327 Nightguard Question

[moncoacp]

I just got this model 327 Nightguard:

Product: Model 327 Night Guard - .357MAG

Can someone advise me whether this model is cut for moonclips and if so, any recommendations as to what brand and where to get them?

Thanks.

 

[roscoe13]

Since the .357 magnum is a rimmed cartridge, there's no reason for moon clips....

roscoe13

 

[ken158]

Cutting a rimmed case for moon clips is for guys that have lots of play money for customizing and want speed loading.

 

[colt_saa]

No the 327 Night Guard is not set up for moon clips as it comes from the factory.

 

[gscrasher]

I had a 627 from the Performance Shop. It was cut for moon clips. Notice on the S&W website that it is mentioned that one gets 3 moon clips with the 627. OTOH no such mention appears on the description for your 327.

Also, if you have an N-frame .357 available that is not cut for clips, that one will have a thinner space between the rear of the cylinder and the frame window. Using a standard foot long ruler (so not too precise) the gap on the gun cut for clips is almost 1/8th inch, whereas the gap on the standard gun is closer to 1/16th inch.
Hope this helps.

 

[n121br]

Be careful, the finish on the frame chips easily.

 

[colt_saa]

Also, if you have an N-frame .357 available that is not cut for clips, that one will have a thinner space between the rear of the cylinder and the frame window. Using a standard foot long ruler (so not too precise) the gap on the gun cut for clips is almost 1/8th inch, whereas the gap on the standard gun is closer to 1/16th inch.
Hope this helps.

The above is incorrect information.

8 shot model 27/327/627 revolvers have the same cylinder length whether they are cut for moon clips or not. This allows revolvers that are moon clip enabled to fire the 357 Magnum cartridge with or without moon clips. The cartridge will correctly head space either way.

The 8 shot, 357 Magnum revolvers are among my favorite S&W firearms

I need to photograph my Night Guard. Here are some images I took at the SHOT Show.

 

[moncoacp]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone have experience with the Thunder Ranch 8 shot speedloader? Very pricey (60 plus shipping) but might invest if they are reliable. I could not find any other speedloaders for the 327.

 

[colt_saa]

Perhaps I am prejudiced toward moon clips since I have been shooting the 27/327/627 family of 8 shot revolvers for more than 13 years now.

I like moon clips. I will load up 20-25-30 moon clips the night before going shooting. I do this while watching the news. Then it is easy at the range. Always positive extraction of the empties. The night after shooting I unload the empty brass from the moon clips while watching the news. Then I put them aside until my 27/327/627 's next excursion to the range.

For the cost of two of those speed loaders you can have your cylinder cut for moon clips and get about a dozen clips at the same time.

 

[gscrasher]

Thank you colt saa. I stand corrected.

I was foolishly extrapolating from a model 21 (.44sp) and 22 (.45acp) that I had available. For the .45acp, the gap between the cylinder and the frame is the combined thicknesses of the case rim plus the clip.

The .45acp headspaces on the case mouth, so that when a loose cartridge is dropped into a chamber, the rim stands above the rear of the cylinder by just the thickness of a clip. This allows shooting the .45 without clips also, but the extractor won't pull the cases after fired.

 

[thebreaze]

I haven't bought any yet so I don't know how they compare, but try looking at 5starfirearms .com The prices are a lot lower and they are USA made. Hope this helps

 

[moncoacp]

Perhaps I am prejudiced toward moon clips since I have been shooting the 27/327/627 family of 8 shot revolvers for more than 13 years now.

I like moon clips. I will load up 20-25-30 moon clips the night before going shooting. I do this while watching the news. Then it is easy at the range. Always positive extraction of the empties. The night after shooting I unload the empty brass from the moon clips while watching the news. Then I put them aside until my 27/327/627 's next excursion to the range.

For the cost of two of those speed loaders you can have your cylinder cut for moon clips and get about a dozen clips at the same time.

No experience with moon clips so I need to ask this probably basic question. If I have the cylinder cut for moon clips, do I always have to use moon clips or can you still load one at a time?