S&W R8 Moon Clip Help

[Myers431]

My R8 does not like moon clips. Firearm came with 3 that measure between .024” and .026.” With the .024” the cylinder will barely close and rotate. I have found some moon clips that measure .020” supposedly. When they talk about brass compatibility are they talking about the thickness of the groove, or the thickness of the (head)? My moon clips fit the grooves of all my ammo well, but what I’d call headspace is too long to function when dropped into the cylinder. Trying not to waste $30 if I don’t have too.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Maybe call S&W.

Maybe lap the moon clips down on sandpaper and a flat surface so they are thinner.

 

[mcb]

What brass are you using?

38/357 moonclips are some of the most finicky to deal with. This is the reason they come in so many sizes/types.

How tight is inserting the last cartridge into the moonclip?

You want them snug but the rounds still need just a touch of wiggle room. If it is too tight the fingers of the moonclip will twist just enough to cause headspace issues.

 

[thomas15]

I have two (2) almost identical 929s. One uses .035 moons, the other .040. On top of that, for best results I can only use one particular brass headstamp. Others will work but not the 100% that I want. If this really bothered me I would have it fixed but it doesn't so I live with it.

On the other hand I have a friend that has a 929 that functions fine with mixed brass as long as he uses .040 moons.

The point being that there are several things at play, the mechanical tolerance of your revolver, the dimensions of the moons and the dimensions of the brass you are using. Also the cartridges must be fully inserted into the moon clips. The star must be also in spec. and with no debris in the underside.

I can tell you plainly that your R8 loves moon clips but you will need to find what brass and moons she has an affection for.

 

[cfullgraf]

As a supporting comment, not all cases and moonclips are compatible with each other.

TK Custom sells two different thickness moonclips for 38 Special J-frames. One is for Starline and R-P cases and the other is for W-W and some other brands of cases. The extractor grooves between the two variants of cases are different and effect how the case is held in the clip. There are even some off brands of cases that do not work well in either style of moonclip.

For my moonclip J-frames, I elected to buy the clips for Starline and R-P cases as I have a good quantity of them. I keep those cases separate from my other 38 Special cases.

 

[mcb]

As a supporting comment, not all cases and moonclips are compatible with each other.

TK Custom sells two different thickness moonclips for 38 Special J-frames. One is for Starline and R-P cases and the other is for W-W and some other brands of cases. The extractor grooves between the two variants of cases are different and effect how the case is held in the clip. There are even some off brands of cases that do not work well in either style of moonclip.

For my moonclip J-frames, I elected to buy the clips for Starline and R-P cases as I have a good quantity of them. I keep those cases separate from my other 38 Special cases.

TK custom sells 5 different moonclips for the 8-shot N-frames 627/327/R8 revolvers.

The following link is a pretty good guide for pairing up moonclips and brass for the 627/327/R8 guns.

https://www.tkcustom.com/resources/faq-s

Personally TK has always been a bit rich for my blood. I use Revolver Supply moonclips with my 627. Their .025 thick moonclips work well with both the Starline and Remington 38 Short Colt brass I have.