A question about moon clipping a magnum revolver

[MCgunner]

I think a moon clipped .357 magnum SP101 would be way cool to carry, but I was wondering about something. When they moon clip a revolver with a rimmed round, they cut away some cylinder face, right? Never actually seen such a conversion, so I'm guessing. But, if they trim some cylinder face off it, would it not leave more cartridge case unsupported? Would this not limit chamber pressures or risk blowing a case with a hot load? Perhaps moon clipping should be restricted to low pressure rounds like the .38??? Then, again, 9x19 is a pretty high pressure round, but with a rimless case, you have more case wall support.

 

[MCgunner]

Just thinking about this, I am picturing a snubby .357 modified to chamber a 9x23 case with moon clips and hand loaded with .357" diameter bullets. Wonder how tought that one would be to build?

 

[Brian Williams]

Go to Moonclips.com and read.
9x23 would be great in a SP101 but it is a very high pressure round, in the 50,000 psi (IIRC) area, 357 mags run 35,000

 

[461]

I'm not going to vouch for the SP-101's ability to handle the pressure as I'm not qualified but it is hell for stout and the only snubby I'd consider if I was doing a 9X23. It would be an easy job on a 9mm SP-101, simply rebore the cylinder and you're there but you'd still be at a .355 bore unless you put a new barrel on it. Another option would be to graft the rechambered 9mm cylinder onto a .357 gun. Any way you look it should be a pretty easy project.

I've got a 9mm SP-101 redone by Gemini Customs, it's a great shooter on it's own and they're getting harder and harder to find.

 

[campbell]

Try emailing Pinnacle. Scroll down and you'll see the moonclip conversion packages and caliber conversions. He says he can do 6 shot L-frames and the 8 shot 627's to 9x23.

Also, Clements converts GP100's to 10mm for about 500. A 10mm 3'' GP100 would be an potent carry piece.

 

[DawgFvr]

Well...I surely hope the .357 revolver can handle moonclips! I just ordered a GP100 three inch barrel from Gemini Customs http://www.geminicustoms.com/Revolvers & Services.htm

and I am having them install the moonclips. I seems a very smart, efficient way to load this jewel of a battle revolver. I will be getting it sometime mid-August and will post pics and range results.

 

[2ndamd]

Yeah. Gemini Customs will perform the moon clip service on your SP101 and all you have to send them is the cylinder. Just make sure you spend the extra money and get the loading/unloading tools for the moon clips.

I don't think the chamber pressures will be of concern as the chamber of a .357 mag is supported all the way down the cylinder tube. Interestins question about the 9x23 ammo though. I don't know.

 

[DawgFvr]

2ndamd: I understand that Gemini Customs automatically sends the loading/unloading tools with their moon clips now with every shipment...cuz everybody continued to ask for them later. Package deal now. Ruger used to sell the Speed Six in 9mm and moon clips came stock with the revolver...just saw one the other day on www.gunbroker.com
If the vendor sells it...I guess the Ruger is stout enough to handle it. After all, we are talking Ruger...eh?

 

[KurtC]

The only part of the cartridge that is exposed with the conversion is the groove just ahead of the rim, which is what the clip attaches to. This groove would still be unsupported in the chamber, even without the conversion.

 

[461]

My response on the pressure was in regards to the 9x23 conversion idea, not the moonclip question. I have no doubt that it works just fine as they've been around for several years now with no reported issues. With the quality of work I received from Gemini, I can't see Marc doing anything that would weaken the design.

 

[john1911]

campbell,

Thanks for that link, gives me an idea for my Redhawk!

 

[MCgunner]

Read on their site (Gemini) that the gun can be loaded conventionally, too. I hadn't reckoned on that, but that's really cool. So, I guess you're not losing anything by the conversion, just adding the moon clip ability? I may spring for this in the future, sounds really cool for a carry .357.

Thanks for the info, guys, great site to learn stuff from.