I currently carry a S&W 340 SS which holds 5 rounds.

Which would make for a better reloading method:


Speed loader

or

Speed Strip

Now the real important thing is WHY??????

Speedloaders are faster.
Strips are more compact.

The speed loader is clearly faster.

The speed strip is flatter and (in my experience) more likely to actually be carried and, with practice, is faster and surer than loose rounds.

In either case, practice under stress (timed fire, buddy yelling in your ear or throwing tennis balls at you, Jeopardy theme playing in the background) will give you a faint idea of how likely you are to fumble in the situation you seem to be addressing: a reload under fire.

In the days when revolvers ruled in law enforcement, as soon as speed loaders were available an authorized, I switched from speed strips in dump pouches. But for concealed carry the speed strips still had a role - after you have taken the time to hide your weapon, a double speed loader pouch on the belt is a little on the nose.

Bottom line: the speed strip in your pocket is always a faster reload than the speed loader you left at home.

You need both. A speed loader to recharge after completely emptying the revolver, speed strips to top it off.

Speed loader here. In the heat of the moment who would want to mess with one of those speed strips? Plus if you need more than 5 shots your in deep s#*t anyway

They should simply remove the word "speed" from "speed strips." If you can conceal a speed loader, go with that. If not, pack a strip. At the very least, you'll have extra ammo.

...but all this after my first recommendation to carry a second loaded J-frame.

... sprey

I have to agree with Nanook. They have different uses. Speed loader for a full charge speed reload. A strip for a partial "Tactical" reload. Now you could carry a strip for a full reload...but it ain't going to be fast when people are shooting at you! I carry at least one of each and a couple of loose rounds in my pocket.
Dean

I carry a 340sc with a speed strip in the watch pocket of my levis.

In other posts I have heard that speed loaders are not as conceilable as strips. Now that we have cell phones, iPods and mega PDAs all over our persons I say load up with whatever you think will increase your success in a gun fight.

How many seconds should it take to put 15 rounds in a T2 target at 7 yards with speed loaders from a 5 round revolver? Is this a worth while exercise?

Speed strips are good for organizing your snapcaps and dummy rounds.

I sorta think the best way to carry extra ammo for a J-frame is to put it inside a second J-frame.

No reload is faster than the New York Reload!

Carmoney;
I don't disagree with your statement, but I have enough trouble keeping my pants up without adding a second revolver

P.S. I use a speed loader...together with my 642 in my pants pocket (Mika pocket holster)..

Dale53

If you practice with speed strips, you can do a 5 second reload....not super fast but unless he is reloading too, you're in deep shit even with a speed loader...my grips don't allow speed loaders anyway...

I carry a speed strip along with my Model 60. The speed strip fits in my pocket and the speed loader would be a pain to carry in a pocket (as well as "printing").

IMHO, speedloaders were invented for LEO use on duty, carried on a Sam Browne belt in nice, black leather, Safariland basketweave carriers.

A Kel Tek .380 is about as easy to pack as a Speedloader.

To make it less obvious you're carrying speedloaders, stop in the camera section of Meijer, Wal-Mart, etc., or visit something like Ritz camera at the mall. Check out the selection of small digital camera cases. I found a couple that were just the right size for two 5-shot speedloaders. To the casual observer, it's almost impossible to know what's held inside!