHat]

The S&W ACP revolver is my favorite.

Kevin

 

[MajorD]

The one 45 revolver I had would shoot just fine without moon clips, and when tipped up after opening the cylinder as someone else mentioned usually at least 4 of the cases fell out with gravity, and often a little shake of the gun got the others out. I did shoot mostly with moons but as mentioned sometimes for load testing or casual shooting, or burning up a few loose rounds, single loading without clips worked fine.
It will vary slightly from gun to gun, but I have seen guns that will misfire ( click no boom) without clips, as some cylinders might not headspace enough for ignition