9mm revolver opinions

[mcb]

But how long does it take you to remove all the spent casings from the moon clip and put new bullets? I suspect it is longer than 4 seconds. Hence the statement "removing and loading the bullets on moonclips."

Look at my post #49 on the second page of this thread. I unload and reload 3-moonclips (18rds) for my 610 in ~100 seconds. I do the same for my 627 (3 moonclips 24 rds) with a different tools in ~80 seconds. For comparison I load (no unloading) a 20rd double stack magazine with a magazine loader in ~48 seconds. Post #49 has more details and video clips of the tests.

 

[Crazy Horse]

MCB, those times sounds more realistic

JimCunn stated: "I'm no speed demon. It takes me on average, 4 seconds to eject the moonclip from my J-frame and reload." I clarified that ejecting an entire moonclip and putting in another is not what I was referring to. I was referring to the process of taking out spend cases from a moonclip and putting in new bullets, which for me (as I suspect for everyone) is not possible in 4 seconds. Looking at the video, I'd say it took ~7 seconds per clip to remove the cases and another 5 to reload the moonclips.

If the OP inquired about a 9mm revolver, its better that he knows what's required. Unlike 38 special revolvers (or any rimmed case bullet revolvers), using (owning) rimless cartridge revolvers requires extra tools such as the ones in the video. Those tool BTW on Midway cost 29.00 for the screw driver (which isn't as long) tool and the moonclip loading tool costs ~64.00.

I have foregone using the tools due to cost, but those moonclips are thin and sharp, and leave the fingers sore after 5 changeouts.

Maybe the CA 9mm would be better as they have a patented system that allows rimless cases to be loaded and ejected in the traditional method. However, the weight of CA firearms tends to be light which will in turn increase felt recoil.

CH

 

[mcb]

MCB, those times sounds more realistic

JimCunn stated: "I'm no speed demon. It takes me on average, 4 seconds to eject the moonclip from my J-frame and reload." I clarified that ejecting an entire moonclip and putting in another is not what I was referring to. I was referring to the process of taking out spend cases from a moonclip and putting in new bullets, which for me (as I suspect for everyone) is not possible in 4 seconds. Looking at the video, I'd say it took ~7 seconds per clip to remove the cases and another 5 to reload the moonclips.

If the OP inquired about a 9mm revolver, its better that he knows what's required. Unlike 38 special revolvers (or any rimmed case bullet revolvers), using (owning) rimless cartridge revolvers requires extra tools such as the ones in the video. Those tool BTW on Midway cost 29.00 for the screw driver (which isn't as long) tool and the moonclip loading tool costs ~64.00.

I have foregone using the tools due to cost, but those moonclips are thin and sharp, and leave the fingers sore after 5 changeouts.

Maybe the CA 9mm would be better as they have a patented system that allows rimless cases to be loaded and ejected in the traditional method. However, the weight of CA firearms tends to be light which will in turn increase felt recoil.

CH

You can do a lot with homemade tools. In the first video my demooner was a homemade tool made from a old golf club handle. I spent my first several years of competition with my 610 loading my moonclips with a pair of channel-lock pliers and unloading them with a tool made from a piece of 1/2" copper pipe. Moonclip tools are no different to me than magazine loading tools. I use a Maglula loader for both my pistol magazines and my AR magazines. If you shoot a lot the tools are well worth the costs or time invested to make them. The cost of moonclip tools is IMHO well worth it when you can hit those super fast reloads at the match.

 

[JimCunn]

"But how long does it take you to remove all the spent casings from the moon clip and put new bullets?"

Who cares... It happens at a different time while I am watching TV and avoiding Commercials

As an aside, my unloading tool is a 3/8" 12 point box end wrench. We've all got several of those in our tool boxes anyway.

 

[Crazy Horse]

The OP m may be interested. If he's considering and comparing it to a different caliber revolver.

I have a total of 8, five round I clips and get them ready before going to the range, but I like to shoot more than 50 rounds at the range. This means that I have to change them out at the range.

As Earlthegoat2 stated and I agree, the 38 special is a good alternative.

Another alternative might be the Charter Arms in 9mm. But I can't say much more as I know they have a system that eliminates the need for moonclips, but I have not fired one.

Love revolvers, but don't care for moonclips which is why I've steered clear of purchasing anymore revolvers that use rimless cases.

Good thing there's a healthy selection of calibers in rimmed cases.

 

[Rock185]

While the great majority of shooters would undoubtedly be happier with traditional .38/.357 revolvers, I admit I like 9MM revolvers and have owned S&W 547 and 940, Ruger Blackhawk convertibles, and SP101. Also some revolvers in 10MM and .45ACP.

Cost of 9MM vs. 38 Spcl. was never a consideration. I guess I just enjoyed having semi-autos and revolvers that could both use 9MM. And FWIW, ballistics of 9MM I've chronographed in revolvers significantly exceeds any of the major manufacturer .38+P I've tested. For instance, the popular Federal HST 124 +P 9MM averaged 1195 FPS in a 2" revolver, 1290 FPS in a 3" revolver. Not bad I think, for what some have described as the 9MM "Punybellum"

 

[JimCunn]

BTW, I've switched back to old Herrett Shooting Star Grips to better absorb the painful recoil due to the Altamonts.

 

[C0untZer0]

I have a PITBULL in 9mm. and I like it, but removing "the need" for moonclips just means slower reloads as compared to dropping in a moonclip.

 

[JimCunn]

Yeah, I'm a real fan of the moonclips. Much faster ejection and reloading than speedstrips.

 

[wgf]

If you are using your gun in a relaxed situation try Rimz EZ moon clips. They are soft polymer, easy on the fingers, easy to load cartridges and unload empty cases. All the benefits except they may not be sturdy enough for serious situations. They are for the people who don’t like to fiddle around plucking out brass one by one and don’t want a loading tool. At home the bullets go in easy and cases come out easy.

 

[John_R]

Just kinda thinking I want one for plinking etc. Just a range toy for fun just because. Opinions and experiences. What says THR?

For that mission, get a .22LR revolver.

 

[pairof44sp]

Saying you can reload a 625 faster plucking the rounds in and out than you can reload the moonclips is sort of like saying a single-stack semi-auto is better than a double-stack semi-auto cause you can reload the lower capacity magazine quicker. Moonclips are about reloading the REVOLVER quickly not the moonclip. Unloading and reloading the moonclips later when time is not pressing.

View attachment 905505

Now I admit not many people need to reload a revolver quickly so maybe the benefit of moonclips is lost on them. But if you go shoot a USPSA match with a revolver the advantage of the moonclip becomes painfully evident. Time is the denominator in your score so the more time you spend reloading your revolver the lower you score goes. Moonclips are the fastest, most robust, and fumble free way to reload a revolver quickly.


Shooting the same match with both a 625 (6-shot 45 ACP) vs a 627 (8-shot 357 Mag using 38 Short Colt)




Wow, by the time I got into IDPA 9mm was no longer legal in SSR/ESR and now the combine Revolver division. They have also lowered (as of late 2017) the Power Factor down to 105 for speed-loader feed revolvers and 155 for moonclip feed revolvers.

Gol dang good shooting. You just made a convert

 

[cfullgraf]

Here is the BMT Equipped moon clip loader/unloader for rimless cartridges. You put the cartridges in the "handle" and the moon clip on the end of knob (kind of looks like the valve handle on a garden hose valve). Put the knob in the round cavity. Turn the knob while feeding the cartridges and the cartridges are clipped into the moon clip.



To unload the moon clip, there is demooning fixture on the back of the tool. Put the moon clip and empty cartridges in the knob, put it on the fixture and twist. Two cartridges demooned at a time, all of them in one rotation of the knob.

It probably takes longer to handle the cartridges than it takes to insert them in the moon clip.

The loader for rimmed cartridges is slightly different.

The major draw back for many folks is they are pricey.

http://www.bmtequipped.com/index.php

 

[alfsauve]

I'm a BMT fan for my 929. And like MCB I have enough moonclips that I don't need to recharge them during a match.

When I had a 625 I discovered I could remove spent cases from the clips with a knife and I could put the new rounds in by hand without much trouble. Definitely didn't need any tools. I'm guessing the larger diameter allow a little more flexing than 9mm does.

 

[JimCunn]

WGF, thanks for the tip.
What is the part # for the 9mm J-frame EZ clip? (I wasn't able to find one on their website).
As an aside, the others that I saw on their site were a lot more expensive than the Range moonclips that I usually use ($1.25 each). I've presently got about 30 or 40 9mm J-frame clips, so don't need more at the moment, but I am interested.
A 10mm 12 point box end wrench makes a good free demooning tool (free because we all have several of them in our tool boxes already).

 

[Tallball]

"I'm guessing the larger diameter allow a little more flexing than 9mm does."

Thank you. I had not thought about it that way. Apparently that's why mine act the way they do. I thought it was something bad from their mother's side of the family.

 

[alfsauve]

.....
A 10mm 12 point box end wrench.......(free because we all have several of them in our tool boxes already).

<BUZZER> WRONG! There are two wrenches which seem to disappear. I guessing the magic tool fairy, Snap and her husband Mac, go around hiding them. I can never find the 10mm nor the 1/2" wrenches when I need them. Actually, most of the time I can't find them even if I don't need them. I ended up buying 6 of each and sprinkling them around the garage and workshop to ward off the evil fairies.