Does a new S&W 686 take moonclips?
- Thread starter Hoyle
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bluelund79
Member
Mine isn't cut for moon clips. New 686+ 3".
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Have not done an in depth study, but most of the Performance Center versions of 686 I've looked at are cut for moonclips. I don't recall any of the standard versions that are, but there are machine shop services that will make the modification.
Lou_the_welder
Member
The standard 686 or the + model is not cut for moonclips. But the 686 pro and pc models are.
Those models not cut for moonclips can be. But you would have to send the cylinder out. Tk customs does that work.......
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Those models not cut for moonclips can be. But you would have to send the cylinder out. Tk customs does that work.......
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bananaman
Member
My 2016 production 686-6, Pro-Series is cut for moon clips. Came that way. Bob
Generally, no, most 686 models are not factory machined to accept moon-clips. I may have counted incorrectly, but of fifteen current 686 models, I saw two which were described as being machined for moon-clips.
Performance Center(R) Pro Series(R) Model 686 Plus | Smith & Wesson
PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) Model 686 | Smith & Wesson
Performance Center(R) Pro Series(R) Model 686 Plus | Smith & Wesson
PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) Model 686 | Smith & Wesson
captainwayne
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I also wanted to get a moonclip cylinder for my 686+. I asked the factory if they could put one of the new cylinders used in the moonclipped 686+, was told I had to send the whole gun in. The cost was said to be around $300. I then asked if I could just buy one of the cylinders but was told no, they wouldn’t sell me the cylinder, but go to Brownells! I didn’t find one there.
Sounds a bit unreasonable as they have the cylinders pre cut sitting there, will happily install it for $300, but won’t sell it to me.
Sounds a bit unreasonable as they have the cylinders pre cut sitting there, will happily install it for $300, but won’t sell it to me.
Midway has 686 cylinders for $120 - 6 shot versions. You could call them about the 7 shot version. There are a number of regular (e.g., 6 shot) used 686 cylinders for sale at Numrich's, eBay, etc. as I look now. The 7 shot cylinder appears to be a little harder to find. But new or used, probably around $120-$150 would be my guess.
TK Custom will charge $150 to machine a cylinder. I had them machine my Mdl 640 and they did a great job. Moonclips take a little for time to work with and appreciate, but there is no way to reload a cylinder faster than with a moonclip.
The $300 cost from S&W doesn't seem that far out of line... I've always been happy with the work I asked them to do (at my expense, in the past, like replacing a revolver barrel with a longer one) was always done very well, if not for the lowest price.
TK Custom will charge $150 to machine a cylinder. I had them machine my Mdl 640 and they did a great job. Moonclips take a little for time to work with and appreciate, but there is no way to reload a cylinder faster than with a moonclip.
The $300 cost from S&W doesn't seem that far out of line... I've always been happy with the work I asked them to do (at my expense, in the past, like replacing a revolver barrel with a longer one) was always done very well, if not for the lowest price.
I believe for insurance reasons they want to install it and do any nessesary fitting. Then test fire. Not a drop in item.
Wee Hooker
Member
Just know before you go off spending big $ to get moon clip capability for your 38/357, that they can pretty finicky. Most if the issues are due to the case design with the rim but there are also issues with case diameter uniformity , longer cases having difficulty lining up with charging holes, clip thickness, etc. There ways to lessen those symptoms but clipped 357 revolvers are not at all forgiving like those taking clips for rimless cases like 45ACP and 9mm. There are threads here on the topic if you want to research.
FWIW, about 1/2 my 686 collection has moonclip capability but I rarely use them.
FWIW, about 1/2 my 686 collection has moonclip capability but I rarely use them.
Lou_the_welder
Member
To better appreciate the 686+ with moonclips, the case and moonclips combo is the key. I load 38 shorts with starline brass and ranch products clips. Its trial and error.
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Ghost Magnum
Member
No, but pro series does.
HamHands
Member
And they do it well! Their moon clips keep their shape/tension forever too as long as you don't step on them in competition/accident with spent shells still attached in them!
Clark Customs is a good source as well...
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Do you have to use moon clips if the cylinder is cut for them or are they just for easily loading and unloading
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
No you don't have to use moonclips if the cylinder is cut for them. The cartridge headspaces off the rim.
Protocall_Design
Vendor
You have to use moonclips for rimless calibers. For rimmed calibers, with the cylinder cut for moons, you can use loose ammo, speedloaders, and moonclips interchangeably in one cylinder.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Good point. I assumed you meant the .38 or .357 since this is a 686 thread, but as P_D points out, it won't work without the clip on most revolvers for semi-auto ammo like the 986.
