Double action revolver for rimless cartridges like .40 and .45

[RealGun]

These guns will make more sense when there is a solid product offering of a good tool to load moon clips (of various calibers). I have one that is outstanding, but it is one of only a few made, and I paid dearly for it. The other guys seem to have gone out of business or are under capitalized to really handle any volume and continuity. Perhaps a gun maker like S&W needs to pick up this requirement to support the guns.

 

[StrawHat]

The half moon was adopted as a way to eject brass, and in the Colt revolvers, a way to headspace the ammuntion. Full moons make sense in competition where a specific number of shots are fired per stage. For reloading fewer than a full cylinder, 1/3 clips (2 rounds) are also available. When I was a TO, I instructed my students to dump the cylinder and reload the full six. If there was an opportunity, pick up the live rounds. To just pick and choose a couple of rounds to reload was a lot slower and kept the revolver out of action for a long time.

There is a polymer moon clip that is usable without gadgets to load and unload. I hear it getting good reviews but have no personal experience. I use full moons from Ranch Products. Loading is fairly easy and unloading is a snap with a piece of pipe.

 

[RealGun]

Loading is fairly easy

re loading moon clips, could you elaborate? Please don't dismiss how difficult it can be to load these buggers. Gadgets to assist have been created for a reason.

 

[StrawHat]

When I load them, two cartridges, opposite each other and a squeeze with my hands and they pop in. To unload, I have a pice of thinwall tubing that slips over the casing. On one end I have filed a shelf to catch the clip. Slip it over the casing, twist and the round (empty or loaded) is loose from the clip.

From what I have heard, the polymer (Rimz?) are even easier.

 

[BlindJustice]

I use a pair of needle nose pliers to snap in .45 ACP
rounds which are reluctant tosnap in to a full
moon clip. To get the fired cases out
I bought the WIson Cobat de-mooning
tool for $3. It levers them out and usually
works no problem Yesterday, returning
from the range, I had shot 8 full moon 48
found out of my S&W 625. It was Speer Lawman
230 gr. and they were difficult to lever out
Come to think of it, two of the full moons were hard to
extract out of the 6265 at the range. hmm, some hot loads??
I'll save my other box of that Lawman stuff for
my 1911 I guess.

Anyway, Dillon makes a mooner/demooner tool for $30? It's more
like a bench tool but I hear works great.

I would love to have a 610 for 10mm AUto/.40 S&W

Randall

 

[Gtscotty]

I'll throw another vote in for buying one of the many nice .44 mag double actions on the market and then loading to whatever power level you like. You could use your same reloading equipment and load to fit pretty much any use you want.

 

[BlindJustice]

For the O.P. - as I de-moon spent cases
I'll bag them up llike headstamps
and I sell them to a handloader for
$0.06-0.07 cents each he knows
they are once-fired an aren't range pick em ups.

S&W has in the past and now introduced
2 revolvers in 9x19 = comp guns for
revolver divisions.

Randall

 

[Kernel]

It's not very common, but S&W made the Model 646 from 2000-2003 (so, the early ones would be pre-lock). It's a 6-shot L-frame chambered .40 S&W. My source says they had a 4" barrel and Ti cylinder. There may of been other variations. One should show up on Gun List, if you're patient.

 

[Bobmar]

My understanding the half moon clips were used for easier and more compact packageing and also easier to carry. Bob

 

[RealGun]

The half moons would clear the grips too, if one would load the clip on the outside three chambers. We have some guns that won't take speedloaders, so moonclips might experience similar problems. I have a couple fancy speedloaders that are worthless to me for this reason.

 

[spence]

Thank you MikrPGS for that google link. I put on my favorites ! spence

 

[zerobarrier]

Thanks everyone for the info. I ended up getting a Taurus 455 4"brl 5-shot. I got it at half the price of a smith, 25 moon clips, and I really liked the way it feels in my hand. It has the Hogue finger grooves grip. Also it is smaller and half the weight of the smith and I do plan on carrying this. All in all I am happy with it. If it turns out to be junk then I guess I will sell it and buy a new smith. Since I got it for 400 I think I can at least get my money back if it sucks. I haven't shot it yet but everything seems to work fine. The trigger is not the best but is just fine, if it really bothers me my neighbor does trigger jobs.

 

[zerobarrier]

Ok so here is what I got

I really like it. I shoots great and I like the trigger. Easy smooth double action and the single action is nice and crisp, no over travel. The accuracy is good at 15yards shot the bullseye out. I don't know why everyone talks bad about taurus, I think this one is as good as any smith. Also it is so light and the ports keep the muzzle flip down. Feels like no kick at all, even my wife can shoot it with no problem. All in all very happy with my purchase, now time to get a nice leather holster with some carve work. Also the 5-shot moon clips work very easy, bullet pops in and out.

 

[stiab]

 

[RealGun]

I do plan on carrying this

I would get a speedloader pouch and plan on carrying it, because 5 shots and done isn't much for a gun fight.

 

[StrawHat]

Seriously?!? All the guys with J frame 38s have been undergunned for nearly 100 years. Not really.

 

[RealGun]

Should we ask the ones who have actually been in a gun fight?

 

[StrawHat]

Be my guest. Cirillo found the Model 36 with wadcutters to be ideal for his stakeout crew, in NYC.

Lots of fellow with real world experience have chosen the 5 shot revolver. I prefer six, but a five shooter in 45 ACP was not an option when I was working.

 

[RealGun]

No, I thought the question was whether one carries a reload. I have three 5-shot carry guns and a 1911 with officer grip (7+1, not 8).

 

[zerobarrier]

I am having a double speed loader pouch made that will hold 2 moon clips each, so a total of 20 rounds in the pouch and 5 in the revolver. When I carry my 1911 I have 2 extra mags with me as well as with the beretta storm.