Shooting .45ACP revolvers without clips

[BubbaGubber]

"Moon clips, moon clips.....we don't need no stinking moon clips".

 

[deanodog]

I bought a NOS 625-8 non JM model and it would not fire every round without clips. Lots of misfires. I like moon clips anyway.

 

[Dale53]

I would be very careful of trying to fire a late model 625 without clips until I had carefully examined it and see if it is prepared for it. Some late models that I have seen are absolutely NOT intended to be fired without clips - they exhibit excessive head space without the clips. When a revolver has excessive head space, the firing pin drives the case forward and when the cartridge fires (if it does) then the case has a long running start to impact against the rear of the frame. The creates excessive stress on the revolver and can lead to premature wear. Smith deliberately decided to change the design (for good or bad) in these late models. Tommy Campbell (Smith and Wesson pro for years, now retired) argued fiercely to leave things as they were to no avail.

I have personally seen some that would not reliably fire rounds without the clips. There is little reason to fire these revolvers without the clips unless it is an emergency. Just get a set of RIMZ clips - they are polymer clips that can EASILY be loaded and unloaded with your fingers.

I am not a fan of using the steel clips except in competition or a combat reload. I have the tools but it IS a "pain in the tuckus" IMO.

I use the Rimz clips at the range (along with several hundred Starline Auto Rim cases) and firmly believe that is the way to shoot the late models (UNLESS YOUR GUN IS CHAMBERED FOR USING WITHOUT CLIPS).

Just because you CAN do it does not necessarily mean you SHOULD.

I agree that if the revolver is chambered for clips it is not all that big a pain to pick the cases out. The relatively low pressures of the .45 ACP does not seem to cause case sticking. However, even in those models I prefer using the simultaneous ejection when used with the Rimz Clips.

Just a thought or two...

Dale53

 

[skipr77]

Dale53,

Did Tommy Campbell say why S&W engineering weinies decided to for the change the headspace on the new 45 ACP revolvers? I have a 5" 625-2 which I can either use moon clips or not if I choose to. I have been tempted to get one of the new 45 ACP revolvers, but because of the inability to fire without the use of moon clips has prevented me from doing so!

I guess I am just being paranoid!

 

[Tom K]

Dale53,

Did Tommy Campbell say why S&W engineering weinies decided to for the change the headspace on the new 45 ACP revolvers? I have a 5" 625-2 which I can either use moon clips or not if I choose to. I have been tempted to get one of the new 45 ACP revolvers, but because of the inability to fire without the use of moon clips has prevented me from doing so!

I guess I am just being paranoid!

As indicated in my original post, this ain't necessarily so. I tried a Model 325 Night Guard and a Model 22-4, and they both functioned fine without clips. That said, others have posted above with the opposite results on the same models.

As with most things Smith & Wesson, "Never say never."

Personally I prefer to use the clips (or Auto-Rim cases) and being able to shoot without them is primarily of academic interest to me (except in the case of the Colt 1917 in my initial post). I do find it asinine however, that S&W seems to have deliberately adopted a manufacturing policy that doesn't guarantee headspacing on the case mouth. I can't think of any good reason for that.

 

[Freischütz]

I'm fond of moon clips. In cold weather I load them at home. That means no numb fingers while loading/unloading at the range.

 

[nn]

Everyone that posted are lucky, because some 625's do not shoot without moonclips, not a big issue because moonclips are easy to use as everyone here knows.
TOM K:
I've had the moonclip under size issue you posted about. It was a 9mm and I used a cone shaped gringing stone for a drill to open up the center hole a little and clips work well now.