Moonclip woes

[peterk1234]

Hi everyone.

I have a 686 Prop plus. I am having one heck of a time with the moonclips. The ammo fit is very tight and by the time that seventh bullet is inserted, the thing is just twisting from the pressure. I also have some self defense ammo (357mag) that clips in very easily. They actually flop around in the moonclips. Even with a loose fit, there is no way that the bullets just drop into the cylinder like I see in the videos.

I need an education on how these things work and if there are different sized or cut moonclips that may work. FWIW, I am trying to load Armscor 38 special ammo.

Other than the moonclip issue, this is my favorite gun. I have become addicted to revolvers, and this one is tops on the list. Much more accurate than me and I enjoy the fact that I can shoot so many different velocities. So much so, that I have been reading and learning about reloading, so I can truly take advantage of what this gun can offer us.

Thanks

Pete

 

[bigwheelzip]

The grooves on the ammo are not defined by the specification that governs other facets of ammunition. Because of this, moonclips of different thickness can be purchased to match your choice of ammo.

Welcome to TK Custom.com & Moonclips.com

BTW, welcome to the forum, and enjoy that fine 686.

 

[peterk1234]

BTW, welcome to the forum, and enjoy that fine 686.

Thank you. We plan to enjoy this gun for many years. I guess it doesn't exist unless there is a pic. I really want to dislike the grips but it is very comfortable, even when shooting a fairly hot 357 mag load:

 

[muddocktor]

That is a nice looking revolver you got there man. As for nice wood stocks that are still comfortable to shoot with, I would recommend some Kim Ahrends stocks, which run in the $70-90 range depending on finish or the John Culina stocks if you want a set of really finely finished stocks that feel fantastic and you don't mind putting out some serious coin for quality stocks. I have N frame stocks from both people and I am happy with both. The Culina stocks will generally run around the $200 range, depending on the wood chosen.

 

[madmikeb]

I went through the same problem when I got my first moonclipped gun for a rimmed cartridge. You can get clips in .020 and .025 thicknesses. I prefer the thicker clips because they don't bend as easy as the thin ones.

I have found that with the thicker clips about the only common brass that fits well is either Federal or Remington. I also picked up a couple bags of "Team Never Quit" brass from Cabelas, these are marketed by Marcus Luttrell of Lone Survivor fame and they work well also. Speer and Winchester both need the thinner clips. I have never had Starline so I can't offer any info for them.

As was posted above the TK Customs website has all this info listed and is a wonderful reference. Their clips are expensive though. You can buy them much cheaper at Midway but you have to stick with the aforementioned Remington, TNQ or Federal brass.

 

[Alk8944]

The SAAMI specification for the diameter of the undercut in front of the rim is quite broad. Different manufacturers use different specifications for this diameter.

The solution to your problem is one of two:
1) Try different manufacturers moon clips with the cases you have until you find a brand your ammunition fits well, or

2) Try different ammunition in the clips you have, again until you find a combination that works together well.

 

[Da Nang Seabee]

You didn't say if your using a moon clip loading tool. If your not get one.
They make loading a lot faster an no sore fingers. There are several brands. The one I use was under $50 and can be converted for several different calibers and will fit in your pocket.

 

[robert1804]

Hey, peterk1234, that 686 Pro is a fine revolver and it's on my short list to get one this year. I have its "brother", a 986 9mm that requires the use of moon clips. One thing that appeals to me about the 686 Pro is that it's designed to function without having to use moon clips. Unless you are into competitive shooting, or just like the novelty, I wouldn't bother using moon clips on a 686 Pro. As you have found out, moon clips are a bit of a hassle in a rimmed cartridge.

 

[peterk1234]

Hey, peterk1234, that 686 Pro is a fine revolver and it's on my short list to get one this year. I have its "brother", a 986 9mm that requires the use of moon clips. One thing that appeals to me about the 686 Pro is that it's designed to function without having to use moon clips. Unless you are into competitive shooting, or just like the novelty, I wouldn't bother using moon clips on a 686 Pro. As you have found out, moon clips are a bit of a hassle in a rimmed cartridge.

I agree. They are a bit of a novelty, and the gun shoots great without them. I figured since I have the option, I may as well learn how to use them. I also plan to try my hand at pin shooting this year. A nice 180 blunt nosed bullet in this gun should hold its own. Theoretically I should not have to reload, realistically...umm, yup.

 

[sodacan]

Buy a BMT moon clip tool and you'll never look back. It is the best one available, and also the priciest, but you'll forget about the cost after you start using it.

 

[jcelect]

Moon clips?

I shoot pins and I shoot guns that use moon clips! There is no better speed loader and the more you have on hand the more fun a range session is. You are looking at clips for; 9mm(940), 40S&W(646), 45ACP(625), 10mm(610), 38 Super(686)

All the clips you see above are for auto calibers, but I do have a couple guns cut for clips but don't shoot them much! First of all if you are going to shoot a moon clip gun much get a clip loader. I have used this one for almost 20 years and really like it for the money!
Deluxe Moon Clip Tool

The problem you are having is a miss match between the brass and the clips you are using. As stated above you need to experiment with different brass and maybe different thickness of moon clips.
jcelect

 

[StakeOut]

I agree about the BMT moon clip tool being the best and the priciest.

I have on for loading 6rd moon clips for a 625-2.

I found Remington R-P cases load and insert into the cylinder the best of the brands I've tried.The Ranch brand moon clips can vary as much as .05" in thickness.The thinner ones work for me.

 

[old&slow]

With my m 627 ,, the .020 - .022 moonclips work with Winchester brass. The .025 moonclips work with Remington, Federal & CCI brass. ( check Revolver Supply )

The rim groove on auto brass ,, 9mm, 40, & 45 are similar and I've had little or no problems with different brands of brass in the moon clips.
However the rim groove on 38 / .357 differ from one brand to another..

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM! I picked up a 686 Pro Series at last Sunday's gun show. Have not shot it yet. The moon clips were missing. I did order a Hogue wood stock for it. No finger groove, a butt cap with the white stripe. Kind of hard to find. Enjoy your 686! Bob

 

[H Richard]

"TheMoonClipTool" is not expensive, will load multiple calibers (with appropriate adapter), and will also unload the clips also.

 

[Neumann]

I have a 627 PRO, which works just fine with or without moon clips. The same for a 686PC+. I use a MoonClipTool like in an earlier response. The tool is easily set up for a variety of calibers and capacity.

Loading the cylinder is easiest with bullets without a step. SWC usually catch on the lip, but jacketed HPs and RNFP work without a glitch (better in a carbine too). Commercial ammunition with a swaged rather than rolled crimp are also problematic.

It's best to have them a little tight in the moon clip rather than floppy, but in any case the last cartridge is often very difficult to insert. You can use long-nosed pliers in lieu of a moon clip tool, but forcing them by hand is likely to bend the clip.

It is actually harder to de-moon cartridges, but tools for that are inexpensive, and you can make one from metal tubing for next to nothing.

 

[gwpercle]

Some ideas sound real good and moon clips for 38/357 looks good on paper, but in real life ...nothing to write home about.
I find them to be way more trouble than they are worth.
I never saw one thing wrong with a rim...it's simple, it works and you don't have to buy expensive loaders (mooners) , unloaders (de-mooners) , bunches of clips and haul of this extra stuff around .

The 45 auto rim was devised to get rid of moon clips...that idea turned out well.

 

[gnystrom]

I fiddled with seven round moonclips on and off for years. I finally figured it would have been easier to load spaghetti into the chambers. All 100 moonclips went on a popular auction site and I am happier for it.

 

[peterk1234]

I purchased a set of moon clips from TKCustoms that were supposed to fit my brass. It was darn close but not close enough. I decided to hit the clips with my dremel. Finally, success! I also found that if the bullets did not fit relatively loosely, it would not drop in nicely to the cylinder. If just one bullet was a bit tight, you would need to give the bullets a push to get them to seat properly. It was easy to fix, and should work nicely. Anyone else ever do this to their clips?

The goal is to try the revolver in some pin shoots.

 

[sodacan]

I purchased a set of moon clips from TKCustoms that were supposed to fit my brass. It was darn close but not close enough. I decided to hit the clips with my dremel. Finally, success! I also found that if the bullets did not fit relatively loosely, it would not drop in nicely to the cylinder. If just one bullet was a bit tight, you would need to give the bullets a push to get them to seat properly. It was easy to fix, and should work nicely. Anyone else ever do this to their clips?

The goal is to try the revolver in some pin shoots.

I run five revolvers in 45acp and use the clips from Revolver Supply. They work fine in all of them.