S&W 442 Moon Clip

[119er]

I've had a 442 no lock for several years now and I really like it and actually enjoy shooting it. I considering another one that accepts the moon clips from the factory as my girlfriend has expressed interest in carrying my current 442 for CCW. So,

I have never had any revolver that accepts moon clips, though I understand their function and that they are best loaded/unloaded with tools built to do so.

Any negatives to the option? When I carry the 442, I just have the five rounds contained in the cylinder. The idea of a moon clip is appealing, but having never used one it seems I may be missing some things. It seems better to me than a speed strip or speed loader, although it is a little bulkier to carry. I believe it would be the quickest way to reload under stresses of a situation that would make that necessary, however unlikely.

Experienced opinions?

 

[rcmodel]

I love moon clips in a .45 ACP & .40S&W / 10mm revolvers.

Not so much in longer rimmed revolver calibers.
The clips by necessity have to be made very thin and unlike auto pistol calibers, will only snap on to some brands of ammo with a thin groove just ahead of the rim.

Then, the longer cartridges are jiggly & wiggly and make lining them up in the chambers harder to do.
Some bullets like SWC tend to catch on the chamber mouths.

I use speed-strips on my J-Frames as clearance is minimal for speed-loaders.

rc

 

[119er]

Much appreciated RC. I don't believe that I lose anything having the option for moon clips, do I? What I mean is, suppose I find the factory ammo that snaps in well enough and carry with the moon loaded and a speed strip for reload. The reason for carrying a moon in the cylinder would be potentially fewer hang ups while ejecting the spent cases? This is how I see it with an inexperienced eye. I'm not hunting for a reason to buy the moon clip model, just making sure I'm not leaving anything on the table.

 

[rcmodel]

Sounds like a good plan.

Who knows, maybe you will like them.

Rc

 

[627PCFan]

Ill say this. I carried my 627, moon clips were a little bit of a pain. I had my 638 cut for clips. Carried them for a while, tried speed strips, and then settled on the tried and true speed loaders.