quote:

Originally posted by Nanook 450:
You need both. A speed loader to recharge after completely emptying the revolver, speed strips to top it off.

What are the
procedures for "toping off" a revolver? What
this fng,I, means is, how does one quickly remove
the spent cartridges from the cylinder,while
leaving the unshot ones in the cylinder?

Thanks

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by ghostrider_23:
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??????

Best to carry one of each. Speed loader for reloading empty cylinder, strip for "tactical loading" of fewer than all cartridges. Raise extractor, pull only spent shells free, replace from strip.

In a perfect world speedloaders are the way to go. Sometimes the way we are dressed we have to use speedstips. You sould practice with both.

I believe when the fertilizer hits the ventilator speedstrips may be the way to go.A speedloader is a all or nothing endeavor,if you miss you miss and are still empty.A speedstrip can give you a sure tactile reload of at least 2 or 3 shots and you can close your cylinder and return fire....Here is hoping things never get that bad but practice with both under stress conditions......God Bless....Mike

quote:

Originally posted by markedup:

quote:

Originally posted by Nanook 450:
You need both. A speed loader to recharge after completely emptying the revolver, speed strips to top it off.

What are the
procedures for "toping off" a revolver? What
this fng,I, means is, how does one quickly remove
the spent cartridges from the cylinder,while
leaving the unshot ones in the cylinder?

Thanks

Mark

I would guess topping off is not really an issue for most CCWers....

I use both. A HKS speedloader in car and 2 speed strips in watch pocket of jeans...

My small .38 is carried only as a backup to the primary. I carry a speed strip and two of those cartridges are shot cartridges. I find myself sometimes having to dispatch sick skunks and other rodents in the city and the speed strip is basically a cartridge organizer for me.

I prefer to spend my time practicing to be able to hit what I'm shooting at. And if you aren't reloading behind cover you'll likely be shot no matter which loader you're using.

Dave Sinko

Seems to me that a belt loop cartridge slide would be just as fast, if not faster than a speed strip. Galco, among others, makes the 2x2x2 covered belt slide that is unobtrusive and works very well. Back in the day when the FBI issued the Model 13, I believe they taught a tactic to reload 2 rounds and get back into the fight. Another advantage of the Galco 2x slide is that it will hold calibers other than the .38/.357. I'd be interested in the thoughts and opinions of others on this.

Regards,

Dave

Speed strips. I carry J-Frames exclusively and every combination of grips I have tried gets hung up on Speed Loader in a hurry. Yes I have tried all of the different types of speed loaders too. If the grip fits my hand right, it intereferes with a speed loader. The grips that work with speed loaders offer little grip control for me. Can't say much about other size revolvers.

Just my 2 cents worth here, but I still have nightmares about a bad night back in 1976. Partner had been shot, was trying to get with him and return fire. When the BG finally ran I had returned fire and had 1 left in my 28. This was pre-speed loader and I was using strips.
I can think of no training I ever had that prepared me for a reload under those conditions. I never shot less than "Master" when qualifying, but no one was shooting at me then either.I went to speed loaders shortly thereafter and carried them until we converted to Sigs in 86. I still carry a 36 today with a speed loader.

My preferred j frame reload is a .32 Seecamp. Not as much punch as the short barrel .357's, but way faster. If the Seecamp won't fly, I use a $5 Sears Craftsman cell phone holder that neatly stashes 2 speed loaders. I had to put a little piece of black material in the bottom of the cell phone pouch where the corners are open so those shiny hollowpoints wouldn't peek out if my shirt lifted up.

quote:

Originally posted by Buford57:


In either case, practice under stress (timed fire, buddy yelling in your ear or throwing tennis balls at you ...

Wrenches! Because if you can reload while dodging a wrench ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iXP9yoc4VY

SRC - that Ritz camera case is a great idea!

Actual testing showed me some surprises:
1. A speed loader in my Dockers pocket (along with the 340PD in UM pocket holster) is not more obvious than a speed strip.
2. But a speed strip is just as fast, for me, as a speed loader. But
3. In darkness or other situation where I can't see the gun, the speed strip is hopeless after the first two rounds; regardless of how many rds I have in the strip or how they are arranged.
4. The Bantam grips on my 340PD don't exactly block the speed loader, but they tend to cause the cartridges to go in at a slight angle and the case mouths badly hang up on the edge of the chamber. Chamfering is strongly recommended.

quote:

Originally posted by markedup:
What are the
procedures for "toping off" a revolver? What
this fng,I, means is, how does one quickly remove
the spent cartridges from the cylinder,while
leaving the unshot ones in the cylinder?

I don't think this was addressed, so I thought I'd try. Understand that I am by no means an expert on revolver tactics.

If you tap up slightly on the extractor rod while the muzzle is pointed towards the ground, the unspent cartridges will slide back into the cylinders while the spent cartridges will stay out. You then just remove the spent cartridges and insert new ammo.

The brass casings expand once fired and will not slide back down into the cylinders as easily. It may just be the heat or the detonation of the gunpowder that does it, I'm not sure which one.