Is a copper pipe strong enough to handle the task of removing cases from moon clips? I made one last night out of copper and it works, but I just don't know if the copper is strong enough to hold up to heavy use. Thanks.

I never wore one out but if you do you can rebuild.

I had two thoughts...
1. Do the same thing to the other end, so that if one side messes up, I have the other ready to go.
2. Make one from the properly sized steel pipe, and do the same for my .38 Special (Model 442 Pro), and weld them together so I have a single de-mooner for both calibers.

My tool is the corner of a 7.62 NATO MG ammo can.

My tool is my fingers that never wear out because I don't need to waste time using moon clips which weren't designed to be reloaded except in emergency combat situations.

I can load and unload individually much quicker, even if I have to poke a few cases out, or I use cut down new Starline 45 Schofield cases or 45 AR cases.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

1/2" PVC pipe works also

RIMZ poly moon clips for range use. No tools needed! Never had 1 issue in 45 ACP. I do have a de-moon tool though for my metal clips. Bob

I've used the same copper one for probably a dozen years now: as deyomatic suggests, I did both ends. There've been a couple times when one end got funky, so I just used the other during that range session and touched the malforming end up with a file when I got home.

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Now go make God proud...

I have one I made and used for quite a bit before I bought "The Moonclip Tool". I made a 9mm tool from an old 30-06 case, mounted on a piece of 3/4" dowel rod.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Super DeMooner tool will serve well over the long run.

Cut off an old golf club. Then you have a nifty handle.

I am going to try idea #2 later on...I bought a 1/2" diameter steel spacer and a 3/8" diameter steel spacer. I plan on making the larger for my .45s and the smaller for my 442 pro (38 special), then welding them together so one tool will work for both. Should take all of 15 mins.

I made the prototype (finished product, in all reality) tonight. I was too lazy to get my nice auto darkening welding hood from the basement so the welds came out terrible...subsequently, I won't be posting photos, but it works great. It's about 3" long and has a .38 Special de-mooning tool on one end, and a .45 ACP on the other end. The 3/8" pipe took some grinding and a little bend to the tab to clear the rim, but it works great.

I use my screwdriver that I keep handy to adjust sights. Pop 'em right out.

I made up these from some brass round stock and they work well. Knurled portion gives you a non slip grip, empty cases drop right through. Have thought about making a bunch up and offering them for sale here.

Did you knurl those yourself? Looks great.

Yes, I machined them from a piece of brass round stock. The hole goes all the way through. I hold the clip with one hand with case mouths down and twist the tool with the other letting the cases fall into my hand or a container. Knurled area gives you a non slip surface between index finger and thumb.

I look at clips as part of loading 45acps. Empty them and refill them when back from range. I have about 50 clips and a couple thousand rounds of brass.

It's a $1 worth of copper pipe. No need to overthink it's longevity. Just use it till you feel the need for a $50 tool.

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Dave

I used a piece of copper pipe I had laying around and made it just long enough to hold six empties, demoon the clip and dump the rounds in an old Crown Royal bag. I have gotten real lazy lately and just poke the empties out with a piece of dowel onto the piece of carpet I use to lay my shootin iron on while at the range. I found the moon clip to actually be more trouble than they are worth and have since moved on to Auto Rim, I do see the benefit of a quick reload with moon clips but things are much more relaxed down at the range, I don't think the target frame is going to get the drop on me while I reload.

having old hands it is hard to load & unload moon clips.I made this tool
also adds a little class to this thread HA HA




the 2nd picture shows the storage for 12 empty moon clips. because I would lose them unless they were attached to something.

I like it. The setup for popping the rounds in is a great idea, and making it a combo load unload deal is slick.