8 shot revolver and moon clips

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sw dan

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hi folks,
looking to purchase an 8 shot revolver. i have been told, that some times you have a problem loading the revlover, because the rounds in the moon clip, move around to much. has anyone had this problem? my 625, has no problem, rounds fall right in. thanks.....dan
 
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Dan, recommend you go to Revolver supply co. They have moon clips in various thicknesses to accommodate most common 38/357 brass. They are good people too.

Unlike 45s, 9mms, 38/357s don't have a standard "groove" dimension, so depending on your choice of ammo/ brass, you can have a wobbly reload or a tight moonclip like the 45s you may be used to.
 
In 9mm, not a problem. In 357/38, sometimes. The difference is in over all length and the profile of the area that the moon clip fits into. The 9mm and 45 have a big advantage in both areas.
If you research, you'll find that folks who shoot 38s in moonclips in competition often either cut down the cases and/or use only specific brass with specific clips.
That said, I like both my 8 shot mod 627pc and R8 way better than I liked my 929.
 
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Moon clips for rimmed cartridges are far thinner than the moon clips for auto loading cartridges. So yes they do wobble more.

Matching the clip thickness to the groove diameter of the brass that you have chosen to use will reduce the wobble a bit, but never to what the 625 or 929 are like

Shorter brass will cause less wobble as the weight of the projectile is not so far out from the clip. That is why many folks use the 38Colt brass in competition.

You could have a second cylinder set up for your 627. One that is chambered for 9x23Winchester.

627%209x23-2.jpg

This allows the safe chambering and firing of all the shorter cartridges in the 9MM moon clips. 38Super, 38ACP, 356TSW, 9x21, 9MM Parrabellum, 380ACP . . . and more
 
I avoid using SWC bullets in speed loaders or moon clips. The step catches on the cylinder. Instead I use jacketed HP or cast RNFP bullets with a rolled crimp. The swaged crimp on some commercial ammunition will catch on the cylinder too. I don't carry hand loads for SD, and make sure my SD ammunition has a roll crimp (or none, in the case of .45 ACP).
 
colt_saa said:
Moon clips for rimmed cartridges are far thinner than the moon clips for auto loading cartridges. So yes they do wobble more.

Matching the clip thickness to the groove diameter of the brass that you have chosen to use will reduce the wobble a bit, but never to what the 625 or 929 are like

Shorter brass will cause less wobble as the weight of the projectile is not so far out from the clip. That is why many folks use the 38Colt brass in competition.

You could have a second cylinder set up for your 627. One that is chambered for 9x23Winchester.

627%209x23-2.jpg

This allows the safe chambering and firing of all the shorter cartridges in the 9MM moon clips. 38Super, 38ACP, 356TSW, 9x21, 9MM Parrabellum, 380ACP . . . and more
Click to expand...

Nice- how's the accuracy with the 9 mm, 38 super loads? Am considering same. Any issues after getting the new cylinder fitted with the original cylinder & function/accuracy ? Who did your work?
 
Tanners Owner said:
Nice- how's the accuracy with the 9 mm, 38 super loads? Am considering same. Any issues after getting the new cylinder fitted with the original cylinder & function/accuracy ? Who did your work?
Click to expand...
Sorry for the thread drift here

That revolver is about 13 or 14 years old now. Mark at Pinnacle did the cylinder work

Personally I shoot mostly 9x23Winchester in the converted cylinder. It has had some 9MM Parabellum through it, but not lots. Accuracy is no different than with 357 Magnums.

The internet gets too carried away over what a couple of thousandths of an inch does when compared to how it works in the real world.

As you know, for accuracy the bullet needs to spin. While the groove diameter is .355 vs. .357, the lands in a 357 Magnum barrel are .346. So there is plenty of rifling to engage the projectiles.

I do shoot 38Super in my 940 J-frames. I opened up those cylinders myself. That puts .3565 projectiles in a .355 barrel

940.jpg

I shoot the 356TSW in my Performance Center 940 Specials. However, those left the factory chambered for the 356TSW cartridge.

PC%20940%20Special%201s.jpg

I do like moon clip enabled wheelguns, especially the 8-shot N-frames. I will usually sit watching the news and load up 20-30 or more moon clips the day before shooting. Then While watching the news after shooting I will demoon the clips. My demoon tools are all made from pipe and are hollow. The brass just slides through into the bucket on the floor.
 
Just wondering out loud, but do you suppose the factory would fit a 929 cylinder in a 627 Pro? They may not even be the same length cylinder. Just wondering.
 
epj said:
Just wondering out loud, but do you suppose the factory would fit a 929 cylinder in a 627 Pro? They may not even be the same length cylinder. Just wondering.
Click to expand...
The 929 cylinder is way too short.

Even if it were the same length, the factory would not do it. It is bad business.

Why should the factory sell you a cylinder and some labor, when they can sell you an entire revolver instead.
 
sw dan said:
... because the rounds in the moon clip move around too much.
Click to expand...
I've found that S&W factory clip mooned ammo in 7 rounds of longer .357 caliber take longer to load than speedloaders holding the same ammo rigid.

For the short extractor snub nose, the moonclipped ammo aids extraction.
 
I have the gun loaded with a moon clip,(for a nice empty drop), then use speed loaders, for reloads. I have 5 star loaders for all my double action revolvers, and use them exclusively at the range for muscle memory.
 
hi folks,
still on the fence with this 8 shot thing. may just get another 625 and be happy. thank you for all the replys sw dan
 
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