.357 Magnum moon clips

[country doctor]

I have a S&W 686 Plus revolver and am considering having TK Custom machine the cylinder to accept their moon clips.  http://www.moonclips.com/content/machine.asp

Is there a practical/functional or legal reason not to do this for a self-defense weapon?

My Model 25 in .45 ACP came with moon clips.

Would it be reasonable to do for a 640?

I am a little unclear from the S&W website whether the 327NG accepts moon clips.  One poster on another site said his came with them, but TK Custom says the cylinder needs machining. 

The 327 M&P R8 comes with moon clips, but does not have the Big Dot sight.

Opinions?  Suggestions?

Thanks for the great podcast. 

David

[Chris]

Moon clips can be problematical in quality & function. OK for competition, but I wouldn't modify a rimmed cartridge revolver for them in SD use. It's just one more thing that can go wrong.
Chris Christian

[Daeglan]

So Speedloaders are better for SD?
What kind of problems are there with moonclips?

[Chris]

Not all moon clip makes hold the rounds rigidly in place... in addition, moon clips can be slightly bent and still load, and those may cause a misfire. The .45 ACP moon clips do seem to work OK. The other calibers have problems. I would much prefer avoiding them for rimmed rounds that don't need them.
Chris Christian

[flop-shank]

I have nothing against moon clips, but the fastest reload is a New York reload (second gun). That's what I use.

[country doctor]

Thanks.

Speedloaders and speed strips it is.  And I save some money.  More ammo to practice.

Speed strips are handy in the pocket.  Moon clipped rounds probably have to be in a case to keep from bending.

David

[greenlion]

I assume if you did this it would no longer work WITHOUT moon clips because the firing pin would not reach the primers??

One thing I have always liked about revolver is you only have to make sure you have 2 things. GUN + BULLETS

I have walked down to where I shoot a couple of times with my Glock and a box of ammo only to find no magazine in my mag well and have to make a trip back to the house.