Experience with Pinnacle gunsmithing?

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pinnicale gunsmith

They did a S&W J frame for me several years ago, I don't remember what model other than it was a J frame, do remember it was a 357, anyway I wanted to make it a 38 super. His work is top notch his general custom work takes several months, but revolver converisions, moon clips are done in 2 weeks or less. I love moon clips so I was very happy with that part, but I did find the 38 super with a bullet dia slightly less than the 357 and at 10 yards a 38 special would group at 2" the 38 super would group at 4-5 inches, not a big deal at that distance, but I guess I was expecting better.
 
I like mine. Mark does very fine work

627%209x23-1.jpg


627%209x23-2.jpg
 
Had a 625 .45 Colt cut for moons back in 08'. Also have had them convert a few 4" to 3" (barrel swaps) for me. No complaints. I'd use them again.
 
Pinnacle moon clip

I sent Mark at Pinncalce (3) cylinders, one J frame and two K frames for moon clip conversion machining. Nice job, fair price, all good. Would use Mark again.

Pequod
 
Tell me a little about moon clip. I mean i know what they are, but how do the work with 38/357? Can you use the gun normally with out the moon clips? Is there ANY downside at all to having it cut for moon clips and then not using the moon clips if i didnt want to?
 
rc51kid said:
Tell me a little about moon clip. I mean i know what they are, but how do the work with 38/357? Can you use the gun normally with out the moon clips? Is there ANY downside at all to having it cut for moon clips and then not using the moon clips if i didnt want to?
Click to expand...

Downsides: None, except cost of conversion. You can go freely back and forth between moonclips and no moonclips as the outer portion of the cylinder where the rim sits is left intact as shown in the picture.

no_moon.jpg


The only thing is with 38/357 if you're doing reloads on the clock and speed counts, you need to match brass manufacturers to specific clip thickness as their is no SAAMI standard for the "groove" and some brass will be really wobbly which hurts reload speed. These "custom" moonclips get expensive at about $7 a pop and you'll cry when you or someone else steps on them, at least I do. If you don't care about Jerry Miculek reload speeds it doesn't matter, buy a bunch from Ranch Products at around $0.75 each (for 8 shot) and call it the day.
 
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So when NOT using moon clips, the 38 brass rim sits on the outer bart of the cylinder, right? Does this support enough of the brass that it does not move around? Any problems with ejection with out the moon clips or light primer hits from the brass "floating" around?
 
rc51kid said:
So when NOT using moon clips, the 38 brass rim sits on the outer bart of the cylinder, right? Does this support enough of the brass that it does not move around? Any problems with ejection with out the moon clips or light primer hits from the brass "floating" around?
Click to expand...
As with any mechanical process, if something isn't done to spec things can go awry.

However, done properly in the .38/.357 configuration, there is no issue between using or not using the moon clips in the cut cylinder; no problems with brass jiggling, ejection or light strikes, in my experience.

I have become a huge fan of moon clips as part of concealed carry for defensive revolvers -- totally reliable for me thus far, and the ejection and reload times are excellent. I prefer revolvers for most concealed carry and moon clips help level the playing field against the advantages of a semi-auto.
 
Pinnacle and TK Custom are experts at doing this work and you won't have any problems. I have used TK Custom a number of times including one this year. Tom Kilhoffer is great to work with with timely service!

What gun do you have that you might convert? It sounds like you've never used one before. S&W Model 625s are fairly plentiful as are Model 25-2s, both in .45ACP. The 25-2s are the original modern moonclip revolvers.
 
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