Do all cylinders need machining for moonclips?

I've been told my model 36 needs to have its cylinder machined in order for moonclips to be used. Is that true with all wheel guns in .38/357 calibers?

I've been told my model 36 needs to have its cylinder machined in order for moonclips to be used. Is that true with all wheel guns in .38/357 calibers?

The way I understand it, revolvers headspace on the cartridge rim so space for the moonclip would have to be made for it somehow.

Originally posted by Frank53:
I've been told my model 36 needs to have its cylinder machined in order for moonclips to be used. Is that true with all wheel guns in .38/357 calibers?

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True. The moon clip adds thickness not designed into the system, and once you do it you are stuck with all the disadvantages - you can never use the revolver without it as headspace is too great, and you cannot do tactical reloads (one round at a time).

In my opinion, a bad idea. Speedloaders are fast enough and you can use the revolver without them.

Originally posted by shawn mccarver:
True. The moon clip adds thickness not designed into the system, and once you do it you are stuck with all the disadvantages - you can never use the revolver without it as headspace is too great, and you cannot do tactical reloads (one round at a time).

In my opinion, a bad idea. Speedloaders are fast enough and you can use the revolver without them.

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Shawn,
I have been shooting moon clip enabled 357 Magnum revolvers for more than a dozen years now and your statement is incorrect. Revolvers that are chambered for rimmed cartridges (38Spl, 357Mag, 44Mag, etc) and are set up to use moon clips will correctly and safely chamber then fire the cartridges with or without the clips.

It is conceivable that you are relating a single experience from a specific gun smith. However your statement is not true for factory revolver. Nor is it true for revolvers that have been converted outside the factory by high quality gun smiths such as Pinnacle, TK Custom, Clark and many others.

To every rule there must be an exception. If you are referring to converting a 45Colt revolver to function with moon clipped 45ACP ammunition. In this conversion the 45Colt ammunition must be clipped. r45Colt revolvers set up for moon clips but not for the 45ACP dual chambering can be fired with or without clips like any other rimmed cartridge.

Originally posted by Frank53:
I've been told my model 36 needs to have its cylinder machined in order for moonclips to be used. Is that true with all wheel guns in .38/357 calibers?

Click to expand...

Yes, revolvers that fire rimmed ammunition must be specifically setup to utilize moon clips. S&W sells many models that are moon clip enabled. Additionally there are many quality gun smiths out there that convert cylinders over on a regular basis.


All of the 8 shot 357 Magnum revolvers pictured above were shipped from the factory ready for moon clip use. Each revolver came with two or three moon clips to get you started.

I've had four revolvers modified for moon clips and I think they're terrific. Most recently my 329PD. These guns are used as back-up for my hunting business. It's really handy not to have to fool with speed loaders anymore and it's so easy to carry extra loaded clips.

There is no problem single loading or even using a speed loader after they've been machined. There is at least the outer 50 to 60% of the rim headspacing on the original (unmachined) cylinder face.

I see no drawback with this system and still don't understand way it's not a more common offering. It's just a couple extra key strokes for the original machining program.

Kyler

Originally posted by colt_saa:

Originally posted by Frank53:
I've been told my model 36 needs to have its cylinder machined in order for moonclips to be used. Is that true with all wheel guns in .38/357 calibers?

Click to expand...

Yes, revolvers that fire rimmed ammunition must be specifically setup to utilize moon clips. S&W sells many models that are moon clip enabled. Additionally there are many quality gun smiths out there that convert cylinders over on a regular basis.

All of the 8 shot 357 Magnum revolvers pictured above were shipped from the factory ready for moon clip use. Each revolver came with two or three moon clips to get you started.

Click to expand...

Thank you all for the responses. So it sounds like if you don't want the cylinder machined, one must shop for a revolver that is "moon clip compatable"...

Colt__SAA, what model is the 2nd one down on the left side of the photo?

Thanks again

Originally posted by Frank53:

Originally posted by colt_saa:

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Thank you all for the responses. So it sounds like if you don't want the cylinder machined, one must shop for a revolver that is "moon clip compatable"...

Colt__SAA, what model is the 2nd one down on the left side of the photo?

Thanks again

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I do not think the factory ever released a model 36 set up for moon clips. All you need to do is send the cylinder to one of the big shops. 6-10 weeks later it will come back ready to go. Remember that moon clip compatible revolvers just had their cylinders machined at the factory prior to shipment. There is no functional downside to letting an outside gun smith do the job. In fact I am getting ready to send a model 360PD off to Pinacle for a moon clip conversion.

The revolver on the left, 2nd from the top, is a 4" Model 27. This is the first 8 shot, carbon steel revolver model that S&W produced. Only 100 revolvers were manufactured in 2000 as a distributor exclusive offering for Bangers. They are hard to find. Those of us that have them do not want to part with them.

Since the introduction of 8 shot, carbon steel 357 Magnum in 2000, there have only been 6 variations. 3 1/2", 4", 5" and 6 1/2" in blue steel then 3 1/2" and 5" in nickel. Here are all 6 configurations produced across the past eight years. All six in this photo bear the same serial number with different prefixes.


The nice thing is that the 3 1/2" blue was introduced in 2006 or 2007 and can still be found. I was shooting the 3 1/2" just this afternoon.

Shawn,Shawn,Shawn.

I'm surprised at you, shame on you for saying that a gun that is machined to accept moonclips is stuck with the disadvantages and you cannot load one round at a time. Tisk tisk tisk. The only way your statement is true is if someone really botched the job and forgot to leave the ring on the outside edge of the rear of the cylinder. Lets be careful out there!

Colt__SAA,
Very nice collection. Again, thanks for info all.

A revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge such as 37 Special, 44 Special, etc will require machining to use moonclips. Revolvers chambered for rimless cartridges such as 45 ACP, 40 S&W, 10mm, and 38 Super (semi-rimless) do not require machining to use moonclips - shoting
revolvers in these rimless calibers virtually mandates the use of moonclips.

Originally posted by Frank53:
I've been told my model 36 needs to have its cylinder machined in order for moonclips to be used. Is that true with all wheel guns in .38/357 calibers?

Click to expand...

Originally posted by TSQUARED:
A revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge such as 37 Special, 44 Special, etc will require machining to use moonclips. Revolvers chambered for rimless cartridges such as 45 ACP, 40 S&W, 10mm, and 38 Super (semi-rimless) do not require machining to use moonclips - shoting
revolvers in these rimless calibers virtually mandates the use of moonclips.

Originally posted by Frank53:
I've been told my model 36 needs to have its cylinder machined in order for moonclips to be used. Is that true with all wheel guns in .38/357 calibers?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

No, that's not accurate either. For instance, you can reliably shoot .45 ACPs without moon clips from a TRR M22. They headspace on the case mouth, just as they were originally designed to do in a 1911 Government model.

In my TRR 22, I can use or not use the moonclips, the gun fires either way, and the moonclips make handy storage for extra rounds.

TRR M22. They headspace on the case rim,

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I would like to correct this statement. The .45 ACP's headspace on the MOUTH of the case (just like the .45 ACP 1911's).

However, some of the late 625's will not reliably work when using the .45 ACP cases without the moon clips. S&W has changed the specs. My Jerry Miculek Special (4") 625-8 will not work reliably without moonclips. The headspace is too great (the cylinders are cut deeper than the older versions). It is not a problem with me as I either use full moon clips with .45 ACP's or just use .45 Auto Rim cases.

Not to be a "smart butt", I just want to clarify a rather confusing situation.

Dale53

Originally posted by Dale53:

TRR M22. They headspace on the case rim,

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I would like to correct this statement. The .45 ACP's headspace on the MOUTH of the case (just like the .45 ACP 1911's).

However, some of the late 625's will not reliably work when using the .45 ACP cases without the moon clips. S&W has changed the specs. My Jerry Miculek Special (4") 625-8 will not work reliably without moonclips. The headspace is too great (the cylinders are cut deeper than the older versions). It is not a problem with me as I either use full moon clips with .45 ACP's or just use .45 Auto Rim cases.

Not to be a "smart butt", I just want to clarify a rather confusing situation.

Dale53

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Oops, you're right. Wasn't thinking. Fixed my post above for posterity.