Moon Clips

[Retired W4]

I just purchased a bag of moon clips for the 610/310 from a fellow who bought them at the Shot Show when the 610 was first introduced many years ago. The design has obviously changed, but the main thing I noticed is the older version is .041" and the newer clips are .035". Can someone tell me if, and or, how the gun functions differently with the different thickness?

 

[Outfitter]

They may be moonclips for the S&W 646 chambered in 40 S&W. Rims on .40 brass are not always consistent and they shipped moonclips for this gun in both .042 and .035. You can still buy both widths from Brownell's. I have been around a couple of these pistols, and some of them "liked" the .042 better in a well-tuned gun (light hammer strike). I can get away with .035, but I have an extended firing pin with about a 7 1/2lb DA.

 

[TSQUARED]

I shoot both a S&W 646 and 610. I use the Ranch Products moonclips ($75 per 100) and have never had a malfunction. Both of my revolvers have lightened DA triggers and Apex extra length firing pins. I use Federal primers for all my loads.

 

[mes227]

In my 610 some moon clips - most notably plastic - will not work properly with .40 S&W but they all seem to work fine with 10mm. The problem with the .40 S&W and some plastic moon clips is that the some (perhaps 1 in 10) rounds jam the cylinder and it becomes a bit of an ordeal to get it to open.

 

[BobR1]

I have a 610 No Dash that I bought when they first came out.
I have been using .035 steel Moon Clips in it for years, with no issues. They look like the ones on the Left in Retired W4's Picture. I believe the .042's are for the newer Model 610-2/310 NG.

I just bought two packages of Rimz 610 clips without enough information on them. They will not shut in a 610 No Dash. The cylinder will not even close, let alone rotate. This is with 40 S&W and 10mm.

On the package:
Speedloader for S&W 610-2, 310 NG and newer 10mm/40 S&W "N" Frame Revolvers.

Retired W4 which Model and Dash # 610/310 do you have? What is the thickness of the clips you just picked up?

Bob

 

[themightyhawk]

how many moon clips are usually shipped with a revolver?

and, dern.....i bought a nightguard mod. 310, last week from bud's guns, and it is now in the shipping department. i also ordered some moon clips from midway, not knowing until just now that there are different thicknesses. maybe i will get lucky for a change and they will work.

 

[scott625b]

BobR1:
The RIMZ 610 is made to fit the smaller extractor ratchet found on the 610-2 and newer S&W 610 revolvers. If you use a steel 45ACP clip as a pattern, you can open the center of the plastic clip with a file. contact the manufacturer and they will send you the info on how to do it.

 

[Retired W4]

I have a 610 No Dash that I bought when they first came out.
I have been using .035 steel Moon Clips in it for years, with no issues. They look like the ones on the Left in Retired W4's Picture. I believe the .042's are for the newer Model 610-2/310 NG.

I just bought two packages of Rimz 610 clips without enough information on them. They will not shut in a 610 No Dash. The cylinder will not even close, let alone rotate. This is with 40 S&W and 10mm.

On the package:
Speedloader for S&W 610-2, 310 NG and newer 10mm/40 S&W "N" Frame Revolvers.

Retired W4 which Model and Dash # 610/310 do you have? What is the thickness of the clips you just picked up?

Bob

It's a 310 NG w/ no dash, and the clips I just bought measure .041. I have not had a chance to use them yet, but I'm trying to get to the range today to see if they work OK. The new to me clips, that is the .041, were purchased years ago (new old stock) for the 610.

To themightyhawk, I believe S&W ships the 310 with 3 clips.

 

[themightyhawk]

It's a 310 NG w/ no dash, and the clips I just bought measure .041. I have not had a chance to use them yet, but I'm trying to get to the range today to see if they work OK. The new to me clips, that is the .041, were purchased years ago (new old stock) for the 610.

To themightyhawk, I believe S&W ships the 310 with 3 clips.

thanks, and, yep, you are correct. i received my nightguard 310, today, with three clips. i already received another 8 from midway, last week.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

Thusfar my moonclip experience is limited to the 8 shot 627PC. With the 627 the thickness of the moonclip is important in relation to the brand of brass you are using. The thicker moonclip holds brass with a wider groove more rigidly, and minimizes the amount of wiggle. The thin moonclips allow brass with the wider grove the ability to move or wiggle if you will. When you are trying to reload as quickly as possible, and get 8 cartridges properly lined up, the wiggle is a good thing in my opinion. I know a few die hard ICORE shooters who will only use the Hearthco moonclips and Starline brass, just so they can get the exact fit they want. I don't believe the moonclip thickness is near as important with the 610/310 and 625 six shot revolvers.

 

[Retired W4]

I was back to the range today with the 310. The two different moon clips I have made no difference with any of the ammo I used. 40 cal Federal, Winchester Silver Tip 10mm, American Eagle 10mm, and 10mm Double Tap. The reason I asked the question to begin with was the evil Light Strike. It appears the clips had nothing to do with my problem. I installed the C&S extended pin and Miculek's spring kit (hammer spring and rebound spring) and the darned thing goes bang every time, regardless of which clip I use. With the new parts I get a 7.0lb DA/3.5 SA. The 7.0 is what Miculek calls for with his spring kit. Now some might say a 7.0/3.5 is a little light for a carry gun, but man, it's really nice now that I have the new parts in. They made all the difference in the world ($38 total). The fact that the Double Tap would not eject without a hammer and punch is a separate story. I talked with them today and they are sending new ammo with a UPS return label so they can test the guilty rounds. Great customer service, and I will keep all informed as things progress.

 

[mrwilmoth]

do you have to use moonclips with the 310 for the cartridges to eject properly?