Plastic Moon Clips

[FO 1/501]

Any 1 using them?

Just tried them in my 625-8. Nice real nice.
Easy to load up & unload. fingers only no tools needed. The rounds stay on.
Read they use them in IDPA. With good results.

Now for the bad? They are a little, OK= pricey 15 clips for 30 dollars.
X will tell how well they hold up?

[625]

No, I haven't used them, but I wouldn't mind trying them. I bought dozens and dozens of metal ones years ago. I have an old set of 5 or 6 that are stainless. Haven't been able to find any more, but haven't tried in a while. Cases fit very snug, almost too snug. Not a problem since I have the handy dandy removal tool. Well, two tools. The cheapo stamped steel one and the nice one that has the screw driver handle.

I'd like to get a second 625 and try the ESR division of IDPA one day.

[Ronin]

I don't have plastic moonclips, just metal ones. I use the Deluxe Moonclip Tool. Best moonclip tool ever invented.

[justashooter]

i use them in a 25-2 and in a 1915 model S&W. much easier than metal clips and very durable.

[FO 1/501]

Thanks for the info on the moon clip tool. I believe that is the same 1 offered from Dillon. Just in case these plastic moon clips don't work out I ordered the tool.
Also placed a order for metal clips from Wilson combat. They have nickel clips.

I don't have plastic moonclips, just metal ones. I use the Deluxe Moonclip Tool. Best moonclip tool ever invented.

[FO 1/501]

Good to read someone else is using them in Pa.
They sure do make it easy to load & unload.

i use them in a 25-2 and in a 1915 model S&W. much easier than metal clips and very durable.

[Breadman03]

I'm sure they're good for short courses of fire, but I wonder if they would melt during sustained fire. Keep in mind that I melted the hand guards off an M-16 back in 2002 or 2003.

[Pizza Bob]

The plastic moon clips are fine for general range work and paper punching, but generally not suitable for competition. They are too flexible/flimsy to be grabbed from a holder and inserted in the cylinder, while on the clock. What might have been an otherwise good reload is ruined by a round dislodging or not aligning at the most inconvenient time.

Generally speaking, as the round gets longer, you want a higher quality, tighter fitting moon clip. If you shoot a 627 (.38 Spl/.357 Mag) then you want Hearthco or equivalent moon clips - very expensive, but for a reason. If you are shooting a 25/625 in .45 ACP then generally the good old Ranch Products clips are acceptable. The shorter the cartridge, the less wiggle and less opportunity for a misalignment on the reload.

Stay away from the clips with the split arms also. They may make them easier to load, but they also make them less secure and introduce wiggle in a whole other plane.

Get the deluxe moon clip tool as linked to in another post in this thread. While I am a fan of most things Dillon, the tool they sell is a knock-off of the deluxe moon clip tool. Even if it is of equal quality, I don't like the ethical implications of knock-offs - go with the original.

A new player in the game is...

http://www.revolversupply.com/

I have heard that his 627 moonclips are on a par with Hearthco, but at 1/2 to 1/3 the price. I'll be ordering some .38 Super moon clips from him soon. He also carries the original moon clip tool.

TK Custom is another good source for the high quality clips in stainless or spring steel. He sells both Hearthco and his own EDM clips.

I have shot thousands of "moon clipped" rounds. I have 6 revolvers that make use of moon clips and shoot three of them in IDPA / USPSA - not well, mind you, but I do OK on the reloads.

HTH

Adios,

Pizza Bob

[FO 1/501]

Thanks Pizza BoB for your reply.
I did not place order yet for the moon clip tool? Will check this 1 out a little further.

[dannyb]

I have used both metal and plastic moon clips. I have the DeMooner and ReMooner for the metal ones for my S&W Model 940s. Personally, I like the plastic ones for range work but trust the metal ones for carry. I do rapid fire/speed reload drills with both, and have trouble with neither. That being said, the above-mentioned extra wiggle is real and might make a difference under life&death pressure.