Question for S&W 625 shooters........

[Buford]

What is the best loader/unloader for the moon clips? Thanks, I appreciate it - I have one on order and trying to stay ahead of the game.

[Questor]

What caliber? If it's 45ACP, I think that 45 auto rim would be a better choice. Moon clips are a real pain to use. Auto rim brass is cheap and readily available.

[Buford]

I need to stick to .45ACP, both for the speed loading factor and I already have a steady supply of the ammunitions. Thanks

[Savage]

Hey,
The guys I know that shoot the 625s use a hand tool I believe is made by Dillon (could be wrong about that) it's called a De-mooner. It pops the empties right out. They don't seem to have any trouble loading the moons by hand, but it can be quite hard on the fingers getting them out. Most of these guys stay with the ACP brass because the moon clips are much faster to reload with than the Auto Rim, and they own a few 1911s as well and shoot IDPA with them both.
Stay Safe,
Savage

[Tom C.]

Brownell's has several different tools for removing .45 ACP brass from the clips. That said, if you aren't in a hurry to reload, nothing wrong with shooting .45 ACP in the revolver without clips. Means you have to pull the cases out by the extractor groove.
In addition, if you use usual 200 gr. H&G 68 SWC bullet or similar bullet, then the clip loaded .45 ACP will load much better with the chambers champfered. Round nose bullets are no problem.

[Buford]

Thanks, guys - that is exactly the information I was looking for - good ol' Brownells! Again, thanks

[Mikey]

Buford:  the full moon clips seem to present problems for some folks but also provide a quick reload for a revolver.  Years ago I had a pair of revolvers that fired the 45 ACP/45 Auto Rim cartridge - both were 1917s, one a S&W and the other a Colt.  I found that using half moon clips - the ones originally designed for those revolvers - gave very quick reloads and I didn't have to worry about not mooning (ha!, the De-mooners) or de-mooning tools and the like.  I also found them to be secure in belt carry, in loops, without too much weight drag on the belt.  They would also stack well in pockets or vests.  I always thought they were pretty handy little gizzies and have kept a bunch around just in case I find another 1917 Smith.

In all the shooting I have enjoyed, or had enjoyed, with those two revolvers I never had a problem with shells falling out or coming loose from those half moon clips.  I also found them, at that time, to be quite inexpensive and believe they are the same today.  I never had a problem with them and as a result don't fall for this 'gotta have a full moon clip' hoopla I read today.  Never got any sore fingers and nobdy ever got 'cheeky' with me either (just a half moon joke).  Hope this helps.  Mikey.

[Questor]

I use a revolver for some competition shooting and I use rimmed ammo with a speedloader. It works fine.  I just don't like moon clips. They're such a hassle.  The auto rim would be my choice.

[Buford]

OK, now that you have educated me on moon, half moon, third moon clips - and demooners - I feel like I am more on track that what I was - now, another question - where do you buy .45 Rimmed brass and can it be loaded with .45ACP dies? Are there any problems I should look out for? Thanks

[Tom C.]

Remington used to make .45 AR brass. Don't think the still do. I think Starline does, though. .45 ACP dies should work, there may be enough variations that some will work better than others. Does require a different shell plate. Loads may be a little different. The remington brass I have has a little less capacity than the usual mixed brass I use in .45 ACP. I found I don't bother with AR brass and just load everything for the 1911, then use it for the Model 25-2 interchangably. The same loads shoot great in both.

[Savage]

Yep, you can get Auto Rim brass from Starline. I don't own a 625, but if I did, I'd use the moon clips and ACP brass. I can't think of a single advantage to using the AR brass. On the other hand, I can think of several disadvantages.
Stay Safe,
Savage

[Buford]

I just checked the Starline site and the AR brass is "coming soon", rats - just keep shooting the ACP stuff...............it works for me.

[lynnbuck]

Get you a copy of the August 2003 Guns and Ammo magazine.There is a great article called Gunsite the Wheel Deal that has some great info on 625s and loaders and unloaders for moon clips.Bet it gives you everything you need.I had a 652-2 with a 5 inch barrel and it loved 200 grain lead bullets.

[Buford]

Lynnbuck, thanks for the information - best yet, and you are right - everything I was looking for is there.  I am in the process of making friends with a 625X5" - it always seemed that folks that shoot .45ACP in a revolver were kinda cultish, now I understand why.  Thanks, again

[Tacoma]

I have a 625 4" and like it allot with 45 acp and full moons. ( I have and like several .45 ACP semis and wanted to shoot the round w/o crawling around after my brass. i origionaly wnated a 5" but found out that " is no longer blessed for IDPA.) I've tried a few de-mooners and can't say that one is clearly suprior in my mind. The one I use most is one I got off of  a moon clip dealer on Ebay as part of a package. ( Great prices there!) The secret is to buy enough ( 50 or so) and load up the moon clips  ahead of time. Me ( and teh kids) deal with the demooning/ reloading process later (in front of the TV) as it IS a pain at the range. I also like the Cowboy Action type bullets that have a nice smooth conical shape w a flat nose. Build w  a moderate crimp and they fit nicely into the chamber with minimal hangups.
hth

[Bob_K]

The best stripper I've found was one in Brownells catalog, page #111 in catalog #56, #352-197-100.  It is easy to build one yourself.  Take a 6" piece of pipe those ID fits over the ACP case, notch the end so that a 1/8" 180 degree piece is removed, then put a handle on the other end.  Put over the fired case, twist it, and the fired case pops out.  If you make the tube long enough to hold the six fired cases, you only have to empty it once per clip.

[HappyHunter]

Buford,

I just recently acquired a 25-2 also in 45 acp.

Midsouthshooterssupply.com had the 45 autorim by RP (Remington).  Midwayusa.com also had this brass but was a little more $.  
Be aware that you will need a different case holder than the 45 acp holder, but the acp dies will work.


Brownells demooning handheld tool is also what I went with, and it works great.

A local gun shop sells the full moon clips 10/$5.00.

I found a really nifty looking tool (I have not yet purchased it) at this link:  http://www.moonclips.com/MST.htm
There is a video of this tool in use.  As well this web sight has more cool gun stuff than you can shake a smokepole at.

Good luck

Fred

[TScottO]

I have the tool pictured in happyhunters link. I'n my opinioin this is the best thing going for moons. I also use their demooner. It's similar to a screwdriver with a tube the diameter of the hull inplace of where the screwdriver shank would be. It doesnt demoon all of them at once but it works well.

Be Safe,
Scott

[ironfoot]

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6727&title=EXTENDED-LENGTH+MOON+CLIP+STRIPPER