auto calibers in a revolver

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I certainly want to own a wheelgun (again) someday, only in a "defensive" caliber.

I own a Glock 19, so I already have a bit of 9mm on hand...

And like yhtomit, I also don't have a basement full of ammo. Heck, I don't even have a BASEMENT! :( So multiple guns fed by the same caliber would be nice for me, too...

Not that I'd plan on using it for my primary CCW, but is it viable to be able to carry moon clips for reloads "under fire?" Maybe stick them in a rigid speedloader pouch, or something?
 
They make 1/2 and 1/4 moon clips (Anyone know of a source of 1/4 moon .45ACP clips PLEASE tell me. My buddy won't give any up)

But 2 moon clips will fit in a speed loader pouch...
 
"What is the benefit of using a cartridge designed for a semi automatic pistol, in a revolver?"

One of the big advantages: positive ejection of all six spent cases. No chance of one getting stuck under the ejection star.

One big ~dis~advantage: the short brass is very prone to depositing unspent powder granules under the ejection star. At best, you end up with a very heavy double action. At worst, the gun is tied up.

Also, the moon clip revolvers are more prone to ignition problems in my experience.
 
One of the biggest advantages of moon clips and auto cartridges is shooting these!
 

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Also, the moon clip revolvers are more prone to ignition problems in my experience.
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I've only run into this if there was an action job done on the gun in question to lighten the trigger pull. Before I had an action job done on my 627, it would ignite any factory or reloaded ammo, after the action job, it would ignite Winchester primers 99% of the time, and Federal's every time.

My 610 on the other hand will only ignite Federal primers reliably, and Winchesters about 80% of the time. Though everyone who's fired it have commented positively on the very smooth action that it has.

I have 13 pound mainsprings in both and those are cranked down a bit to aid in a lighter pull. If it were a carry gun, I'd no doubt crank them up all the way and blue lock tite them in place but then the 610 would make a lousy carry gun with it's 6.5" full underlug barrel. It weighs too dang much! :D
 
sargenv: That has been my experience also until I bought a new 325PD. It's stone stock and has ignition problems. Not sure if I'll send it back or just sell it.
 
They make 1/2 and 1/4 moon clips
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I think you ment 1/3 moon clips. Ranch Products or Midway USA.


Also, the moon clip revolvers are more prone to ignition problems in my experience.
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My 325PD has had the strain screw shortened about 1/16" and it's still 100% reliable. You may want to check firing pin protrusion and/or headspace.

Joe
 
JoeHatley, Greetings from across the Missouri. Do you know if these 1/3 clips from Ranch fit the newer 625's or the older model guns. As I understand it the chargeholes are spaced differently. I have conacted both Midway and Ranch with NO response. Thanks, Nickels.
 
Well, I just picked up a .45LC/.45ACP convertible so I can shoot boomers and cheap stuff (relatively speaking) out of the same gun.

Now to pick up those .45LC reloading supplies...

-- Sam
 
The original reason for automatic cartridges in revolvers was simple -- ammunition resupply. In 1917 the US Army was struggling to build and equip a force to fight in France. We didn't have enough of anything, and adopted many "make do" items -- some of which, like the M1917 Enfield and the M1917 revolvers -- were really good ideas.

In the case of the revolver, the .45 automatic had shown itself to be an effective trench weapon, and Pershing wanted every combat soldier issued a .45 -- but only Springfield Armory and Colt made them.

On the other hand, both Colt and Smith & Wesson had production lines producing large revolvers -- but in rimmed revolver cartridges. The Army didn't want several different pistol cartridges. So Colt and S&W began working on chambering their revolvers for the .45 ACP. The long pole in the tent was ejection -- how do you eject a rimless cartridge from a revolver. S&W engineers came up with a brilliant solution -- the half-moon clip.
 
Do you know if these 1/3 clips from Ranch fit the newer 625's or the older model guns.
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Yes. The charge holes are in the same place. The extractor style has changed over the years, but that only effects full moon clips.

Joe
 
32 auto is rumored to work well in nagant revolvers too, if you're looking for an inexpensive plinker.
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.32 Auto will work fine in a Nagant revolver, providing you purchase the .32 auto cylinder. It's not a super expensive upgrade, but you can't just load .32 auto into the normal Nagant cylinder and bang away, at least as far as I know...
 
I'd like to own one, but I have a question. I don't understand how you load these guns without moon clips. What keeps the rimless bullet from falling into the cylinder if there is no clip?
 
I don't understand how you load these guns without moon clips. What keeps the rimless bullet from falling into the cylinder if there is no clip?
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The mouth of the case hits a shoulder in the cylinder, just like it does in the chamber of an autopistol. I think auto calibers like .45ACP and 10mm are especially great in single actions because the special cylinder and the regular ejector rod allow loading, firing and ejecting without any change from "regular" calibers like .357 Mag or .45 Colt. If anything, the rimless cartridges slide in and out of the cylinder easier, because there's no rim to catch on things. Try it, you'll like it!

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
Don't forget that if you have a 45acp revolver that you reload for, there's a monster known as the 45 Auto-Rim (AR) that is the exact same thing except it has a rim on the back that takes the place of the moonclip. For the reloaders you just have to buy another carrier plate and brass, no new dies.

At one time I dreamed about a 45acp snubbie 5 shot to carry then I realized that it would be bigger than my 3" 1911 so I stopped the dreaming. :( Would still be cool though.

Euclidean, my buddy has that exact same gun. Same grips and all. Calling him now to make sure it's still at his house. :neener: It's a sweet shooter for sure.
 
Don't forget that if you have a 45acp revolver that you reload for, there's a monster known as the 45 Auto-Rim (AR) that is the exact same thing except it has a rim on the back that takes the place of the moonclip.
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Yep, but I've scrounged thousands of pieces of .45 ACP brass at ranges. I've never found a single .45 Auto Rim case.
 
I'm new here, but I've been lurking for awhile.
I can't believe no one has mentioned the biggest advantage of shooting auto calibers in a revolver.........you don't have to search for your spent brass!:)
I just purchased a S&W 625 and will get it on Sunday - the pictures on this thread are killing me!
 
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