Shooting Model 627 With No Moon Clips?

[Bob1943]

I am interested in a 2 5/8" Model 627. I understand that the cylinder is cut for moon clips. Can this gun be fired without having to use moon clips and not suffer from any chronic type of malfunction?

I am not really a moon clip fan. So, if I buy one of these, I don't want to be having issues by not using moon clips.

[MAJPATT]

No moon clips required. I have a 627 V-comp and a 627 8x. Have never used the moon clips in either one, and never had a failure to fire.

[calmex]

I have a 627 with the 5 inch barrel and you can absolutely, positively shoot it with or without moonclips.

If you find the right brand of moonclips to work with your brass, the reloads can be pretty quick. On the other hand, if you practice with speedloaders, you can come pretty close to a moonclip reload on a good day.

Here in Mexican Practical Shooting, we allow you to use moonclips up to Expert Class. After that, you cannot use them. This because only the very rich or very lucky (or me) can get a moonclipped revolver normally because down here everything has to come through Midnight Auto. So it would be ludicrous to allow a technical advantage (and tactical) that only a very few could ever have. Then it becomes a contest of "who is better connected" as opposed to who is a better shot.

So I have a 627, and I have the moonclips for it but I generally use it with speedloaders when I use it at all. We have the same rule for 7 and 8 shot revolvers: you can't use them after reaching or above Expert Class. However, we do allow them in the "unlimited" events against the automatics (which are always .380 acp or .380 Cal or Super Cal and have at best a 175 powerfactor) where the 627's actually shine because they got the poop that a .380 -- even from a fully-supported 6-inch 1911 barrel -- cannot get.

Enjoy the gun: with or without moonclips.

[Bob1943]

Thanks for the response. I will proceed to search for and buy one at an LGS.

One more question - how does that bead blast finish hold up? Is it prone to getting shiny burnish spots if it rubs against a hard surface object?

[calmex]

Originally Posted by Bob1943

Thanks for the response. I will proceed to search for and buy one at an LGS.

One more question - how does that bead blast finish hold up? Is it prone to getting shiny burnish spots if it rubs against a hard surface object?

I am sure it holds up fine. On my own -- I live in Mexico understand, where everything that shines must be the cat's meow -- I used flitz and Mother's Mag to polish all the flats to a mirror polish while leaving the rounds and the cylinder in the original bead blast.

I mean, it looks Miami Vice neat. But the bead blast parts haven't changed a bit with use so I'm sure you won't have to worry about it.

[Bob1943]

Went out to 4 stores today to find a 627PC. One place had 1 in-stock, the other had 2. Unfortunately, all 3 of them had small shiny spots on them at various places where the matte finish had apparently rubbed or hit against something. For a $1,000 gun, I had to pass.

That is why I asked about the durability of that matte finish. If it is going to get a shiny abrasion spot everytime it touches something, maybe I should look at something else besides a 627PC. Those shiny spots are very noticeable against the matte finish.

[Hook686]

My thought is, 'Do you want to shoot it, or look at it?' Certainly different strokes for different folks, but as soon as you open the box and pick it up and opened the cylinder, maybe pulled the trigger, it really is no longer a new gun.

[gtoppcop]

Great Guns. I use both the Moon Clips (by Revolver Supply) in several thicknesses for different ammunition (makes it not so wobbly) and the 5-Star 8-Shot speedloaders. Works fine!

The 627-5 is one of the best guns that S&W makes. They are exceedingly well built.

Just my paltry $.02 worth of recommendation...