Dismayed by revolver quality generally, with very few exceptions

[Wildcat]

Well I went to the range again with my 627 S&W and all went well except I friggin HATE moon clips! Whats interesting so maybe take notice when you buy the clips,some are brass specific and TK makes a generic one I guess if you have mixed brass.Those are the ones I bought and lets just say I threw 2 of em into the weeds,LOL They were loose,brass would fall out,I ended up tweaking,bending some so not very happy with my experience. Was some of it ME,,probably but once the clip is tweaked its junk. I did buy in on the rd loader and empty brass tool and they work good,gotta be watchful with the loader cuz if the clip and brass aren't level,or lined up that's where you will have problems. These are the split clips: https://tkcustom.com/collections/627...on-clips-slits I have a couple S&W clips that came with the gun and while they are tough loading and unloading they seem to be holding up so far,if I buy more it more than likely will be this style. https://tkcustom.com/collections/627...wn627x8-025-ss

Welcome to the adventure of trying to pair 38spl or 357mag with moon clips.

Unfortunately the little groove in the 38spl case is not a standardized feature like an extractor groove is for autoloaders.

Manufacturers (usually) put that groove in a 38 to assure that the cartridge headspaces properly. If an ammo maker puts a groove in their 38 brass, how wide they make the groove and how deep they make the groove is slightly different from one company to the next.

Fortunately the .025" thick clips I have from TK Custom or from RevolverSupply work nearly all the time with a lot of different brands of brass.

Here is what works and what doesn't:
Aguila: Yes
Armscorp (A USA): No, groove is too shallow
Blazer (aluminum): No groove
Blazer (brass): Sometimes. Check before you buy Batches of this brass do not have a groove; perhaps made on the machinery they use to make aluminum shells.
Federal: Yes, occasionally I find some that do not accept clips.
Fiocchi: Yes
Geco: Yes
Herters: Frequently these do not fit.
Hornady (brass): Yes
Hornady (nickle): No Groove is too shallow
IMI: No. Groove is too shallow
Lake City (LC): Yes
Magtech (CBC): Yes, some of this brass has a generous groove width and the rounds wobble
Perfecta: Yes
PMC: Yes Brass shells work, less confident about nickle
Privi (PPU): Yes
Remington (R-P): Yes. Preferred brass for use with clips. I have found older brass where the groove is too narrow
Sellier & Bellot (new): Sometimes the groove is too shallow, otherwise the brass fit tightly
Sellier & Bellot (old): Yes, close fitting.
SIG: Yes
SPEER: Usually Yes...but you have to check before you buy. Batches of this brass do not have a groove, like the grooveless Blazer
SPEER DWM: No. Groove is too narrow
Starline: Yes, but the groove width is wide and the rounds wobble quite a bit.
......Note that TK makes special thickness clips for use with Starline brass (I don't own any of those)
Winchester(new): I think Winchester is making the groove wider than they used to.
Winchester (old): No. The groove is too narrow to accept a 0.025" clip.


The split moonclips may be an OK idea for 6-shot cylinders but I think they weaken the clips too much for 7 and 8 shot guns.

Always use the tool for removing the brass from the clips. It is too easy to torque them out of shape otherwise. Once bent, they are never quite right even if you manage to iron them 'flat' again.

If you will shoot it much, I would recommend finding a Plano box to accompany your 627. Pick a size to suit your needs. The one I use (approx 10-3/4 x 7 x 1-5/8") holds about 20 loaded moon clips plus a small parts kit with spare moon clips and a sight adjuster.

[m1a_scoutguy]

Awesome info Wildcat,thank you so much! I guess its time to do a little brass sorting,LOL And yea the "split" clips were the problem,the factory S&W ones held strong,and yes I have both the loader and brass remover tool from TK,they work good.

[Ron3]

Man, sure reading of so many Colt King Cobras breaking hammers. And trigger return springs and transfer bars. And a couple firing pins. All with low miles. Then getting the gun back & the hammer breaks again.

Mine is around 1300 rds roughly and it's been fine.

Guys examine the insides and say the parts are all chintzy. (Undersized)

I was hunting for a GP100 but I recall how the 3" .44 round-butt I had was just on the side of "too big" to CC.

I've decided to get an SP101. I've a couple before. They are very close to the size of my King Cobra and only weigh about an ounce less. Still in the sweet spot of easy practice & carry yet tames the .357 enough.

I'll polish up the internals & lighten the hammer spring a little.

Will get a 3". Preferably adjustable sights. A 6-shot .327 is tempting but I'm leaning to a .357 5-shot.