Which .357 to Moon Clip?

[WNC Seabee]

I have an urge to do a moon clip conversion on one of my .357s. No particular reason, I've just been enjoying shooting my SW625 so much that I thought it would be neat to have done.

I may occasionally shoot IDPA style matches, but for the most part these are CCW pieces.

-4" GP 100 woods carry, IDPA, bowling pins
-3" SP 101, regular CCW rotation
-2.5" SW 66 (pre lock, not PR), new to me, expect to carry OWB in cooler wether

Which would you convert?

 

[David E]

Of those, the GP-100

 

[GP100man]

Seebee

Here`s my exp with monclipped 357s.

If ya use 357 cases in the clips they wooble quite a bit more than the short 45acp rounds & take more time than a good speed loader.

You have to use a trunicated/round nosed bullet ,as the shoulders of swc types will cause trouble.

Works ok but still the speedloader is faster even with 38 brass .

As far as which revolver to convert , that`s a choice you have to make ,but if I was plannin on ALOT of 357 type ammo I`d go with the GP100.

I think Cylinder & slide will convert it with a rim left on the outer portion so ya can still use the revolver without the moonclips .

YMMV

 

[MrBorland]

So, you're very close to The Range in Oxford...and not too far from Caswell Ranch, where, among other things, PCCA matches are held?

My choice then would be definitely not the GP100. I'd probably go with the M66.

You mentioned you're interested in IDPA-like events, but what about IDPA itself? In the unlikely event you don't already know, The Range happens to be one of the best IDPA venues on the east coast, and a 4" GP100 would be an excellent SSR gun. The thing is, a moonclip conversion isn't permitted in SSR, even if speedloaders are used. Seems a moonclip conversion isn't listed as an allowed SSR modification, since it's not on the inclusive list of the mods that are (it specifically is listed on the ESR list, though). It'd be a shame to render a great IDPA gun IDPA-illegal when living in the backyard of IDPA heaven.

OTOH, Caswell Ranch hosts PCCA matches, which does allow moonclip conversion, a 3" max barrel, and shortened brass, so a moonclipped SP101 or M66 would be an ideal gun for this.

The Range also hosts a Fun Match, where moonclipped conversions and gamer ammo are also permitted, but the 6-shot capacity of the M66 would make it a better choice than the SP101.

 

[WNC Seabee]

So, you're very close to The Range in Oxford...and not too far from Caswell Ranch, where, among other things, PCCA matches are held?

Great info on the benefit of moon clipping or not the GP. I think I'll NOT be modifying the GP, but may consider the M66.

Unfortunately...The Range and Caswell are both 4+ hours from me here in the Western NC Mountains. Around here we have a couple "IDPA like" events, but not a lot of sanctioned matches.

 

[340PD]

I agree with GP100man. My 586 7 round is moonclipped and the 357 rounds do wobble and a quick reload every time is not that easy.

 

[MrBorland]

Unfortunately...The Range and Caswell are both 4+ hours from me here in the Western NC Mountains.

My bad. I must've read "Henderson".

Good luck with your decision. Follow up with a range report sometime.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Here`s my exp with monclipped 357s.

If ya use 357 cases in the clips they wooble quite a bit more than the short 45acp rounds & take more time than a good speed loader.

My experience, too. Moon-clipped .45 ACP is GREAT. .357, not so much; practice helps a lot, but a speed loader is probably faster and less prone to getting bent.

 

[627PCFan]

Not so bad in the .357. I have used strips of scotch tape across the clip, then excess trimmed. It works for tightening things up with my starline brass. Ill admit it works better with .45's, moon clips with .357 aren't that bad.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Different brands of .357 magnum brass have different measurements on the groove that moonclips lock into. If the groove is too wide you get wobble; the better the match to the thickness of the moonclip the less the wobble. Often the moonclip manufacturer will recommend a compatible brand.

After great experience with the 627 moonclips and bad experience with speedloaders dumping rounds prematurely or not letting go I had both my 686+ and M66 converted.

I use Starline brass rather than the suggested brand, but I shoot .38 spl with RN plated bullets for the most part so there is less of an issue with wobble.

 

[TonyT]

The moonclips designed for the 38 Special/357 Magnum cartrigge have to be much slimmer than those in 45ACP which has a large exttractor groove. Thus they wobble quite a bit. One can purchase some moonclips which are slighlty thicker and minimize the wobnble with certain brands of brass. I prefer the S&W627 chambered in 38 Super which uses a much thicker moonclip designed for the larger extractor groove of the 38 Super.