.45 acp moon clip setup...

[bigbob76]

I got the S&W 325 Night Guard revolver I've wanted ever since I handled one at the Shot Show last year. I'm hoping somebody can share their experience on which moon clips and tools for removing spent cases are better. I hear that some people use plastic moon clips for range shooting.

[Maltese Falcon]

I recently obtained the 325 Thunder Ranch and popped for the pricey Stainless Steel moon clips and tool from these guys..They should last me a lifetime...I like them. Haven't tried any others...

http://www.moonclips.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=33&cat=.45+acp

http://www.moonclips.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=120&cat=.45+acp+-+S%26W++Moon+Clip+Tool

.

[spencerhut]

The plastic moon clips are fine for practice only. Not sure how necessary stainless steel clips are, but I'm sure they will function fine.

[Mac Attack]

I am picking up my S&W 22-4 in .45 ACP on Monday but have been preparing for it for the last 10 days by reloading some nickle cases, buying clips and a demooner tool.

I purchased the California Competition demooner and 10 pack of Wilson moonclips from Dillion. I received my demooner tool and it is well made and works great. I talked with some experienced wheelgunners who shoot S&W's 625's and 1917's and they all said to go with steel moonclips because they are less prone to break, are more durable and will last longer. The tool was $40 and a 10 pack of clips was $10. I saw a add for 10 pack of clips for $5 on Sportsman's guide but no one I knew had order them so I chose to go with clips which people have experience with.

All in all I am happy with my purchase. I will know for sure how they work when I pick up my 22-4 on Monday and take her out for a spin.

[bigbob76]

Thanks everybody, I got behind the curve on this. I neglected to order anything while my 325NG was in the 10 day jail. So far I'm thinking about getting the tool Mac Attack is talking about. I watched the youtube video of it being used. It looks like maybe you could use the plastic clips without a tool. I haven't seen any half moon or third moon clips yet in my searches.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

You can load/unload the plastic moon clips without a tool. I use them for range practice with my 325, but wouldn't trust them for carry use. If you drop them when fully loaded, they will lose rounds or break, or both. I wouldn't bother with half- or third-moon clips, you'll have more motions to make to load and still need a tool (at least in the examples I've tried and discarded).

For the steel moon clips, an unloading tool is very useful.

[Z ME FLY]

You can load/unload the plastic moon clips without a tool. I use them for range practice with my 325, but wouldn't trust them for carry use. If you drop them when fully loaded, they will lose rounds or break, or both. I wouldn't bother with half- or third-moon clips, you'll have more motions to make to load and still need a tool (at least in the examples I've tried and discarded).

For the steel moon clips, an unloading tool is very useful.

Get these...

http://www.ezmoonclip.com/page_4.htm

Rimz moon clips, I had them on my S&W610 and they were easy to load and unload and if you dropped them they don't break.

[bigbob76]

You can load/unload the plastic moon clips without a tool. I use them for range practice with my 325, but wouldn't trust them for carry use. If you drop them when fully loaded, they will lose rounds or break, or both. I wouldn't bother with half- or third-moon clips, you'll have more motions to make to load and still need a tool (at least in the examples I've tried and discarded).

For the steel moon clips, an unloading tool is very useful.

Thanks Grumpy, I will eventually buy the tool Maltese Falcon bought, it looks like first class gear. I plan on buying a couple more revolvers that use moon clips and that will make it easy. My thinking on the half moon or third moon clips is they would be much easier to carry concealed, the full moon looks awful bulky.

Get these...

http://www.ezmoonclip.com/page_4.htm

Rimz moon clips, I had them on my S&W610 and they were easy to load and unload and if you dropped them they don't break.

Thanks Z I'm ordering some Rimz right now, for range use.

[TKM]

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370098

Give Ranch Products a call. $35 for a hundred when I bought mine. Old school setup. Send a check they send you stuff, no web nonsense.

Or you can pay a buck apiece from Midway.

www.demooner.com for the demooner and remooner.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Get these...

http://www.ezmoonclip.com/page_4.htm

Rimz moon clips, I had them on my S&W610 and they were easy to load and unload and if you dropped them they don't break.

Actually, those are the ones that I have. I've broken two by dropping them while loaded. Otherwise, they're outstanding.

[eaglemike]

Trust me in this, you'll end up with full moons. Trying to reload a revolver with half-moons under stress? Try it a few times, then put them back in the box or drawer.......
all the best,
Mike

[bigbob76]

Trust me in this, you'll end up with full moons. Trying to reload a revolver with half-moons under stress? Try it a few times, then put them back in the box or drawer.......
all the best,
Mike

What's the best way to carry the full moons?

[TKM]

If you ever get into competition, like IDPA and USPSA, then you will need holders that are "legal" for your game of choice. Otherwise just grab whatever looks and feels good to you.

I should mention that I don't compete, but I've got a lot of cool toys.

I've got double-stack kydex holders which are cool, but not legal and the shoot-the-moon holders which are stamped sheet-metal and meet all the rules, until they change again.


Here are some examples.

http://www.ar15-rifles.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cat=146

[stevie]

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370098

Give Ranch Products a call. $35 for a hundred when I bought mine. Old school setup. Send a check they send you stuff, no web nonsense.

Or you can pay a buck apiece from Midway.

www.demooner.com for the demooner and remooner.

+1 on calling Ranch Proucts. Buy direct and save.

Got me one of these, works great:

http://www.mooncliptool.com/

[Z ME FLY]

Actually, those are the ones that I have. I've broken two by dropping them while loaded. Otherwise, they're outstanding.

Really? I must have been lucky because I have dropped them before when loaded with 10MM and they didn't break. Over all I enjoyed having them, if I get another revolver and need moonclips, I would look at the RIMZ