Moon-clip conversions on K-frame S&W's?

[Old Fuff]

My personal solution to "tactical reloading" a revolver is a Commander or Government Model Colt. In some circumstances the shell-shuckers have an advantage over six-shooters, and this is one of them.

While this is of obvious concern to those who use revolvers in certain games (and I give them a lot of credit for doing so) I find little to suggest that super-fast reloads are an issue on the streets - particularly for the average civilian with a CCW license. Law enforcement officers are another matter, and reloading is one reason few carry revolvers - at least as primary weapons - anymore.

One advantage of an automatic cartridge in a revolver is that it is short - much shorter then the popular revolver cartridges that were first loaded with black powder. Ejecting a short case is faster and more reliable then ejecting a long one where the elector will lift, but not necessarily fully eject the case - which is part of the reason one is supposed to point the muzzle up while ejecting fired rounds. A short case is also less likely to get hung up by the edge of the grip. (Yes I know, grips are supposed to be releaved for speedloaders, but I know of incidents where a cartridge got stuck anyway).

Bottom line. I think those who are using guns in games have some valid reasons to modify their guns. Others I suggest, might be better off using revolvers chambered in 9mm or .45 ACP and have their cake and eat it while enjoying the advantages offered by the shorter cartridges and saving a lot of money on conversions.

I depart in peace ...... You can continue.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

whoops. I'm "mixing metaphors" by trying to be intelligent after knocking myself out in the yard. You cannot drop individual rounds with a clip, of course, and for IDPA I was using the as yet unclipped M66. For the rest, just drop the clip and insert another. With loose rounds it is easier to come back and use therm later, but I'd have to be in a fix to be inserting rounds one at a time.

Old Fluff,

The 45 acp revolvers are popular in competition because of the short rounds and it is hard to miss the huge charge holes with the clip of rounds. The .357/.38 are popular for increased number of rounds and, for some, handling. Some .357/.38 shooters use home customized shortened cases.

 

[MrPink]

Bluesbear,

The article against tactical reloads is an opinion and a pretty new one at that. But it did get me thinking about all the problem points in doing a tac reload with an auto - let alone a revolver. The article's point about gross vs fine motor skills is that under stress, gross motor skills are easiest to perform and if we train one way (ie, the speed reload) it would be easier to remember than two techniques.

Consisder what's involved to tac reload a revolver - go to cover. open cylinder. remove empty cases while keeping loaded rounds in the gun (OK, so if you're in a real gunfight you need to pluck the empties out while not dumping the loaded rounds). load the empty holes with a few rounds (I don't carry rounds in a dump pouch so fumble in pockets for a few rounds, situate bullets forward). close cylinder. get back on target.

There seems to be a lot of logic to the do-it-one-way speed reload. Same situation, partially fired cylinder: go to cover. open cylinder. invert gun and whack ejector rod. insert fresh moonclip. close cylinder. get back on target.

Seems easier to me. Less fumbling, less fine motor skills to not have to use at a very stressfull time.

 

[Old Fuff]

Guy B. Meredith:

I quite agree that those who engage in combat games with revolvers should be able to make any safe modification they want which will level the playing field.

But I wonder if the same alterations are that important to the rest of us. Be that as it may, there is no reason one shouldn't set up a personal firearm the way they want - so long as they fully understand all of the ramifications of doing so. The point I was trying to make was that outside of games might it be advisable to use 9mm or .45 ACP cartridges in revolvers designed and made for them? This of course presumes that the individual has decided to go with a revolver/pistol cartridge combination.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Old Fuff

Actually my comment was meant to support your comments about the .45 acp. The 625 which fires the .45 acp is popular for competition and the round would be good elsewhere. Saves on having to buy extra dies, etc. for reloading, too.

The shortened .38 cases are used by those who see the value in short cases as represented by the .45 acp.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well I could sure use some support .....

One time, just for fun and no useful purpose, I fitted a second cylinder to a K-38 Target Masterpiece chambered in .38 S&W. Loads were assembled using 148 grain HBWC bullets. While the accuracy was good it wasn't superior to regular mid-range ammunition, but the short cases were much easier to eject - especially because on a range you have to keep the muzzle pointed down.

While I don't see many who would be interested in this, maybe it's an option some gamers should look into rather then shoot short ammunition in long chambers - something that can't help accuracy, but maybe that doesn't matter.

Thanks again.

 

[HSMITH]

Fuff, your observation of the 38 S&W cases being easier to deal with has also attracted the attention of the cowboy shooters, even in the single action guns. The ability to get working pressures at lower velocities is also another 'advantage' when gaming to lower recoil. Combining the 38 S&W with the slightly under 100 grain lead bullets of RNFP form seems to be a combination that is catching on quickly......

 

[Old Fuff]

Interesting observation. .....

What are they using for revolvers? Rebuilt/rechambered single actions or something else?