moon clips for a 30-1 with 32acp?

SquarePizza

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I know I am seriously going out on a limb here, but does anyone make moon clips that would fit a 30-1?

I have this hair brained idea of playing around with one running 32acp. One of my local clubs does informal IDPA and I think it would be kinda fun. =)
 
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I knew the would chamber without them, but I think it would be rather neat if I could get moon clips to load all 6 quickly.
 
Well I know a lot of shops will cut L and N frames for moon clips, so it is pretty easy to find standard moons for those cylinder sizes... but finding a 6 shot J frame moon clip I believe may be pretty hard. Or I could be wrong and some 327 federal mag moon clip might be lurking out there somewhere that would work.
 
Square Pizza:

I have a Model 642-1 that I have a moon-clip cut cylinder from a Model 442 (purchased from a fellow Forum member). I carry the load in the cylinder in moon clips, but I find the bulk and possible fragility of the moon clips a bit too risky for carrying for a reload (I prefer a New York reload and a back-up speed strip). The 442 cylinder modification (cut for moon clips) and moon clips were done by Tom of TK Customs:

Welcome to TK Custom.com & Moonclips.com

I've traded emails with Tom, he seems like a nice guy.

Best of luck,

Dave
 

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Square Pizza:

I (I prefer a New York reload and a back-up speed strip).

Welcome to TK Custom.com & Moonclips.com

I know what a speed strip is, but what is a "New York reload"? Recently retired, I was a police officer back in middle '70's. We used the "death dumper" pouches which were designed to hold 6 rounds and dump them into your hand for a reload. We always stuffed about 8-9 rounds in each pouch because you usually dropped about half of the ones dumped. We always joked that it was the safest way to reload because you made a smaller target while you were on your hand and knees groping for the dropped rounds. Then came speed loaders, what a relief, you could now carry two of the speed loaders on your belt, two in each pants pocket, two in your jacket, at least 6 or 8 in your bag/briefcase and a couple more in the glove compartment of the patrol car. Now we were worried that a loud noise, shock wave, etc. would cause all the speed loaders we carried to detonate at once, ha.
 
A N.Y. reload is a second pistol in a concealed but easy access position. They are often identical, but any pistol or revolver qualifies. My dad's CCW instructor didn't believe in reloading, he would just pull the next gun from somewhere; he carried 3 and sometimes 4. The Fed.327 is on a K-frame isn't it? I use 45 in Moon clips all the time, and think calling any 32 in moon clips "too bulky", as kind of funny. But it is all in what you're use to. At SWCA table at the NRA convention they had a rare/experimental 1917 (N-frame) in 30 Carbine that used moon clips and at the time was thinking of 32 H&R and 327 Fed. I had a 30-1 and use to shoot Longs, Shorts and ACPs in it all the time, but it was the last revolver in the rotation and never tried speed loaders or speed strips.

I know in WWII they experimented with 22LR in wax paper belts for small full auto, you could try and make moon clips from 2 layers of masking tape facing each other. Make a type of stencil to mark where the shells go, use a hole punch to cut the holes and trim out around the ejector, shouldn't take more than a half hour to make a stack once you know where everything goes, Have Fun! Ivan
 
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I know I am seriously going out on a limb here, but does anyone make moon clips that would fit a 30-1?

I have this hair brained idea of playing around with one running 32acp. One of my local clubs does informal IDPA and I think it would be kinda fun. =)
Not out on a limb nor hair-brained at all. I think its a cool idea. And am pretty sure TK Custom can do it. As with many things, I suspect it is just a matter of expense. Custom clips can be a bit expensive.

I toyed with the idea of moon clipping my J frame M332 .32 Mag a few years ago; TK Custom could and would do it. But I never got around to doing it. And always wanted (but have never had) an I frame M30 or M31.

One thing for sure, you would have the coolest - and fastest reloading - I frame revolver! And that would apply to using .32 ACP or .32 Long.

Please do let us know where you end up with this idea.
 
Be prepared to pay as much or more than the value of the gun to have the cylinder machined, and moon clips manufactured. Then since it is modified, the value dropped 50%.
 
cndrk:

As Green Frog and Ivan previously explained, a New York Reload is a back-up gun. It somewhat pains me to give credit for a great idea to yankees, but a good idea is a good idea.

In a first for me, I referenced my post here to answer a question from another Forum member in another thread. My response, including photo, to that thread is referenced here for your review:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...peed-loader-vs-speed-strip.html#post138217924

Funny thing about the ammo pouches you refer to - in this day and age, it seems like fewer and fewer people know what they are. I have bought a few single, leather, 6 round revolver ammo pouches that the sellers didn't even know what they had (I seller said it was an ammo pouch for a .30 M-1 carbine!) I will sometimes wear one on my belt and some people will ask what it is (I'll usually say it's a piece of "safety equipment" so that no one will need CPR or "vapors", etc.).

Thank you for your service as a peace officer.

Regards,

Dave
 
I am not too worried about the value dropping, the 30-1s are not going for much cash these days. I am just waiting for a sufficiently beat up one to appear on gun broker and then my project will get running.
 
Be prepared to pay as much or more than the value of the gun to have the cylinder machined, and moon clips manufactured. Then since it is modified, the value dropped 50%.

Am not sure what the going price is for a S&W M30 or M31.

On the current TK Custom webpage http://tkcustom.com/content/example-machine-cylinder.htm

quote
Example of Machining your cylinder for Full Moonclip Conversion
$125.00 to machine / chamfer and return your cylinder
$65 for (10) Stainless Steel Match Full Moonclips
unquote

That only equals $190. If I could find a decent M30 or M31, I would certainly pay $190 for it.

For some (like me!) having it machined for moon clips wouldn't hurt the gun's value much if any.

Life is short. If one will enjoy it and shoot it, why not?
 
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