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In our previous blog we took four of the top reasons you might choose a speed loader over a moon clip, or vice versa. We discussed which one holds the cartridges more securely (speedloaders), which one you’ll want to take with your to the range (speedloaders), which is more portable (moon clips), and which is more durable (it depends…)
But that article was getting very long, because here at Speed Beez we just love thinking about, and writing about, the many aspects of owning and shooting revolvers. So we decided to write this second blog that addresses some more of the differences you’ll find between these two types of fast loaders. Let’s start off with a big — and perhaps surprising — difference.
Speedloaders: Speedloaders are certainly a faster option than handloading, for the simply reason that you’re filling all five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten chambers at once. The more rounds your revolver holds, the more time you’re saving with each reload.
Moon Clips: Moon clips have the big advantage of staying in the revolver when you reload. All you have to do is drop the spent brass and drop in a new full moon clip holding your cartridges. Nothing to twist or push to drop them in.
Final Verdict: Moon Clips. Despite the name “speed” loader, the real speed it offers is when compared to hand reloading. For sheer speed, moon clips will nearly always win in the hands of an expert. In fact, the fastest revolver reload ever was accomplished with a moon clip.
Speedloaders: Nothing to see here…a speedloader won’t work. While a loader could probably be created to grab rimless cartridges and put them in a cylinder, the point would be moot as the brass would slide right on through.
Moon Clips: Moon clips are great not only because they can hold all of the rounds at once, but because they offer the only way to use rimless cartridges in a revolver. Not only that, but you can also easily mix rimmed and rimless ammo in the same revolver’s cylinder.
Final Verdict: Moon Clips. It’s one of the big reasons they exist, because otherwise you won’t be shooting your 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP.
Speedloaders: How do you reload a speedloader? Do you load it by hand, one cartridge at a time? That’s just introducing a middle man who doesn’t need to be there. So if you want to shoot more rounds than your cylinder and the matching loader can carry, you’ll need to have a loading block around to be able to keep reloading efficiently.
Moon Clips: Moon clips don’t need the loading dock. But they’re much tougher to reload than speedloaders. Considering all you have to do to get rid of your Speed Beez speedloader is to push a button, using a de-mooning tool on a moon clips takes a lot more time and effort.
Final Verdict: Toss-up. Speedloaders are incredibly easy to reload…when you have the loading block in front of you. Most people can get a complete revolver reload to under five seconds (some can beat three seconds). Moon clips might be tougher to reload on the fingers, but you don’t need to have anything extra like a loading block around to get the job done.
Speedloaders: When you pick a top-of-the-line speedloader, you should expect to pay $30 or more. While they can be had for cheaper, they’re usually throwaway models from China that you won’t want to use on the range, let alone in a competition.
Moon Clips: Moon clips are right next to dirt cheap. If you buy only 10 or so, you’ll be paying more. But in bulk you can get them for between 50 cents and $1.50. They’re also reusable, so you really don’t have to replace them until they bend beyond usefulness or you lose them. Either way, they certainly don’t break the bank.
Final Verdict: It depends. Moon clips are cheaper, without a doubt. But final cost always has to be compared to the functionality you’re looking for from a product. With a high-quality speed loader, the cost might be more but the value is higher.
Speedloaders: The more complex a machine, the more likely that people will be impressed to see it in action. Men don’t wear much jewelry, so what do they do instead? Accessorize their hobbies. So trucks get lifted, fishing poles get more complex, and man caves get neon signs. Oh, and revolvers get holsters and speedloaders!
So when you use a speedloader, you’re more likely to be taken seriously on the range. After all, Dirty Harry used one to reload his Model 29 .44 Magnum in the Dirty Harry sequel Magnum Force, as did his competition who used it to reload his Colt Python.
Moon Clips: Moon clips are kind of cool looking, but without the cartridges in them they’re really kind of dull to look at. In truth, moon clips are simply pieces of metal (or, in the case of cheaper versions that you won’t find out our site, plastic) that are completely utilitarian. They’re the guitar pick to the guitar, the key to the supercar. They work, but they’re certainly not flashy.
Final Verdict: Speedloaders. Even cheap speedloaders (which we don’t suggest due to functionality purposes) will make you look cooler on the range than a moon clip. Luckily, Speed Beez speed loaders don’t only work well, but they’re also the coolest-looking speed loading apparatus around. You can see it working at it drops the cartridges into the cylinder flawlessly every time. Most of ours are gold and black, but we also have some red ones available as well.
Well there you go…five more ways that each of those fast loaders compare to each other. Is one better than the other? If you’ve learned anything from these articles, it’s that each has a time and place in the realm of shooting. It really just depends on where you are and what you’re doing. The good thing is, Speed Beez carries the highest quality of both types of equipment. Head on over and grab what you need for your particular revolver!
