I like the Rimz moon clips for casual shooting they're so easy to load and unload without tools.
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School me on Moon Clips
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halfmoonclip
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Only have one old, blued .45ACP revo, a 1917, it will headspace without moons. The stainless ones, even the 9mms, have been fine, but the Ti ones, not so much. Makes me wonder if Smith had some reservation about having the cartridges headspace on the titanium.
Moon
Not that I am aware but that means very little as I am merely an observer. Some of the stainless series have issues. Some even have issues with some chambers work and the rest don’t! Considering the amount of automation involved this is very odd.
Here is a sidebar by Brian Pearce on the subject,
Sorry about the highlighting, it is not my doing.
Kevin
halfmoonclip
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Great read, and thanks. I'll have an extra look at my 625s, and the 640. I generally use moons in any case, so I simply may not have noticed.
I've resigned myself to the "...time consuming, finger aching...' moons, and have the tools to moon and demoon. Spent enough time fiddling with such to appreciate the right tools.
Best,
Moon
Auto Rim is the way to go IMNSHO For handloaders, the AR is loaded like the 45 Super, w/o the feeding issues like the 255gr SWCs has a reputation for with bottom loaders.
S&W 25-2 1955 Target with handloaded Sierra 240gr JHC, S&W moonclips.
A 625 3" loaded with AR hardcast would make for a great carry combination on the trail, or pocket carry in a Carhartt.
Consider this, using Buffalo Bore's muzzle velocities, a 45 auto rim 255gr SWC (1955 Target) has more momentum and energy than a Glock 20 loaded with 220gr WFNs. does.
For handloaders, the AR is loaded like the 45 Super, w/o the feeding issues like the 255gr SWCs has a reputation for with bottom loaders.
S&W 25-2 1955 Target with handloaded Sierra 240gr JHC, S&W moonclips.
A 625 3" loaded with AR hardcast would make for a great carry combination on the trail, or pocket carry in a Carhartt.
Consider this, using Buffalo Bore's muzzle velocities, a 45 auto rim 255gr SWC (1955 Target) has more momentum and energy than a Glock 20 loaded with 220gr WFNs. does.
Here is one of my Model 25-2,
I load the SAECO 453 bullet, cast 240 grain full wadcutter, over a hardball sore of Bullseye. It hits hard.
My edc is a S&W Model 22-4 with the same load.
Kevin
Here is the SAECO bullet on the left.
Center is the 45 BD, a 250 grain WFN and on the right is the Arsenal mold 45 caliber, 250 full wad cutter. All will be loaded to at least wadcutter velocity. If either of the 45 BD or the Arsenal bullet improves on the terminal performance of the SAECO, it will be doing a lot for one bullet. I am very interested in what the stakebuster on the right side will do?
Kevin
Center is the 45 BD, a 250 grain WFN and on the right is the Arsenal mold 45 caliber, 250 full wad cutter. All will be loaded to at least wadcutter velocity. If either of the 45 BD or the Arsenal bullet improves on the terminal performance of the SAECO, it will be doing a lot for one bullet. I am very interested in what the stakebuster on the right side will do?
Kevin
I'm a big fan of moon clips. Besides some 45 ACP S&W revolvers, I have revolvers cut for moon clips in J-frame 38 Special, SP101 9x19, and S&W 10mm.
I'd rather use a moon clip reload vs anything else.
I'm also a fan of BMT Equipped moon clip loaders/deloaders but I'll agree they may be a bit pricey for some folks. There are less expensive tools on the market that may be more acceptable to some.
I feel using the appropriate tools for loading and unloading moon clips is important to the serviceability of the moon clip. Cutting corners is a recipe for damage of the moon clip.
Half moon clips for 45 ACP are most available for 45 ACP revolvers. The main advantage with them is they are easier to pack vs full moon clips. But there are full moon clip carriers that make carrying loaded moon clips on one's belt feasible.
I use mostly TK Custom moon clips but I am sure other brands will work as well.
At least with revolver cartridges, the rim thickness varies and moon clips are built for particular cases. Fortunately, I use lots of Rem and Starline cases for my 38 Special ammunition and they work with the same moon clip and I've settled on that head stamp cases.
I'd rather use a moon clip reload vs anything else.
I'm also a fan of BMT Equipped moon clip loaders/deloaders but I'll agree they may be a bit pricey for some folks. There are less expensive tools on the market that may be more acceptable to some.
I feel using the appropriate tools for loading and unloading moon clips is important to the serviceability of the moon clip. Cutting corners is a recipe for damage of the moon clip.
Half moon clips for 45 ACP are most available for 45 ACP revolvers. The main advantage with them is they are easier to pack vs full moon clips. But there are full moon clip carriers that make carrying loaded moon clips on one's belt feasible.
I use mostly TK Custom moon clips but I am sure other brands will work as well.
At least with revolver cartridges, the rim thickness varies and moon clips are built for particular cases. Fortunately, I use lots of Rem and Starline cases for my 38 Special ammunition and they work with the same moon clip and I've settled on that head stamp cases.
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halfmoonclip
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Never had much trouble with .45ACP moons, but I have run into significant trouble with 9mms in moons. There must be more variation in those, considering all the places they're made. One more reason to have the tools to moon and demoon; some of the 9s take some persuading to get into their moon.
Moon
Yes, I find 9mm case rims variable. I stumble into a few head stamps that will not fit my shell holder but they fit in the scrap bucket just fine.
TK Custom makes two thicknesses of moon clips for 38 Special cases. R-P and Starline cases use one thickness, Hornady cases use another. Other brands can be hit or miss.
halfmoonclip
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Nine millimeter brass with crimped in primers suffer a similar fate in the scrap bucket.
Personally, I've an embarrassment of 9mm brass, so anything weird goes away.Perhaps I'd be happier with a particular thickness of moon for .38 Spl, but only have two .38 revos that take moons (not the same moons, of course....) so they aren't much used. Maybe I need to talk to TK.
Thanks,
Moon
I've always used full moon clips in my S&W 1917. I have a commercial tube demooner that works like the one you made. Works great.
PWGUNNY
Member
I learned about the Rimz clips on here and I've been using for several months. I'm very happy with these and they are very easy to use by hand, no tools needed.
