327 TRR8, moon clips, ICORE holster

[tobar8]

Hi guys. Thinking about trying out an ICORE match. I'm a little confused as to which moon clips would be best. I've used the ones that came with the gun. They seem okay, but the rounds wobble a bit. I read somewhere that some wobble is desirable, as it helps lie up the tips. Not sure.

Also, any idea what kydex holster would be best? Don't see too many for the TRR8. The possibility of accommodating an optional red dot scope would be ideal.

Thanks...

 

[tobar8]

Hi guys. Thinking about trying out an ICORE match. I'm a little confused as to which moon clips would be best. I've used the ones that came with the gun. They seem okay, but the rounds wobble a bit. I read somewhere that some wobble is desirable, as it helps lie up the tips. Not sure.

Also, any idea what kydex holster would be best? Don't see too many for the TRR8. The possibility of accommodating an optional red dot scope would be ideal.

Thanks...

 

[m657]

I had a local leathersmith make me a 627 holster that meets ICORE and speed steel requirements. It also "just happens" to fit all my other N frames.

I don't use optics....yet....

and I haven't had a LOT of experience with the moon clips so far. I did have to buy a moonclip tool which works very well for all calibers.

I don't have the trick down yet...but 38 length brass loads way easier than 357 which wobbles more trying to find the hole to stuff 'em.

SWC is harder to slip into the cylinder, but I have a couple of different ogived slugs that are much easier to load.

I shoot cast lead exclusively.

 

[OKFC05]

but the rounds wobble a bit. I read somewhere that some wobble is desirable, as it helps lie up the tips. Not sure.

Yes.

If the gun does not already have it, a light chamfer on the cylinder helps. You only have to make 120 PF, so by all means use the shorter .38 cases. I prefer RN plated bullets for ease of loading and to keep lube smoke down.

 

[ENH]

All of the moon clips will be similar in wobble. It has to do with the case length of the 38/357. The 45 acp is so fast because the case is so much shorter, thus less wobble.

 

[haggis]

Originally posted by ENH:
All of the moon clips will be similar in wobble. It has to do with the case length of the 38/357. The 45 acp is so fast because the case is so much shorter, thus less wobble.

Personally, I think .45ACP moons are fast because the back of the cylinder is mostly holes.

Buck

 

[ENH]

Yep, and less holes to line up too.

 

[johngoboom]

Good luck with your match...I'm not much help on your questions, but a .45 with moon clips is really the way to go for speed.

 

[tobar8]

Originally posted by johngoboom:
Good luck with your match...I'm not much help on your questions, but a .45 with moon clips is really the way to go for speed.

Well, I probably won't be buying another revolver just for ICORE. There doesn't seem to be that many matches anyway.

I did do a little reading, and I saw some mention of an advantage to an 8 round gun. What's that about? I heard on one for that lots of guys use 8 loaders. That's can't be 45 right? Gotta be 357, right?

 

[ENH]

Yes 8 rounds in a revolver would be 38/357. Your 327 is a great gun, have fun, and go shoot some matches.

 

[Cowford]

Hey Tobar, got me a beutiful 625-4 ACP last week from a guy off this forum and started looking at Moon clips. He sent about a dozen with the gun. So I tried to load a few rounds by hand and boy was that hard with no tool. So I was looking for info on Moon clips and found the RIMZ by Scott Beckham out of Kalifornia and ordered a few sets. I am really impressed with em though I haven't shot the 625 yet. I loaded some up by hand without a tool and they loaded very easy by hand. He has two kinds for .45s, I got the 625's but he had some that are 25's, the 25's are alomost identical but are a little thicker and more durable it would seem. They seemed to drop right in and maybe cause they are a little more flexible. But of course, that cylinder is all holes. You might want to check em out. You can order straight from him or go through Brownells. Like $6 bucks for 5. Check em out "RIMZ"
Good loading, Cowford

 

[tobar8]

Originally posted by Cowford:
Hey Tobar, got me a beutiful 625-4 ACP last week from a guy off this forum and started looking at Moon clips. He sent about a dozen with the gun. So I tried to load a few rounds by hand and boy was that hard with no tool. So I was looking for info on Moon clips and found the RIMZ by Scott Beckham out of Kalifornia and ordered a few sets. I am really impressed with em though I haven't shot the 625 yet. I loaded some up by hand without a tool and they loaded very easy by hand. He has two kinds for .45s, I got the 625's but he had some that are 25's, the 25's are alomost identical but are a little thicker and more durable it would seem. They seemed to drop right in and maybe cause they are a little more flexible. But of course, that cylinder is all holes. You might want to check em out. You can order straight from him or go through Brownells. Like $6 bucks for 5. Check em out "RIMZ"
Good loading, Cowford

Checked out his website, seems all he makes is for .45.

 

[haggis]

tobar,

One other thing you might try (depending on how deeply you get into ICORE) is to use .38 Long Colt cases, assuming you reload. They're about 0.1" shorter than .38 Special. I have an ICORE buddy that does that, and he thinks they load faster using moons. The initial case costs are more than .38 Special, but those low pressure loads probably won't wear the cases out.

Buck

 

[Cowford]

Tobar,
I asked Scott Beckham/RIMZ about .38/357 and he said they thought about it but didn't commit to making any moons for that as of yet. I think you may have to have the cylinder machined to accept moons, I'm guessing? I did ask for em though cause I wanted some for my 686's. I just can't quite get my Speed loaders to be very Speedy if you know what I mean. I think moons for it would work better for me anyway, Cowford

 

[lobosolo]

Originally posted by tobar8:
Hi guys. Thinking about trying out an ICORE match. I'm a little confused as to which moon clips would be best. I've used the ones that came with the gun. They seem okay, but the rounds wobble a bit. I read somewhere that some wobble is desirable, as it helps lie up the tips. Not sure.

Also, any idea what kydex holster would be best? Don't see too many for the TRR8. The possibility of accommodating an optional red dot scope would be ideal.

Thanks...

I shoot ICORE with my 327 and 627. Hearthco moon clips are the best made for icore but are limited to Federal or Remington brass for best results. My holster was made by Ted Blocker holsters its a custom leather and steel lined holster and has an open front for red dot sights.Have fun shooting icore

 

[lobosolo]

Originally posted by tobar8:
Hi guys. Thinking about trying out an ICORE match. I'm a little confused as to which moon clips would be best. I've used the ones that came with the gun. They seem okay, but the rounds wobble a bit. I read somewhere that some wobble is desirable, as it helps lie up the tips. Not sure.

Also, any idea what kydex holster would be best? Don't see too many for the TRR8. The possibility of accommodating an optional red dot scope would be ideal.

Thanks...

I shoot icore with a 327 and 627. Hearthco moonclips are the best made for icore but for the best results you must use Federal or Remington brass.My holster was made by Ted blocker holsters and has an open front for red dots

 

[tobar8]

Originally posted by Cowford:
Tobar,
I asked Scott Beckham/RIMZ about .38/357 and he said they thought about it but didn't commit to making any moons for that as of yet. I think you may have to have the cylinder machined to accept moons, I'm guessing? I did ask for em though cause I wanted some for my 686's. I just can't quite get my Speed loaders to be very Speedy if you know what I mean. I think moons for it would work better for me anyway, Cowford

Thanks. My TRR8 is came with the machines cylinder for moonclips.

 

[blairgarber]

I just bought 50 full moon clips for my 627 from Ranch Products www.ranchproducts.com, they have the best price you can get since they make all the full moon clips for S&W (and everybody else!). I ordered 50 for my 627 and 100 in .45. They are the genuine article alright exactly the same ones that S&W ship with their revolvers. 100 clips in .45 is a lifetime supply, but I've found the 38/357 clips are much less beefy and more prone to break and bend.

As for loading the clips; I've always been able to load .45ACP full moon clips by hand and pop the cases out with a little curved sheet metal tool ($3), but not so with the 38/357. Rimmed cases don't have the same groove that rimless cases have and both the cases and the clips are MUCH harder to manipulate. So, you will need a tool for loading and unloading the 38/357 clips, BELIEVE me on this one.

There are several full moon loaders and de-mooners in the Brownells and Dillon catalogs, but the best tool I've seen is from www.mooncliptool.com. I have that one and it works great for both loading and un-loading, it's super sturdy with no adjustments to screw up. I bought a second arbor, giving me both 45 and 38/357, which attaches to the heel of the tool when not in use, that way everything stays in one place.

For Holsters I believe you'll have to go with custom formed Kydex from one of the smaller volume makers. There aren't too many off the shelf models for the TRR8 I'm aware of, and even if they have an N frame model I don't think the TRR's barrel profile will fit particularly with the patridge front sight.

/b

 

[tobar8]

Originally posted by blairgarber:
I just bought 50 full moon clips for my 627 from Ranch Products www.ranchproducts.com, they have the best price you can get since they make all the full moon clips for S&W (and everybody else!). I ordered 50 for my 627 and 100 in .45. They are the genuine article alright exactly the same ones that S&W ship with their revolvers. 100 clips in .45 is a lifetime supply, but I've found the 38/357 clips are much less beefy and more prone to break and bend.

As for loading the clips; I've always been able to load .45ACP full moon clips by hand and pop the cases out with a little curves sheet metal tool ($3), but not so with the 38/357. Rimmed cases don't have the same groove that rimless cases have and both the cases and the clips are MUCH harder to manipulate. So, you will need a tool for loading and unloading the 38/357 clips, BELIEVE me on this one.

There are several full moon loaders and de-mooners in the Brownells and Dillon catalogs, but the best tool I've seen is from www.mooncliptool.com. I have that one and it works great for both loading and un-loading, it's super sturdy with no adjustments to screw up. I bought a second arbor, giving me both 45 and 38/357, which attaches to the heel of the tool when not in use, that way everything stays in one place.

For Holsters I believe you'll have to go with custom formed Kydex from one of the smaller volume makers. There aren't too many off the shelf models for the TRR8 I'm aware of, and even if they have an N frame model I don't think the TRR's barrel profile will fit particularly with the patridge front sight.

/b

I tried to email Ranch Products, but their email bounced. I am able to load the S&W clips by hand, but I can't unload by hand. I just ordered that same mooner from mooncliptool. I also ordered a few of his clips to see how they are. I was practicing my load last night, I seem to be able to drop those clips in pretty well. Just need more practice. I've talked to a few people who own TRR8's, and the Safari Land works well.

 

[blairgarber]

tobar8

I don't think Ranch Products have email, they are very old school. How old school? Well they don't take credit cards, but they will ship you product with an invoice and AFTER you receive it you send them a check. Now that's Old School!

I know it sounds crazy but you have to call them on the phone (313) 277-3118.