2nd Amendment and Right to Bear Arms/.40 S&W in revolvers

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Expert: - 12/20/2004


Question
I read somwhere that the .40 S&W cartridge will not work well in a revolver such as the S&W M-610 because wide variations in case rim thickness from brand to brand cause problems when using  moon clips. What's the story? Thanks!

Answer
Hi, Peter...

My understanding is that since .40 caliber cartridges loaded in a Smith & Wesson Model 610 would be head-spacing off the rim rather than off the case mouth, both .40 S&W and 10mm rounds would would equally well, and avoid the "stand-off" issues I discovered quite by chance ten years ago (and chronicled at http://www.thegunzone.com/10v40.html) in the process.

Your question is an interesting one, but if I understand it correctly, I don't see how "variations in case rim thickness from brand to brand" should be a problem since the "moon clips" secure the body of the cartridge case at the case web.

I have a suggestion for you: follow the "Question or Comment" link (http://www.ambackforum.com/viewforum.php?f=75) at the bottom of the referenced page, and ask there, and some colleagues of mine will help you separate good information from that which is 'Net babble or the traditionally unreliable "gunshop grapevine."

Thanks for writing...

- Dean Speir  

2nd Amendment and Right to Bear Arms

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Dean Speir

Expertise

I can answer questions about Handguns, Rifles, Ammunition, the Firearms Industry, the "gunzine game," practical accessories for self-defense (CCW) handguns; rumor control on firearms myths, errata on the "gunshop grapevine."

I am NOT an Attorney, and nothing I provide here should be relied upon as legal advice. Therefore, please do NOT make inquiries about Criminal Justice issues... this is the Second Amendment topic.

Nor do I do "Private Consultations." Want to made it "private," retain an attorney.

Experience

25 years practical and competitive hangunning; 26 years in the firearms industry; 15 years writing for the gunzines, including 4½ years as Industry Editor for The New Gun Week; maintainer of www.thegunzone.com.

Organizations
Life Member, NRA

Publications
Guns Magazine, Combat Handguns, Petersen's Handguns, American Handgunner, The New Gun Week, Gun & Shooter, American Handgunner, Shooting Industry, American Firearms Industry, Machine Gun News, Practical Shooting International, Law Enforcement Techology, Police Product News, The American Guardian, The Shotgun News, Visier (Germany) and various DBI Books.

Education/Credentials
BA in English Graduate Lethal Force Institute Graduate Gunsite Graduate Defensive Training Institute

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