Are moonclips compatible with LCR's?

G

groverdill

New member
Or do they require machining to accept moon clips? My research is leading me towards a Ruger LCR .38 for concealed carry, and I like the idea and theory behind moonclips, but are they practical for CC? Will a loaded moonclip hold together in a pocket? It's no bulkier than a speedloader, and seems to be a bit faster. Any thoughts?

Mike
 
For CC it'd probably be better to stick with half moon or even two shot clips, they'll lay flat in your pocket and will still give you rapid reloads.
 
Loaded moonclips are typically carried in holders that use support columns at their center, in order to keep the cartridges from being pushed together at the noses and flexing the thin steel clip out of shape. This makes moonclips about as bulky for carry as are speed loaders.

If carrying my 442 (very similar in size and weight to an LCR) instead of one of my heavier revolvers, I am normally pocket carrying, and end up using a speed loader and/or speed strips. Strips are slower to load but much easier to conceal; two five-round strips can fit in an empty Altoids tin.
 
+1 ^

I have speed loaders for my LCR but they are about as "bulky" as what I would imagine moon clips would be. I'm speaking/asking from the stand point that I've never used moon clips - would they really be any easier or handier than speed loaders?

I also like the speed strips - easier to conceal. A couple of those is a whole lot easier for me to carry than a belt pouch with two speed loaders in it.

Good question though and I'd love to see a photo of an LCR adapted to moon clips and hear thoughts on the speed of reloading with them versus speed loaders. :)
 
clips are potentially faster because there is no twisting or unlocking required during the load phase, and because the empties come out all as one unit.

In practice, if the loaded clip does not agree with your grip contour, it can be a pain to load and unload.

I have limited experience with .357 clips, but suspect they would be easier to manipulate when loaded with .38s, due to extra maneuvering space afforded by shorter cartridge length.

Moonclips are much more user friendly in my Colt 1917. The relatively short .45acp, combined with the wide cylinder and longer crane of the N Frame equivalent, provide a lot more margin.

Edit: If you do try moonclips, check out mooncliptool.com as I find that tool extremely useful.
 
While I've not used moonclips myself, I've always heard/read that their advantage is most evident with shorter semi-auto cartridges like .45 ACP, 9mm Luger, and 10mm Auto. Apparently, longer revolver cartridges like .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum aren't as fast with moonclips because their extra length combined with the "slop" in the clip make them more difficult to get lined up with the chambers. In any case, I have a difficult time believing that, with a revolver like the LCR which uses longer cartridges that moonclips would be substantially faster than speedloaders that release automatically like Safariland Comp I's.
 
I agree that shorter cartridges are more cip-friendly. The LCR .38 or .357 could be cut for clips, but I suspect the money would be better spent on snap caps, strips, and loaders for quick reloading practice.

My issue with Safariland loaders is their overall size. For competition, or on a duty belt for open carry - excellent. I think the smaller HKS is a lot easier to conceal, though.

The other thing I do like about clips is they make it much easier and quicker to pick up used cases after shooting, and to tell my cases apart from those of others.
 
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