642-1

[fotojake]

Just picked up a 642-1 .38 spcl from the local LGS. Looking over the weapon I noticed that it came with moon clips. I thought that was odd, because I hadn't seen in the S&W catalog that the 642 came with moon clips. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. When rounds are in the cylinder, without a moon clip, they really rattle when I shake the weapon. With the moon clip, they're is no rattle.

Anyway, to get to the point: can this weapon be fired without moon clips?

Also, are moon clips used to just load the weapon faster?

As you can see, I have never had a revolver that came with moon clips.

Thanks for any advice/info.

 

[KEN L]

Yes & yes. Pics would be nice!

 

[BUFF]

Besides loading the weapon faster, moon clips also help ensure that the empties all come out together when you dump them, without one or more getting their rims caught under the ejector. With the stubby ejector rod of the 2 inch J frames, this is a good thing, I think more important than fast loading.

Not all of the 642-1's are cut for moon clips, I have one of each, the one that is so cut is a Pro variant.

There is no reason to use them if you don't want to. Many shooters find them to be fiddly. I carry my reloads in either speed strips, which lay flat in pants pockets, or speedloaders if I am wearing a jacket.

 

[fotojake]

Nice! Sounds like the best of both worlds. I was worried that I'd only be able to shoot with the moon clips. Moon clips and then reload with speed strips sounds like the way to go. This weapon will be purely used for CC.

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it.