Webley .45 ACP clips

Karl · 03-04-2008, 08:06 PM

I just acquired a Webley Mk VI with the cylinder cut down for .45 ACP with half-moon or full-moon clips. I have searched the internet and the usual sources such as Marstar, Numrich Arms, etc. for such clips without success. I have found .45 ACP clips that are listed for use in both Colt and S&W revolvers (same clip). Will the same clips also work in the Webley? If not where might I find a supply of Webley .45 ACP clips? KFS

RichSr · 03-05-2008, 07:42 AM

Karl,
These Webleys were modified to use the half moon/full moon clips developed for the Colt and S&W revolvers. The original British cartridge was very hard to come by and this modification made shooting them practical again.

John Sabato · 03-05-2008, 11:20 AM

I didn't find any half-moon clips... but these are functional:

http://www.cactustactical.com/osc/pr...oducts_id=1143

Also:

Search ebay for "Dozen 45ACP Full Moon Clips with Case Removal Tool"

The auction ad states that these clips work with the Webley as well as Smith & Wesson revolvers.

Edward Tinker · 03-05-2008, 11:43 AM

They do, I used ones just like them, from ebay and usem them in the Webley and my S&W 25-2.

Be aware that the half moon many times don't work well in the Webley or the S&W 25-2, the ones I had, I had to grind down the corners, these were older ones made for the 1917's and just don't work as well.

Ed

abukafura · 03-05-2008, 04:24 PM

Question about these clips from someone who simply does not know the answer: Do you HAVE to have these clips to make the Webley work or are they just for speedloading? Can the revolver be loaded and fired without the clips, or do these clips provide some other function that makes shooting possible? May sound stupid, but I just don't know much about revolvers, esp British ones. Thanks for the info......

John Sabato · 03-05-2008, 09:13 PM

The clips hold the .45 acp by their rimless groove and allow for ejection function... otherwise rimless rounds would have nothing to grab them and eject them...

and no question is stupid if you don't know the answer... this whole forum is about sharing knowledge...

I hope my answer was clear to you.

RichSr · 03-05-2008, 10:02 PM

Good answer John. The 1917 Colts had the chambers bored straight through with no shoulder. The clips would also prevent the 45 acp rounds from falling out the front of the cylinder.

fg42 · 03-05-2008, 10:45 PM

I believe the answer is yes you need clips Half or full moon. The main reason is to hold the rounds at the correct depth in the chamber for the firing pin on the hammer to strike the primer and fire the round. The clips also make it possible to extract the rimless cases. Bob

Karl · 03-06-2008, 08:22 AM

Thanks to all for the information. I ordered some of these: http://www.ezmoonclip.com/ and will look for some old half moon clips at the next gun show.

I have another ignorant question about the Webley - the rifling seems more pronouned than usual. Should I shoot lead bullets or is FMJ OK? KFS

abukafura · 03-06-2008, 09:05 AM

I appreciate getting/having thisinformation. I just purchased a very nice Webley leather holster and am looking for the right pistol to put into it. Now I know what to do when looking for clips and ammo. Thank you.

davidkachel · 03-06-2008, 09:44 AM

I seem to remember that the Webley was designed for a somewhat underpowered cartridge...

I would be careful to shoot only mild 45 acp loads in a Webley.

Rod WMG · 03-06-2008, 04:56 PM

I'm probably very much in the minority, but I've never liked the clips.

If you handload invest in some .45 Auto Rim brass which eliminates the need for the clips. Also, the reloading data for the AR, in the recent Speer manuals at least, is more in keeping with the lower pressure needed.

stefanosg · 03-06-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod WMG
If you handload invest in some .45 Auto Rim brass which eliminates the need for the clips.

I've handloaded both the ACP and Autorim using 5g Unique powder and 250g lead ball. I was warned by the Webley guys that modern ACP loads may damage the pistol. Since I already handload, I decided not to risk it.

Rod WMG · 03-06-2008, 09:27 PM

You're a wise person, Steven.

My Webleys are "uncut" so I don't reload AR/CP for them. I have loaded some pretty warm for my Smith 625, but I don't do that any more either. I have enough handguns that I don't need to really hotrod non-magnums.

The gunboard forums have some guys who are very adamant that the Webleys will blow with .45 ACP loads over time. The pix they've posted are pretty scary.

The only manual I have access to at this moment is the Speer #12. It lists the max SAAMI pressure for the AR round as 15,000 CUP (not PSI) and says its loads are within that limit.

Karl · 03-07-2008, 07:17 PM

Thanks again to everyone for your knowledge. The consensus seems to be that standard .45 ACP ammo is not a good idea. I know nothing about handloading ammo. How many gadgets would I need to handload small amounts of .45 ACP or .45 auto rim? Best source? KFS

stefanosg · 03-08-2008, 05:20 PM

I use a Dillon 550B. It allows me to load both pistol and rifle calibers with relative ease. If you shoot alot you may want to look into reloading, particularly with ammo prices always on the rise. Here is a link to a site with some helpful info on the Dillon product. http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html
If you are not interested in doing other calibers at this time, you may want to visit the Lee Precision website. They have some inexpensive single stage presses for starters. Also check out Ebay for used equipment.

Karl · 03-08-2008, 08:51 PM

Thanks again,

I did some internet research and may end up with a basic Lee reloading package. I don't shoot all that much (except skeet) but I shoot mostly unusual rounds: 9mm Steyr, 30-40 Krag, etc. and reloading was probably inevitable. I have avoided reloading for years because the last thing I need is yet another hobby. Now I wish I had saved all that brass. KFS

Rod WMG · 03-09-2008, 03:34 AM

Karl, I strongly recommend a "kit" which contains most of the things you need to reload (it sounds as if that's what you have in mind).

Also, at least three reloading manuals is a good idea.

I wish you the best in this foray.

stefanosg · 03-09-2008, 08:28 AM

Karl, that sounds like a good start, especially if you are shooting alot of obsolete rounds. For most pistol shooters, reloading is a matter of economics. For rifle shooters its more about accuracy. As Rod had suggested, read up on the subject. There are also some fine forums on reloading. One such site is http://www.reloadbench.com . Good luck, be safe and have fun.

03-05-2008, 07:42 AM	#2
RichSr User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 128 Thanks: 154 Thanked 54 Times in 36 Posts	Karl, These Webleys were modified to use the half moon/full moon clips developed for the Colt and S&W revolvers. The original British cartridge was very hard to come by and this modification made shooting them practical again. __________________ Rich

03-05-2008, 11:20 AM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	45 Moon Clips Sources I didn't find any half-moon clips... but these are functional: http://www.cactustactical.com/osc/pr...oducts_id=1143 Also: Search ebay for "Dozen 45ACP Full Moon Clips with Case Removal Tool" The auction ad states that these clips work with the Webley as well as Smith & Wesson revolvers. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-05-2008, 11:43 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	They do, I used ones just like them, from ebay and usem them in the Webley and my S&W 25-2. Be aware that the half moon many times don't work well in the Webley or the S&W 25-2, the ones I had, I had to grind down the corners, these were older ones made for the 1917's and just don't work as well. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-05-2008, 09:13 PM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	The clips hold the .45 acp by their rimless groove and allow for ejection function... otherwise rimless rounds would have nothing to grab them and eject them... and no question is stupid if you don't know the answer... this whole forum is about sharing knowledge... I hope my answer was clear to you. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-05-2008, 10:02 PM	#7
RichSr User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 128 Thanks: 154 Thanked 54 Times in 36 Posts	Good answer John. The 1917 Colts had the chambers bored straight through with no shoulder. The clips would also prevent the 45 acp rounds from falling out the front of the cylinder. __________________ Rich

03-04-2008, 08:06 PM	#1
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Webley .45 ACP clips I just acquired a Webley Mk VI with the cylinder cut down for .45 ACP with half-moon or full-moon clips. I have searched the internet and the usual sources such as Marstar, Numrich Arms, etc. for such clips without success. I have found .45 ACP clips that are listed for use in both Colt and S&W revolvers (same clip). Will the same clips also work in the Webley? If not where might I find a supply of Webley .45 ACP clips? KFS

03-05-2008, 04:24 PM	#5
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 90 Times in 57 Posts	Question about these clips from someone who simply does not know the answer: Do you HAVE to have these clips to make the Webley work or are they just for speedloading? Can the revolver be loaded and fired without the clips, or do these clips provide some other function that makes shooting possible? May sound stupid, but I just don't know much about revolvers, esp British ones. Thanks for the info......

03-05-2008, 10:45 PM	#8
fg42 User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I believe the answer is yes you need clips Half or full moon. The main reason is to hold the rounds at the correct depth in the chamber for the firing pin on the hammer to strike the primer and fire the round. The clips also make it possible to extract the rimless cases. Bob

03-06-2008, 08:22 AM	#9
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Thanks to all for the information. I ordered some of these: http://www.ezmoonclip.com/ and will look for some old half moon clips at the next gun show. I have another ignorant question about the Webley - the rifling seems more pronouned than usual. Should I shoot lead bullets or is FMJ OK? KFS

03-06-2008, 09:05 AM	#10
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 90 Times in 57 Posts	I appreciate getting/having thisinformation. I just purchased a very nice Webley leather holster and am looking for the right pistol to put into it. Now I know what to do when looking for clips and ammo. Thank you.

03-06-2008, 09:44 AM	#11
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I seem to remember that the Webley was designed for a somewhat underpowered cartridge... I would be careful to shoot only mild 45 acp loads in a Webley. __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.

03-06-2008, 04:56 PM	#12
Rod WMG User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Edge of Texas Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm probably very much in the minority, but I've never liked the clips. If you handload invest in some .45 Auto Rim brass which eliminates the need for the clips. Also, the reloading data for the AR, in the recent Speer manuals at least, is more in keeping with the lower pressure needed.

03-06-2008, 09:27 PM	#14
Rod WMG User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Edge of Texas Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	You're a wise person, Steven. My Webleys are "uncut" so I don't reload AR/CP for them. I have loaded some pretty warm for my Smith 625, but I don't do that any more either. I have enough handguns that I don't need to really hotrod non-magnums. The gunboard forums have some guys who are very adamant that the Webleys will blow with .45 ACP loads over time. The pix they've posted are pretty scary. The only manual I have access to at this moment is the Speer #12. It lists the max SAAMI pressure for the AR round as 15,000 CUP (not PSI) and says its loads are within that limit.

03-07-2008, 07:17 PM	#15
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Thanks again to everyone for your knowledge. The consensus seems to be that standard .45 ACP ammo is not a good idea. I know nothing about handloading ammo. How many gadgets would I need to handload small amounts of .45 ACP or .45 auto rim? Best source? KFS

03-08-2008, 05:20 PM	#16
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	I use a Dillon 550B. It allows me to load both pistol and rifle calibers with relative ease. If you shoot alot you may want to look into reloading, particularly with ammo prices always on the rise. Here is a link to a site with some helpful info on the Dillon product. http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html If you are not interested in doing other calibers at this time, you may want to visit the Lee Precision website. They have some inexpensive single stage presses for starters. Also check out Ebay for used equipment. __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

03-08-2008, 08:51 PM	#17
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Thanks again, I did some internet research and may end up with a basic Lee reloading package. I don't shoot all that much (except skeet) but I shoot mostly unusual rounds: 9mm Steyr, 30-40 Krag, etc. and reloading was probably inevitable. I have avoided reloading for years because the last thing I need is yet another hobby. Now I wish I had saved all that brass. KFS

03-09-2008, 03:34 AM	#18
Rod WMG User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Edge of Texas Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Karl, I strongly recommend a "kit" which contains most of the things you need to reload (it sounds as if that's what you have in mind). Also, at least three reloading manuals is a good idea. I wish you the best in this foray.

03-09-2008, 08:28 AM	#19
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Karl, that sounds like a good start, especially if you are shooting alot of obsolete rounds. For most pistol shooters, reloading is a matter of economics. For rifle shooters its more about accuracy. As Rod had suggested, read up on the subject. There are also some fine forums on reloading. One such site is http://www.reloadbench.com . Good luck, be safe and have fun. __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."