S&W 625 Moonclips

[EddieNFL]

After many years of wanting and not wanting a 625, I was overcome by the looks of the Miculek grips.

For those with experience, what moonclips do you consider best?

TIA

 

[vmtz]

They are all about the same, but do yourself a favor and get a moon-clip loader and unlorder from TKCustom.com. They are pricy, but well worth it. Also works great on my 9mm revolvers. If used for 9mm you will either have to get a 9mm manderal or turn down a 45.

Vince

 

[rcmodel]

Real S&W, old GI half-moons, or new Ranch Products for steel clips.
http://www.ranchproducts.com/

Rimz plastic clips for easy range loading & unloading without tools.
Not for pocket carry or rough handling though.
http://www.ezmoonclip.com/

Avoid anything you find on Ebay cheap, as they are just as likely to be thin soft steel as good spring steel the proper thickness.

rc

 

[earplug]

Bench and USPSA use

I use the RIMZ for shooting Bullseye. The newer RIMZ models hold the rounds pretty snug. So there OK for some games like Steel Challange. They won't work with my North Mountain Moon Clip belt holder. The center hole won't fit the holder's center post.
I have a bunch of Ranch Moon clips I use for ICORE and USPSA matches. They work without issue.
The tube type demooner made from a copper pipe or old golf club shaft work fine.

 

[loadedround]

As VNTZ stated get at least a demooner to remove your empties otherwise you will tear up your hands and/or the full moon clips and believe me its not worth the aggravation trying. Brownell's sells a very reasonable priced tool to remove empties. I love my 25-2 also.

 

[Japle]

The 625 is a great gun. A good action job makes all the difference.

 

[340PD]

+1 on Ranch products.
I have about 100 of 6rd for 625jm and 100 for my 7 rd 586. Never an issue with either of them.
Send the money and the clips will come.

 

[EddieNFL]

Thanks, gentlemen.

Ordered a few dozen Ranch (silver) clips, a tool and other assorted goodies. Now off to the bench for load workup.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I say load of some 45AR brass and allieviate moon clips loaders and demooners

 

[Fishslayer]

I say load of some 45AR brass and allieviate moon clips loaders and demooners

Believe it or not a lot of us consider the moon lips to be a pretty handy system.

Oh yes... Ranch moonies for me.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Oh I love my moons for competition and self defense purposes, for general range use it is all 45AR for me.

 

[StrawHat]

I use full moon clips from Ranch Products. I have not had probelms getting loaded rounds into the clips but for removing the empties, I made a demooner from a piece of 1/2 thinwall tubing. Just filed a step on one end to rest against the clip. Slip over the empty and twist, empty is now out of the clip. I have heard of fellows using golf club shafts for the same purpose.

As for using 45 AR casings, I use them both and don't notice a bit of difference when loading or fireing. It is nice to have options.

 

[340PD]

I made mine from a old golf club shaft. 5 seconds on a grinder to create the hump. Make it long enough to hold 6 or 7 rounds. I even left the golf club grip on it.

 

[TonyT]

I use the Ranch Products moonclips. The last time I purchsed them the blued steel were $35 per 100 and stainless $55 per 100. Great product at a very reasonable price.

 

[ghitch75]

i like Wilson Combat moon's the best......tried Rimz they where to tight for my guns.....my 2 cent's....

 

[rcmodel]

tried Rimz they where to tight for my guns

Maybe you tried the wrong ones.

They used to make two versions.
One for S&W 1917/25/625-3 and OLDER revolvers.
And one for S&W 625-4 and NEWER revolvers.

But regarless of that they only make one size now.

You need to trim them to fit older guns, which is easy to do.
http://www.ezmoonclip.com/rimz25trimmingprocedure3-16-08Landscape.doc.pdf

rc

 

[ghitch75]

i did trim them.....i mean tight as thickness between frame and cylinder....i sanded a couple down and they where better.....sold them all and stuck with steel...

that was in a 25-2, 625-8,22-4 and Webley mark 1

 

[rcmodel]

Hmmmmm.

Thats weird.

I've never had a moments trouble with them in my guns.

rc

 

[StrawHat]

This photo shows the tool needed to unload the empties, or loaded cartridges from the moon clips. Slip it over the cartridge and twist. Not too complicated.

 

[loadedround]

That looks like the Brownells tool that I use.

 

[SDC]

+1000 on the Ranch clips and mooning/demooning tools; they work slickly, and unless you manage to step on a clip after ejecting it, they last.

 

[rikman]

I have both metal, Wilson and Rimz. Doesn't bother me to load and unload with the tool. The Rimz are a great concept, easy to load and unload with your fingers, but I have to guess they will wear fast or break.

The 625 is an awesome gun and crazy accurate. Mine is a 5" bbl and I put the JM grips on...enjoy!

 

[451 Detonics]

I have a 5 inch 625 and use steel moon clips, probably have a few different brands all mixed together. I tried the RIMZ but they don't hold the ammo securely enough as other have pointed out. I had problems with knocking rounds loose when reloading fast in competition. As their only "advantage" is being easier to load and unload I decided using a de-mooner ( I use this one http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/25111/catid/30/Moon_Clips_B__Demooner_Tool). I did thin down some RIMZ to work with .451 Detonics brass as the cut is much thinner than 45 acp.

My 625 has had the chambers deepened to accept the 460 Rowland as well, steel moon clips work fine with it and the 45 Super as well. This makes the 625 a very versatile handgun, I shoot everything from 155 grain plinking loads up to a 250 grain JHP. I have 185 JHPs loaded in the 460 Rowland that launch at 1400 fps.



My plinking loads...

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Looks like a shot out .45 1911 barrel would make a great demooner tool..................

 

[BossHogg]

I use the Wilson combat steel moonclips. When ever I order from my favorite online store I always add a pack or two. You can build a nice stash of them that way and soon have enough to load up that ammo can.