Which moon clip is better?

Landgroove

Landgroove

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
155
M25 Smith 45 ACP
I see them with splits

solit.JPG

and with the solid legs.

solid.JPG

I've reluctantly used the solids since I don't have any flexible RIMZ clips.

????
 
I have used the solid moonclips made by Ranch Products for almost 50yrs. Carried them, used them in competition for 12yrs and many, many range trips and have not had any
problems with them other than the few I bent when I stepped on them. I do take my time and care to load and unload them. It may be faster or easier to load and unload the
splint composite (?) ones but I have just gotten used to the metal ones. That's just me though.
 
I've primarily used either TK Customs or Revolver Shop moon clips in my 625 and 1917.

I tried some of the plastic clips that sorta look like the split clips in your pic, but for some reason, they didn't want to work/fully seat with my 625. For the most part, they seemed to work OK with my 1917.

The plastic clips don't need a tool to load/unload, but they also are a bit flimsy and seem like they would lose rounds if handled roughly.
 
Good explanations from trackskippy and nofendertom. Have no idea of the provenance of my moons, but they have solid tabs. Always got them at gunshows, (once upon a time, 4@$1), and they have always worked well. They may want a mooner to seat them, and likely will want a demooner to avoid being sprung.
The price/availability of 9mm moons was disturbing, having been spoiled by the cheapie .45s. Some of mine may be 30 years old. The 9s are a much tighter fit, and will really want tools to use them.
Moon
 
I'm currently using both the solid full moon clips and repro GI half-moons. Both are cheap, both work, both are equally easy to unload with the gadget, both can get bent if you aren't careful.

I would say that a better clip would be the one that's hardest to deform and prevent closing the revolver's cylinder. I don't know if there is one, so I'm in the cheap and careful club.

There's a quick demo of the unloading gadget I use in this video:

www.youtube.com

45 ACP Revolvers

Here is a fairly unique mix of revolvers shooting the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol cartridge, along with the unusual .45 Auto Rim cartridge. (text continues be...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
If youre going to load/unload a lot of clips at a shot, its worth getting the tools for that. Your fingers will thank you. :)

I use these for mine.

00-DboCy8WJYzQR_q_dc-F5BNyntOLdWDP5ZdA7LI-ODz8pqs8YHu8Icz7fQuJgoC7lrnHjCyIZu59oV2we_kMG9A


The tube type unloader makes is fast and easy to pop them out, and will hold the full clip of empties in the tube, so you don't have to do it one at a time. Just slip the case in and twist and on to the next until its empty.
 
trackskippy said:
If youre going to load/unload a lot of clips at a shot, its worth getting the tools for that. Your fingers will thank you. :)

I use these for mine.

00-DboCy8WJYzQR_q_dc-F5BNyntOLdWDP5ZdA7LI-ODz8pqs8YHu8Icz7fQuJgoC7lrnHjCyIZu59oV2we_kMG9A


The tube type unloader makes is fast and easy to pop them out, and will hold the full clip of empties in the tube, so you don't have to do it one at a time. Just slip the case in and twist and on to the next until its empty.
Click to expand...
These are the tools I use. The mooner comes with a variety of arbors for the center, to accept 9mm moons. The loops on the end can be used as demooners as well, but the tube gizmo works better. I use it over a catch box, and just let the empties fall through....mine is open on the end. I've a 9 and .45 tube.
The other danger to sprung moons; bad enough the cylinder won't close, a little sprung, it can lead to misfires.
Moon
 
I've had a few of the plastic ones break when I dropped loaded clips onto the concrete floor. So I won't buy any more of them. The steel ones are a pain to load/unload but the tools make it easier. The plastic ones are easy to load/unload but not durable in my experience.
 
Full moon clips

When S&W came out with the second iteration of the full moon clip, they had no intention of making them. Instead, they approached Ranch Products in Malinta Ohio and requested they do it. S&W supplied specifications and drawings. RP is still making them to the original specifications. I am fairly certain S&W knew what was needed.

I have a few ACP revolvers, carry one daily, and shoot the others frequently. Keep them clean, they work.

Tools certainly help to load and unload the clips. BMT probably makes the finest tool available. It is pricey but you only need one. I have made and used simple tools and more complex tools. The easiest loader is the largest pair of water pump pliers you own. It squeezes two rounds at a time.

The tube unloader is easy to make but even easier is the corner of a metal 30 or 50 caliber ammunition box. Hook the empty case in the corner, pull. The empty drops into the box. Simple.

Kevin
 
Last edited:
I use mostly TK Custom moon clips. They work for me. I have 45 ACP, 9mm, 10mm, and 38 Special revolvers that use moon clips. I've had several revolvers modified by TK Custom to accept moon clips.

I had some issues with 10mm/40 S&W moon clips for a S&W Model 610 revolver. The solid moon clips worked fine for one cartridge, 40 S&W if I remember correctly. The split moon clips work fine for the other, 10mm if I remember correctly. The difference is due to the difference in rim dimensions on the two cartridges. But I may have that backwards. It has been a while since I shot the M610.

I've not tried other brands of moon clips, so I cannot comment on them.

I like BMT Equipped moon clip tools but they are probably a bit pricey for some folks.
 
Tailored narrowly to what I think is the OP's question: I prefer the split ones in most ways, simply because they are easier to use. They are more delicate, though, and it's not hard to bend the individual legs out of position. (They often can be bent back to serviceable condition, but not always.)

So I tend to favor the split ones for most uses, but prefer the solid ones for when they really need to work. (And yes, if you're serious about it, buy the proper mooning and de-mooning tools, which makes the question moot.)
 
That sounds about right. Mine wont fit over the ratchet and seat on my 625. They seem to work fine with my 1917.

I would have thought they would have addressed that once they figured it out. Guess its easier to let you do it.
 
trackskippy said:
That sounds about right. Mine wont fit over the ratchet and seat on my 625. They seem to work fine with my 1917.

I would have thought they would have addressed that once they figured it out. Guess its easier to let you do it.
Click to expand...
As I read it, it seems it is supposed to be just the opposite.
For the S&W 1917, 1937, 25’s and some model 625’s the clip may need tobe trimmed

😭
 
trackskippy said:
I've primarily used either TK Customs or Revolver Shop moon clips in my 625 and 1917.

I tried some of the plastic clips that sorta look like the split clips in your pic, but for some reason, they didn't want to work/fully seat with my 625. For the most part, they seemed to work OK with my 1917.

The plastic clips don't need a tool to load/unload, but they also are a bit flimsy and seem like they would lose rounds if handled roughly.
Click to expand...

I have some RIMZ synthetics on the way.

According to the website, the 625 doesn't work with the 25.
 
I prefer moon clips from Ranch Products.

Some one sent me some of the RIMZ clips. The first test, of any moon clips is load them and drop them from belt level, a fumbled reload. Unfortunately, the RIMZ product failed by spewing the rounds out of the clips. The might be easy to reinsert, but in competition, or worse, that is not the time to be reloading the moon clips.

I hear RIMZ has improved the product but I have not had the opportunity to try the “new and improved” version.

Kevin
 
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