S+W 25 - 45 ACP questions?!? What, a gun topic on a gun forum?

dreher

On another post I started I talk about the S+W 25 in a 45 ACP I traded for today after our church service.  As you can see I go to a GOOD church!!            Anyway, the guy I traded with said he didn't have any half moon clips and never had any.  He told me it shoots just fine without them.  I 100% believe him because I know he wouldn't lie to me, you know, friends etc. 

So those of you who own a S+W 25 in a 45 ACP, do most of them shoot without the half moon clips?? Is this one of those deals where some 25s shoot without the clips others must have the clips to shoot??  Is this a factor of which brand of 45 ACP you are using, as in, some brands shoot, some brands don't??

If I decide I better acquire some half moon clips where would be the best place to go to find them??  I tried looking on the auction side.  I'm sure they are probably for sale on the GB site somewhere but I'm probably not putting in the best info in the search function.

I was told this 25 shoots like a target revolver.  How do yours do in the accuracy department??

I wont be able to put any ammo through this Smith until Friday.  I'm already looking forward to Friday!!!!!!  Thanks all!!

select-fire

Cheaper that Dirt and Buds sell the moon clips.

mark christian

Wilson Combat makes full (6 shots) and half-moon clips. You should be able to find them on Amazon. 

toad67

As mentioned earlier, if you don't want to mess with moon clips, use 45 auto rim. It is the same as 45acp, except it has a rim on the case eliminating the need for the clip.
As for moon clips, there are a few different way to go, polymer or steel, half or full. Polymer are great for range use, and you don't need a tool for them, and they only come in full. They can handle some rough housing, but sometimes you do have a few strays if you just toss them in a range bag.
Steel moon clips, full or half, are hard on the fingers, and a tool is generally needed for both loading and un loading the clips. They do however, hold the cases much better if you carry them for self defense, or you load up a pile the night before shooting while sitting in your chair and toss them into a range bag. If you go this way, do some research and get a good tool.
Personally, I use polymer clips, and load them as I need to when shooting, since it only takes a few seconds. I like the rimz
https://www.ezmoonclip.com/RIMZ%20625%2045%20acp.htm
and this is my favorite tool
https://www.originalprecision.com/universal-moonclip-tool.html
You will love shooting 45 in a revolver.....

BobJudy

I have shot ACP in my 25 without the clips. It was a little tedious getting the empties out. Most would just drop out, but every cylinder full would require a pencil or dowel to pop a couple out. These were my light target loads and I am not sure about extraction with the heavier loads. As far as accuracy goes it beats my 1911s every time. I haven't tried the polymer clips but I just may have to get some. Bob

rufe-snow

When I had my Model 25. I got them from a outfit named Ranch Products, than from the midwest. I believe, they have since relocated to AZ. 

My M-25, which was of early 80's vintage. Would work fine, with or without clips. Not sure, if the later Smith production M-25's, will function without clips?

If you do use the clips, make sure you get the special tool. Specifically made, for removing the fired brass from the clips. It sometimes can be a bear, removing the fired cartridges. Because of dimensional differences, of the cartridges extractor groove. The clips are made of very thin, sheet steel and bend very easily. Once they are bent. Loading live rounds into the cylinder, can be problematical.

savage170

Ranch moon clips. midway is a good source.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/100608348?pid=144819

The tool on top of pictures works just fine for less then 5 bucks. If you shoot it a lot for a little bit more I like the one on the bottom better a little easier to use

navc130

Factory ACP ammo will work fine in the S&W 25.  It has a good, square case mouth that butts against the chamber reduction to bullet size.  However, you will have to knock out some cases with a rod.  It is a good idea to have a few clips for fast loading.  The .45 Auto Rim cartridge is available but often hard to find.

bpost

Back in the day, I bought 50 full moon clips for my 25-2.  It is a VERY accurate gun.  Get the de-mooner tool, it makes taking the empties out of the clip a breeze.  Cast 200 SWC's take a bit of wiggle to get in the chambers, 230RN's drop right in.

rufe-snow

I got rid of my 45 ACP, Model 25, after a while. Even after replacing the 6" barrel, with a original S & W 4" barrel. It was to big, heavy and bulky, as compared to a 1911. 

At the time, it was something I just had to have. Put a lot of money into it. Over  what I paid for the revolver itself, (buying and having the 4" barrel fitted, holsters, moon clips, etc). Expensive mistake, by the time I was through diddling around. I probably could have bought 2 Colt 1911's, NIB for what I had in the Smith. Life is one big learning experience. Big honking revolvers, have to many drawbacks. Leave them to the Dirty Harry wannabees.

chiefr

mrmike08075 said:

See .45 Auto Rim cartridges...

An interesting development and alternate clambering ersatz wartime solution...

And a valid choice for today's hand loader.

Mike

That is what I have been using. 
The moon clips are a hell of a good speed loader, but not needed in a target grade revolver. Yes, a * to remove the brass. 
Also and most important, the 45 AR is more accurate. 

jeffb1911

I've got a 625-3 5" barrel, and a S&W 1937 Brazilian (think S&W 1917 made for Brazil in 1937) that had the barrel bobbed to about 3 1/2" and the front sight remounted.  When shooting either when they are clean with scrubbed chambers, they will usually drop the empties out easily.  After shooting a bit and the chambers get dirty, it gets a little trickier and a push rod is needed.  I traded into a bunch of full moon clips, a De-mooner tool, and a loading tool.  The little tool at the top of Savage170's pic is handy, but little cumbersome do do large volume.  A hollow core handle can be modified just like the tool to make it easier since there is more of a handle.  Think of a 1911 barrel with the extension on the top of the chamber-just put the empty case in the tool, and twist.  The shoulder will cam the case out of the clip.  I find full moon clips easier to deal with than half moon clips.  Also have acquired some 1/3 moon clips too, but not sure where i got them.  Think they are not being made for the S&W Governor and Tarus Judge guns.  As others have said, the 45 Auto Rim was made to be a 45acp with rim for these revolvers.  Rim is quite a bit thicker than normal rims because of this.  Traded into a bunch of speedloaders for the auto rim rounds too.  Think they were from the 50s from the looks of the packaging they were in, but they still work like they should.   When searching gun broker, use the term MOON CLIP, and that will bring up a lot of the clips, as well as some accessories to help load and unload them.  Recently also traded into a 940 Smith, which is a Centennial chambered in 9mm.  Basically the same thing, but 5 shot.  When out shooting i can put some rounds in without the moon clip, but once it gets dirty, they will have to be ejected like on a SAA.  Still, fun guns to shoot, and more accurate than i can be most days.  

Ricci.Wright

I HATE moon clips. Just a personal thing but I hate loading and unloading them. That said if I was using them I would spend the money and get a "mooner' and "demooner. or whatever is the best tool now. I own a super nice model 25 chambered in .45 Colt that at 50 feet will put six rounds practically through the same hole.  The action is smooth as only a Smith N frame can be. She is bright shiny blue with a 4" barrel and I hope I never have to sell her.

Collector52

I love moon clips (steel) but HATE half-moon clips.  Too much work to unload the fired brass, even with a hooked removal tool.

Aztngundoc22

OK : 
I got a S&W model 1917 in the safe : it uses the 'clips' ( I got some 1/2 moon and a few full moon clips ) : Fun to shoot !!!
Thanks !!!