Moon Clip Revolver Quest - Revisited

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Esoteria

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I've made several different threads about my quest for a moon clip revolver over the past year or so.

My goals have changed slightly as I've learned more, but I'm looking for a revolver that:
  • Uses moon clips for fast reloads
  • Has a very good trigger
  • Does not have a stainless or all-silver finish
  • and is comfortable to fire in high volume (light hand loads)

The leading calibers are .45 ACP, 9mm, and .38 Short Colt in that order, for reasons that are discussed in the other threads.

Anyway, at this point I've owned a S&W 325 Thunder Ranch and a Chiappa Rhino 4" in 40 S&W.

The 325 was too lightweight (being a defensive / carry revolver) too be comfortable, but otherwise brilliant. At the time I couldn't find any more Trail Boss powder, which was the only one that burned completely once I reduced the load to a comfortable level. By the time I found a bunch more Trail Boss, I'd sold the 325. Truth be told, the Trail Boss may not have been the magic bullet, but I feel stupid for letting it go so fast anyway.

The Rhino is cool in theory but the single action is a joke -- not only is it downright painful to cock the hammer, it has a ton of creep/take-up when fired single action. Granted, it's not meant for SA, but the DA has a similar creep problem and the ergonomics in general do not seem to lend the gun to rapid reloads. After this and other frustrations with the ergonomics in dry fire, I never actually shot it. I'm currently trying to sell it.

Other major contenders were/are:
  • S&W 627 V-Comp. I got to handle one a couple of weeks ago at a gun show. It seemed *really* front heavy to me, and I had a hard time getting a quick "dry" reload out of it. Maybe I'd warm up to it but it's hard to spend $1200 when I'm kind of iffy about it now.
  • Moon clip conversion on a Dan Wesson 15-2 so I can use .38 SC. I have one of these and I love everything except the cylinder release. Problem is it's got a busted frame screw that makes disassembly impossible until I get it gunsmithed, and for the cost of that I could probably buy a new frame if I could just find one. Plus the cylinder finish is pretty messed up so it seems dumb to put $150 into converting it for moon clips.
  • Alfa Proj 9mm revolver. Czechpoint never has them in stock, despite many promises of delivery dates. Besides, after the Rhino experience I'm thinking the trigger may be a gamble.
  • S&W 25-2 or similar. Not sure on this one. I'd rather have a Dan Wesson with 4" plus barrel lug than a 6" unweighted barrel, but it's still an option.
  • A stainless S&W revolver such as the 929 that's been blackend by Robar or similar. This is a leading option, but an expensive one. Need to handle the revolver in question first, because I'm worried about the front-heavy V-Comp problem.

Thoughts? Anyone used any of these in an action match or similar scenario that can vouch for the ergonomics? I'm still kicking myself over the 325. Changing the grips, using ultra-light loads with Trail Boss, or just wearing a padded glove could've solved the one problem I had with it. Now my pride is stopping me from buying another one after I sold the previous one at a $200+ loss.
 
S&W 25 or 625 of one version or another in .45 ACP.
It don't get no better.

Seriously, as far as S/S goes?

Do you mind a revolver that won't hardly rust if you come home tired and put off cleaning it until next weekend, or next month??

Do you look at the silver S/S while shooting?

Or do you look only at the black sights as you should??

rc
 
A Ruger Redhawk 4.2" in 45 Colt / 45 ACP (the latter with moon clips) fills your bill except for the stainless finish. It certainly is not too light (44 oz, 6 shots) for 45 ACP.

Andy
 
I have a 627 Pro (moon clipped 8x 357) and a 625. those long thin rounds in the 627 take some wiggling to get into the chambers sometimes.

nothing reloads faster than a 625 with ball ammo. those short stumpy cartridges find their way home real fast.
 
My "moon clip revolver" misses most of your requirements, however here it is anyway...

My 640 Pro Series is intended more for carry than range work. By your post it appears you want a range gun.

Here is the breakdown next to your requirements:
  • Moonclips - Check...
  • Very good trigger - Double action only J frame, so kinda heavy.
  • Not Stainless - Miss...
  • Comfortable to shoot - It will run light 38 Special loads comfortably all day. 357 Magnums are a handful!

It is accurate if you do your part. The second pic is 5 shots of 357 Magnum at 7 yards. I jerked one...

Edmo

495991da-91bf-44f1-b3a2-1d986d593994_zps57d2e9aa.jpg

image_zpsrp6yva8q.jpg
 
My 'moon' revolver is a 1917 Smith&Wesson, post war Spanish production version. I bought it many, many years ago. It was 'tefloned' and has a long very smooth trigger pull with excellent release and a hump backed hammer. I have replaced but kept the original, on the weapon, grips all but totally worn smooth.

I admit that I use half moon clip most of the time, much easier to unload/load. I use my standard .45 ACP loads and have a great time with this old war horse.

I think you are looking more at 'speed loader' than true 'moon clips'. But this is my view.
I used 'speed strips', 'speed loaders' and even 'dump pouches' when on the SO and PD but that was 44 years or so, ago.
 
I bought a Taurus 909. It's a 1-1/2" 9mm. Blue finish black rubber grips and fixed sight. I love the sw or ruger 45 talo but for 1100 no. I got the Taurus for 329. Had it to start my chic shooting handguns some. She's moved up now to a g19 gen 4. The little revolver still sits in the safe
FF1CC9A5-2CF2-48FF-BFC2-3FE9A24AA4B4.jpg
And I have mine too. Though it's a 44 mag
611A8D94-3947-4540-8B32-31D586318A9C.jpg
Take one of those stainless revolvers and have it cerakoted too
 
Here is a far out option for you.

BampWBellygun_zps185b6c68.gif

This 1916 vintage S&W will fire 45ACP with moon clips, 45 Auto Rim, .45 Colt, and 45 Winchester Mag cases loaded to 45 Colt factory ammo specs in moon clips.

Target_zps0ff6cd79.gif
It does a pretty good job too.

I carry this one every day.
 
I share your frustration with Czechpoint U.S.A. I've subscribed to the site to get updates whenever anything new comes in, and I've written to Dan Brown many times over the years, hoping to purchase an Alfa Proj 9231. I get the impression that Alfa Proj revolvers are an afterthought for his business, he seems really into the vz. rifles. When S&W came out with the 929 I bought it right away and I couldn't be happier.

The 929 is a big beefy revolver (for a 9mm). Super Fun range gun IMO, but I don't think I'd carry it.

Maybe the 986 would be closer to what you're looking for, and after paying all that money you'd have to pay to have the stainless steel coated.


Grab-A-Gun had the 442 on sale
Smith & Wesson Model 442, Double Action Only, Small Frame, 38 Special, 1.875" Barrel, Stainless Frame, Blue Finish, Rubber Grips, Fixed Sights, 5Rd, Moon Clip, $365.93

(all gone), but that might be an option.
 
I went old school with a Thunder Ranch S&W 22-4 in .45 ACP and 4" barrel and I have never looked back. Added a Tyler T-Grip to fit the hand and it is just what I envisioned it to be.
 
Recently picked up this S&W 25-2 Has been shortened from the factory 6 inch barrel down to 4 inches, and has had action work done, with a bobbed hammer.

I picked it up to get back into shooting IDPA, mostly for fun and practice. I just got the fiber optic front and the Weigand rear blade installed. It balances really nice, and moonclips load so fast into the cylinder.

25-2_1.jpg

25-2_2.jpg
 
The Weigand rear blades offer a great sight picture for a reasonable price. They arent super heavy duty though, so I would not recommend them to folks who are rough with their guns. But for target work or even competition, they work great. I have had a Weigand on my 625 Performance Center for many years and another 625 also. So they last fine if well taken care of.

625_2.jpg
 
First of all, thanks for all the responses. I did read them but didn't have much to add as I was getting discouraged in my quest (25-2 looks good, but not a slam dunk for me). But...

Maybe I'm forgetting something, but I just "rediscovered" the S&W 327 / R8 and/or TRR8, or whatever, it seems to have a ton of names). Isn't this exactly what I've been looking for? 8-round .357 already cut for moon clips, performance center trigger. Not stainless.

Also has the benefit of coming with a scope mount.

Now, it is a scandium frame, same as the 325 I had trouble with, but I would assume I can load .38 special or .38 short colt way lighter than 45 ACP without getting a lot of unburned powder (pretty sure I already have, actually).

The main differences between the R8 and the TRR8 versions seem to be that the latter has a removable light rail and a lightening cut around the ejector rod. It looks nicer because it doesn't have giant "M&P" on it.

Thoughts? Anyone have one?
 
I looked over that 9x19 revolver from Czech Republic. While it looks rather crude the trigger is ok and handling is quite good meaning on par with S&W Model 15/19 Ruger Service Six of equal barrel length. Obviously some have gotten here because it has huge Czechpoint banner on the side of the barrel. By checking their web page I would say one is going to get up in age before they will be able to get one through them. I mean don't hold your breath you will suffocate.
 
Yeah, the Alfa Proj is still a consideration for sure, but it does seem like a wildcard. I don't know that just because it comes out of the Czech Republic that I can assume it'll have CZ quality. Then again, it might be pretty awesome.
 
Esoteria said:
Yeah, the Alfa Proj is still a consideration for sure, but it does seem like a wildcard. I don't know that just because it comes out of the Czech Republic that I can assume it'll have CZ quality. Then again, it might be pretty awesome.
Click to expand...
What I examined look like it was well made. Basic, but well made. The plastic grip was very comfortable and unlike our Hogue it would not catch on clothing. Well, if you look at manufacturer site this ceased to be viable option as they only list .22lr, .22wrm, .32, .38, and .357.
 
When I wrote to Dan Brown in December 2015, he said he was expecting to get some 9231 revolvers in about 4 months.

We're past that but he did say that there have been delays in the past, at the factory, and unexpected delays in paperwork / importation documents.
 
A little on the heavy side, but a 627 snub is a great revolver.

Uses 8 round moon clips.

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C0untZer0 said:
When I wrote to Dan Brown in December 2015, he said he was expecting to get some 9231 revolvers in about 4 months.

We're past that but he did say that there have been delays in the past, at the factory, and unexpected delays in paperwork / importation documents.
Click to expand...
That model has been replaced by polymer-framed DA/SA CZ clone called the 'Defender'. Please see English language version of Alfa Proj site.
 
One more option, if you can get past the stainless steel, is the S&W 610 - a 10mm revolver that's cut for .40 S&W moon clips. I have one with the 6 1/2" barrel - I do find it a little nose heavy when I have used it in IPSC matches. If you can find one with a 5" barrel I think you'd be happy with it.
 
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