627: 8 round moon clips + ammo

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SimbaS

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What is your favorite moon clip and ammo combination for the model 627? I like this gun, i really want to shoot it, a lot. I’m trying to find a good set of moon clips and ammo so that I can load and unload clips reliably. And hopefully without being completely dependent on tools.
I have a little information; tkcustoms, and revolversupply have some basic charts. I’d love to hear from someone more experienced with this firearm before i begin my trial and error.
 
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You need a tool to load and clear moon clips sturdy enough to be reliable. Otherwise that last cartridge will ruin your thumb. Mine converts between .357 Magnum and .45 ACP. For my needs, .357 moon clips are a novelty.

Moon clips are not necessary with rimmed cartridges like .38 SPL and .357 Magnum, and don't work well in a pocket or pouch. For EDC backup, I use strip loaders. They're not quick, but keep a full load together and oriented. Moon clips are okay for a day at the range. For competition, quick loaders are quicker and tool-free. I have a jig which holds 8 cartridges for filling a quick loader. Its quick and easy, but not necessary.

I use the same ammunition I shoot, both purchased and reloaded.
 
I have a 627 pro and love it. The key to using moonclips is understanding there is not a single standard for rimmed cartridges regarding moonclip fit.

So, one needs to match case brand to moonclip thickness. Some brands require .20, others.22, .25.

Once you have a good match, the mooncliped rounds will not wobble and quickly fit/ seat in the cylinder
 
Yes, you have to match the moonclips to the brass you are using. I'm using Starline brass and .025 TKC moonclips made for Starline. You get all your brass back, so it pays to buy good brass of all the same brand. With Starline, one moonclip fits 38 short colt, 38 long colt, 38 special, and 357 mag.

The best moonclip tool is BMT. Not cheap, but worth the price.
 
Ranch products. With starline or Winchester loaded with my fingers.
To unload: I'm currently using a cut curtain rod with a cut tab at the end of it. ( I misplaced my other tool. It could be in a bag somewhere.....)
 
I like that idea, I think matching a good brass and a well fitting clip seems ideal. I just started the research on learning how to hand load/reload. I’m set on this course, but the ammo and moon clips i have now don’t fit well together, and that won’t change after a reload.
Quick question, How do you even measure the groove on the underside of the case’s rim?
 
I don’t hate the idea of speed loaders either, speed beez set looks great. My only hesitation is that it seems a little tight and after you drop your loader what do you do in competitions?
 
SimbaS said:
I don’t hate the idea of speed loaders either, speed beez set looks great. My only hesitation is that it seems a little tight and after you drop your loader what do you do in competitions?
Click to expand...

In a competition, you work your way through the course of fire (COF), reloading as needed. When done, you go back and pick up moon clips and speed loaders. When you pick up moon clips, you automatically get back only YOUR brass, no scrounging around on the ground picking one at a time, then sort out yours from all the other. You also get your brass back in a "lost brass" match where any brass that hits the ground belongs to the range. You get your moon clips back, and the brass still happens to be in them.
 
There was some confusion in this post- but wanted to be clear. It was thought I was knocking the use of moonclips. I just don't understand the use of loaders. It literally blows my mind.
 
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I am a firm believer in moonclips. All my carry and competition revolvers are cut for them. If not from the factory I send the cylinders to TK Customs and have them cut.

As everyone has said you have to fit the brass to the moonclips. I prefer the .025 clips and use either Remington or Federal cases in .357. The .025 .44 Mag clips seem to be much less fussy about brass brands, I use Federal or Winchester cases and they both work fine, whereas in .357 I can't use Winchester brass with the .025 clips.

For CCW the thicker clips are more durable, I've carried reloads in the cargo pockets of my pants for years and never had a clip bend. About the only time I've bent a clip is when I've stepped on one during a match after a reload!

For what its worth I have shot thousands of rounds through moonclips and don't own a loader I just snap them in by hand. I do have a tool for unloading the clips though, just a cheap Wilson Combat hand tool.
 
Yes, if it is a rimmed cartridge. You can see that the cut does not go past the edge of the rim.
 
Protocall_Design said:
you have to match the moonclips to the brass you are using.
Click to expand...





Has been the case forever in most moon clips

But it also makes me wonder if folks would want me to create an 8 shot smith 38/357 that works with all kinds of brass like I did with my J CCW HD 38/357 moon clips

Video



[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lnDdTK42644[/ame]
 
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