[Steve F]

Been around lots of semiautos and bolt guns but never ran across the following:what are moonclips,and what is MIM?:banghead: I feel sooooo stupid:rolleyes: Thanks:p

[Mike Irwin]

Moon clips are flat pieces of steel that clip onto individual rounds at the extractor groove.

They were originally developed, as half-moon clips, by Smith & Wesson for use in Colt & S&W Model of 1917 military revolvers in WW I.

In essence, in this case, they allow rimless semi-auto rounds to be loaded, fired, and most importantly, ejected, from a revolver.

Lately people have been setting up revolvers to use moon clips with .38 and .357 Mag ammo for competitive events.

MIM is Metal Injection Molding, where powdered metal is injected into a mold and then exposed to heat and pressure to form a part.

[PAshooter]

Most ammo "designed" for a revolver (like .38 SP and .357) has a rim which rests against the rear of the cylinder and sets proper headspace. When you have a revolver designed to fire a "rimless" caliber (e.g. 9mm or .45 ACP) this doesn't work. A "moon clip" (they come in two flavors - full moon and half moon) is a steel spring clip into which you load 3 (or 6 or however many) rounds, after which the loaded clip is inserted into the revolver cylinder. Ummm... not sure I'm explaining this too clearly. Anyway, the rounds snap into the clip in the extractor groove and holds them that way. See attached pic of a half moon clip.

[Steve F]

Thanks Mike;)and the rest of you,NOW I understand:D

[PAshooter]

And a full moon clip

[braindead0]

If i'm not mistaken, you can also get moon clips for rimmed ammunition, and have you gun cut to accept them. Quicker reloads (and boy it's easy to find your brass afterwards).

I'm very tempted to look into this for my GP-100.:what:

[VictorLouis]

All you ever wished to know about MIM:

http://www.flomet.com/flash/index.asp

[10-Ring]

I feel sooooo stupid

Hey, don't worry about it. We're all here to learn, share some knowledge, but most importantly, have a little fun!

[Kentucky Rifle]

Don't feel embarrassed about asking a question. Besides, I've about "cornered the embarrassment market" around here!:D

It was a litte "embarrassing" to admit that I had FOUR concealed pistols when I went downtown the other day. (and a big knife.) <shrug> :uhoh:

Whatareyougonnado??? :) You're among friends here.

Kentucky Rifle

[El Tejon]

KR, only 4? Hmmm, it seems things are changing in Kentuc.:D

Steve, just throw your question up. No one person knows everything, but together we do.

[Guy B. Meredith]

braindead0,

Check out www.moonclips.com or www.tkcustom.com (two entries to same site). They work with Clark Custom for Ruger moonclips.

[Dr.Who]

They also make an eight shot Mooney... From S&W...

[foghornl]

I learned something today, too. I have heard of "powder metal" before, but didn't know that was what was behind the MIM process. Powder metal works well in some applications, although PM parts will shatter if exposed to stress in a non-designed for direction.

Saw that demo'd by a guy with some diesel engine valves. Dropped one on the counter from about 1 foot up.....some of vavle went back to almost powder form.

[Frohickey]

No such thing as a stupid question...only stupid people, such as the ones that advocate gun control.