Retired in 2001
Member
Again have been looking at a Model 625 5 inch barrel.Went down to my local shop and didnt find any moonclips in the case are they included and can you fire them with them or do you have to buy them separately
Looking at Model 625 two questions
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OP
Retired in 2001
Member
Again have been looking at a Model 625 5 inch barrel.Went down to my local shop and didnt find any moonclips in the case are they included and can you fire them with them or do you have to buy them separately
rjrivero
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You'll need to get some. You CAN shoot the revolver without moon clips, but the rounds won't necessarily be centered in the cylinder, and you will have to poke out each spent case with a pencil.
Moon Clips can be had from Brownells or any number of online dealers. TK Customs comes to mind off hand.
Moon Clips can be had from Brownells or any number of online dealers. TK Customs comes to mind off hand.
Depending on when your 625 was made, it may or may not fire without moonclips. The early ones (circa 1988) would fire without clips, now, the new ones aren't chambered to have the case headspace on the shoulder in the chamber. Smith says that they are designed to be used with clips, not without! There has been a lot of press on this lately. In a recent isuue of Handloader Magazine, author Brian Pearce describes a conversation he had with a Smith rep regarding the headspace problem. The rep told him the gun is designed to be used with clips and should only be used in that manner. So, you might get one that fires every time without the clips, and you might not.
retired2006
Member
To answer your question, yes the moonclips are included, usually packed in a bag, under the foam insert. My 625 did not have the clips either, but a call to S&W customer service fixed that.
I recommend the plastic clips made by Rimz for range use, available from Brownells, or Midway. They are real easy to load, and unload.
I recommend the plastic clips made by Rimz for range use, available from Brownells, or Midway. They are real easy to load, and unload.
Notime2
Member
email me with your address. Notime2
tom turner
US Veteran
Hi,
I never use moonclips when plinking at the range with my powderpuff 200gn. LSWC bullets loaded with 5.3 gns. of Unique. The spent cartridges pull right out easily with fingernails. No sweat.
For full power SD ammo, you'll want moonclips mainly to speed reloading.
Thus you can shoot ammo three ways with your .45ACP Smith revolvers:
1. Without moonclips for casual shooting (though some later guns don't always fire reliably)
2. Using moonclips with .45ACP ammo
3. Using .45 Auto Rim ammo, loaded just like other rimmed revolver cartridges.
(NOTE: The Auto Rim cartridge is basically a .45ACP cartridge that is constructed at it's base just like any normal revolver cartridge with a rim to allow extraction using the ejector.)
Also, some hand loaders load .45AR cartridges hotter, due to the AR cartridges having more reinforcement in the back.
Here's a photo I made up that explains the Auto Rim cartridge to new (to .45ACP revolvers) folks.
Enjoy your wonderfully fun-to-shoot revolver!
Here's my favorite wheelgun of all time, a 6" barreled M25-2 that was chopped to 3 1/4" back "in the day" before S&W made this incredible revolver in shorter sizes for self defense. Incredible gun!
I never use moonclips when plinking at the range with my powderpuff 200gn. LSWC bullets loaded with 5.3 gns. of Unique. The spent cartridges pull right out easily with fingernails. No sweat.
For full power SD ammo, you'll want moonclips mainly to speed reloading.
Thus you can shoot ammo three ways with your .45ACP Smith revolvers:
1. Without moonclips for casual shooting (though some later guns don't always fire reliably)
2. Using moonclips with .45ACP ammo
3. Using .45 Auto Rim ammo, loaded just like other rimmed revolver cartridges.
(NOTE: The Auto Rim cartridge is basically a .45ACP cartridge that is constructed at it's base just like any normal revolver cartridge with a rim to allow extraction using the ejector.)
Also, some hand loaders load .45AR cartridges hotter, due to the AR cartridges having more reinforcement in the back.
Here's a photo I made up that explains the Auto Rim cartridge to new (to .45ACP revolvers) folks.
Enjoy your wonderfully fun-to-shoot revolver!
Here's my favorite wheelgun of all time, a 6" barreled M25-2 that was chopped to 3 1/4" back "in the day" before S&W made this incredible revolver in shorter sizes for self defense. Incredible gun!
andyo5
Member
My 625-6 shoots equally well with or without moonclips. I often shoot it without the clips because unless you need to rapidly reload the clips are not needed. Most of my cases fall out by themselves, the others I can pull out.
The 45acp round headspaces on the case mouth not on the rim (and certainly not on the moon clips!).
The 45acp round headspaces on the case mouth not on the rim (and certainly not on the moon clips!).
odjoe
Member
this place sells moon clips and the loader/unloaders the is the greats http://www.mooncliptool.com/
Dale53
Member
I have two 625's:
A five inch 625-6 Model of 1989 that will NOT reliably fire without clips (apparently S&W had no intention of having it work without clips).
A four ince 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special that has the same configuration. It will NOT work without clips.
So, at least some of the late ones will not work without clips. Fact, not urban myth.
Apparently, a number of people are upset with this. However, with me it is a NON_ISSUE. I have full moon clips (steel), Rimz clips (full moon polymer) and Auto Rim cases (don't require clips but work perfectly by headspacing on their rims).
I use the Rimz clips for range use if I am using .45 ACP cases but actually prefer Auto Rim Cases (Starline). The RIMZ cases do not require the use of tools but are easily used just with the fingers.
For a serious, quick reload, use the steel clips as they retain the cases with more authority (really require the use of tools to de-moon).
These two revolvers are my most used revolvers as they are exceedingly accurate and are definitely "user friendly" (they make it easy to shoot good scores).
FWIW
Dale53
A five inch 625-6 Model of 1989 that will NOT reliably fire without clips (apparently S&W had no intention of having it work without clips).
A four ince 625-8 Jerry Miculek Special that has the same configuration. It will NOT work without clips.
So, at least some of the late ones will not work without clips. Fact, not urban myth.
Apparently, a number of people are upset with this. However, with me it is a NON_ISSUE. I have full moon clips (steel), Rimz clips (full moon polymer) and Auto Rim cases (don't require clips but work perfectly by headspacing on their rims).
I use the Rimz clips for range use if I am using .45 ACP cases but actually prefer Auto Rim Cases (Starline). The RIMZ cases do not require the use of tools but are easily used just with the fingers.
For a serious, quick reload, use the steel clips as they retain the cases with more authority (really require the use of tools to de-moon).
These two revolvers are my most used revolvers as they are exceedingly accurate and are definitely "user friendly" (they make it easy to shoot good scores).
FWIW
Dale53
Revolver King
Member
The reason that some of the newer model 625s won't fire without moon clips is because S&W put a shorter firing pin in the later models. That is also fact.
Dale53
Member
Revolver_King;
Certainly, a too short pin will contribute to the problem. However, both of mine have excess headspace without the clips (the chambers are cut too deep to headspace on the case mouth). Further, continuing to use a gun with excess headspace without the clips could well batter the revolver reducing it's service life.
Apparently, S&W has deliberately decided in this design change for the later guns. I wouldn't trust them with ANY pin without the clips. So. to avoid ANY problems I use either full moon clips or Auto Rim cases. They work perfectly using them in this way. The accuracy is SO good with both of these that I wouldn't allow Smith to have them back if they were to beg me and offer to send a man to pick them up and change the cylinders while I waited
. I am THAT happy!!
Now, as to whether accuracy is improved by the design change OR it is purely a cost saving matter I FLAT DON'T CARE! I have two friends who also have JM Specials and I have shot them both. They appear to be as accurate as mine.
On the other hand, if they give ANY problems with misfires, the first thing that I will do is replace the firing pins with longer ones. Right now, I don't see that happening but realize it could change.
Dale53
Certainly, a too short pin will contribute to the problem. However, both of mine have excess headspace without the clips (the chambers are cut too deep to headspace on the case mouth). Further, continuing to use a gun with excess headspace without the clips could well batter the revolver reducing it's service life.
Apparently, S&W has deliberately decided in this design change for the later guns. I wouldn't trust them with ANY pin without the clips. So. to avoid ANY problems I use either full moon clips or Auto Rim cases. They work perfectly using them in this way. The accuracy is SO good with both of these that I wouldn't allow Smith to have them back if they were to beg me and offer to send a man to pick them up and change the cylinders while I waited
Now, as to whether accuracy is improved by the design change OR it is purely a cost saving matter I FLAT DON'T CARE! I have two friends who also have JM Specials and I have shot them both. They appear to be as accurate as mine.
On the other hand, if they give ANY problems with misfires, the first thing that I will do is replace the firing pins with longer ones. Right now, I don't see that happening but realize it could change.
Dale53
OP
Retired in 2001
Member
I want to thank everyone who chimed in with all of the pictures and advice.I applied for a purchase order yesterday the officer said it would be 2 to 3 weeks.and as soon I take it home will send some photos post haste.Thanks again
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