It seems that several users of S&W "J" frame and other five-shot revolvers that use the same speed loaders drop one or two into a pocket perhaps not being used for practice or for their intended purpose. Among the load-the-cylinder-at-once speed loaders, which are more likely to survive being in a pocket were I fall down a flight of stairs? Unfortunately, this is not a hypothetical. Vertebrae that were crushed and repaired in the 1970s need some work. Right now I evaluate legs in use as - and this is the technical term - twitchy. Out of my home I have fallen twice in the last four months. Both were precisely the same problem occurring. One time I broke my arm in three places. The second time I was quicker and banged up my shoulder and ruined the Bill's Khaki pant I was wearing.

I don't think anyone tests reliability to this degree.

Sorry to hear of your plight. I have issues with neuropathy, can only imagine my future.

I prefer K frames but I often carry a J frame and I never carry speedloaders in my pockets. I do carry extra ammunition in my briefcase (one of the reasons I carry the silly case) but I really don't anticipate ever needing a reload. It's just one of those things that we do "in case" - the in case being that I become the one concealed carrier in a zillion who gets into a prolonged gunfight.

If I go out without the briefcase and carrying a J frame I'm down to five shots. Nothing I worry about.

Sorry about those physical ailments; I have some myself. Gettin' old ain't fer sissies......

From personal experience I can say that I've unintentionally dropped loaded Safariland Comp I speedloaders on concrete and they held the rounds in place, but still worked when I needed them to. I've also read of an instructor who would take loaded Comp I speedloaders and throw them against a wall without losing rounds, but still work. This is part of the reason why I use Comp Is, as well as their simple operation.

For pocket carry, I'd say it should be fine. You're probably more likely to hurt yourself from a fall than to damage these loaders.

The one caution I'd advise is to not use them with split-six-type belt-mounted carriers, as the speedloader is carried such that the release mechanism rides on top of the belt. While it hasn't happened with me, I have read of people somehow putting pressure on top of the pouch, causing the loader to release its rounds.

Personally, for pocket carry I'd use a speed strip or two. I have a preference for Tuff Products strips, but the original Bianchi strips are good, too. I don't like the 5-round strips as I don't feel like I can get a good enough grasp on them. If I carry a reload in my pocket, it's a 6-round strip in a Side Guard Holsters pocket pouch. Most of the time, I carry Comp Is in JOX belt-mounted pouches.

I keep a couple of HKS 5 shot speed loaders in my car but use speedstrips for EDC w/a pocket holster. The speedstrips are carried in the watch pocket of my jeans and/or in a jacket pocket in cooler weather.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Never had the medical issues like you, sorry and hope you the best. I leave a Miami Dade speed loader on the console and carry when about to enter an uncomfortable situation.

All ways was worried about left with an empty gun but feel comfortable with 5, 38 specials

As Old Cop says.

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Certified Curmudgeon

I like the HKS speed loaders. Haven’t ever had a problem with them except the time TSA found one hiding in a hole in the lining of a backpack at the airport. Haha

My 638 is an easy carry. My 60 Pro is more fun to shoot. Be careful out there. I know about broken bones and replacement myself...

I usually carry one or two HKS loaders or one HKS and a speed strip or two. I carry the 6 round strips , they work the same and with the two extra rounds I don't have to swap ammo if I decide to carry my old Cobra .

Eddie

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

Old Cop, Tompkins and Eddie are right. Listen to them.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I've carried the same way for decades...
J Frame at 4 O'clock, two speed strips rubber banded together in my right rear pocket; two Comp One speed loaders in my right front pants or jacket pocket.

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David
CW3 USA (Ret) 1968-1990

While I own a couple of speedloaders for my J frame, I always carry speed strips for my reloads.

A Zippo rides in my watch pocket so I carry a coupla speed strips in my left front pocket. My snubby rides on my belt on my right hip.
I have speed loaders, both HKS and Safariland and when I get a bit of time, I'm gonna make a belt carrier or two for them.
As far as walking difficulties go, you might want to see about using a cane or maybe even a walker until your 1970's repaired vertebrae get some work done. Falling and breaking bones is a problem that needs to be addressed.
With my motor nerve problem, I spent nearly a year relearning to walk using the muscles that still work by carefully placing my feet. It was slow going at first but eventually I could walk at a good steady pace. I also lost lotsa weight so there'd be less of me to move.
Going down steps and stepping offa curbs still pose an interesting challenge and I have to carefully plan such things. If there's nothing for me to hold onto or lean on for the way down, then I don't go up in the first place.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Do you mean what's more comfortable to fall on, or what will be more likely to survive the fall. SPEED STRIPS for both, OR fill all your pockets with Styrofoam peanuts. Stay safe.

Many thanks, guys, for this assistance and your encouragement.

Canes are for sick people. My Irish blackthorn root walking stick, though, is for those of us who occasionally "sup with the devil." I get away with nearly everything because he's fearful of getting whacked. Its undocumented feature?? is protection from being attacked by Victoria's Secret models. So far it works, perhaps, too well?

Here is my take on speedloaders from someone who carries only a speedloader in his front pocket daily. Other peoples mileage may vary.... this is just MY opinon and experience.

I also reload the DeBethencourt Right hand .... using left ( my weak) hand method. The J never leaves my strong (R) hand. So the loader is in my left front pocket with my wallet.

Link if interested:
THE BEST:

1. SL Variants are THE BEST no equal. But no longer imported so you have to pay a premium. I have seen them upwards of $100.00. Glad I got mine when I did. Fit into pocket easy and conceal well. They stay locked in place until released.Long so when in pocket I keep next to wallet and stay upright and easy to grab.

2. Jet loaders are an EXCELLENT substitute. Better than the others. Little bigger but also imported. Fit into pocket easy and conceal well. Fit into pocket easy and conceal well. Also long so when in pocket I keep next to wallet and stay upright and easy to grab. They STAY locked in plac until released. very tough. Pricey at 30 bucks a pop but worth it. JetLoader SpeedLoaders


THE REST (IMHO):

3. Five Star. Great, lightweight but I hate twistys for small revolvers. CCW release which is opposite of HKS but I think better because it actually twists AGAINST the natural swing of the cylinder not pushing it closed. ( You can have them make it CW release if you are old school and have HKS actions ingrained in your muscle memory) Also smaller than the HKS so fit better in pocket. Smaller though harder to grasp.

4. HKS. Old standards. Don't work with some stocks on J's due to size. CW release.

5. Any Safariland. Larger do not fit most grips. They are way better for K's, L's, and N's... just don'y agree with J's under speed and pressure in my experiences.

6. Speed beez. Great concept..... HUGE

My daily carry....

One more vote for the 6-round speed strips. Mine are Bianchi.
Not only will they not break if you should fall on one, they won't injure you either - whereas something with the diameter of the speed loader would most certainly make a serious bruise - or worse.

I always carry at least one speed strip wen I carry a revolver...
They don't make another bulge in my pockets...

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NRA Benefactor

I have an old fashioned, leather carrier for .38 Special/.357 Magnum reloads - it is not a speed strip. It is designed to be carried on a belt with the 6 rounds in loops like a western gun belt so it is not fast in any sense of the word. It is also not "good" for cartridges if held in place a long time because they get verdigris. Anyway, I mention it because there was a time quite some years ago that I had it with me in a briefcase going through an airport - totally forgot I had it until I literally saw it on the x-ray screen. I nearly choked. Thankfully, the screener ignored it. I have no idea why.

As for an aka a shillelagh - they make devastating weapons if used properly. Any "cane" is useful for self defense but shillelaghs are so cool that it is just more fun to use one of those than a cane and you can board planes early if you look that "stove up".

I accidentally tried to go through security with one of my speed strips in the pocket of a pair of cargo shorts in my luggage.
They confiscated the rounds, but let me keep the strip.

.

New thread coming - tactical pens in airports.

I completely agree with most of the above post. I prefer Safariland loaders, and have carried two every day for the last year or so. Though they feel cheap, I have never had one malfunction, period. The one concern with speedloaders is that they often do not work with non-stock grips. Most rubber grips and large wood grips seem to not work with speedloaders in my experience, even if they are cutout for them.

I also carry speedstrips sometimes, but here's where I differ from the post above. I much prefer the Bianchis, which I find to be softer and easier to use in every way than the Tuff strips. The Tuff strips can be very difficult to load and unload due to their very stiff plastic.

I drop a Bianchi speed strip in my pocket. As ContinentalOp said, I don't anticipate ever needing a reload but just in case, speed strips are nearly weighless and hardly noticeable in the pocket. I used to carry a speedloader but found it to be uncomfortable and bulky at times. I have not had an issue with the rounds detaching from either method, (That's not entirely true, when bored I did have a bad habit of fondling the speedloader while in my pocket. I got pretty good at releasing the rounds then putting them back in the speedloader with one hand while still in my pocket.

What Old Cop said - speedstrips suit me best.

That's interesting, because my experience has been the opposite. I found Bianchi strips to be stiffer than Tuff strips as well as more difficult to load/strip, which is why I prefer the Tuff strips.

I suppose one could buy a set of each and see which works best for them.

There's never a free lunch.

The Safariland speed loaders are generally considered to be faster, since the release movement is a forward press on the button, rather than a turning movement as on the HKS speedloader.

However, as you've noted, they are more vulnerable in a slimmer profile slip over speed loader case, since they dump their rounds if the button is pressed - and the comp 1 would be have to get out quickly.

The HKS are not perfect either, as if you turn the knob the clockwise they will release the rounds. Consequently, I use a slip over carrier from Wild Bills Concealment with an HKS speed loader, but I use an intentional slight counter clockwise movement when drawing them, to prevent an unintentional release.

The best approach to speed strips is to move up one size. Use a 6 round strip for a 5 shot revolver and a 7 round strip for a 6 shot revolver and just leave the spot open next to the tab.

If you are looking for a full on reload, then a speed loader is an order of magnitude faster, than a speed strip, but the speed strip is easier to carry and conceal.

For a time the FBI used speed strips to get just a couple rounds into the gun to get back in the fight. But you still spend just as much time ejecting, and what little, if any, time you might save slapping 2 rounds in with a speed strip versus, 5, 6, or 7 with a speed loader is mostly or totally offset by the extra time needed to index the cylinder on those two rounds.

In that context then, the tactic of loading just 2 rounds with a speed strip was in preference to the much longer time it took to load all 6 from a speed strip, not in preference to using a speed loader.

Consequently, my preference is a slip over speed loader carrier and my back up is 6 rounds in 7 shot speed strip in my watch pocket.

I have used both Comp I and HKS speed loaders. They regularly get tossed on the ground after loading. None of mine have ever failed. With practice, both are easy to use.

What more can I say?

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Freedom isn't free.

I created this video today:

J Frames and Speedloaders - YouTube

I use speedloaders mainly at home for home defense or out at the range but for carry I use Bianchi speed strips for my 642. The speed strips lay flat in the pocket and they're not even noticeable.

eb07, that's a good, succinct little vid! I've seen nothing yet that would want to make me change from Safari's Comp series.

I find the older I get...the lighter my guns get...the shorter my pocket knives get...and I carry an extra 5 round speed strip for the J frame. That extra round and weight of a 6 round speed loader only slows my ability to serpentine at shuffle speed!

DEPENDING ON MY DAILY CIRCUMSTANCES, I CARRY EITHER A 2 1/2" M686+, A M642-1, OR BOTH.....

A PAIR OF SPEEDSTRIPS, HOLDING 12 ROUNDS, OFFERS A COMPLETE RELOAD, IF BOTH OF THESE WEAPONS ARE EMPTY. TRY BOTH THE TUFF, AND THE BIANCHI BRANDS, TO SEE WHICH SUITS YOU BEST. CARRYING ONLY 6 ROUNDS, IN A 7 ROUND STRIP, GIVES YOU A LITTLE LARGER TAB TO HANG ON TO, DURING THE RELOAD.......








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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Where have you found 7 round speed strips?
I've been looking and am only finding 6 rounders.

Amazon.

Do a search for "revolver speed strip" and you'll find 5, 6, 7, & 8 round speed strips.

I went with 8rd strips because it gave me plenty of real estate to hold on to with either 5 or 6 rounds. They're easy to carry.

I picked up an older 3" .44 Charter 5 shot and bought 6 rd strips for that.

Naphtali - I'm sorry to hear about your falls and wish you the best. I went thru a succession of falls starting in 2011 - wound up with a hospital stay and lost two front teeth. A wee bit off-topic - and this sounds obvious - but I have eliminated my falls (for three years) by being uber-careful about surveying the road or sidewalk conditions in front of me. ALL of my falls were related to either unintentionally stepping off of a sidewalk or encountering a step-down (mostly) or a step-up that I didn't see. My wife always yells at me to hurry up when I get out of the car ... but I take my time to look at the planned walking route before I actually walk away. Back on-topic - I like the strips because they'll fit into a small carrier (Leatherman) so I can almost always have a reload - but not speed load - with me ...

Tuff Products Tuff Strips. They make 5-8 round strips in different calibers. You can also get different colors. I have black strips for carry and orange strips for practice.

2 - six round speed strips with 5 rounds in each for extra ammo ( it gives more surface to grip) in right pocket.I carry AIWB.
When reloading I open cylinder with and hold gun in left hand as I was trained with speed loaders back in the day,but use my right hand and thumb (hand over top of cylinder)to strip rounds into the cylinder two at a time. This allows me to keep my gun at just below eye level so I can still see what’s going on around me and puts gun into action faster than holding it at almost waist level and loading with index finger (you have to look down to reload).
I also find it is faster and gives more control of the speed strip.
As mentioned above the brand is up to you. I prefer the Bianchi because they are a little stiffer but ammo comes out easily.

Wish you the best in your search for ammo carrying delema and stay safe. Falling and getting hurt Sucks!!!

Be SAFE and shoot often!

5StarFirearms makes fine speedloaders and also offers pouches/carriers that might contain the cartridges in the speedloader during acrobatics.
I have a half-dozen of their speedloaders but never tried their pouches.
They ain't cheap.
J2-357/38 Accessories

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60-10,640-1,G30,G41MOS,1911