Ruger Redhawk Alaskan and Moonclips

[230therapy]

I handled a Ruger Alaskan in 44 Magnum the other day. The trigger was quite nice and needed no work. I really liked it and have been considering a snubbie big bore gun.

I did some research into accessories. It turns out that both chamberings (454 Casull and 44 Magnum) can be cut for moonclips and moonclips are available. My intent would be to cut the cylinder for moonclips. If I go with 454 Casull, I'd use 45 ACP and 45 Colt, with a dash of 454 Casull for fun.

Has anyone fired a Ruger Alaskan in either or all calibers? How does the Alaskan feel with 44 Special, 44 Magnum, 45 Colt, 454 Casull?

How well do moonclips work for 44 Magnum, 45 Colt and 454 Casull? I know they work fine for 45 ACP, but had a bit of trouble with 357 Magnum since the cartridges flopped around.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I'm curious. Once cut for the clips, are they then required? If so, I wonder what the real world advantage is.

Also, can the clips you're thinking about be reloaded without a tool?

 

[rcmodel]

Moon-clips work best with short auto-pistol calibers with big extractor cuts.
The clips can be thicker & stiffer, and the shorter cartridges doesn't hurt either.

Revolver clips must be made very thin to fit the tiny groove under the rim on some brands of cases.

.45 Colt & .454 will flop around just like they did in your .357.

rc

 

[memphisjim]

will 45acp really work on a 454casull revolver by simply having it cut for moonclips?
if so could you self extract with a punch and shoot without a moonclip? how about 460roland?

 

[rcmodel]

Without a clip to headspace it in the cylinder, it will fall down the hole.

rc

 

[230therapy]

I'm curious. Once cut for the clips, are they then required?

No, they are not. They leave part of the cylinder uncut and the rims sit on that.

Also, can the clips you're thinking about be reloaded without a tool?

You do not need to use a tool, but using the Moonclip Tool (I have the one from mooncliptool.com) is faster, more reliable, and 100% easier on the fingers. I found that they tend to bend when removed incorrectly.

I carry mine in a loop of kydex to provent the moonclip from bending during daily use.

If so, I wonder what the real world advantage is.

The real world advantage is a faster reload. The moonclips won't drop a round like speedloaders. I don't see this as much of a detriment considering the low capacity of the revolver in the first place. It's very easy to carry three full reloads in kydex protectors. I prioritize a fast reload for defensive use.

The disadvantage is that the revolver cannot be topped off. The good news is that two moonclips can go into one speedloader pouch if you put the moonclips nose to nose.

The only problem with moonclips today is they can get bent during daily activities. One company makes a moonclip protector that goes over the bullets and keeps the rounds spread out. The problem is the cover needs to be pushed off before reloading.

I make a loop of kydex that holds the clip in place with tension. I just grasp the cover, put my thumb on the moonclip and push. The cover falls away as I close the cylinder.

You can make these yourself. Cut the kydex about 1/2" longer than the cartridge. There should be 1/2" to 3/4" overlap around the circumference of the rounds. Place something between the cartridges to keep them spread. Press the kydex into the rounds. I put most of the pressure over the moonclip so the edges dig into the plastic. Test for tension and adjust as necessary. The moonclip should not fall out if you drop it from the height you normally load at.

 

[flatlander937]

The Redhawk Alaskan is an awesome gun and I like the way it feels, I would love to get one eventually, it would be super impractical for me but I just don't care... it's awesome.

I did some brief research and found this when researching the machine work for using moon clips:

http://www.tkcustom.com/

They have some really neat videos of the machining process.

 

[230therapy]

.45 Colt & .454 will flop around just like they did in your .357.

Did you try several brands? Did they all flop around?

Have you tried the clips from TK Custom? My guess is that the thicker clips don't flex like the ones for 357 Magnum. The TK Custom clips are thicker to accommodate the gap:

45 ACP: .031"
45 Colt: .022"
454: .025"

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

No, they are not. They leave part of the cylinder uncut and the rims sit on that.



You do not need to use a tool, but using the Moonclip Tool (I have the one from mooncliptool.com) is faster, more reliable, and 100% easier on the fingers. I found that they tend to bend when removed incorrectly.

I carry mine in a loop of kydex to provent the moonclip from bending during daily use.




The real world advantage is a faster reload. The moonclips won't drop a round like speedloaders. I don't see this as much of a detriment considering the low capacity of the revolver in the first place. It's very easy to carry three full reloads in kydex protectors. I prioritize a fast reload for defensive use.

The disadvantage is that the revolver cannot be topped off. The good news is that two moonclips can go into one speedloader pouch if you put the moonclips nose to nose.

The only problem with moonclips today is they can get bent during daily activities. One company makes a moonclip protector that goes over the bullets and keeps the rounds spread out. The problem is the cover needs to be pushed off before reloading.

I make a loop of kydex that holds the clip in place with tension. I just grasp the cover, put my thumb on the moonclip and push. The cover falls away as I close the cylinder.

You can make these yourself. Cut the kydex about 1/2" longer than the cartridge. There should be 1/2" to 3/4" overlap around the circumference of the rounds. Place something between the cartridges to keep them spread. Press the kydex into the rounds. I put most of the pressure over the moonclip so the edges dig into the plastic. Test for tension and adjust as necessary. The moonclip should not fall out if you drop it from the height you normally load at.

Sounds win-win with all that taken into account.

When convenient, I love the moon clips on my 1917s.

 

[DIRTMODE]

It looked good in "Faster"

HE shot and reloaded that Ruger fast as any man Ive seen do it! GZo on twitter and ask the Rock.