Night Guard - anyone cut the cylinder to accept moon clips?

[UDR2]

Owners of non-Performance Center Night Guards: have any of you had the cylinder cut for moon clips? (Not sure if S&W will do the work, but I think there are shops out there that will cut a conventional cylinder to accept moon clips.)

 

[BobR1]

It might help a little to know what model you are refering to.
The cylinders are stainless steel, so they should be no different than any other S&W to modify.

Bob

 

[UDR2]

It might help a little to know what model you are refering to.
The cylinders are stainless steel, so they should be no different than any other S&W to modify.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the reply. My question is not directed at any specific model (or caliber), but was meant to be inclusive of all non-PC Night Guards, which, as you state correctly, all have stainless steel cylinders. That way I was hoping to reach a larger sample of NG owners with guns that have the ss cylinders.

But since you inquired: I have an 8-shot 327 - a nice compliment to my all-steel 627 UDR. Cutting the cylinder of my 327 to accept moon clips will allow me to drop in the same loaded moon clips in either gun. But even if I did not have a 627, I like the convenience of using moon clips in revolvers. (And yes, I do have some fine 8-round speed loaders. But I prefer moon clips to speed loaders.)

Larry

 

[Macinaw]

I thought all 8 shot Smiths took moon clips?

My 327 PC does.

 

[UDR2]

All Performance Center 8-shot revolvers take moon clips. The one Night Guard from the PC has a 2" barrel and a titanium cylinder. That one takes moon clips. The non-PC Night Guards all have steel cylinders and those are not recessed for moon clips.

 

[moxie]

I'm not sure how moon clips work with rimmed cases such as .38/.357/.44. What do the moon clips clip into? Do they just grip the case snugly up against the rim?

 

[UDR2]

Here you go, buddy. This video will show you everything you need to know about moonclips.
S&W J frame moon clips - YouTube

 

[BobR1]

I sure would have lost a bet on that one. I was sure a 327NG was factory cut for moon clips.
On a 38/357 Moon Clip Gun you need to pay attention to your brass. The under cut at the rim is not standardized on 38 Special. This undercut is what the moon clip snaps into. Most 38 moon clip guns will not work with Winchester or Starline Brass. They do like Remington and some other brands just fine however.

Next the 38 Moon Clips are .025 thick, or should I say thin. You need to be a little more careful with them than say 45 acp or 10mm moon clips. Probably a good plan to use a moon clip loading tool to load the clips.

My Night Guard is cut for moon clips, and they work very well in it. Mine is the discontinued 310NG in 40 S&W and 10mm. A very nice carry gun, and like my 610, it shoots 40 S&W just fine. I am really surprised that the 310NG was not a big seller because it will shoot 40 S&W which is plentiful, and has a great selection of carry ammo available for it. Did I mention I have buckets of 40 S&W range brass to reload for it with.

Enjoy your 327, it should be a great carry gun.

Bob

 

[AzShooter]

i believe you can have it done by Tom Kilhoffer. He did my Model 29 convertion for moon clips and did a great job. You send him the cylinder and you should get it back in about 10 days. He also lists prices of moon clips on his page.

Get the .25 thick moons and they will last you forever.

I think the cost was $100 plus shipping. Moons run $ 59.99 for 10

 

[UDR2]

AzShooter: thanks for the info on TK.

Bob, thanks for the heads up on the Winchester brass. I have a ton of Winchester 110 gr. .357 Mag. which I reserve for my Ruger GP100 (which will eat anything I give it without burping). It is a "low power" .357 Mag and so far I see no indication of flame cutting after nearly 2,000 rounds.

For my Smiths, I shoot a combination of 125 gr. Remington Golden sabers - also a relatively mild load for a .357 magnum - and .38 spl.+P (both DPX and Gold Dots). I just ordered a sh@t load of Herters .38 spl, and if they do not fit my moon clips I will be disappointed.

 

[colt_saa]

All Night Guards are non Performance Center firearms.

The only Night Guards that leave the factory set up for moon clips are the 325NG and the 310NG, chambered for 45ACP and 10MM Auto respectivly.

ANY S&W revolver can be cut for moon clips. It does not matter what material the cylinders are manufactured from. There are many gunsmiths that do this work. TK Custom, Pinnacle, etc.

The firearm that you care calling the Performance Center NG is actually the 327 Carry. It is produce code 170245 and went into production in 2004 with the original name 327Sc. At the time it was the only Scandium 8 shot revolver offered. With the Titanium cylinder and barrel shroud it weighs in at just a tad over 21 ounces vs. the 327 Night Guard's almost 28 ounces. That makes the Night Guard almost 1/3 heavier.

I personally believe that Scandium is the Greatest thing to happen to N-frames since stainless steel. It makes the big guys easy to carry. Think about it, you are dropping the weight of an N-frame to right around the K-frame range.

 

[UDR2]

I personally believe that Scandium is the Greatest thing to happen to N-frames since stainless steel. It makes the big guys easy to carry. Think about it, you are dropping the weight of an N-frame to right around the K-frame range.

I agree... a point well taken when it comes to ease of carry. But for me, a gun can be too light weight. I have mixed feelings about ultra-light guns.

I had a 340PD. Loved carrying it. Shooting it, even with 38 spl., was another story, so I sold it. I had an original (not the current) version of Model 1911 Sc - a scandium frame 1911 in .45 ACP. Very nice gun. IIRC, it weighed about 27 ounces. Shooting it was just OK when compared to my all steel Les Baer PII, which weighed about 38 oz. I sold the 1911 Sc.

My Night Guard 327 weighs 10 ounces less than my 627. For me, it's the perfect compromise. It's a keeper. It is light enough to carry all day long, and it is pleasant enough to shoot with .38 or .38+P.

I like the looks of the 327 Carry and was thinking of adding it to the stable. I realize that an N-frame grip is more comfortable to shoot than the same weight gun in a J-frame, but at only 21 ounces, I'd have to shoot one before committing to buying it.

I see you keep Pachmayr's on your Night Guards and I take it that they tame the light weights nicely.

 

[AzShooter]

Check with Tom about Winchester brass. Most moons work best with Reminton or Federal. Winchester has a very tight ring on the botom.