Did you ever try loading Moon Clips with steel cased ammo?

C

chasgrips45

Moderator
I don`t kow whether my hand strength is getting weaker ,or these moon clips shrunk! i JUST BOUGHT A SWEET MODEL 22 45 acp Smith & Wesson. Two things concern me . One is the situation if one mistakenly decides to use steel cased ammo . What a bear to load the moon clips! Am I correct in stating that brass cased ammo must be a little softer than steel? The gun came with its own moon clips ,do I need to take a touch off the retaining edges? My hands can`t be getting that weak. I thought I learned my lesson with steel cased ammo, I thought i`d use it in a wheel gun. Secondly, this gun is not made for lefty's . Thanks to big brother at BATF ,or( someone else`s moronic Govt agency) the cylinder release will abrade the hell out of your left index finger just above the knuckle because the shape of the grip in relation to the cylinder release catch. Just by moving my hand on the grip a little I was able to avoid a bloody mess. Well thanks for the chance to vent. Now I`m going to bandage my finger!
 
Thanks to big brother at BATF ,or( someone else`s moronic Govt agency) the cylinder release will abrade the hell out of your left index finger just above the knuckle because the shape of the grip in relation to the cylinder release catch.
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There are a lot of things BTAFE does which cause me trouble, but I don't think what you are talking about is one we can point a finger at them for. NOw, if that is one of the 45 ACP WWII vintage revolvers, you might have the right to blame someone in the government, but BATFE wasn't enforcing firearm laws until 1942 which was after that revolvers design.

I seem to remember other people complaining moon clips aren't all that easy to load. I am not lucky enough to have experience with the problem :(
 
The only guns I have that get steel cased ammo are my AKs. My S&Ws that use moon clips only get good quality brass cased ammo. JMHO. I have a Model 22 and it's much to nice to put some 3rd world ammo through it. ;)
 
I use pliers to load my steel moon clips, however, I've seen youtube clips where they get loaded by hand (Sootch00).
I've had great luck with the Rimz moonclips and have used them at least a dozen times and have had no issues with the rounds coming loose, and they are much easier to unload.
Let us know how you like your new S&W, I have the same revolver and love it.
 
I have seen another use lacquered steel cased ammo in a model 25, and after two cylinders full, it stuck in the cylinder and had to be beat out. I haven't seen the lacquered pistol ammo now in a while, and perhaps without the coating it won't stick.

Not all moonclips are created equal- I'd suggest trying some of the RIMZ synthetic moonclips which seem to work with some of the brass that is tighter than others due to its flexible nature. I don't like the RIMZ personally, but they do work just fine. If you don't want to try those, buy a moonclip loader/demooner.

I've got one of these, and it works just fine.
http://mooncliptool.com/

Glad I could help a fellow local. :)
 
Thanks guys, I`ll try the moon clip removal tool. I think however, that brass should also be easier. Frasier, the gun is a gem, but as I said ,the damn location of the cylinder release , its not really flush with the frame of the gun &,the lock cylinder coupled with grip size make this gun a non keeper I believe.the only thing left to do is either sell it ,or start to shoot right handed right you wrong handers do! After all it`s in a person`s perspective right ?
 
I have used and competed with moon clips for over twenty years. I have never needed or used a "tool" to load them. I do have a "de-mooner" to unload them quickly but they can still be popped out by hand easily enough. I am quite sure the problem you are having is the extractor groove dimensions on your steel cases. They are over spec. It doesn't have anything to do with the steel being harder than brass. They're oversized. Buy some quality brass and your problem will be solved. You should be able to lay 6 rounds in a line on your bench and roll a clip over them and have them all pop right into the clip. If they don't then the cases are the problem. Ranch Products moon clips are the best and will last the longest (if some clown doesn't step on them.) I will never understand why anyone would manufacture cartridge cases from steel except in wartime when supplies are short. (or making moon clips from plastic) ;)
 
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Agreed. Too bad about the left handed thing, taught myself to shoot both right and left handed, so it doesn’t matter.

My favorite revolver is a S&W 22-4, and the moon clips are so-o-o-o superior to speed loaders, which are forever coming apart or jamming up while stuck in the cylinder, just too fidgety, would hate to have to reload quickly in an emergency. Speed loaders are OK for the range.

OTOH, moon clips are easy to load, I use the thumb of one hand to push the cartridge down and the fingers of the other hand to twirl (spin/roll) the cartridge down and in. I cheat on removal using thin cotter pin pliers to pop them off. Quick and easy.

Should you decide to sell/trade your S&W 22, it will likely be snapped up quickly, if there is a better S&W revolver out there, I have yet to find it.

Good luck.
 
I agree, the Model 22 IS one of S&W's better ideas. I bought a 625 in 1989 (5 in.) and it is the most accurate revolver I have ever shot. Whoever was running the line in 1988-89 knew what the heck they were doing. The barrels on those early 625s grouped bullets like a match grade BarSto barrel.
 
I would try some other grips first before getting rid of it. A good set of Herretts made for a southpaw would be a good fit. I'm not too crazy about the grips that come on the gun, and correct grips will get your hand off the cylinder release. Also, a "flat latch" might help too.

If you have large hands, a covered backstrap would be the ticket, if small, uncovered is called for.

Here's a set on a K-frame:
DSC00931.jpg


Here's a bit more of a family photo with Herrett's, with a K-frame on the top, and model 22 and model 21 on the bottom:
DSC00431SWs.jpg
 
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