moon clips for 686+ ?

[BTF/PTM]

One of the gun shop fellows told me this last weekend that the 4" 686+ that I'm planning on buying when next I add a pistol to my collection cannot use moon clips because the ejector is not properly recessed. This being said, he was pointing me to a Performance Center S&W that was a solid $400 more than the 686. Beautiful gun, don't get me wrong, certainly would be a great buy if it were justified. But anyway, being that the 686 is a crapload less money and really is all I need/want in a revolver (I don't need a competition grade gun to have fun with), I wanna verify whether the 686 does NOT in fact have moon clip capability. I definitely want moon clips, so another model would be a good idea if the 686 doesn't fit there.

[sza]

He's correct. To use moon clips with a rimmed cartridge you need the rear of the cylinder and extractor recessed. I have to wonder if you could have S&W cut the cylinder on a cheaper 686 instead of buying the more expensive revolver though.

You probably know what it looks like but here's a photo of the moon clip recess on the cylinder of my 327:

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Hope this helps, according to these guys you only need to send the cylinder.

http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp

[Maddog5150]

Hope this helps, according to these guys you only need to send the cylinder.

http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp

freaking shweeeet! I want to send my 442 in for that or even have it converted to a 9mm

[eaglemike]

I've cut about 20 of the 686+ cylinders for moonclips. It's quite easy. You could send it to S&W and have them do it, I'm sure. This page also has some info http://www.moonclips.com/content/machine.asp

Ranch Products and Hearthco sell moonclips for the 686+. Other places as well.

You can still single load, or use speedloaders with the gun.

all the best,

Mike

[BaronW]

About how much does that cost to get done? I'm assuming it could also be done to a Ruger GP-100?

[eaglemike]

It looks like the Pinnacle ARms link above says $85.00 for the Rugers.

all the best,

Mike

[dfletcher]

I notice Pinnacle advert states they can cut a 45 LC cylinder to accept 45 ACP and 45 LC - $100.00.

[rivviepop]

Hope this helps, according to these guys you only need to send the cylinder.

http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp

sweet x2, thanks for the link! now if only he could cut me one to run 38/357 *and* 9mm out of the same beast...

[BTF/PTM]

Thanks guys I'll have to decide as I save money for the purchase. I very well may end up buying the nicer gun anyway, I have a weakness for spending more money on the product that already has everything I might end up wanting eventually anyway. Not really a weakness, just leads to a habit of spending much more up front. Hence I got my two Sigs instead of getting a pair of Glocks or XD's. The performance center model was pretty dang sweet

p.s. - a side question from a newbie. Can a gun that's cut for moon clips be used without them? In the event that I just want to plink a few rounds and don't have moon clips, hopefully I could just load the cylinder by hand and shoot.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

freaking shweeeet! I want to send my 442 in for that or even have it converted to a 9mm

My thoughts exactly...

Pretty exciting service huh? One of those links that get you dreaming of new projects, like picking up a beater Model 10 and turning it into a 9mm house gun, or turning a beater .357 into a all-purpose Medusa SHTF gun (Pinnacle advises against it though).

[sza]

p.s. - a side question from a newbie. Can a gun that's cut for moon clips be used without them? In the event that I just want to plink a few rounds and don't have moon clips, hopefully I could just load the cylinder by hand and shoot.

Yes. If you look at my photo you can see that the outer rim of the cylinder is not cut all the way to the edge, which allows the cartridges to properly headspace without the moon clips.

[rivviepop]

One of those links that get you dreaming of new projects, like picking up a beater Model 10 and turning it into a 9mm house gun,

hah, I'm thinking about my Model 64-5, how awesome that would be. Then I look at the price, think about what I paid for the gun... nah, way too expensive.

[WINGEDSWORD]

Moon clips

Why would you want to use moonclips? They're a pain. Speed loaders are, for most people, a better bet than moonclips. I know I've had several revolvers that use moon clips. I also have a model 60, model 66 and a model 686. I use speed loaders with all 3. And find that It's not enough slower than moonclips, to matter. Also, moonclips are easily damaged.

[eaglemike]

Why would you want to use moonclips? They're a pain. Speed loaders are, for most people, a better bet than moonclips. I know I've had several revolvers that use moon clips. I also have a model 60, model 66 and a model 686. I use speed loaders with all 3. And find that It's not enough slower than moonclips, to matter. Also, moonclips are easily damaged.

The only guys shooting speedloaders at the International Revolver Championship are IDPA guys, or a first timer. The stoutest moonclips are those for the semiauto cartridges, as the extractor groove is larger. The means the moonclip can be thicker. The most reliable moonclip guns are the 625 (.45acp) family, then the 610 (.40/10mm). The .38 super are also pretty good. The .38 special are more fragile. It is wise to check them prior to loading. Ejection with a moonclip never leaves a round hanging.

Speedloaders can be a little to a lot slower. Sometimes speedloaders let the rounds go too soon. Speedloaders aren't damaged when stepped on, unlike moonclips.

A moonclip converted .38 special can also use speedloaders if done properly.

all the best,

Mike