Model 66 Cylinder Just Back From TK Custom

[Model39]

Now that the Sheriff's Department I retired from cleared the way for us to qualify for the national cop-carry law HR 218 which President Bush signed into law in 2004, I decided to send the cylinder from my service revolver (a Model 66 no dash) I bought when my department switched over to automatic pistols, to TK Custom in Rantoul IL to have it set-up/machined for full moon clips. I qualified this past June, and used speedloaders, which are OK, but having a Model 625 and Model 25 which used full moon clips, I wished I could use full moon clips like my recently purchased PC Model 627 ("Bloodwork") gun had.
I saw TK's mentioned here on the forum, and contacted him. Tom, also a retired cop, a LT from IL State Police, explain his machining process,and I sent him my cylinder to be done. Tom offers a complete package which includes doing the cylinder, 10 full moon clips, and a loading and unloading tool and return shipping for a great price. Mine was a little more because of the recessed cylinder. I am very pleased with his work. Turnaround was about a week, and what a difference this will make for shooting and reloading. Below is a picture of the cylinder, with and without the full moon clip (loaded with snap caps).

 

[WNC Seabee]

I've been thinking about this for my 2.5" M66. I was "warned off" the moon clips because the wobble too much with the long .357 cases. Thoughts on that? I absolutely love the moon clips with my .45s.

 

[Model39]

I've been thinking about this for my 2.5" M66. I was "warned off" the moon clips because the wobble too much with the long .357 cases. Thoughts on that? I absolutely love the moon clips with my .45s.

All seems OK with my Model 627 357 mag with the moon clips. I'm sure the Model 66 would/will be the same. Tom also told me he can convert/rechamber 38/357 cylinders to accept 9MM full moon clips, making versatile dual caliber guns. I am hoping to send one of my small "J" frame cylinders in for him to do that.
There is an upcoming article in the soon to be out December 2011 issue of G&A Handgun Magazine about full moon clips which mentions some of TK Custom's work.

 

[Hondo44]

That sounds pretty cool! You can still load and shoot 357s individually, just not 38s without the clips.

 

[WNC Seabee]

That sounds pretty cool! You can still load and shoot 357s individually, just not 38s without the clips.

Why would that be? Don't .38/.357 headspace off te case rim, which is the same for .38s?

 

[WNC Seabee]

All seems OK with my Model 627 357 mag with the moon clips.

Thanks! I'll give it some more thought.

 

[WC145]

Originally Posted by Model39
All seems OK with my Model 627 357 mag with the moon clips. I'm sure the Model 66 would/will be the same. Tom also told me he can convert/rechamber 38/357 cylinders to accept 9MM full moon clips, making versatile dual caliber guns. I am hoping to send one of my small "J" frame cylinders in for him to do that.
There is an upcoming article in the soon to be out December 2011 issue of G&A Handgun Magazine about full moon clips which mentions some of TK Custom's work.

That sounds pretty cool! You can still load and shoot 357s individually, just not 38s without the clips.

I have a 9mm 360J done by Pinnacle High Performance. Once it's been rechambered you won't want to try shooting .38s and .357s out of it. The regular pressure .38s will fireform to the new chamber dimensions and stick and +Ps and mags will split cases.

On the plus side, if they do it like Pinnacle, they'll actually cut the chambers to 9x23 you'll get to shoot a bunch of other rounds out of it - 9mm, 9mm Largo, 9x21, 356TSW, .38 Super, and 9x23 Winchester (if you dare).

 

[Hondo44]

Why would that be? Don't .38/.357 headspace off te case rim, which is the same for .38s?

Yes, you're right. There's enough original rim recess left, not like a regular 45 ACP moon clip conversion.