reloading the 8 shot 357

[Happy Hunter]

I am pondering an 8 shot 357 mag for CCW. I would want to carry spare ammo for it. I really prefer to pocket carry my relaods (just personal preference). I hear the full moon clips can bend which makes me hesitant to carry them in my pocket, I think a speed loader might be better.

Does anyone make a speedloader for the 8 shot 357? I do not see an HKS listed at Midway USA.

I have heard the full moon clips do not work as well for the 8 shot 357 as they do for the 6 shot 45ACP. Is that true? Would a speedloader be better or worse than the full moon clips for the 8x357?

Are all 8 shot 357 mags able to use full moon clips? I get the impression the base model is not cut for full moon clips.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[bountyhunter]

I have not seen one, I think HKS would be the most likely. Try their home page.

 

[BUFF]

A lot of people wish someone would make an 8 shot .357 N frame speedloader. So far, nobody does.

 

[in625shooter]

Try Del Fatti. he made a leather full moonclip holder for the 45 acp. I have 2 625's I am going to buy a couple for.

 

[Nightowl]

Originally posted by Happy Hunter:
I have heard the full moon clips do not work as well for the 8 shot 357 as they do for the 6 shot 45ACP. Is that true?
Thanks for the info!!

There are two more holes to get aligned and the ammunition is smaller and closer together than the .45 moon clips. So I would expect them to be slower. I tried working mine a few times and they work pretty well, but I had to rotate they cylinder a little to get them to drop in. It took a little longer than working with .38's in a six shot cylinder. .45's are noted for just flying in those big chambers. Even though they might be a little slower than the .45, they are still a lot faster than the one at a time method!

 

[AzShooter]

At this time no one makes a speedloader for the 8-shot guns. If you want to carry spare ammo in your pocket invest in the best moon clips, by Hearthco.

They are the thickest moons and have more resisten to bending.

[email protected]

 

[ENH]

When I care mine I now use the 8 round speed strip from Tuff Products. If I have a jacket or vest on I put the moon clip in a pocket. The 8 round moon clip is alott slower to load than the 6 shot 45acp.

 

[Nightowl]

If you need more than 8 rounds, you are in deep do do!

 

[bountyhunter]

Originally posted by Nightowl:
If you need more than 8 rounds, you are in deep do do!

I have to admit, that was the first thing I thought of as well......

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Dillen has Maxfire speedloaders for 8 shot.
but I would go with Tuff strips as they are
thinner and a double pouch is not too large..

 

[m657]

In my limited speed steel career (about a dozen matches locally) the 8-shot moonclip continues to be a mixed blessing.

I find the shorter RNFP 38 special loads are somewhat easier/faster to reload than the mag length SWC.

I often replay Jerry M's astonishing video clips. He moves so fast and the camera angle is not positioned enough so I can tell just what he's doing.

Reloading the 8-hole clips with fresh ammo is a delicate act as well.

 

[Dan Cash]

My goodness, them old time gun slingers must have all died young trying to reload their Colt or Smith or some of the other single action wonders of the day. If you must carry a revolver and 5 or 6 is not enough, carry two. If that does not get er done, get and auto loader.

 

[Horse91-686]

After using moonclips with a M25-2, I was VERY disappointed with the 8rd moonclips that came with the M327-TRR8. Double carry works best when in predator country.

Bob

 

[Stainz]

The 8rd 'clips are slower to load than the 6-rd .45 ACPs. The latter's 'clip is thicker, too - .035" vs .022-.025" for the 8 rd. The latest batch of Ranch Products 627-style 'clips are .022" making them faster to load by hand. The older 'clips were .025". The .45 ACP 'clips have to be .035" to properly headspace those rimless cartridges, while a vestige of the original cylinder overall length remains as an outter ring to catch the .38/.357M rim for the proper headspace.

I have found that gravity is your friend with the 627s - jiggle the loaded clip - with rounded bullets - and the revolver aimed down - to align, then drop. The 625's - and 230gr RN FMJs - seem to have a great attraction... sort of sucks the stiffer clipped rounds more quickly into the chambers.

I ordered 50 new Ranch Products 8-hole moonclips not too long ago (50/$50 or 100/$75 blued delivered!) - and 1k of Starline .357M brass. While the new and thinner 627 'clips work okay with some other brass, it shines - like the .45 ACP 'clips - with Starline brass. I have grown more fond of the 8-rd 'clips lately with my 4" 627 Pro, my 5" JM PC627 V-Comp not seeing the use it once did. I keep 12 'clips loaded and stowed in each of five food storage (Glad-ware, etc) packs - and a couple 'clips loaded with Remi R38S12 +P 158gr LHPSWC in my desk, should a 627 have to be pushed into home protection duty.

BTW, when you consider just the spring-loaded front sight, for easy tool-less changes, and the eased extractor and dished for moonclips cylinder, the 627 Pro is a bargain.

Stainz

BTW, I believe all of the PC-shop 327 & 627 models are dished for moonclips - as is the 4" 627 Pro - while the production 4" 627 is not. I am not sure about the 327PD or NG. As stated by Groo - Dillon sells the Maxfire rubber speedloader for the 627 as M1K - $9.95/2. Some have suggested they don't work well - or for long - but they are it for 8-shot speedloaders.

 

[Happy Hunter]

If you need more than 8 rounds, you are in deep do do!

Yes, but it is always a good idea to carry a reload of some sorts. Even just a speed strip with 5 rounds.

 

[Wayne M]

As to speed of reloading: the 686's would have been better left at 6 shots and the 627's could have been done with 7. The outside diameter of the loaders or loaded clips and the edges of the grips will sometimes cause a hang up. This is not an issue in the 45ACP revolvers.

 

[20nickels]

Some (me included) consider Starline brass and Hearthco clips mandatory equipment when using the 8 shooter's with clips.

 

[buck45]

I'm as confused as a high school dropout in a TV game show! Why in the world would you consider a 627 for Concealed Carry? I shoot one in IPSC competition and can tell you there isn't one thing about a 627 that says Concealed Carry! There must be at least 50 other guns that would be in line before a 627. That's all I'm gonna say!

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More and more however I find myself with better things to do than trying to teach opera to pigs or change minds that are already closed.

 

[Stainz]

Below are what I feel are great examples of different use revolvers. My 642 is a great CCW, in a R. Mika pocket holster. It's a miserable plinker/range gun. My 627 Pro is a great range/plinker firearm. It requires a belt-mounted holster and would be difficult, even as large as I am, to conceal.

YMMV.

Stainz