Looking at custom work for a revolver. Moonclip conversion looks interesting. Is there a downside to moonclips? Does it weeken a cylinder to have it set up for moonclips? I assume the revolver will not work without a moonclip once converted. Dumb question probably, but do the rounds snap securely into a moon clip, or do they just hang there due to gravity? It looks like a convenient way to carry a reload, but not if the bullets aren't securely held in the clips? Anyone with a moon clip gun, I'd love to hear your recomendations/observations.
Moon Clips ?
- Thread starter duckjihad
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AirForceShooter
Member
my small opinion.
I HATE moons.
AFS
I HATE moons.
AFS
Deer Hunter
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2005
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I own a Smith and Wesson 625, .45 ACP revolver. I can fire it without moonclips, but it's so much easier with them. I like them. When I get my 627, I'll be using some moonclips for that as well.
They're great for quick reloads. Give them a shot.
They're great for quick reloads. Give them a shot.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I have a J and a K Frame that have moonclips and I think they are great. Quick reloads and easy range pick up because all your brass stays on the clip.
Go to Moonclips.com
This shows the cut on the cylinder and it still works with out the clips.
Go to Moonclips.com
This shows the cut on the cylinder and it still works with out the clips.
Deanimator
Member
I've got a Smith 25-2. I HAVE to use moonclips since I don't want to mess with .45 Auto Rim.
The only problem with moonclips is that without the proper tools, loading and unloading them can be a bear. I've got a tool that looks like about a 1/2" dia. length of pipe inserted into the stereotypical amber plastic screwdriver handle. To load the clips, I just set a round on the bench, place the moonclip over the cannelure and press down until the clip snaps into place. To remove empties, I take the aforementioned too, slip it over an empty case, and twist until the empty is extracted from the clip and falls into the tool. I do this five or six times to empty the clip. I then dump the empties out of the tool into any handy recepticle.
Unlike speedloaders, moonclips don't require any manipulation beyond inserting the rounds into the cylinder. Also unlike speedloaders, they're subject to bending if carelessly treated.
On balance, I love my 25-2. In fact, I shot it last night with Winchester Value Pak 230gr. ball, which it seems to like.
The only problem with moonclips is that without the proper tools, loading and unloading them can be a bear. I've got a tool that looks like about a 1/2" dia. length of pipe inserted into the stereotypical amber plastic screwdriver handle. To load the clips, I just set a round on the bench, place the moonclip over the cannelure and press down until the clip snaps into place. To remove empties, I take the aforementioned too, slip it over an empty case, and twist until the empty is extracted from the clip and falls into the tool. I do this five or six times to empty the clip. I then dump the empties out of the tool into any handy recepticle.
Unlike speedloaders, moonclips don't require any manipulation beyond inserting the rounds into the cylinder. Also unlike speedloaders, they're subject to bending if carelessly treated.
On balance, I love my 25-2. In fact, I shot it last night with Winchester Value Pak 230gr. ball, which it seems to like.
I have a 627 and love the moon clips. I keep about 25 of them and usually bring 10-12 to the range with me. The 627's an 8 shooter and my feeling is that the moons are just like using clips in an autoloader - just a bit bulkier. Until they make a .357 autoloader as reliable as my S&W I'm gonna be quite happy with this rig . . .
I like moon clip guns over non-moon clip guns. They are much quicker to load. Easier to pick up your brass. Yes, my guns can shoot rounds without the clips. I have a model 1917, 625, and 627. The 625's are easier to load and unload than the 627 8 shot. I also have non moon clips and like to shoot them as well. I shoot both revolver classes in IDPA.
I use the military clip to unload the moon clips. it is very easy to use nd quick for me....
I use the military clip to unload the moon clips. it is very easy to use nd quick for me....
I absolutely LOVE the moon clip revolvers.
Someone mentioned the moonies being fast. Here's what happened to me a few years ago to prove the point . . .
I was shooting an action pistol match (can't remember if it was IDPA, IPSC, etc.) at a regional club. I shot both 1911 and revolver classes . . . both using .45ACP ammo.
A fun bonus match was held at the end. It was called a "Bill Clinton" match (he was President then) and the name came from the fact that the gun had to be UNLOADED (that's where the match got it's name) and in a latched gun case on the table in front of the competitor when the timer went off.
The other rules? ANY handgun with iron sights, either major OR minor caliber . . . a minimum of ONE reload only . . . and EIGHTEEN steel poppers or falling iron plates at a distance of 10-30 yards spread wide in front of you.
EIGHTEEN ROUNDS MINIMUM . . . ONE RELOAD ONLY MANDITORY . . . AND MINOR POWER OK. So . . . many guys pulled out their Glock 9mms w/33 round clips.
I was having a great day, so I registered with my S&W 25-2 45ACP revolver . . . just to get a laugh! "How are you gonna win with a WHEELGUN?," folks asked. I replied, "Cause I ain't gonna miss like you spray and pray guys . . . because if I miss even one round I have to reload THREE TIMES to beat you and your wimpy Glock 9s!
About 30 shooters participated, all with high cap mags and most in 9mm . . . except for me. It got quite humorous watching the Glock boys miss a plate or two and then get flustered, trying to shoot too fast to make up for the time they'd lost missing. One poor guy emptied FOUR 33 round clips and STILL didn't knock 'em all down. "Spray and Pray" makes people poor shots under time pressure sometimes.
However, I shot entirely long pull, "double action" from my revolver.
THE MOON CLIPS are virtually as fast to load and reload as a 1911 w/ a magazine . . . and the double action pull became smooth and in perfect rhythm. As the barrel came down from recoil and the sights popped down to the next target, the rolling cylinder was just locking up and the hammer beginning to fall again.
With two fast reloads (thanks to the moon clips) and, failing to miss while shooting very fast, I won the match hands down in around 44 seconds.
If I even need a handgun for defense, I hope it's this "moonclipped" 25-2 .45ACP revolver used that day. It started as a 6 1/2" target revolver but the barrel was chopped to 3 1/4" and the trigger narrowed and rounded for double action work. What a sweeeeeet shootin' gun it is!
For me . . . moon clipped revolvers RULE!
Here's my baby:
Sincerely,
Tom
PS: Here's my other moonclipped revolver, a S&W Performance Center 6-gun in .40 Short & Wimpy, with a bunch of moonies already loaded up for a match:
Someone mentioned the moonies being fast. Here's what happened to me a few years ago to prove the point . . .
I was shooting an action pistol match (can't remember if it was IDPA, IPSC, etc.) at a regional club. I shot both 1911 and revolver classes . . . both using .45ACP ammo.
A fun bonus match was held at the end. It was called a "Bill Clinton" match (he was President then) and the name came from the fact that the gun had to be UNLOADED (that's where the match got it's name) and in a latched gun case on the table in front of the competitor when the timer went off.
The other rules? ANY handgun with iron sights, either major OR minor caliber . . . a minimum of ONE reload only . . . and EIGHTEEN steel poppers or falling iron plates at a distance of 10-30 yards spread wide in front of you.
EIGHTEEN ROUNDS MINIMUM . . . ONE RELOAD ONLY MANDITORY . . . AND MINOR POWER OK. So . . . many guys pulled out their Glock 9mms w/33 round clips.
I was having a great day, so I registered with my S&W 25-2 45ACP revolver . . . just to get a laugh! "How are you gonna win with a WHEELGUN?," folks asked. I replied, "Cause I ain't gonna miss like you spray and pray guys . . . because if I miss even one round I have to reload THREE TIMES to beat you and your wimpy Glock 9s!
About 30 shooters participated, all with high cap mags and most in 9mm . . . except for me. It got quite humorous watching the Glock boys miss a plate or two and then get flustered, trying to shoot too fast to make up for the time they'd lost missing. One poor guy emptied FOUR 33 round clips and STILL didn't knock 'em all down. "Spray and Pray" makes people poor shots under time pressure sometimes.
However, I shot entirely long pull, "double action" from my revolver.
THE MOON CLIPS are virtually as fast to load and reload as a 1911 w/ a magazine . . . and the double action pull became smooth and in perfect rhythm. As the barrel came down from recoil and the sights popped down to the next target, the rolling cylinder was just locking up and the hammer beginning to fall again.
With two fast reloads (thanks to the moon clips) and, failing to miss while shooting very fast, I won the match hands down in around 44 seconds.
If I even need a handgun for defense, I hope it's this "moonclipped" 25-2 .45ACP revolver used that day. It started as a 6 1/2" target revolver but the barrel was chopped to 3 1/4" and the trigger narrowed and rounded for double action work. What a sweeeeeet shootin' gun it is!
For me . . . moon clipped revolvers RULE!
Here's my baby:
Sincerely,
Tom
PS: Here's my other moonclipped revolver, a S&W Performance Center 6-gun in .40 Short & Wimpy, with a bunch of moonies already loaded up for a match:
Hi,
I've used .45ACP ammo for years in my 25-2 and 625 revolvers WITHOUT moonclips and with no problems.
Although each gun is different of course, if you change to use Federal 150 "Large Pistol" primers in your reloads, or switch to Federal ammo if you don't reload, you'll have no troubles I predict.
The Winchester primers are fine, but Federal primers are used by virtually 100% of wheelgunners who compete with wheelguns and shoot double action. Federal primers are a little "softer" than other brands, and thus offer more positive ignition . . . even if the hammer fall is lighter . . . or if loose handgun rounds are used without moon clips.
Give it a try and I think you'll be pleased! I never use moonclips when plinking at the range and have never had problems.
Sincerely,
Tom Turner
PS: CCI primers are the hardest pistol primers and are thus the least reliable for use in revolvers for shooters who fire double action (and thus have a lighter hammer fall) . . . especially in tricked out revolvers with very light trigger pulls and lighter springs. I'd never use them in matches. Remington and Winchester are somewhere in the middle . . . and Federal the most reliable for revolver use DOUBLE ACTION. Single action they all work ok and, I suspect they would all be ok in stock revolvers when shooting double action.
However, in defensive use most everyone will be shooting double action . . . and I surely want the gun to go off each time in a life or death situation. So . . . I load my revolvers with Federal Hydra-Shock ammo for defense.
Deanimator
Member
They also make a really nice de-mooning tool, which I have. I'm glad you mentioned them, since I couldn't remember their name for my post on the subject.
Deanimator
Member
It wasn't directly relevant to my point, but when I reload, I use nothing but Federal match primers in my 25-2. It's the only primers that are reliable in it. It seems not to have problems with factory ammo.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Moonclips are used to permit extraction of rimless cases (such as the .45 ACP) from swing-out cylinder revolvers. Without moonclips sometimes you have to poke out each case after firing.
They can sometimes bend and tie up a revolver.
Revolvers which need moonclips are already set up for them. If you're talking about taking a revolver chambered for a standard revolver round, the moonclip conversion is unnecessary.
If you just have to do it, the conversion is to mill off the back of the cylinder to make room for the moonclip -- and that will affect the integrity of the ejector star.
Revolvers originally designed for moonclips (for example, the M1917 revolvers) will work without moonclips, but will not reliably eject.
If you are converting a revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge, it may not work well without the moonclips, because of excessive headspace.
They snap in, and it takes some force to do it. Mooner and demooner tools are available to load moonclips and unload them.
If you can carry them without bending the clips.
They can sometimes bend and tie up a revolver.
Revolvers which need moonclips are already set up for them. If you're talking about taking a revolver chambered for a standard revolver round, the moonclip conversion is unnecessary.
If you just have to do it, the conversion is to mill off the back of the cylinder to make room for the moonclip -- and that will affect the integrity of the ejector star.
Revolvers originally designed for moonclips (for example, the M1917 revolvers) will work without moonclips, but will not reliably eject.
If you are converting a revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge, it may not work well without the moonclips, because of excessive headspace.
They snap in, and it takes some force to do it. Mooner and demooner tools are available to load moonclips and unload them.
If you can carry them without bending the clips.
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