.45acp Full Moon Clips Question

jimmyj

jimmyj

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Hi:
Getting ready for qualifications. Going to use a Model 625 or Model 25-2.
Locating my full moon clips I have metal and neoprine/plastic ones.
The metals are Ranch Products.
The others are Rimz.
Using Winchester White Box 230gr FMJ ammo.
Have difficulty loading the rounds into the Ranch Products metal clips. Is this normal?

Opinions??
Thanks,
Jimmy
 
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Metal moonclips are typically a bitch to load and even worse to unload. Some are worse than others and a mooning/demooning tool comes in handy. I have heard good things about the Rimz, but have never personally used them.
 
Found this neat inexpensive tool at a gunshow. It's a simple steel tube , cut to leave a small tab , like the hood on a 1911 barrel. Simply place over fresh round to load. Place over fired round and twist to remove.

PC160001-1.jpg
 
You can make a tool like that pictured in post #3 with a $1.50 piece of copper tubing from the hardware store and the cutting disc on your Dremel. Cut both ends to make it useful no matter how it's aligned when you pick it up. :)

I understand that Rimz are not recommended for self-defense use, so I have no interest in owning them.
 
How about just filling a little off the ends of the clips so they hold the rounds but don't require a tool to work it.
 
I just received some Rimz today for my Colt 1917 New Service. I haven't used them in live firing, but they seem real nice and secure the rounds well. I dropped them loaded a few times and they did not loose any rounds, yet unloaded quite easily. +1 so far.
I think they would be great for range use, but would probably prefer metal for CCW reloads.
 
Jimmy,

Get one of these.

Deluxe Moon Clip Tool

I don't normally have a problem loading the steel clips by hand. However, I got this tool when I got my 646 and was unable to load those clips by hand. The tool makes it a snap. I also got a .45ACP arbor and now use it for that caliber. I can load a moon clip faster than I can load a 1911 magazine.

BTW, get this tool from this site. It's the original. California Competition Works sells a clone, but I prefer to support the original inventor instead of someone ripping him off. The other advantage is that you can get interchangeable arbors for any other gun/caliber that uses moon clips.

One of the tube type tools is still better for unloading the clips, IMO.


Buck
 
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I've used Rimz for a couple of years with my 625. No problems at all. Love 'em.
 
Don't mess up the moons, they need to be strong to hold the rounds in as well as they do!

All in all, I love moons over speedloaders any day.

T.
 
I'm not going to question your decision of what to carry, but I do have some experience with qualifying with them.

You may want to get both the metal and plastic versions. The plastic for qualifying, especially if your shooting stages may not fire all six shots and you are limited on the number of rounds issued. The metal for carrying on duty.
 
I don't mean to hijack the thread. But there are times I must use the half-moon clips. Is there a way to load/unload these little beasts without stabbing yourself in the fingers, hands, wrists, kneecaps, etcetera?
 
re: "Is there a way to load/unload these little beasts without stabbing yourself in the fingers, hands, wrists, kneecaps, etcetera"

yes...and while necessity is the Mother of Invention, the deluxe moon clip tool solved all that my made versions left unanswered....

I used tubes, golf club sections specially trimmed, pliers both long nose & bent nose (yes they too work) and the little device they give away sometimes....

When you get to loading/unloading many dozens if not hundreds of rounds at a range session, you need a better tool. And yes, you can sometimes just use the edge of the bench to mash a round into the clip....see your comment above about various wounded parts....

Spend the $40 for the adapter mandrels so you can do the rest of your calibers too...
 
I made one of the copper tube tools. It works like a charm. I bought a two foot section at lowes cut off about 6 inches and worked it to look just like the one showed earlier in these post. I would like to thank the person whose idea it was and tell them it was awesome.
 
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