Moon Clips
- Thread starter shootsafe
- Start date
I have a 640 Pro. I can load RN bullets faster with moon clips, anything else speedloaders are faster for me. All fired cases eject at the same time. INHO they are better for short stubby rounds like the 45 ACP revolvers then the long skinny 357. They are nice for have lots of rounds ready to go for training or range sessions.
You can send the gun to TKS customs.
You can send the gun to TKS customs.
Frank Ettin
Administrator
The primary purpose of moon clips is to allow revolvers to function properly using rimless cartridges designed for use in auto-loaders. The moon clips hold the cartridges and give the ejector star something to push against.
I believe they were originally developed around the time of World War I. At the time 1911s were in short supply. So Smith & Wesson and Colt produced revolvers chambered in .45 ACP so sufficient numbers of sidearms using the then standard Army pistol cartridge could be available.
But since the .45 ACP used a rimless case, there would be nothing for the ejector star to bear against to eject spent cases. So the cartridges were fitted into clips. Originally they were called half-moon clips. Each held three cartridges so two were needed.
I believe they were originally developed around the time of World War I. At the time 1911s were in short supply. So Smith & Wesson and Colt produced revolvers chambered in .45 ACP so sufficient numbers of sidearms using the then standard Army pistol cartridge could be available.
But since the .45 ACP used a rimless case, there would be nothing for the ejector star to bear against to eject spent cases. So the cartridges were fitted into clips. Originally they were called half-moon clips. Each held three cartridges so two were needed.
The advantage, beyond the original purpose as Frank mentioned, is that (when well practiced), you have a VERY fast reload and you don't need to buy a bunch of speedloaders nor do you need to carry a bunch of speedloaders as the moonclipped ammo simply goes in to the cylinder as all one piece. If you watch someone like Jerry Miculek with this setup, you'll be blinded by the speed.
Disadvantage? I found it absolutely annoying to load up moonclips and much worse to remove the empty brass later. Also, if you aren't careful, you can bend those clips and once you've done that, they'll never be the same.
For a revolver that was never designed to run moonclips -- it's a not all too cheap proposition to have someone machine your cylinder to accept them. And as was also said, longer and skinnier rounds are not nearly as easy to handle quickly as are the fat, stubby .45 Auto rounds. The .45's almost seem to find their own way in while .38/.357 need to be guided to find the holes.
Disadvantage? I found it absolutely annoying to load up moonclips and much worse to remove the empty brass later. Also, if you aren't careful, you can bend those clips and once you've done that, they'll never be the same.
For a revolver that was never designed to run moonclips -- it's a not all too cheap proposition to have someone machine your cylinder to accept them. And as was also said, longer and skinnier rounds are not nearly as easy to handle quickly as are the fat, stubby .45 Auto rounds. The .45's almost seem to find their own way in while .38/.357 need to be guided to find the holes.
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I have two guns that use Moonclips. A Smitty 625 and a Smitty 610.
To answer the second part of your question, here are a couple places that can do the conversion for you.
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/moonclip.htm
http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp
To answer the second part of your question, here are a couple places that can do the conversion for you.
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/moonclip.htm
http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
A lot of the clipping and unclipping annoyances can be solved using plastic moon clips. For practice they are super easy to use.
A lot of the clipping and unclipping annoyances can also be solved by using the proper tools. It's really not that difficult.
http://www.mooncliptool.com/
And for de-mooning if you put the spent moonclip back onto the arbor, and use a wooden dowel, pencil, pen, etc., put dowel into the spent case and pull the case in the opposite direction of the arbor, they will pop right out of the moonclip.
http://www.mooncliptool.com/
And for de-mooning if you put the spent moonclip back onto the arbor, and use a wooden dowel, pencil, pen, etc., put dowel into the spent case and pull the case in the opposite direction of the arbor, they will pop right out of the moonclip.
buckhorn_cortez
New member
Moon clips are relatively inexpensive. I have about 30 of them for my S&W 625. I just load up all of them at one time so I'm not loading / unloading in the field.
While expensive, the BMT mooner / demooner is about the fastest tool you can find for loading and unloading moon clips. Takes about 30 seconds to load a moon clip and less than that to unload. There are other tools available from Dillon, and more listed on Brownell's and Midway.
The North Mountain Moon Clip Holder makes carrying additional loaded moon clips easy for field or competition use. With a little practice and moon clip holders, you can unload / load a revolver nearly as fast as a semi-auto.
For competition, or perhaps self-defense, where reloads are done "on the clock", I much prefer being able to carry the ammo clipped together into a single unit, rather than rounds retained in a speedloader, and do like that the expended rounds are still clipped together after the reload.
I can pre-load as many clips as I want before going to the range, and then never have to deal with loose rounds.
Downsides include the hassle of demooning, but it can be done any time, doesn't require focus, etc.
I don't know that I'd modify a revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge, unless speed of reloading was of extreme importance, and as noted, that advantage varries with chambering.
I have two .45 ACP revolvers, and even though I have some Auto Rim brass and speedloaders for same, I've never used either.
I can pre-load as many clips as I want before going to the range, and then never have to deal with loose rounds.
Downsides include the hassle of demooning, but it can be done any time, doesn't require focus, etc.
I don't know that I'd modify a revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge, unless speed of reloading was of extreme importance, and as noted, that advantage varries with chambering.
I have two .45 ACP revolvers, and even though I have some Auto Rim brass and speedloaders for same, I've never used either.
I'm well aware of the methods for making moonclips easier to deal with -- the tool I figured "would make these evil things much easier to deal with" was like fifty bucks and I was having a hard time throwing more money at the project just so I could enjoy the project.
Don't get me wrong-- for sure, if you intent to compete with a revolver for speed, this is the game and these are the tools you need and those tools and high quality moonclips are all part of the equation.
For me, my very short little relationship with a S&W 625 and the moonclips was just more hassle and more expense for something that just didn't grab me.
In it's role, it's absolutely the way to go. But I couldn't find a way to get on board with it for my needs and the things I like & enjoy in handgunning.
I gave up on my 625 in horribly short order, which is very much out of character for me...but I found myself in a situation where I could get my dream gun and getting rid of the 625 I'd had only a short time was the shortest route there. If not for that, I likely would have given the 625 much more of a chance. And then... I may have ended up with better moonclips and a $50 hand tool to make them a pleasure to deal with. Or maybe not.
I find myself very fortunate that I have many different toys in handgunning to play with. I'm absolutely addicted to handgunning and have enough different things to occupy my time. To be honest, I just don't see me ever going back down the moonclip road ever again...but that's just me.
When I see a guy with a 625 and a belt full of moonclips ready to roll, TWO things occur to me:
1) "Now that guy there is an enthusiast! Cool setup!"
and
2) "I'll never do THAT again!"
Don't get me wrong-- for sure, if you intent to compete with a revolver for speed, this is the game and these are the tools you need and those tools and high quality moonclips are all part of the equation.
For me, my very short little relationship with a S&W 625 and the moonclips was just more hassle and more expense for something that just didn't grab me.
In it's role, it's absolutely the way to go. But I couldn't find a way to get on board with it for my needs and the things I like & enjoy in handgunning.
I gave up on my 625 in horribly short order, which is very much out of character for me...but I found myself in a situation where I could get my dream gun and getting rid of the 625 I'd had only a short time was the shortest route there. If not for that, I likely would have given the 625 much more of a chance. And then... I may have ended up with better moonclips and a $50 hand tool to make them a pleasure to deal with. Or maybe not.
I find myself very fortunate that I have many different toys in handgunning to play with. I'm absolutely addicted to handgunning and have enough different things to occupy my time. To be honest, I just don't see me ever going back down the moonclip road ever again...but that's just me.
When I see a guy with a 625 and a belt full of moonclips ready to roll, TWO things occur to me:
1) "Now that guy there is an enthusiast! Cool setup!"
and
2) "I'll never do THAT again!"
I have four 45 ACP revolvers which obviously all take moon-clips. I think they are "the way" to carry spare ammunition and to reload these revolvers. Nothing is as handy or fast. Someone above asked if speed loaders would be just as good and faster. Simple answer: No and not even close! The trick to using them is, as advised above is to have the proper loading and unloading tools...and keep a good supply of full moons on hand. I have about 150 of them and keep an ammo can full of the loaded clips at all times. Going to the range with one of the 45 ACP wheel guns is actually easier than taking a semi automatic. No magazines to load either!
I also have two PC S&W L-frame 7-shots cut for moon-clips. They too load more easily and faster than the HKS speed loader. The problem with these is the clips for rimmed cartridges are much thinner than for the 45 ACP and thus they are more prone to bending. Still they make loading so much easier it's worth the hassle of occasionally replacing one.
Dave
I also have two PC S&W L-frame 7-shots cut for moon-clips. They too load more easily and faster than the HKS speed loader. The problem with these is the clips for rimmed cartridges are much thinner than for the 45 ACP and thus they are more prone to bending. Still they make loading so much easier it's worth the hassle of occasionally replacing one.
Dave
For 45 acp moon clips can't be beat for speed reloads.
38 spl in moon clips tend to wobble quit a bit. Most folks that I shoot with that are shooting 38's are reloading 38 short colts. A WHOLE lot less wobble.
In my opinion for 38 spl use Safariland Comp 3 speedloaders. I use them when I shoot my GP 100 and they hold the rounds nice and firm.
I would only go to moon clips on a rimless cartridge like a .45acp ...where I really had no choice...except to use them / or unless you were really trying to work on your reloading speed for competition with a revolver.
For standard revolver cartridges like .38 spl, .357 mag, .44 mag....using speedloaders is way cheaper - and still effective and reasonably quick with a lot of practice ( not Miculek quick - but that's different ! ) ...and personally I prefer the Safariland or the Jet speed loaders - especially over the HKS brand or style....but you'll have to find the right model of each brand for your gun.
For standard revolver cartridges like .38 spl, .357 mag, .44 mag....using speedloaders is way cheaper - and still effective and reasonably quick with a lot of practice ( not Miculek quick - but that's different ! ) ...and personally I prefer the Safariland or the Jet speed loaders - especially over the HKS brand or style....but you'll have to find the right model of each brand for your gun.
Motownstan
New member
My new Rhino 357 came cut for Moonclips, it's cut in some magical way that you don't have to use them. The clips are easy to load/unload with the included tool. I don't bother with them usually but it's nice to keep a few around just in case.