Moon clips questions...

[Kissmybrass]

Might get a pocket .38 so I can grab and go when I'm walking my dog at night (bear poop and weirdos around here lol) and some have moon clips. Interesting to me but in the whole scheme of things are they worth it? You have to use them if the cylinder is cut for them, right? Seems loading will take longer snapping in the rounds in the clips but faster if you need to reload in an emergency.
Just don't want to get one and regret it.

D

[dave77]

I was wondering about moon clips myself and found this Jerry Miculek video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqLinQGGxSQ&t=29s
Here's a couple that show how fast you can reload with moon clips although you are not likely to get as fast as Jerry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByyEGkdQJF8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNFW8eSzb44

[North Country Gal]

On most DA models that use moon clips, the cylinder has to be cut for them and you're limited to the specific shape/style of moon clip. There have been some models, though, where the cylinder is not cut to take a specific style of moon clip, but still allow enough room for a moon clip. Those are fairly rare, though.

I tend to be faster on the reload with speed loaders than moon clips, myself, but speed loaders aren't as compact and space saving as moon clips. Definitely much easier to reload a speed loader, though, than a moon clip. Filling and unloading a moon clip usually means using a tool.

Unless you want or need to go DA, though, you can ditch the moon clips entirely by going single action revolver. That's always been my favorite way to shoot 9mm and 45 auto in a revolver.

[Headhog]

I owned a revolver that used moon clips and all I can say is never again. They are fun to play with but not what I'd call emergency reliable. Just mastering a reload with moon clips takes a lot of practice. If you try to push the moon clip into the cylinder they will jam and not seat. As Jerry Miculek points out in the video they are sort of fragile and can easily get bent. I much prefer a revolver with speed loaders any day. Speed loaders are durable and reliable and with a little practice easy to reload with.

For pocket gun, why not choose a small auto loader? There are plenty out there that will slip in a pocket and magazines are very reliable, easy to use and store in another pocket.

Paul

[Kissmybrass]

Thanks for the video and input - way too tedious for me to use tools and such. Thought you could snap the ammo in and snap off. Not the case I see. The only advantage is reloading pre-clipped ammo. Might be a great idea for pocket carry but wow looks like a nightmare at the range.

[Kissmybrass]

I owned a revolver that used moon clips and all I can say is never again. They are fun to play with but not what I'd call emergency reliable. Just mastering a reload with moon clips takes a lot of practice. If you try to push the moon clip into the cylinder they will jam and not seat. As Jerry Miculek points out in the video they are sort of fragile and can easily get bent. I much prefer a revolver with speed loaders any day. Speed loaders are durable and reliable and with a little practice easy to reload with.

For pocket gun, why not choose a small auto loader? There are plenty out there that will slip in a pocket and magazines are very reliable, easy to use and store in another pocket.

Paul

I was just thinking the same how the autos solved sooooo many problems - the Hellcat or smaller Glock is still on the table but I really love the double action SW's now that I have been shooting the 686. .380 is out of the question just for the fact I don't want any new ammo calibers. .38 seems to be a good answer for throwing in my jacket when I'm out with the dog or going to the store.

[Kissmybrass]

I was wondering about moon clips myself and found this Jerry Miculek video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqLinQGGxSQ&t=29s
Here's a couple that show how fast you can reload with moon clips although you are not likely to get as fast as Jerry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByyEGkdQJF8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNFW8eSzb44

OMG Jerry is lightning fast! Thanks for the vids!

[Headhog]

I was wondering about moon clips myself and found this Jerry Miculek video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqLinQGGxSQ&t=29s
Here's a couple that show how fast you can reload with moon clips although you are not likely to get as fast as Jerry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByyEGkdQJF8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNFW8eSzb44

OMG Jerry is lightning fast! Thanks for the vids!

The man is not human. I'm convinced he was dropped off by and alien space ship.

Paul

[markiver54]

I owned a revolver that used moon clips and all I can say is never again. They are fun to play with but not what I'd call emergency reliable. Just mastering a reload with moon clips takes a lot of practice. If you try to push the moon clip into the cylinder they will jam and not seat. As Jerry Miculek points out in the video they are sort of fragile and can easily get bent. I much prefer a revolver with speed loaders any day. Speed loaders are durable and reliable and with a little practice easy to reload with.

For pocket gun, why not choose a small auto loader? There are plenty out there that will slip in a pocket and magazines are very reliable, easy to use and store in another pocket.

Paul

DITTO!

[Kissmybrass]

Glad I checked on the moon clips. Next thread is gonna be Smith & Wesson or (well, any other brand in the .38 +P category) debate. Seems the Taurus is 100% stainless but comes in way cheaper. There's gotta be a reason right? Heard great things about the Rugers and the Kimber revolvers are kinda sweet and modern looking. Would be hard to get away from SW though.