So, I just picked up a 986. Other than having lots of gouges on the swing arm (check out my other thread about the gouges), I am happy with it.
I Was told by the dealer that I can use either moon clips or just load loose rounds. When I try to use the ejector, it will not catch any of the rims of the casings. All the rounds just sit in the cylinder, while the ejector moves freely. Is this normal, or do I have a faulty gun?
The 9mm is a rimless cartridge. You can shoot the 986 without clips, but clips are required to extract the empty brass using the ejector.
Shooting reloads without the clips can cause ignition issues, because the 9mm headspaces off the case mouth and the length of reworked brass can vary.
I suggest using clips unless you find yourself in a situation where you need to fire your 986 and clips are not available.
Perfectly normal by what’s said above. Buy some clips and use them. I absolutely love moon clips. If I ever buy another .38, it WILL be machined for moon clips. Just be careful with the clips. They are just, sort of, thin spring steel and bend pretty easily.
If you want a revolver converted to use moon clips, contact Tom Kilhoffer @ http://www.moonclips.com/
In revolvers chambered in rimless cartridges honestly it varies some will run fine without moon clips while others will not. I had a 45 thunder ranch that would run fine without clips and a good shake of the gun with cylinder open usually resulted in five of six empties dropping free from the chambers.
I have on first hand knowledge but heard the 9mm moon clip guns have deeper cut chambers and will not reliably fire with out clips