Steelshooter3 Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Recently acquired an older 8-shot 627 in .38/.357. It came with moonclips of various thickness and manufacture. Some were very loose, others extremely tight. Some friends gave me the mooncliptool (advertised in the Dillon catalog) as a present. I had also purchased some moonclips from Hearthco. Unfortunately, due to the width of the Hearthco clips, I was unable to use the mooncliptool with them so it was back to needlenose pliers. -Hearthco moonclips work flawlessly. -Mooncliptool is a well made tool that was great to use with the other moonclips. The other moonclips,, that I have, worked with various results and will probably be discarded or given away. The Hearthco moonclips I purchased were for use with .38 special Federal brass. It is possible that the tool will work with other Hearthco moonclips. Just my experience - thought someone might benefit from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMajor Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I recently purchased the moonclip tool from Dillon for my 627. Found that it worked fine with the Ranch or S&W factory 627x8 clips, but couldn't get the Hearthco clips to fit over the arbor, which was a problem because they are the ones I wanted the tool for (can pretty easily press rounds into the other clips by hand, but not the tighter Hearthcos). Called Dillon, and they set me up with a replacement arbor with a smaller diameter, simple matter to change over. Works great now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glockwerkes Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I don't own one of those tools yet, but I plan on buying one as they've been getting good feedback on this forum. When I was doing my research, I found that they actually make ten different arbors to fit on the tool. There is even one especially for Hearthco clips. Perhaps you only need to replace the mandrel. Here's the link: http://www.mooncliptool.com/ Good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 (edited) I use the inexpensive (ca $75 per 100) Ranch Products 8 shot moonclips. They work well for me with every brand case except Starline which are too loose for comfort. I find Winchester brass to be the tightest, then Remington and Federal much looser. I'll switch to Hearthco clips when the limiting factor in my performance is the nature of the moonclips. I also don't get that gut wrenching feel when one of the other competitors or an RO accidentally steps on one of my ejected moonclips - heck, it's inly 75 cents not $4! Edited April 21, 2009 by TonyT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjanglin Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 You can send one of the moon clips that dont work to the fella who makes the tool and he will make you an arbor. Jim/Pa Sailors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelshooter3 Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks to all for the info and suggestions. I will order a replacement arbor. I wasn't aware he made one for the Hearthco clips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S&W627shooter Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Hearthco moonclips are the best. I use the 627 8-shot .357 clips made for Starline brass, and I can clip the rounds in by hand--no need for a tool. They are still fairly tight and go in the cylinder smoothly and quickly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hearthco Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Hey Guys. Thanks for the kind words! Im sorry for those of you that have experienced difficulty making my clips work with the various other gear you use. It is very difficult to justify making mods to the clips to suit each type of demooner and holding device out there, considering all of the customers out there that have made there changes to their gear work with the clips. I am tremendously greatful to the folks like Tom Kilhoffer, Elliot Ayesen, Dillion, and every other manufacturer who made changes in their products to suit my clips. I try to make the very best clips I can for the competetive shooter. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopalong Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 And THAT you do sir !!!! Thanks for an AWESOME product !!!! Hopalong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Round_Gun_Shooter Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Buy the center post from Moonclip.com for Hearthco clips. It will work with the tool you are talking about. A friend of mine is the major player in these tools and I have been using them for a long time. He recently hooked up with Dillon which is great for him. When I had a 627, he was only making the tool in 45ACP so on a whim I bought the posts from TK and they worked. This is what you want Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelC Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 A source I find very useful: http://www.moonclips.com/cart/shopdisplayc...mith+%26+Wesson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now