Mambeaux
Well-known member
Would someone please explain moon clips to me? I'm thinking of buying a 640 Pro Series and it comes with moon clips. Do you have to use them?can you shoot the gun without them?
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Moon clips?
- Thread starter Mambeaux
- Start date
ibewbull
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
I have not used a 38/357 with moon clips.
I have used a 45 ACP M 25-2
The 640 with moons is optional and you can use it without them.
I never had a tool for loading the clips and for me and the 45 it was a pain in the rear.
The option on the 640 would be nice though.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Jim1392
US Veteran
I have a 640 Pro and far as the moon clips, I don't use them. They are very flimsy and seem like they would bend very easily. Only thing I could see you using them for is for extracting your first rounds in one dump. I usually carry one or two speed strips with me. Others may like them but they are not for me.
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HarrishMasher
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Moon clips are the fastest way to load and unload your revolver. They are your friend.
Just google moon clip and let the world open up to you.
The revolvers I buy that are not cut for moon clips, I send off to a gunsmith and have them cut to accept moon clips because they are so useful and simply the fastest way to load and unload your revolver. Much faster than speed loaders and fumbling around dropping rounds in the cylinder. With practice you can reload your revolver with moon clips just as fast as someone can reload a semi auto pistol with magazines.
Once you use moon clips you will never go back. If you buy a revolver from the factory that uses moon clips, you are lucky and should use them.
What the gentleman above refers to as "flimsy", is actually a precision machined instrument. Hardly flimsy, it is designed like that very intentionally and needs to be exactly flexible.
TK Custom specializes in cutting revolvers for moonclips.
http://www.tkcustom.com/
From the TK Custom Website:
A Full Moonclip is circular piece of spring steel or stainless steel designed to hold a full cylinder of ammunition for a revolver together as a unit. Therefore, instead of loading one round at a time or using a speedloader, with a Full Moonclip, a full cylinder of ammunition can be loaded and the fired cases are all extracted together as a unit. Thus expediting the revolver loading and unloading process. Unlike a speedloader, a Full Moonclip remains in the revolver during firing. Loading and unloading tools for the Full Moonclips are recommended to assist the shooter with these administrative functions.
Moonclips can be be loaded with a pair of pliers, or a $30 special tool. The spent cases can be removed with a $3 de-mooning tool. Just google de-mooning tool to find one you like.
Also tons if great videos on youtube. Just type in moon clips.
Just google moon clip and let the world open up to you.
The revolvers I buy that are not cut for moon clips, I send off to a gunsmith and have them cut to accept moon clips because they are so useful and simply the fastest way to load and unload your revolver. Much faster than speed loaders and fumbling around dropping rounds in the cylinder. With practice you can reload your revolver with moon clips just as fast as someone can reload a semi auto pistol with magazines.
Once you use moon clips you will never go back. If you buy a revolver from the factory that uses moon clips, you are lucky and should use them.
What the gentleman above refers to as "flimsy", is actually a precision machined instrument. Hardly flimsy, it is designed like that very intentionally and needs to be exactly flexible.
TK Custom specializes in cutting revolvers for moonclips.
http://www.tkcustom.com/
From the TK Custom Website:
A Full Moonclip is circular piece of spring steel or stainless steel designed to hold a full cylinder of ammunition for a revolver together as a unit. Therefore, instead of loading one round at a time or using a speedloader, with a Full Moonclip, a full cylinder of ammunition can be loaded and the fired cases are all extracted together as a unit. Thus expediting the revolver loading and unloading process. Unlike a speedloader, a Full Moonclip remains in the revolver during firing. Loading and unloading tools for the Full Moonclips are recommended to assist the shooter with these administrative functions.
Moonclips can be be loaded with a pair of pliers, or a $30 special tool. The spent cases can be removed with a $3 de-mooning tool. Just google de-mooning tool to find one you like.
Also tons if great videos on youtube. Just type in moon clips.
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TSQUARED
Well-known member
I use the Ranch Products moonclips in 45 ACP, 38 Special/357 magnum, (6 * 8 shot)38 Super, and 40 S&W (SW646 & SW610). They are/were the OEM for S&W moonclips and are the least expensive I have seen. My last purchase the 45 ACP were ca $35/100 and the others were $75/100. You cannot order from their website but the websrte does provide a phone number. Call them and they will arrange to send them to you - a small local producer and a great company.
Pizza Bob
SWCA Member
Another big fan of moon clips, but a word of caution: With rimmed rounds, like the .38 Spl/.357 Mag, the moon clips can be headstamp specific. IOW, a clip that works with Starline Brass, may not work with WW or Federal. So find what works and segregate your brass. TK and Revolver Supply specify which clip works with which brand.
Do yourself a favor and invest in the proper tools to load and unload the clip, you'll enjoy them much more.
Adios,
Pizza Bob
Do yourself a favor and invest in the proper tools to load and unload the clip, you'll enjoy them much more.
Adios,
Pizza Bob
This question gets asked a lot these days; a search'll get you some good reading, but combined I think the answers in this thread cover it.
Only thing I'll add: I've been carrying a spare moon clip(s) in my front pocket for years with no damage, bending, ill effects, etc; I regularly run the carry clips in my revolver to confirm ongoing proper function and there's never been an issue.
I'm of the mind that those who for various reasons discourage moon clip carry use either haven't done much of it themselves, aren't correctly matching brass to clip, and/or aren't using a good brass load/unload tool.
Only thing I'll add: I've been carrying a spare moon clip(s) in my front pocket for years with no damage, bending, ill effects, etc; I regularly run the carry clips in my revolver to confirm ongoing proper function and there's never been an issue.
I'm of the mind that those who for various reasons discourage moon clip carry use either haven't done much of it themselves, aren't correctly matching brass to clip, and/or aren't using a good brass load/unload tool.
HarrishMasher
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Nothing but truth here!
Jim1392
US Veteran
Also type in moon clips bending. I'm not trying to be argumentative but there are many articles giving examples of problems with moon clips. As I said just not for me. I'm not willing to take the chance on my carry gun.
This is from the Usconcealedcarry.com sight.
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/reloading-the-revolver-with-moon-clips/
Note this paragraph in the article.
Moon clips also have the potential to decrease the reliability of a revolver. Moon clips are stamped from relatively thin spring steel and can be bent or slightly warped by improper handling. A bent moon clip has the potential to jam a revolver by inhibiting the proper rotation of the cylinder.
Also from the article.
Interestingly, moon clips tend to work better in some calibers than others. The smaller rimmed calibers like 9mm, .38 Special and .357 Magnum use much thinner clips that are more prone to bending or damage.
I think it's a personal decision you have to make and decide how much risk you are willing to take with your carry gun. I'm sure they may work quite well for many people. My reason for carrying a revolver is reliability. I'm just not interested in increasing the risk of my revolver not functioning correctly.
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grumpy7159
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I have a 627PC and a 625PC with moon clips. The 45acp clips are great. I can load the 625 faster than with a speed loader. I bought my tools from Brownells to load and unload the clips. It only takes about two minutes. As mentioned above the 38/357 brass take a little experimentation. You will like the moon clips and if you don't, load your firearm shell after shell.
rde1911
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I bought the 625JM, my first revolver with moon clips. I like them for the ease of loading and unloading the revolver. I have 25 of the clips and load them before going to the range. I have the tool for removing the casings that makes it easy. I wish my 626-6 was cut for moon clips.
I only shoot paper with my revolvers so I have no experience carrying a moon clip. I know that Jerry Miculek can load his revolver very quickly with moon clips. Here is a video of him shooting and loading a revolver with moon clips.
jerry miculek - Bing Videos
I borrowed this design from another member and made a holder for the loaded clips that fits into a 50 caliber military ammunition can. This works really well.
I only shoot paper with my revolvers so I have no experience carrying a moon clip. I know that Jerry Miculek can load his revolver very quickly with moon clips. Here is a video of him shooting and loading a revolver with moon clips.
jerry miculek - Bing Videos
I borrowed this design from another member and made a holder for the loaded clips that fits into a 50 caliber military ammunition can. This works really well.
Hook686
US Veteran
I have a 627PC machined for moon clips. I can use moon clips, speed strips, speed loaders, or individually load each chamber. I prefer the moon clips.
I agree with the reference to
Welcome to TK Custom.com & Moonclips.com
I would recommend the loading tool, though a cheap verson can be made simple enough using a cartridge case. I just like tools that make the job simplier and with less possible collateral damage. For my 627 there were two thickness sizes. The thinner were more prone to bending, but worked well at the range where time was not a premium. The thicker are the ones I practice with for and do use when I carry the 627.
Actually I would like to hear your experience with the moon clips and a J-Frame.
I agree with the reference to
Welcome to TK Custom.com & Moonclips.com
I would recommend the loading tool, though a cheap verson can be made simple enough using a cartridge case. I just like tools that make the job simplier and with less possible collateral damage. For my 627 there were two thickness sizes. The thinner were more prone to bending, but worked well at the range where time was not a premium. The thicker are the ones I practice with for and do use when I carry the 627.
Actually I would like to hear your experience with the moon clips and a J-Frame.
bananaman
Well-known member
Try RIMZ poly moon clips for your 45. No tools needed. EASY! I use them in my 625JM. Use metal clips, and de-mooner tool. Bob
A proper tool is indispensable for loading/unloading the moon clips. They are very handy for target use, and required for competitive use.
dakota1911
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I love them on my 625 and 325 but have not used them with any rimmed or semi rimmed case.
Batts
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I guess I was mistaken thinking that my EZ moonclips were a super deal at over a dollar each.
Oh well, I do like them very much in my 625JM.
I don't have two hands to fiddle w/ demooner tools etc.
The EZ's work fine and of the 45 I have, after four years and several thousand rounds, only one has bent funny.
I have three North Mountain IDPA/IPSC? double stack moonclip holders that clip onto my belt w/ the BladeTech clip.
W/ a lefty BladeTech holster w/ a slot cut in the upper edge, I can open the cylinder, holster it by hanging the crane in the notch and reload w/ my EZ moonclips.
I can go through 6 reloads fast enough, and reloading the EZ's is easy.
Too scents.
Batts
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Is your PC 686 cut for moon clips? If so, the accompanying clips should be for .38 and .357 brass...
