929 9mm - No Moon Clip Experience

[9146gt]

Let me make it clear that I do not have a 929, and the photos are of .38 Super ammo, not 9 mm. However, the clip manufacturers market the clips as fitting both calibers.

So I decided to see how some 9 mm ammo would fit in the S&W clips. I had some R-P 9mm ammo. The 9 mm fit horribly in those clips. Very loose almost to the point of falling out. Easily inserted and removed with fingers only. I should note that the arms on the S&W clips are shorter than those on the TK clips.

Tried the 9 mm in the TK clips, which were difficult in which to insert and remove the .38 Super ammo. Worked much better with the 9 mm. Still not rigid, but at least secure in the clips. May be acceptable for competition, even with the flop, due to the short cartridge length and RN bullet.

I think the only conclusion we can draw from this is that it will require a lot of trial & error with different clips and ammo to find which combination works best for you.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

The moonclip that I received with my 929 from Smith is the same as the blue stamped blue moon clip from TK.
The blue stamped moon clips work with all misc brass that I have tried. If you have special brass requirements call TK and they can help you out.

I have over 7k 0f REM 9mm brass that I will use for the 929. TK was able to send me the required EDM stainless moonclips to fit that brass. But the misc brass does not easily load in the Stainless moon clips (too tight) even with the BMT tool.

Tom

 

[Pizza Bob]

I'm curious, I've never owned nor handled a 610, but were they usable without clips? I know that you'd have to use the clips if you were shooting 40s, but what about with 10mm?

Post #6 in this thread applies to all rimless cartridges, which, of course, includes the 10 mm round.

 

[Zermat]

missfires

I'm getting several miss fires on my new 929
It has an extended firing pin
moon clips are .35 thick
useing federal primers
any sugestions

 

[peterthefish]

I'm getting several miss fires on my new 929

It has an extended firing pin

moon clips are .35 thick

useing federal primers

any sugestions

Assuming you are referring to light strikes?

Tighten your strain screw.

 

[RYNO]

Post #6 in this thread applies to all rimless cartridges, which, of course, includes the 10 mm round.

I could of sworn I've fired 10mm without moonclips in my 610, maybe I'm imagining things??

 

[S&WIowegan]

I could of sworn I've fired 10mm without moonclips in my 610, maybe I'm imagining things??

Me too!! Now I've got to get my 610s out and try it.

 

[Pizza Bob]

@RYNO & S&WIowegan - it's quite possible that you did. Again, my post (#6) explains that phenomena. If you are just fooling around at the range, then have at it any way you wish But if you are using it for competition or defensive purposes, moon clips should be mandatory.

I really don't understand this aversion to moon clips - it's like wanting to forego the magazine and single load your semi-auto.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[1911Teacher]

The one and only clip that came with my 929 is a TK and it is so tight that it is almost impossible to load with 8 rounds. Last week I got my new set of 8 moonclips from RanchProducts and they are so easy to load up that I can just snap them in easily with my fingers. Factory ammo or reloads snap right in. No moonclip tool needed. I purchased them from UniqueTek.

 

[J Hunt]

Forget those other moonclip tools. Pony up the $80 and get a BMT moonclip loader/unloader. They are fast, and effortless. Drop the 8 cartridges in the tool, twist the knob and the moonclip is loaded. Unloading is just as easy.

BMT Equipped, Inc.

You don't need to break the bank on moonclips. Try either Ranch Product moonclips or the moonclips from revolver supply company. The Hearthco clips are best saved for competition, where fractions of a second affect your position in the standings.

I agree with you 100% about the BMT loader and demooner. I figure that because I have a Governor and if I want to shoot 45 acp then I should get a tool that is gonna work for a lot of uses. It was expensive but works so easy that I will for get the cost.
I used to load them by hand until the last round I would put it on a hard surface and press it in. I bought the pipe type demooner that works well but I am shocked how easy the BMT tool works. Worth it if you have to use them, pony up the bucks, you will like it.

 

[Kaedan]

My old SP101 could be shot without the moon clips. Just used a finger or fingernail to remove the empties. I saved the moonclips for serious work, no clips for the range. I can't imagine owning a revolver where I HAD to use the clips. After reading the thread I'm thinking I'm gonna pass on the 986.

 

[haggis]

Who manufactures your 929 moonclips determines which brands of ammo you can use. TK Custom has a round center hole and a tighter grip on the cartridges than Ranch Products which has a hexagonal center hole. TK's are so tight with Winchester brass that the cartridges do not move at all; in fact, the bullets point inward and can barely be chambered. However, Remington brass works well in TK clips. Winchester brass works well in Ranch Products clips (while it falls out of TK's). It's possible to insert the cartridges by hand, and they are gripped securely enough to not fall out even with moderate force. Additionally, there is sufficient "jiggle" that reloading the gun is both positive and fast. For those of you who think that the cartridges have to be rigidly held in the moon clip for them to load properly, just chamfer the chambers and have a little jiggle in the moons - works much better than any other way. BTW, if you decide to chamfer the Titanium chamber holes, be prepared for a PITA if you try to do it by hand. I had to chuck up a Ti-nitride chamfer tool in a lathe, set it to 300 rpm, and hold the Ti chamber inlets against the tool for 2-3 minutes per chamber to get even a small chamfer. But that much chamfer works. I can literally throw the moon clip at the cylinder and successfully reload the 929.

For those of you that are interested, Rob Latham used a 627-4 with .38 Super moonclips and 9x19 ammo when he won the USPSA Revolver championships. Apparently, you can mix and match almost anything and get it to work.

Buck

 

[9146gt]

Rob Latham has said the only ammo he has shot in the 627-4 .38 super gun is 9mm !!! With 170 grain projectiles beeing the most accurate at 50 yards.

Tom

 

[S&WIowegan]

I'm not sure but I believe I was told by a guy who shot on Rob's squad that he had the barrels changed to a 9mm bore.

 

[texmex]

Does anyone have any advice on good moon clip loading & de-mooning tools?

When I load moon clips without a tool, I lay the cartridge on the table and push the moon clip down on it. With the base of the cartridge facing me, I hold the moon clip between my thumb and trigger finger. My ring ringer kind of naturally falls on the cartridge so it stays flat on the table instead of trying to pitch up when you push down on the clip. I am mostly doing this with 45 ACP but I have done it with 357 Magnum.

Putting them in without a tool is pretty easy. Taking them out without a tool will just bend the moon clip, tear up your fingers make you very hard to get along with.

 

[J Hunt]

Don't get down on them, they do work very well and you really would like them. I only have to use them on 45 acp but on 45 long colt I use a speed loader or a strip.

 

[foytfoyt]

Thanks for all the info, everyone.

Since the consensus seems to be that the 929 must be used with moon clips, it's not for me. I don't shoot in competition, but do shoot 10k rounds a year at the range.

I respect the fact that moon clips are excellent for most people. I am not trying to change anyone's mind about what is best for them.

However, I personally HATE loading pistol magazines (and it has been stated that loading moon clips is similar), but for whatever reason, I love dropping loose rounds directly into a revolver cylinder.

It's just pure joy. I can't explain it, but I love it.

Therefore, I'll just stick with a 357.

 

[S&W Rover]

I think the only conclusion we can draw from this is that it will require a lot of trial & error with different clips and ammo to find which combination works best for you.

I'm reading this thread with interest and appreciate the experiences of those who are posting. From my limited experience in moon clipping, not 9mm, the statement from Pizza Bob is very true. Things seem to vary by which brass and moon clip you put together. So much so that I am now segregating brass by the size of the groove, based on experience with the different manufacturers. When they are set up right, moon clips are great.

 

[Hans-Jurgen]

Forget those other moonclip tools. Pony up the $80 and get a BMT moonclip loader/unloader. They are fast, and effortless. Drop the 8 cartridges in the tool, twist the knob and the moonclip is loaded. Unloading is just as easy.

BMT Equipped, Inc.

You don't need to break the bank on moonclips. Try either Ranch Product moonclips or the moonclips from revolver supply company. The Hearthco clips are best saved for competition, where fractions of a second affect your position in the standings.

I can tell this person owns a 929, a BMT Loader/unloader, and has experience, using them. If you bought a 929 for speed shooting, it's all part of the experience. My BMT cost me another $10.00, because the Ranch Products have a different inside diameter. You will need a spacer ring to fit the clips. My 929 came with 3(three) clips. My other moon clips are Ranch Products. They all seem to preform well. For speed the cyclinder chambers are a little loose, and the the bullets aren't to rigid. It really seems to work well.
I also can get 4(four) clips in a double speed loader holster. That's 32 rounds in your holster, and 8(eight) in your pistol, making 40 rounds on your person.
I carry a Sig 938 in 9 MM, and wanted a 9MM revolver, to shoot for fun, after my finger got sore, with the Sig. Now I can buy my ammo by the case, in 9MM. Try them, you'll like them, and the pistol!

 

[brianbelanger]

I'll share some experience I've had so far.



1) A-Zooms and Tipton Snap-Caps fit really loosely in the 929 moon clip. They're so loose it is hard to load the cylinder because the rounds fall out of the clip at the slightest touch.



2) I am having a lot of trouble loading the moon clip with actual 9mm live cartridges. I'm going to go to the range with a pencil and try shooting my 929 without the clip - if there is a trick to loading the moon clip without a tool, I haven't figured it out yet.



Does anyone have any advice on good moon clip loading & de-mooning tools?

BMT Moon Clip loader.
I have 3: one each for my S&W 610, 627 and Ruger Redhawk 45 ACP/Colt. Loading and unloading a clip is just a twist of the wrist. Pros: No skinned knuckles, elegant engineering, flawless manufacturing, takes Moon Clips from a variety of manufacturers, I've loaded and unloaded thousands of rounds and have seen no wear, fast. Cons: price appears high compared to cheap (pliers based concepts), most of which I tried, broke and threw away. I've ordered a S&W 929 and will order another BMT for it.
Prior to all above I competed in PPC using Comp III Speed loaders on a S&W 586 using HBWC 38 Specials.
BMT Equipped, Inc.

It appears you need consideration of an alternative selection of moon clip manufacturers?
I use Double Alfa,
DAA 50-Pack Stainless 929 Moon Clips

And TK Custom:
Welcome to TK Custom.com & Moonclips.com

Check out the magnetic Moon clip holders from Double Alfa.

PS all my S&W revolvers have competition extended firing pins. This reduced my ftf to zero.

Good shooting.



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