My first revolver

[Geno 28]

Just got home from the shop.

It's S&W 686 plus.

Can't wait to try it.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Great first choice. Enjoy.

[M4BGRINGO 139]

Welcome to the addiction Geno. I am up to 7 now myself.......

 

Is your cylinder cut for moon clips?

 

That is something I want to do with one of my 686's for competition use.

[Geno 28]

Welcome to the addiction Geno. I am up to 7 now myself.......

 

Is your cylinder cut for moon clips?

 

That is something I want to do with one of my 686's for competition use.

I don't even know what it is.

I am newbeeeeee.

Just got it today NIB from the shop.

[Maksim 1,504]

great first revo!

[Wolfy 51]

Very versatile.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

I don't even know what it is.

I am newbeeeeee.

Just got it today NIB from the shop.

 

 

Revolver rounds are usually rimmed cartridges (.38 Spl / .357 Mag / .44 Spl / .45 Colt). The gun headspaces on the rim of the case and the extractor fits under the rim to kick the empties out of the cylinder. Some revolvers are chambered for semi-auto pistol rounds (9mm / 10mm / .45 ACP) which are rimless cartridges. Without the rim, there is nothing for the extractor to push against to extract the empties. A full-moon clip is a circular piece of metal with cutouts that fit in the extractor grooves of the rimless cases. (Picture worth a thousand words)...

 

 

Are you still with me? Through the use of full-moon clips you can load all six rounds at one time. The clip stays with the cartridges in the gun - there is nothing to discard, the way there is with a speedloader (a device for loading 6 rimmed revolver cartridges at a time. It holds them in the correct pattern to insert into the cylinder partially, at which time some sort of release is activated to allow gravity to complete the loading process. So a speedloader requires three motions - insert, release, discard. A moon-clip only one - insert).

 

In competition there was a perceived advantage of using moon-clips vs. speedloaders (as outlined above), so some ingenious person came up with a way to machine the rear of the cylinder, on a revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge, to accept moon-clips. The beauty of this is that you can still shoot the gun, and get reliable ignition, without the moon-clips should you want to.

 

IMHO, I think that before it becomes worthwhile to undertake that modification, you should be awfully good with that wheelgun, because we're talking about fractions of seconds saved by using moon-clips as opposed to speedloaders. Speedeloaders are also a lot less expensive (Midway has Safariland speedloaders on sale this month).

 

One final historical footnote - moon-clips are a relatively new device. The original clips were called half-moon clips and were developed early in the 20th century for use in military 1917 revolvers chambered in .45 ACP. Revolvers were issued because they couldn't produce the relatively new 1911 handgun fast enough, and half-moon clips allowed the use of .45 ACP in a revolver, so there was commonality of ammo. While full-moon clips hold the case on its inside circumference, half-moons fit in the outer circumference - again, a picture...

 

 

That's your lesson for today. Aren't you glad you asked??

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

[NicePants 58]

Excellent choice! I don't own one, but I did have the pleasure of firing one. Felt and shot like a dream. I think maybe I'll be snatching one up with my next PPPs.

[hd2000fxdl 422]

Fantastic, very nice wheel gun, congratulations.

 

Harry

[gunnarsport 13]

Great classic Smith revolver! Enjoy shooting, and be CAREFUL!

[Geno 28]

Revolver rounds are usually rimmed cartridges (.38 Spl / .357 Mag / .44 Spl / .45 Colt). The gun headspaces on the rim of the case and the extractor fits under the rim to kick the empties out of the cylinder. Some revolvers are chambered for semi-auto pistol rounds (9mm / 10mm / .45 ACP) which are rimless cartridges. Without the rim, there is nothing for the extractor to push against to extract the empties. A full-moon clip is a circular piece of metal with cutouts that fit in the extractor grooves of the rimless cases. (Picture worth a thousand words)...

 

 

Are you still with me? Through the use of full-moon clips you can load all six rounds at one time. The clip stays with the cartridges in the gun - there is nothing to discard, the way there is with a speedloader (a device for loading 6 rimmed revolver cartridges at a time. It holds them in the correct pattern to insert into the cylinder partially, at which time some sort of release is activated to allow gravity to complete the loading process. So a speedloader requires three motions - insert, release, discard. A moon-clip only one - insert).

 

In competition there was a perceived advantage of using moon-clips vs. speedloaders (as outlined above), so some ingenious person came up with a way to machine the rear of the cylinder, on a revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge, to accept moon-clips. The beauty of this is that you can still shoot the gun, and get reliable ignition, without the moon-clips should you want to.

 

IMHO, I think that before it becomes worthwhile to undertake that modification, you should be awfully good with that wheelgun, because we're talking about fractions of seconds saved by using moon-clips as opposed to speedloaders. Speedeloaders are also a lot less expensive (Midway has Safariland speedloaders on sale this month).

 

One final historical footnote - moon-clips are a relatively new device. The original clips were called half-moon clips and were developed early in the 20th century for use in military 1917 revolvers chambered in .45 ACP. Revolvers were issued because they couldn't produce the relatively new 1911 handgun fast enough, and half-moon clips allowed the use of .45 ACP in a revolver, so there was commonality of ammo. While full-moon clips hold the case on its inside circumference, half-moons fit in the outer circumference - again, a picture...

 

 

That's your lesson for today. Aren't you glad you asked??

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Bob!

I want to hang out with you!!!!

So much to learn. This info is definitely way over my head.

I just want to shoot this gun for fun.

Thanks for the lesson.

Geno.

[Col. Mortimer 11]

Geno:

 

You are off to a good start. You cannot go wrong with a good quality pistol like a 686. Now let's get you an automatic pistol.

[Wolfy 51]

If you could only own one gun this would be it.

[Geno 28]

Geno:

 

You are off to a good start. You cannot go wrong with a good quality pistol like a 686. Now let's get you an automatic pistol.

 

This is my first revolver, but not the first gun.

My first i got last year and it's Beretta Px4 9mm.

[CageFighter 236]

Nice!!

 

mine was an LCR .357 (RayRay made me do it)

[Sixtytwo327 14]

Just picked up the same exact 686 P - my first revolver as well. Took it to the range and let me just say, I scrapped my plans for the remaining two permits and I'm now looking into some wheel guns.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Welcome to the wonderful world of wheelies!

[diamondd817 827]

Just got home from the shop.

It's S&W 686 plus.

Can't wait to try it.

 

Me Too!!!! But I just realized mine came with a different style grip than yours.

 

 

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Me Too!!!! But I just realized mine came with a different style grip than yours.

 

His are Hogues. I think yours are Uncle Mikes. Both were made for S&W, thus the logo.

[HKHockey 5]

Absolutely gorgeous revolver! Hopefully will collect some nice S&Ws or Colts in the near future

[bry@n 195]

congrats on the whell gun. very nice.

[Ronald Silver 2]

for those who love 686s, check out "The American" 686 on the auction sites. satin finish, american flag, just very pretty

[JimmyAGR 54]

Revolver rounds are usually rimmed cartridges (.38 Spl / .357 Mag / .44 Spl / .45 Colt). The gun headspaces on the rim of the case and the extractor fits under the rim to kick the empties out of the cylinder. Some revolvers are chambered for semi-auto pistol rounds (9mm / 10mm / .45 ACP) which are rimless cartridges. Without the rim, there is nothing for the extractor to push against to extract the empties. A full-moon clip is a circular piece of metal with cutouts that fit in the extractor grooves of the rimless cases. (Picture worth a thousand words)...

 

 

Are you still with me? Through the use of full-moon clips you can load all six rounds at one time. The clip stays with the cartridges in the gun - there is nothing to discard, the way there is with a speedloader (a device for loading 6 rimmed revolver cartridges at a time. It holds them in the correct pattern to insert into the cylinder partially, at which time some sort of release is activated to allow gravity to complete the loading process. So a speedloader requires three motions - insert, release, discard. A moon-clip only one - insert).

 

In competition there was a perceived advantage of using moon-clips vs. speedloaders (as outlined above), so some ingenious person came up with a way to machine the rear of the cylinder, on a revolver chambered for a rimmed cartridge, to accept moon-clips. The beauty of this is that you can still shoot the gun, and get reliable ignition, without the moon-clips should you want to.

 

IMHO, I think that before it becomes worthwhile to undertake that modification, you should be awfully good with that wheelgun, because we're talking about fractions of seconds saved by using moon-clips as opposed to speedloaders. Speedeloaders are also a lot less expensive (Midway has Safariland speedloaders on sale this month).

 

One final historical footnote - moon-clips are a relatively new device. The original clips were called half-moon clips and were developed early in the 20th century for use in military 1917 revolvers chambered in .45 ACP. Revolvers were issued because they couldn't produce the relatively new 1911 handgun fast enough, and half-moon clips allowed the use of .45 ACP in a revolver, so there was commonality of ammo. While full-moon clips hold the case on its inside circumference, half-moons fit in the outer circumference - again, a picture...

 

 

That's your lesson for today. Aren't you glad you asked??

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

Bob you never fail to enlighten me with your posts. You are truely a credit tothis forum, thank you.

[Ian S 22]

Holy necroposting!

 

Bob, those pictures are beautiful. If I didn't learn anything from the post, which I did, I'd be satisfied with the full moon photo.

[Shug 4]

Congrats. I am looking at the same to be my first revolver.

[Ronald Silver 2]

Congrats. I am looking at the same to be my first revolver.

Wonder which is more popular, 3, 4 or 6 inch barrel.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Wonder which is more popular, 3, 4 or 6 inch barrel.

 

Depends on what you're going to do with it. Range only, probably the six inch. Competition or HD 4". HD or SD 3".

[smoothie 0]

I use mine only at the range and have the 6 inch barrel. Very accurate

[NicePants 58]

Wonder which is more popular, 3, 4 or 6 inch barrel.

 

I'd say the 4 inch is probably the best seller followed by the 6 inch. The 4 inch is very versatile because it doesn't have the extra bit of weight of the 6 inch but it still has a lot of barrel for accuracy and taming recoil, which is a bit worse on the 3 inch.

[NJdiverTony 27]

Congrats! Very nice revolver! I'm seriously thinking of picking up one of these when my next set of permits are ready in the next month or two... It's going to be either the 686 Plus or the 686 SSR...