I just got a Model 25-2 with 6 1/2 inch barrel and shot it for the first time yesterday using the moon clips. I didn't have a tool to remove the spent cases so for me it was sort of a pain in the butt. I love the gun and I've since ordered a moon clip tool. I was wondering what percentage of the owners of S&W revolvers in 45 ACP use the moon clips or have switched to 45 Auto Rim. I reload and I'm just trying to justify the expense of the auto rim brass and the set of dies.
Poll about S&W 45 ACP Revolvers
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I just got a Model 25-2 with 6 1/2 inch barrel and shot it for the first time yesterday using the moon clips. I didn't have a tool to remove the spent cases so for me it was sort of a pain in the butt. I love the gun and I've since ordered a moon clip tool. I was wondering what percentage of the owners of S&W revolvers in 45 ACP use the moon clips or have switched to 45 Auto Rim. I reload and I'm just trying to justify the expense of the auto rim brass and the set of dies.
Raider
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I have over 100 full moon clips and several coffee containers of 45acp brass. I just recently bought Auto Rim brass and like it a lot for ease of loading. Although I will be using the Rimmed more now, brass use will be based on what is available at the time I want to shoot.
I use the steel clips and don't have that much trouble with them. I really like the convenience and speed of loading the revolver with the moon clips. I have tried the "Rimz" clips and they fill and unload easier. The only trouble I have, on my Pre 26 is that it has the unrelieved grips, that makes it a little snug loading the full moon clips. The 610 doesn't have any problems like that.
45Wheelgun
Member
I guess it depends on how much you enjoy reloading brass. Once you have the tool, I doubt you will ever look back.
wundudnee:
Beautiful setting for your photo !
The stump and Geranium really make a great background !
Jerry
Beautiful setting for your photo !
The stump and Geranium really make a great background !
Jerry
I use steel moon clips, and have a Wilson moon clip tool that makes it a breeze to remove the cases. It's just a simple $5 metal handle with a curved end, and once you get the hang of it is very simple and easy to use... I got it from Midway-USA.
I also have a 25-2 (1955 Target), and love the gun; the best action of any S&W revolver I have.
I also have a 25-2 (1955 Target), and love the gun; the best action of any S&W revolver I have.
Vulcan Bob
Member
Now thats a good looking sixgun! I use both the ACP with moons and the Auto Rim. I like tossing the 255 LSWC's down range and use the AR for that. I have a few 1911's about and the 255 grainers are real tough on them and with the AR brass I wont be tempted to try a few!
44wheelman
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I can shoot my 44 special if I want to use a rimmed ctg. I like the moon clips for this reason: I can load up 20 or 30 of them & go to range. Much easier there to deal with 6 cases at a time rather than each case. At home in front of my TV I can waste all the time I want loading & unloading moonclips. Hey, indoor range time aint free, TV time is.
Sir, FWIW, I use .45 ACP brass with either half-moon clips or no clips at all. My mid-'60s 25-2 headspaces without the clips, and about half of the fired cases fall out of the chambers when the gun's muzzle is elevated with the cylinder open. The rest are easy enough to pick out individually.
Regarding reloading dies, I understand that .45 AR can be reloaded with regular .45 ACP dies. It's the shell holder (or shell plate on a Dillon) that's different.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
Regarding reloading dies, I understand that .45 AR can be reloaded with regular .45 ACP dies. It's the shell holder (or shell plate on a Dillon) that's different.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
45Wheelgun
Member
Thank Ron, I learned something new today!
Dave
I mostly use moonclips, and I prefer them. That is one of the major reasons for having a .45ACP revolver. However, I have made up some fairly heavy loads in AR brass, and I have also loaded some target loads into AR brass. Perhaps the AR brass is better for heavy loads, especially if you also own a 1911.
I have seldom had any problem at all with steel moonclips. I used to load them by hand with no difficulty, but purchased the excellent mooner (and demooner) sold by the shop in Middleboro, when I discovered it. Demooning can be done with a store-bought tool, a homemade tool, or a short dowel.
I have seldom had any problem at all with steel moonclips. I used to load them by hand with no difficulty, but purchased the excellent mooner (and demooner) sold by the shop in Middleboro, when I discovered it. Demooning can be done with a store-bought tool, a homemade tool, or a short dowel.
Sir, just so you know, I've not loaded .45 AR--all of my .45 loading has been for .45 ACP and .45 Colt. It would be wise to check the Reloading board for tricks and "gotchas" specific to .45 AR.
One that comes to mind is crimping. Some folks like a roll crimp on .45 AR loads with heavy bullets, and I don't think my RCBS dies will do that. If you just want a taper crimp, you're fine with ACP dies. If you want a roll crimp, you may need a separate crimp die like the Lee FCD.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
29aholic
Member
I concur. I use acp brass for target loads, and AR brass for heavy bullets
You didn't have a choice for "don't use AR brass or moon clips"!
I shoot a 625 3" & 4" and use ACP cases without clips, as I find the clips are a PITA, and I'm too cheap to buy the de-mooning tool!
I get by just fine with opening the cyl and lightly rapping the butt of the rev in the palm of my hand, and 80% of the time all the empties drop out...and those that don't are easily removed. Of course, this would not work if you're playing police "shoot-out" and need to reload quickly...then I could see the advantage of moon clips! To each his own I guess!
Catshooter
Member
I don't enjoy fighting the clips, so I tend to use the AR brass.
I load both. You have to have an AR shellplate/shellholder, the ACP won't do it.
I use a .45 Colt Lee factory crimp die to roll crimp my AR rounds, Lee factory crimp die in ACP to taper crimp all my ACP rounds. The Colt LCP just wants seating deeper in the press to crimp the AR rounds.
This is with RCBS equipment, I have no Dillon and can't comment about it.
Cat
I load both. You have to have an AR shellplate/shellholder, the ACP won't do it.
I use a .45 Colt Lee factory crimp die to roll crimp my AR rounds, Lee factory crimp die in ACP to taper crimp all my ACP rounds. The Colt LCP just wants seating deeper in the press to crimp the AR rounds.
This is with RCBS equipment, I have no Dillon and can't comment about it.
Cat
Papaw
Member
I enjoy using clips. I have metal clips I load by hand and unload with a golf club tool.
snowman.45
Member
I use both because I load both. Sometimes, AR rounds are more convenient. Other times, I like having the loaded moon clips to just drop in.
I get slightly more accurate loads using AR brass, but my revolver fires ACP brass reliably with or without moon clips, so sometimes I use them.
ACP dies work fine, but I've found that I get more accurate loads using a separate roll crimp die. My RCBS taper crimp die will make a roll crimp if you crank it down far enough, but those loads are less accurate than loads assembled using a roll crimp die.
Okie John
ACP dies work fine, but I've found that I get more accurate loads using a separate roll crimp die. My RCBS taper crimp die will make a roll crimp if you crank it down far enough, but those loads are less accurate than loads assembled using a roll crimp die.
Okie John
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