Couple of weeks ago I got a 627 Pro...what a shooter and I'm very happy with it.
I plan on CCW with it in low threat circumstances (if there really is such) and would like to know from others if they prefer to use moonclips or speedloaders.
I loaded up the moonclips that with gun and with the .357 ammo it just was not fast. I've read that the moonclips that come with the gun are not the best choice for some brand of ammo.
Any input is greatly appreciated.

Wally135,

I carry a 627-5 UDR as a primary plainclothes weapon and do not feel undergunned, even as a law enforcement officer.

8 rounds of .357 Magnum will take care of most lethal force encounters, as long as you don't go looking for trouble. And do your part ...

I tried carrying two 5-Star speedloaders -- and found that during an average day of getting up, sitting down, driving, walking, etc. -- at least one of the speedloader knobs would inadvertently spin and release rounds into the pouch. Of course, I wouldn't realize this until after shift, when it was time to retrieve the speedloaders as I dressed down.

I've found two loaded moonclips to be much more secure, not to mention quicker to reload. You can use speedloader pouch/es ... I flip mine upside down so that when I open the flap, the loaded moonclip falls right into my hand. Make sure your pouch flaps secure tightly before carrying this way, though.

As moonclips go, I'm VERY partial to the Hearthco .025 stainless steel moonclips. These are much stiffer than the stock ones and in my opinion, facilitate quicker reloads of the long .38 or .357 rounds (relative to, say, the .45), as there is no wobbling of the loaded rounds.

You can buy them here:

http://www.moonclips.com/default.asp

Pj
Phoenix, AZ

Previous owner of a "Pro" model myself, and soon to be owner of the aforementioned 627-5. My experience with the Pro was similar to the OP in that "wobble" of the rounds severely limited the utility of moonclips and the indexing of two rounds needed to start the process. For the Pro I used speedstrips almost exclusively.

For the new to me 627 I am planning on the exact moonies as mentioned in previous post. Have a bud who let me use his and they work MUCH faster than the factory supplied ones.

As an aside, I noted on Midway's site yesterday that they are now stocking 8 round speedstips and I plan on ordering some of those as well. Just MUCH easier to carry if you are CCW imo.

Hope this helps but initially I felt that the whole moonclip idea was best left to the larger rounds and that was a disappointment as my "handle" might suggest.

ok... help. I went to that site and really didn't find the 8-shot clips I need. Maybe I did and they were under my nose.
I have a PC 327 TRR8.
Thanks for the help! I have experienced the 'wobble' in the factory supplied clips and just figured I'd have to deal with it.

Here's the link to the page ... flip down to the second and third moonclip option (depending upon your gun).

Welcome to TK Custom.com & Moonclips.com

The Hearthco Match (.025) moonies will work in the 627; I'm not sure about the 327.

Pj
Phoenix, AZ

Those moon clips don't work for my brand new 627Pro. Takes too much time to load into cylinder. I got the black ones. I bought two packages, 80 bucks wasted. I ended up getting the 5 star speedloader, much better product.

You guys must have missed the memo about moon clips. They are brass specific.
Not really, but different brands of brass are machined differently (diameter of the neck) and work much better with different brands of clips.

You may want to check out the TK Kustom site for more info, or the Brian Enos forum.

Bob

I prefer the OEM-style moonclips by Ranch Products - and they are reasonable, too. They seem to like Starline and Remington brass the best. I only shoot my wimpy .38 Spcl-ish loads in .357 Magnum cases and keep the shorter Remington R38S12 .38 Special +P 158gr LSWCHP in moonclips for SD use. While they will never load as easily as .45 ACPs in my 625JM, their speed/ease is adequate - and better than the machined Al speedloaders, which I mainly use as a nightstand backup and range bag goodie nowadays. Both reloading methods beat the stew out of reloading loose ammo, of course.

Stainz

Bob
I know that certain types of brass won't fit in the moon clips, i.e. winchester brass won't fit. I get it. It probably is just me but I have difficulty once the brass is already in the moonclip loading it into the cylinder of the gun. This is my first revolver so it is all pretty new to me. It seems like it is difficult to get all 8 rounds to fit into the individual holes of the cylinder at the same time. Like there is too much dangle of the bullets present. Sigh.... I will continue to try and work with it.

I think you will find moon clips much faster after practicing. I find if you drop or throw them at the gun it works much better. If the moon clip has left your hand before the bullets contact the cylinder, the bullets will find path of least resistance and fall right in. My preference is a loose fit in moon clips instead of trying to get the bullets to fit super tight. Grasp moon clip with index finger between two rounds and use this to guide your drop. I think the main thing to remember is drop don't push. When you get on to it you will be able to load in the dark. Round nose bullets work the best by far.

Also,'I've found with mine that bullet shape in of considerable importance. Obviously, a rounded JHP is going to work better than a lead SWC.

Not only are they brass specific but they are thin and pretty easy to damage.

For CCW I'd stick with speedloaders or speed strips for those reasons. Wouldn't be good if you try to drop a slightly bent moonclip in when you need it.

Watch your technique, too. The 627 is less forgiving than the 625. Make sure your muzzle is pointed straight down and you're coming straight down with the reloads. If you try holding the moon clip at an angle, you'll notice that the top cartridges hang down a bit. They won't align with the chambers like that.

__________________
Proud anachronism

After playing with it, seems like the 38's have no problem loading but the larger round (357) moonies are the ones that really hang up. They are semi-wadcutter type. I just started reloading 38/357 today for the first time (another first) with round tip copper plated Berry bullets and I will see how it reacts to the smoother top. They will be in brand new starline brass.
Will probably take the semi-wadcutters off the moonclips and load those with the speed loader. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and help.
Tony

I use TK Kustom .025 moonclips. They work with Remington and Federal Brass. The .020 work with Winchester brass. I have not used Starline so I can't say which they work with but I think the TK sight will tell you. I prefer the thicker clip and have myself set up with Remington and Federal brass so I'm not switching back and forth. You could go with the .020 moonclips and use Remington, Federal, Winchester and any other brand but you WIL notice that some brands will have A LOT of wiggle and that will really slow down your reloads so I highly suggest you match your moonclip to the proper brass. Once you practice I can't see why anyone would ever want to go back to speedloaders. Another benefit is when you're shooting and doing a lot of reloads with speedloaders you're dumping your brass on the ground. Then you're picking up 8 brass and a speedloader, with moonclips you bend over and pick up just one item because they're still held together with the moonclip.

I am curious as to if anyone knows what kind of brass Buffalo Bore 140 gr. .357 magnum rounds use. In fact I am curious as to what bullets are used as well. I couldn't really find that info on their website. I ask because I see on the TK website that some brass may not work well with the moonclips.