Experiences shooting 45ACP without moonclips?

[aterry33]

What have your experiences been shooting 45ACP (not auto rim) in a revolver without moonclips? I know some of the more modern revolvers chambered for 45 auto rim have issues with light primer strikes when shooting ACP without clips.

Any other experiences/issues?

 

[J.P.60]

I wouldn't and don't see why one would try it.

 

[aterry33]

I wouldn't and don't see why one would try it.

I suppose you could do it "in a pinch." The only ACP revolver I currently own is a 625 Mountain Gun in 45LC that has been cut to accept ACP in moonclips (love this gun). But you must use the moonclips, as the cases will just slide through without.

I asked this question because I saw a guy the other day at the range shooting ACP and poking the rounds out of the cylinder afterwards with a pencil. I suppose he didn't have moonclips.

 

[stiab]

It works fine in my 625 MG .45acp. Can easily extract with fingernails or push out with a pencil, no problem either way.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Aaron-

No clips is the only way I shoot my 25-2, and it gets shot quite a bit in cold weather since we have to be in on the indoor range.

I hate moonclips of any kind. I don't care what anyone says about them. I don't use my gun for competition or SD so clips are a waste of time for me.

My gun is correctly chambered, and cases headspaces on the case mouth correctly (something that most made by S&W since 1988 aren't), and it works perfectly without clips. They drop out on their own most of the time, but a quick flip with a fingernail does the ones that don't come out on their own.

S&W decided to make things easy for themselves since most guys will use clips, and used overly generous chamber specs regarding the depth when they came out with the Model of 1988, and haven't seen fit to change them since.

These guns and most all subsequent 625's really require clips (or AR brass) to avoid misfires.

Of course, there are exceptions in the 625 line that come off the line, and have chambers that are very close to being correct, and fire ammo without clips just fine- but they are the exception.

I will add that recently, I have been hearing that S&W seems to be addressing the overly deep chambers in the 625's, so maybe things are turning around with them, and that'd be great.

 

[lebomm]

I'm with stiab. I've had 4 different 1917s, a 1955 Target, and currently have a 22-4. All have handled ACP perfectly well w/o clips, the only downside being the necessity for individual extraction. I usually use the AR brass these days, finding the clips basically a PITA.

Larry

 

[Fishslayer]

Haven't tried it. Never really occurred to me. Why would I?

They're only about a buck apiece, less in bulk...

I usually use the AR brass these days, finding the clips basically a PITA.

Larry

...and finding AR brass is easy?

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...4&categoryId=8901&categoryString=655***687***

 

[badkarmaiii]

Google and call Ranch Products. They make the moon clips for S&W. I ordered 100 moon clips for my 325TR for $35 shipped, net 30. Yes, they sent them the same day without payment and invoice included. Thirty-five cents each, delivered, on account... No more excuses...

 

[ACP230]

I had to shoot my Brazilian Contract 1917 without moon clips when I first got it. No problems firing it but ejection was difficult by fingernail and slow when I poked the cases out of the cylinder with a pencil.

An order to Ranch Products solved that problem. Bought 100 clips and still have a bunch of them in the original bag, unused.

I used the 1917 in some bowling pin matches and in PPC type shoots. The full moon clips made for the fastest revolver reloads I've ever done. Also used the 1917 as a house gun from time to time. Having a couple of loaded moon clips next to the loaded gun seemed like a good idea.
They are also a good way to have a couple different loads on hand if that's wanted.

 

[toroflow1]

Both my 625-3's work just fine without moon clips shooting ACP. I have moon clips, but don't bother with them, as a slight wrap of the butt into the palm of my hand knocks all the brass out easily. Saves wear on the ejector rod too!

 

[Ron H.]

What have your experiences been shooting 45ACP (not auto rim) in a revolver without moonclips? I know some of the more modern revolvers chambered for 45 auto rim have issues with light primer strikes when shooting ACP without clips.

Any other experiences/issues?

Sir, I shot my old 25-2 that way a fair bit. You lose the simultaneous ejection and have to pick fired cases out individually, but they come out easily enough. FWIW, I found this practice to be less hassle than monkeying around with moon clips, at least for range use.

I've heard that more recent Smith .45 ACP revolvers don't do well without clips, but can't comment from experience.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[ddixie884]

Hooking the rim of a cartridge in the extractor groove will lift them out, if you don't have a pencil.

 

[Dale53]

If you don't want to fool with steel full moon clips for range use (they require tools to de-moon and re-moon) then get you some RIMZ clips. They are polymer clips and load easily with the fingers. No tools are needed:

Ez Moon Clips

I have and use steel full moon clips, Rimz clips for range use along with .45 Auto Rim cases for heavy loads with heavy bullets. It is NICE to have choices...

Steel full moon clips are a pain in the tuckus but are the most reliable for a SERIOUS speed load. I prefer the Deluxe Moon Clip Tool for re-mooning. While it works ok for de-mooning, I prefer Brownell's tool for de-mooning.

Deluxe Moon Clip Tool

BROWNELLS : MOON CLIP STRIPPER - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools

Dale53

 

[lebomm]

Fishslayer:
I meant that I find the use of the clips a PITA: I have a dozen or so ea. of the 1/2 moon and full moon, and a bucket of AR brass. Not a comment on availability.
Sorry to be vague.

Larry

 

[stevieboy]

I generally shoot with RIMZ clips. They are literally a snap to load and unload by hand. There are a couple of drawbacks. First, manufacturer's claims notwithstanding, they are fairly fragile. Mine have tended to crack after a few dozen loadings and reloadings. Second, they do deform a bit with use and, as a consequence, do not load as quickly into the gun as do steel clips. On the other hand, they're cheap, convenient, and ideal for range use.

For anything more serious I use steel moonclips. I have a demooning tool from Brownell's, it looks like a screwdriver with a cylindrical head. You slip the head over each spent casing and give a sharp twist to it. The casing usually pops out of the clip quite easily.

I've not tried shooting without clips. I have a friend with a 625-8 (mine's the JM version) and he says that he gets occasional FTFs when he doesn't use clips. His guess is that the problem could be solved by replacing the firing pin with a longer pin. Just a hypothesis, however.

 

[WNC Seabee]

My 625-5 works just fine without moon clips. I only shoot it that way when I forget to bring the moon clips though.

I'll 2nd (or 3rd..) the RIMZ clips for range work. They're super easy to use and have been durable enough given their low cost.

For pin shooting, carry, etc. I use a steel full moon clip.

 

[brucev]

Never had a single issue at all firing .45ACP w/o moonclips in my 625-2.

 

[Milton]

My 625-4 does fine with or without clips.But the other day a friend had a 625 at the range that is one of the newer guns and we tried to drop a 45 acp into the chamber. It chambered too deep for the firing pin to strike,so at some time Smith has apparently changed the chambers.

 

[growr]

I fail to see where the use of full moon clips is such a pain for some members. My 25-2 is used in USPSA and there is no faster reload than a steel full moon clip and hardball ammo. I think that they are easy to load and unload.Half moons are a different story however.
Randy

 

[kennyb]

i'm with you randy...moonclips make reloading quick and easy....i have a 625JM from the performance center and it will shoot just fine without moons however...