Speedloader or Moonclips?
- Thread starter jparent
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coldestcanuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- lower mainland bc
I own revolvers that use speedloaders and also one that uses moonclips. To utilize moonclips, the cylinder must be manufactured for or modified to accept moonclips. That means you cannot use it without moonclips. With a non modified revolver, you can use single rounds or speedloaders. I think moonclips are probably faster but, unless your name is Jerry Miculuk, you probably wont notice
If you are going to compete where speed is an issue (eg IPSC), then moon clips are the way to go. It's a much simpler and quicker reload as you only have to drop the loaded moon clip in and close the cylinder. The speed loaders may take another action to release the bullets. I've shot a couple of revolver matches and all the top shooters use moonclips. The added bonus is it's easier to pick up your brass.
In the PPC matches I've shot, a lot of folks use speed loaders because a fast reload is not as critical. Also most of the revolvers used there are not cut for moon clips anyhow.
Not true. I had my 686 cylinder modified for moon clips by TK Custom and I can use both moon clips and speed loaders (or single rounds).
Smith & Wesson also makes some models like the 627 and 686 Pro(?) where the cylinder is factory machined for moon clips, but retain the outer circumference of the cylinder so you can still fire your rimmed cartridges. For my 610, 625, and 929's built to fire non-rimmed cartridges, those must use moon clips. Although in my 625-8, it does headspace off of the rim IIRC, but I would have no way to eject the fired casing without poking it out with a stick.
Murray Charelton, who does the S&W warranty work for western Canada will do it. DLASK had done it in the past, not sure if they still do.
Ghost Snake
Regular
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
If you search YouTube for "Jerry Miculek 1000 yard" there's a video of Jerry using a speedloader where he just kind of aims the speedloader at the cylinder and releases the rounds before the noses even touch metal. The rounds just drop into the cylinder, nothing but net
Edit: Here's the link to the video. The speeloader is at the 40 second mark.
Last edited:
If you search YouTube for "Jerry Miculek 1000 yard" there's a video of Jerry using a speedloader where he just kind of aims the speedloader at the cylinder and releases the rounds before the noses even touch metal. The rounds just drop into the cylinder, nothing but net
Edit: Here's the link to the video. The speeloader is at the 40 second mark.
That's uncle Jerry shooting a S&W 929 with moon clips
Here's my two 929's. I had one set for IPSC and revolver matches and just picked up a new one so I set that one up for some accuracy testing.
Attachments
That's uncle Jerry shooting a S&W 929 with moon clips
Here's my two 929's. I had one set for IPSC and revolver matches and just picked up a new one so I set that one up for some accuracy testing.
View attachment 71469
Damn. What grip is that on the one on the right?
I have a 625 in 45ACP. For plinking I like to load with the plastic moonclips. They can be loaded and unloaded without a tool.
But the clip is a bit floppy, and does not load into the cylinder as quickly as a more rigid steel moonclip.
I buy moonclips and the loading tool on ebay.
But the clip is a bit floppy, and does not load into the cylinder as quickly as a more rigid steel moonclip.
I buy moonclips and the loading tool on ebay.
Got it from Hogue. It's a round butt conversion grip in G10. They are just perfect for my 929's. Full power loads in my 610 and 625 starts to hurt my hand a little after a couple hundred rounds in one session.
h ttp://www.hogueinc.com/grips/S&W/nframe/roundbutt/conversion/g10
No but I have 3 machined by tk absolutely recommend their work.
I prefer speed loaders. The groove thickness varies greatly from one manufacturer's brass to another's so you either have to separate your brass for a consistent fit in the clips, or go with the thinnest moon clips.Then some of your rounds will flop a bit and not always line up squarely in the chambers. I don't feel like sorting my brass so speed loaders it is.
Auggie D.
Auggie D.
For 38sp and 357mag I've heard that can definitely be a problem. Any bit of wobble in those long cartridges will make reloads a bit finicky. I've heard people who compete use 38 short colts matched with the appropriate thickness of moon clips for that. Definitely not a cheap solution to get up and running.
coldestcanuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- lower mainland bc
Thanks for setting me straight on mods for moon clips guys. Now you've got me thinking about modding my 586.
It's what most guys do. Makes the 38 feed and run like a 9mm Revo without buying a 9mm Revo. Lot of guys still prefer a 627 over a 929. I'm in that camp.
On the moonclip vs speed loader talk, ran a 625 in IPSC for a few years and there is no way you're going to out speed a guy running moonclips with a speed loader. Never going to happen.
When you get good with a ton of practice, you're reloads should be down at 2s or better, consistently, on a course of fire, under stress. Only way to get that is using moonclips.
