Sal:
There is no finer moon clip tool for the 8-round revolvers than the BMT tool - worth every penny.
I keep reading, in forums such as these, about people bending moon clips, and how fragile they are. In my experience, which is thousands of rounds down range with moon clipped guns, I have never bent a moon clip. I credit that with using a proper tool to load and unload them, and the proper means of carry. The only way I foresee bending a moon clip is if I, or the RSO behind me, step on it during a COF. So I can't really comment on the checker as I have never had need of one.
Adios,
Pizza Bob