Mod for moon clips, shooting without them

[amper]

I read recently that you can machine a cylinder to accept moon clips for rimmed cases, but then you can still shoot without the clips. Is that true? Is it safe? Won't it damage the brass? Does it affect accuracy?

 

[KurtC]

Yes. Yes. No. No.

A recess is milled out at the rear of the cylinder and extractor, the same size as a full moon clip. The outside edge of the cylinder is left the same, so that the rim of the cartridges can still headspace on it if clips are not used.

Most rimmed cases have a groove just ahead of the rim, so that part of the case is unsupported whether or not you have the cylinder milled for the clips.

 

[Brian Williams]

If the machinist does the right thing while machining the cylinder it will work without moonclips, but most leave a rim or ridge around the outside of the cylinder to headspace the cartridges on.