Shooting the 905 without moon clips...

[905 Newbie]

Hi Everyone,

REAL embarrased to ask this, but can the 905 be shot without the moon clips? It's a new gun and might be returned today...depending on the answer.

Never had a revolver and always thought that the clips were an OPTION.

Taurus customer service says, "Don't do it", but I've read on here that many shoot without them.

I'd like to know what the potential problems, if any, could be if I shoot without the clips. I WAS planning on using plain white box Winchester ammo. Other than the hassle of taking the shells out, what could happen?

Thanks for the input,

C.

 

[ribbonstone]

Not the same gun, but running on the same principle. Had one 9mm revolver (S&W 940) that didn't have all of its chambers cut to the right depth to heasdspace without the moon-clip. PRobably just an indicidual gun problem, but it would refuse to fire two out of the 5 rounds without the moon clip...those two were reamed a bit long.


In your case, what would it headsapce on? isn't an uncrimped case mouth to use...so I'm betting the Taurus rep is right DON'T DO IT!.

IF th case is driven all the way to the end of the chamber to rest on that roll crimp and then ignites, how does the bullet get free of the case? If you are lucky, the case would fall too far into the cylinder to b hit by the pin withut the moon clip....if you were unlucky and it did ignite jammed up against the cylinder throat, might find pressure jumping from an obstructed bullet release.

 

[Old Fuff]

Ribbonstone is generally correct, but there is more to the problem. The 9 x 19mm cartridge is tapered, and is supposed to be supported in the chamber at the case mouth. But there are a vast number of different makers, both commercial and military - and in this country and others. Thus case overall length can vary, as can the the depth of individual chambers in a cylinder.

A conventional revolver cartridge headspaces on the rim. Thus it will be positioned where it should be regardless of the case's overall length. In a revolver chambered to use a pistol cartridge the clip takes the place of the rim, and at least in theory will keep each cartridge where it should be. While you can shoot 9mm rounds without using the clips, ignition may not be uniform, and one can get misfires. The issues discussed above apply to all revolvers shooting pistol cartridges, with the exception of some Single Action's, and not just Taurus products.

 

[ribbonstone]

Maybe I got spinned around...isn't the 905 the .357 version? Will have to check, but that would be the main problem: no case mouth to headspace from as it is roll crimped. IF it did go off with the roll crimp jammed up against the cylinder throat, would have a problem with the crimp releasing... the case could force its way back against the spring pressure frocing it forward.

Used the 9mm example as I've had several revolvers pass through in recent years (the lure of real cheap surplus ammo and a preference for revolvers). Ruger chambers theirs to headspace without the moon clips (both an old Speed Six and a 101)..S&W didn't, at least on my early 2" example.

Have had some 1917's that would also missfire without the clips, but you can put that down to war production...knew better than to even try with one Early Colt that had a cylinder that bored straight through.
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OOPs...my bad...the 905 is the 9mm version...wonder if it takes S&W or Ruger 101 sized moon clips, or it they are unique to the gun.

Would still test the gun...if it chambers them and fires them without the moon clips, then they cut the chambers correctly. I would expect a little bit of headsapce without the moon clips.

Two things:
1. The S&W would tie itself up if fed +P+ ammo. Case would set back (tapered desgin) and lock up hard against the recoil shield. Wouldn't do it when the chambers were clean, would do it when the chambers were either dirty or oily. Rugers didn't seem to have this trait, but their rougher chambers might have been a help here.

2. The moon clips..found that a plastic prescription pill bottle is the right size to hold loaded moon clips. That's a pretty natural object to have in your pocket and passes casual inspection.

 

[Hawaiian]

I have a 905 and have fired hundreds of rounds through it without the clip and never had a problem. No miss fires and the spent cases fall out or you can easily pic them out with a fingernail. After shooting for awhile they do start to stick and a small wooden dowl will push them out. Or simply run a patch through the chambers when this occurs. The Taurus moon clips are junk and have to be tweeked to hold the rounds, but they are the only ones that will fit the gun. I do use them when carrying the gun.

 

[trickyasafox]

god i need to get a 905.

yes it is the 9mm version

 

[905 Newbie]

Thanks for all the replies...

...went ahead and returned the Taurus today. Didn't shoot it...just know myself and know that I'm not going to use moonclips. Should have done more homework on revolvers and especially moonclips. [Thinking to self after reading Hawaiian's post, "Hmmm...maybe I should have waited for more replies before I returned it!":banghead: ] Well...too late now.

Don't know if this is allowed, but I must give a "plug" to the gentleman who so graciously accepted my return for a negligible re-stocking fee:

Philip J. Rezac, LLC Gun shop
883 County Rd 30
Valparaiso, NE 68065
(402) 784-3557

He's always listed on gunbroker dot com.

Not only did I wake him up Saturday morning, but he said, "absolutely no problem....send her back!". He understood my concern and said that I should definitely be using moonclips with the 905. Next gun I buy [and keep] will be from him!

Thanks again for all your input,

Craig B.