Moon Clips in a M1917

[sailor723]

I got some (four packs of five clips) Wilson moon clips from Brownells for my recently acquired 1917. The loaded clips seem to bind after going into the cylinder about halfway and require a fairly firm push to seat the last 1/4-1/2 inch or so. After firing it requires a lot of force on the ejector rod to eject the clips. It's not an issue with the charge holes as loose cartridges will drop in freely.
I did notice that the edges of the cutouts in the clips for the cartridges seem to be quite sharp on one side and almost beveled on the other. These clips seem to work much better with the sharp side up and the beveled side facing the cylinder.

So, is there an up and down or front and back to moon clips? An internet search seems to suggest that there isn't but my experience seems different. Also,I have an Alfa Proj 9mm and which way you use the moon clips doesn't seem to matter

 

[DWalt]

Makes no difference which side is up with the Ranch Products steel full moon clips. No idea about Wilson's, as the Ranch Products clips are the only ones I have ever used. I have maybe 50 of them.

 

[tlay]

All of my clips fall right in, and it doesn't matter which side is in. Are you absolutely sure they are 45 acp moon clips? I have better luck with half moon clips.
If they still bind I would send them back.

 

[Iggy]

Are the center holes round or octagonal?

All of my old metal clips are octagonal.

 

[Jack Flash]

I have noticed before when ordering full moon clips that some places ask me to specify if they are for an older or newer revolver.

I was just looking at Midway's .45 ACP full moon clip offerings. It looks like there may not be a universal full moon clip that fits all possible makes/models. They list one for the Colt M1917 and S&W M25-2. They list another for the S&W M625-2. For all I know, they send you the same moon clip either way, but sounds like there may be compatibility issues.

I notice that Midway offers Wilson Combat full moon clips that are (supposedly) compatible with the S&W M1917, M25-2, and M625 (no dash numbers specified for this last one). Maybe you could see if Wilson Combat has an 800 number or an email for questions and problems.

 

[wheelgun610]

What ammo are you using? All the same brand, or mixed case reloads? I ask this because the extractor recesses may vary slightly from one brand of brass to another which could conceivably cause a variation in how well the moon clips fit the cases. The cases should have a little 'wiggle' when they're in the clips to allow them to enter the chambers. If there are significant burrs on what you're calling the 'sharp side' of the clips, that could possibly cause the issue you're having....

Mark

 

[Jack Flash]

Another thing that makes me think not all full moon clips work in all .45 ACP revolvers is what I've read about Rimz clips. People say that they work in newer revolvers but not in older ones unless modified. (Or is it vice-versa? Someone who uses them can tell us).

If this is true, it demonstrates that not all clips work in all revolvers.

 

[sailor723]

They are Wilson Combat clips and the centre cutout is six sided rather than round. The clips lie flat and do not appear bent.

The package merely states "For S&W revolvers chambered in .45acp" while the Brownells listing specifically includes "S&W M1917" in the list of revolvers they are suitable for.

I was using commercially reloaded ammo so mixed brass.

I may give Brownells a call and see if they have had any issues reported by other users.

The 20 clips only came to $19.80 so it's not a big deal if i have to abandon them and try something else. I think I saw someone on Amazon offering the 3 round half clips. That was what was originally invented for the 1917 so i might try those.

 

[epj]

There is a difference in the center of the newer and older .45's. I had to trim the plaster clips ( per instructions) to get them to fit my 25-2. Will
an empty clip lay flat on the cylinder without any binding?

 

[Jack Flash]

... The 20 clips only came to $19.80 so it's not a big deal if i have to abandon them and try something else. I think I saw someone on Amazon offering the 3 round half clips. That was what was originally invented for the 1917 so i might try those.

I'm sure that if you posted them for sale in the Forum Classifieds, someone would buy them in a hurry!

I have not used full-moon clips in quite a while so that's why I can't tell you a lot from recent experience. I know that in the past I never had problems with Ranch Products full-moon clips, but memory dims with time.

My preference these days is the "third-moon" clip, due to the fact that half-moon clips are fragile (the US Army intended these to be "one and done") and full-moon clips are much harder to load/unload. MidwayUSA has third-moon clips for $6.99/25 (Ranch 1/3 Moon Clip 45 ACP 2-Round Blue Package of 25).

Here's my standard photo of the three types of moon clips:

 

[bananaman]

Rimz poly moon clips work quite well in a 625JM. I think that there 2 offerings for them as well as other metal clips. I got metal clips with a de-moon tool. They were too thick, and caused the cylinder to bind. These were the only ones that ever did. Rimz need to be loaded in 1 direction to be used. There are indents, so it is easy. Bob

 

[DWalt]

Again, I have never had any problems of any kind with the Ranch Products steel full-moon clips, and I think they also make the 1/3rd moon (2-round) clips. I have some of those, but don't use them much.

Lots of stuff like this is listed on eBay.