The S&W catalog shows some models chambered for rimmed cartridges (.38/.357, not .45ACP) with 'cylinder cut for moon clips.' Can these revolvers be fired without the clips? If yes, wouldn't this set-up require 2 different types of headspacing? I've never seen or handled one of these. Thanks in advance.
Moon clips yes or no?
- Thread starter kaaskop49
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Yes they work with or without moonclips
Rimmed cartridges still headspace on the rim
Rimmed cartridges still headspace on the rim
Maximumbob54
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 7,202
- Reaction score
- 1,928
Yes they all still work without the moon clips. Ammo with rims that engage the extractor star will still eject but auto loader ammo will not. So a .357 will eject but .45 ACP will not without the moonclip. But you ca usually use a finger nail on the rim or poke them out with a pen.
Dave T
Member
For rimmed cartridges the moon clip sets in a recess, cut out of the inner part of the cylinder. The outer part of the cylinder is left unchanged and that's what the rims head space on, even with the moon clips in place.
Dave
Dave
OP
Thanks so much all. DaveT: stay safe, partner.
Kaaskop49
NYS Courts (ret.)
Kaaskop49
NYS Courts (ret.)
BobR1
Member
A couple things of note about a 38 Special Moon Clip Revolver.
The Rim Under Cut where the moon clips attach to the ammunition is not all the same size.
TK sells 3 different Moon Clips for the 686.
A .25 thick for Star Line Brass.
A .20 for Winchester Brass.
A .25 for Remington, and most other brands of 38 Special Brass.
The J Frames such as my 442 Pro Moon Clip have only a single moon clip choice the Remington and Most Other clip size.
California Competition Works markets a Shoot A Moon Carrier for both the L Frame as well as the 5 Shot J Frame moon clips.
A Moon Clip Reload carried infront of the holster is the fastest Concealed Carry reload for a J Frame 5 shooter that you can buy.
For BUG Match reloads with releaved grips it is going to be pretty close between a Moon Clip Reload carried in a SAM, and a J Jet Loader carried in a Big Creek Kydex Carrier.
I also have a 686-1 Power Custom Combat with a Clark Moon Clip Conversion. Again about a wash between a moon clip reload, and a Safariland Comp[ III Reload.
In a match where moon clips can be used. You get to pick up all your BRASS with your moon clips. Not a Bad Thing for us reloaders.
Another advantage with moon clips in a 38 is never getting a round under the Extractor Star.
Bob
The Rim Under Cut where the moon clips attach to the ammunition is not all the same size.
TK sells 3 different Moon Clips for the 686.
A .25 thick for Star Line Brass.
A .20 for Winchester Brass.
A .25 for Remington, and most other brands of 38 Special Brass.
The J Frames such as my 442 Pro Moon Clip have only a single moon clip choice the Remington and Most Other clip size.
California Competition Works markets a Shoot A Moon Carrier for both the L Frame as well as the 5 Shot J Frame moon clips.
A Moon Clip Reload carried infront of the holster is the fastest Concealed Carry reload for a J Frame 5 shooter that you can buy.
For BUG Match reloads with releaved grips it is going to be pretty close between a Moon Clip Reload carried in a SAM, and a J Jet Loader carried in a Big Creek Kydex Carrier.
I also have a 686-1 Power Custom Combat with a Clark Moon Clip Conversion. Again about a wash between a moon clip reload, and a Safariland Comp[ III Reload.
In a match where moon clips can be used. You get to pick up all your BRASS with your moon clips. Not a Bad Thing for us reloaders.
Another advantage with moon clips in a 38 is never getting a round under the Extractor Star.
Bob
hotrod150
Member
I guess I don't understand the big interest in moon clips these days. Back in the day, moon clips (usually 1/2 or 1/3 moons) were a necesary evil for shooting surplus 45acp ball ammo out of a 1917 or 25-2 revolver. Both S&W and Ruger engineered different spring-loaded extractor/ejector arrangements that eliminated the requirement for moonclips in 9mm revolvers. But now people are even paying money to have revolvers machined for moon clips for rimmed cartridges.
I can kinda understand it for competition, but for real life carry the moon clips seem a bit too easy to damage for my tastes. Speed strips are slower but at least for me much easier to conceal than either speedloaders or moonclips, so that's what I use.
I can kinda understand it for competition, but for real life carry the moon clips seem a bit too easy to damage for my tastes. Speed strips are slower but at least for me much easier to conceal than either speedloaders or moonclips, so that's what I use.
LimaCharlie
US Veteran
I have tried a carry gun with moon clips and don't like them for carry. They are great for range shooting. They tend to bend or drop rounds unless carried in a very stiff container. When I carry a revolver, it is with two speed loaders.
Banger686
Member
I have a S&W 627 PC that comes factory with moon clips, and I really don't see an advantage in them. Like BobR1 stated brass is all different and the bullets tend to "flop" around, I'm sure this can be fixed if you only shot one brand of brass and get moon clips cut to the right thickness. That is why I went with the 627PC .357 because it is my CC gun I have 8 shots and I hope that the threat would be gone before I need to reload. Bottom line dollar for dollar I think speed loaders or speed strips are just as fast.
Moon clips are fantastic for a concealed carry firearm.
Not for loading cartridges into the revolver, but to insure positive ejection of all casings for that first reload. Which by the way is done under a pretty big adrenalin surge.
I reload from a speed strip which sits nice and flat in the pocket.
Not for loading cartridges into the revolver, but to insure positive ejection of all casings for that first reload. Which by the way is done under a pretty big adrenalin surge.
I reload from a speed strip which sits nice and flat in the pocket.
David Sinko
Member
I use the old California Competition Works moonclip holders for daily carry of my .45 ACP revolvers. You'd be surprised how many of these things can be hidden under just a T shirt in the summer, along with a 2" 625.
Common .45 ACP moonclips are NOT fragile and hold up to lots of abuse. The thinner .357 moonclips are more easily damaged and I prefer to carry a speedloader when I carry my 627. Strangely enough, the 9mm moonclips for my 940 seem somewhat fragile too, but maybe that's because they were already bent out of shape when I bought them used and had to bend them back into shape.
Dave Sinko
Common .45 ACP moonclips are NOT fragile and hold up to lots of abuse. The thinner .357 moonclips are more easily damaged and I prefer to carry a speedloader when I carry my 627. Strangely enough, the 9mm moonclips for my 940 seem somewhat fragile too, but maybe that's because they were already bent out of shape when I bought them used and had to bend them back into shape.
Dave Sinko
JNewell
Member
I tried them in a 940 for carry and really didn't like them - the cartridges don't align very well on a reload (at least they didn't with any 9mm cases I used) because the moonclip's grip on the rim had a lot of excess space. I went back to rimmed cartridges and the awesome Comp-1 speedloaders, which are secure and ultra-fast.
Engieman
Member
I like the moon clips on my 627 & 625PC, however my 'complaint' is that your bullets have to be very 'speed-loader friendly' when it comes to shape. I cast and reload my own, and because I'm mostly a paper puncher, many of my molds are wadcutter and/or semi-wadcutter. They all work, but if your goal is to reload as fast as Jerry Miculek...it ain't going to happen unless you have a round-nose bullet and a tight crimp. Another consideration is I sure seem to burn a LOT more ammo, and go home earlier from the range when using the Moonie's. Sure is fun though...
