Model 25-2 Moon Clips or not?

[Shenandoah Sharpshooter]

I've read in these forums that you can shoot this revolver without Moon Clips and have no problems. I read in a different forum that if you shoot the 25-2 without moon clips the head space isn't right. I don't want to do anything that would harm my 25-2. Does it make a difference? What would be best?
Thanks.

 

[Chaosrob]

I shoot my 625-3 without moon clips and it functions just fine. Most of the cases pull out with very little effort of the thumbnail. That being said the clips make life easier

 

[Jim Watson]

My 25-2 will also shoot unclipped ammo.

Some 625s (not Chaosrob's) have been reported with deep chambers that would not hold headspace for ignition without clips, but the older guns seem not to have the problem.

 

[H Richard]

I shoot my 25-2 without moon clips with no problem.

 

[45Wheelgun]

If you have a problem, it isn't going to hurt the gun, it just won't go BANG. Some of the newest 625's will not constantly fire without moonclips. I have never seen a 25-2 that couldn't.

 

[Tom K]

I've read in these forums that you can shoot this revolver without Moon Clips and have no problems. I read in a different forum that if you shoot the 25-2 without moon clips the head space isn't right. I don't want to do anything that would harm my 25-2. Does it make a difference? What would be best?
Thanks.

This is the Smith & Wesson forum. Who ya gonna believe?

Some time back I tried half a dozen .45ACP revolvers without moon clips (Colt and S&W), no problems with any of them in firing or function. Mostly the cases just fell out, sometimes one or two might need a slight tug with a fingernail.

 

[jdickson397]

Moon clips are so easy that I am not sure why you would not use them. Much quicker to unload and reload. Invest a little money in one of the special moon clips tools --- you'll be glad you did.

 

[Art Doc]

Only problem may be in ejecting spent cases. They will need to be poked out with a rod or plucked out with fingers if possible.

 

[tom turner]

Shoot the snot out of your 25-2 (if that's possible). You will NOT hurt the revolver and yes, you can shoot them without the moon clips! I've done it in mine for decades in practice.

The only "difficulty" is that the star extractor won't remove the spent cartridges, you just have to pluck those big ol' hulls out with your fingers. It's never hard though.

Now in competition, and for carry, I use moon clips of course. I can reload my 25-2 as fast this way as I can my 1911s.

Here's my 25-2. It started out as a conventional 25-2 target revolver with a 6 1/2" barrel but was customized in the very early '80s, and this is the way I competed with it in both bowling pin and steel matches. It is one awesome "fighting" revolver now, but no one "told" it that it wasn't still a target revolver! LOL It is a real tack driver!

Yep, enjoy your 25-2. It is one of the very best S&W revolvers of all time, IMHO!

 

[deanodog]

My 25-2 shoots without moon clips fine but my 625-8 was hit or miss and would not fire all rounds without clips sometimes.

 

[feets]

I really like the moon clips. It makes shooting much more enjoyable. No more fussing with rounds. You can pop 'em in and out as quickly as using one of those bottom feeder automatics.

I loaded a bunch of moon clips prior to shooting. When I used them up it gave me (and the gun) a bit of a break as I reloaded.

 

[Shenandoah Sharpshooter]

Thanks for all the replies. I have what is probably a dumb question but here goes. All my shooting has been done with rimmed cartridges where I had extra rounds in my gunbelt loops. I'm thinking that a gunbelt chambered for .45 Long Colt won't hold .45 ACP because they'll fall through the loops due to no rim. Is that correct? Also, when you go the Moon Clip route how do you carry them in the field or at the range? As you can see I'm new to a .45 ACP revolver.
Thanks again.

 

[deanodog]

I use the auto rim version mostly since I reload both. The auto rim would carry in the loops for the long colt and would be easy to carry in belt loops. When I use moon clips I don't carry them in the field and put them in a range bag. They make carriers for moon clips that would fit on a belt but I have never used them.

 

[fyimo]

I like the moon clips because it's so easy to load and unload with my moon clip loader/unloader tool it's easy efficient and a blast to shoot. That way when I reload 45 ACP for my semi auto Sig's and Colt Government pistols I can take all three and have a blast.

 

[tommy F]

Head space can vary between ACP revolvers. Other items to consider is amount of taper crimp and case length on reloads. I shot my 4" 25-2 with SWC load and no clips Friday. Accuracy was excellent. Used custom tool (Papermate pen) to knock out sticky brass.

 

[Timber Wolf]

Also, when you go the Moon Clip route how do you carry them in the field or at the range?

For competition (USPSA Revolver) I use a North Mountain Moon Clip holder. Very slick and fast. If I were to carry a Model 25 or 1917 into the bush, I would use a synthetic speed loader pouch such as the ones made by Uncle Mike's or such for my reloads. If my fading memory stills serves, some of the larger speed loader pouches can actually hold two loaded moon clips suitable arranged. At the range they are in a yogurt tub or zip-lock bag.

 

[Jim Watson]

M. Ayoob pointed out that a .45 Colt speedloader pouch will hold two layers of clipped ACPs.

If you just must carry ACPs in belt loops, Ranch Products makes the "1/3 moon clip" which holds two rounds. If your belt loops are spaced the same as your chambers, you can use them that way.