New 9mm revolver offering from S&W

I can well understand use of moon clips in competition, but can't see myself concealing a reload or two in that shape.

I wouldn't be too quick to condemn a 357 version in blued steel or stainless, since those who reload can tailor a round to a level of recoil they can tolerate. In a gun that big the commercial offerings that tone down the magnum a bit should work fine for defensive ammo or at least a few cylinders at the range. My 686-6 is one of my guns I designate as suitable for full power loads in my hands, although I rarely shoot anything quite that powerful.

Shown with polished out trigger and hammer and with the Plug.

Cfull what moonclips do you use its been my experience with them that rounds flop around and are not held tight to engage the cylinder.

RealGun,

I never intended to indicate that I was condemning a 357 Magnum, particularly an S&W 686. I have and shoot them as well. I was offering another point of view as to the viability of a for a medium sized 9x19 revolver.

I could get one or more of my 357 Magnum revolvers modified to accept moon clips since I'm pleased with moon clips. But, since I have the 986, there is no need at this time.

I just do not care to shoot hot stuff much any more and my 357 Magnum reloads are comparable to 9x19 ammunition. So, its a horse-a-piece which gun I my might use in an emergency.

I find loaded moon clips to be a smaller package than a loaded speed loader for carrying but will agree both can be cumbersome. Also, as I age and I'm loosing some dexterity in my hands, moon clips are easier to load in the cylinder quickly as opposed to speed loaders.

So, whatever floats your boat is the gun to use.

hollywood63,

I use TK Custom moon clips. None of the moon clips that I have, including 9x19, 45 ACP and 38 Special hold the rounds tight. Most of the cases jiggle a bit. But that helps getting the cartridges aligned with the cylinder when loading the cylinder. "Tapered" bullets also helps with the alignment. The edges of wadcutters and semi-wadcutters make smooth loading difficult a bit as they can hang up on the chamber mouth.

Particularly with 9x19, different brand of cases fit differently in the moon clips. I have run across some that are too big to fit the moon clips and some will flat fall out. I just deal with it when I'm loading moon clips and segregate the offending rounds to be used in semi-autos.

At least for 38 Special, TK Custom has two thicknesses of moon clips (.020" and .025") and recommend which brand of case should be used with which thickness. As I shoot through my 38 Special ammunition, I am sorting them for the next cycle through the reloading press. I've standardized on using R-P and Starline cases in the moon clip, they use the same thickness and all other brands are used for loose ammunition use.

C0untZer0

I do not carry anything as large as a K-frame, L-frame, or even a compact semi-auto for self protection. Besides target shooting and plinking, the S&W 986 will be used for home defense.

cfullgraf said:

RealGun,

<snip>

I find loaded moon clips to be a smaller package than a loaded speed loader for carrying but will agree both can be cumbersome. Also, as I age and I'm loosing some dexterity in my hands, moon clips are easier to load in the cylinder quickly as opposed to speed loader.<snip>

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I use speed strips because they are flat and as merely a way to carry extra cartridges in an organized way. It is enough to have more than the gun holds, let alone be timed how fast one can reload. I find that concealment forces a number of compromises.

Yep, speed strips are a good option as well for carrying extra ammunition.

And there are always compromises that you have to be comfortable with.

I opened this thread hoping that S&W was reintroducing the model 547.