I have a Smith and Wesson L Comp Model 586 that came with two moon clips in the case. no one around here has ever used them and i tried to load one of them with some cheap .38's and bent it all up. my question is this i like the idea of them brownells has more and i want to use them in my revolver for carry. How do i load them what brass is friendly to them and do those mooner tools really work. Im good with the HKS speed loaders but i think id like these better.

I have a Smith and Wesson L Comp Model 586 that came with two moon clips in the case. no one around here has ever used them and i tried to load one of them with some cheap .38's and bent it all up. my question is this i like the idea of them brownells has more and i want to use them in my revolver for carry. How do i load them what brass is friendly to them and do those mooner tools really work. Im good with the HKS speed loaders but i think id like these better.

Bill,
I use moon clips in my 45 acp. there is a trick to loading a moon clip and YES the moon clip tool does help.
To load the moon clip I use my fingers and turn the round as I put it onto the moon clip. To remove the rounds I use a de mooner. My de mooning tool can also be used to load the moon clip. Check out Brownells or midway for one of these tools. As far as the ammunition goes S&W tests all their guns with Federal ammunition. I would give that a try. If that does not work well try a few different types of ammunition untill you find something that works well.

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M.J.Hanna

I find that in using moon clips they like either Federal or Remington ammo cases.

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May God Bless The USA

I use these, available from Midway, they work great, but I'm sure others work just as well.

I use moon clipped 357 in both the 8 and 7 round configuration with no problems. I have found the first time or two that they load hard until the sharp edges get worn down some. Then with most brass I can load with just fingers, but a demooner of some type is vital. there is lots of threads here on making your own from golf clubs, etc.

Quick question. If a revolver cylinder that is chambered for a rimmed case such as the .38, .44, etc. is machined to be used with moonclips, can it ever be used without them? I would think that there would be too much space between the rear of the cylinder and the recoil shield.

WG840

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Freedom above all else.

I shoot my SP101 9mm without moonclips, sometimes. No FTF or other problems, except for removal of shells.

Groo here
On my TR-R8 the moon clip holds the case
the cylinder is milled to allow the clip to
fit flush with the back edge.
A ring of the original cylinder is left around the outer edge to headspace the case.
A gun like this works like normal without clips.

Wheelgunner840 - check this out:

http://www.moonclips.com/

Thanks guys. That explains it The actual location of the rounds does not change, the machining just allows the moonclip to fit. I doubt that using such a gun without the moon clips would not leave enough of the base of the case unsupported for it to be a problem. .0275 of unsupported case forward of the rim on half the cartridge diameter to be exact.

Sorry for the slight thread hi-jacking.
Wg840

__________________
Freedom above all else.

Some of the moon clips are loose fitting enough that no tools are needed to put the brass on or take them back off.

You can use a simple pliers to force the cases on. The cut down golf club is the best way to take them off.

My recommendation is that if you carry this gun and your life depends on it, you should NOT depend on moonclips for a .357 reload. They are very thin and easily damaged and even the slightest bend will prevent the rounds from properly chambering. It would be better to carry the moonclipped rounds in the cylinder and depend on the moonclips for more efficient extraction.

The moonclipped .357 is a good thing for competition but I would not want to have to depend on it out on the street.

Dave Sinko

Bill I use this to load and unload my moons.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.as...ON%20CLIP%20STRIPPER

I have to agree with Mr Sinko. I have never seen .38 moonclips so I cannot vouch for their fragility. But there are two things to consider: 1) speed reloads have never won a real gunfight. 2) Safariland speedloaders are hell for stout and far faster than HKS.

I carry all my revolver ammo, regardless of caliber, in Safariland Comp I and Comp II speedloaders.