Speedloaders - How Do You Carry Them?

[RedBerens]

For the last couple of years, I've been carrying a speedloader by simply throwing it in my pocket. Whenever I go to retrieve it, it's always on it's side or upside down, so I've decided to try and find a suitable carrier.

I'm looking at the Don Hume Pack Six, and the Slimloader Pouch by Andrews Leather.

I was wondering who carries a speedloader, and they do it? Anything out there I'm overlooking?

 

[Glock 'em down]

For the last couple of years, I've been carrying a speedloader by simply throwing it in my pocket. Whenever I go to retrieve it, it's always on it's side or upside down, so I've decided to try and find a suitable carrier.

I'm looking at the Don Hume Pack Six, and the Slimloader Pouch by Andrews Leather.

I was wondering who carries a speedloader, and they do it? Anything out there I'm overlooking?

The Don Hume is a good way to tote one. But...If you are using a Safariland speedloader, watch out! When the loader stradles the belt, the belt itself will activate the release mechanism in the middle of the loader, thus, dumping all of your rounds on the floor. If you are using an HKS speedloader - you're fine.

I also like these little guys.

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

 

[haggis]

Safariland's Split-Six holder is very secure and concealable for their COMP I and II loaders. There are (were) sizes for J, K, L, and N-frames, but K and L are most of what's available today.

Blade-Tech makes open-top Kydex holders for Safariland and HKS loaders.

Safariland, HKS, and Uncle Mike's make duty pouches with flaps if you want security.

Sometimes, especially for the large frame loaders that are difficult to fit, you make your own.

Buck

 

[haggis]

The Don Hume is a good way to tote one. But...If you are using a Safariland speedloader, watch out! When the loader straddles the belt, the belt itself will activate the release mechanism in the middle of the loader, thus, dumping all of your rounds on the floor.

I don't know how the Don Hume holder works, but the Safariland Split-Six keeps the belt from acting as a trigger by two mechanisms:

1. The holder body is molded to help prevent the speedloader from moving down far enough to trip the release.

2. The top of the holder restricts the upward motion of the knob. if the knob can't go up, the trigger can't release the cartridges.

I don't know if Hume has something similar to prevent premature ejection, but if it doesn't, it shouldn't be used for Safariland speedloaders.


Buck

 

[ChadW]

If the pockets are big enough, I'll just carry them in my front pocket. I have a few pants with larger pockets that allow for easy access. I also have a pouch I can wear on my belt that is held closed with velcro which makes it very quick and easy to get the reloads, but it makes my clothing stick out that much more. (I don't wear many loose, flowing shirts.. I wear more form fitting ones)

In the winter when I wear a jacket, I wear my shoulder holster which has two spots for the reloads.... or I'll just throw one in the jacket pocket if it's deep enough.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'll second anything from Andrews leather. All his holsters are top notch!

I had a "speedloader scabbard" for lack of a better name to call it made to fit in my pocket to keep my upright, and most of all to keep the .38 Special LSWCHP bullets from rubbing and getting lead in my pocket. That's the case if you carry the old "FBI load" or similar ammunition with unjacketed bullets.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I don't know how the Don Hume holder works, but the Safariland Split-Six keeps the belt from acting as a trigger by two mechanisms:

1. The holder body is molded to help prevent the speedloader from moving down far enough to trip the release.

2. The top of the holder restricts the upward motion of the knob. if the knob can't go up, the trigger can't release the cartridges.

I don't know if Hume has something similar to prevent premature ejection, but if it doesn't, it shouldn't be used for Safariland speedloaders.


Buck

All I know is "back in the day" I was wearing a wheelgun on duty...a model 681 to be exact. I had just bought a pair of Safariland Comp II speedloaders and a Safariland "Split Six" carrier over the weekend. I came to work THE VERY FIRST DAY I wore the loaders and the carrier. I walked in the PD's front doors, sat down at "our" desk, looked over the log and reports from the shift prior, stood up to go down to the restroom and left a trail of cartridges behind me.

I went to my locker, took the "Split Six" carrier off my belt, put my 12 loop back on it and picked up a Gall's catalog and ordered a standard double speedloader carrier...you know, the kind that protrudes about 6 inches from your belt, and never looked back.

 

[yugolovr]

I use a Safariland duty pouch.

 

[Krull]

I'm using a $12 speed loader pouch for field carry,seems to work no reason it won't do for CCW ether.

 

[linde]

I'm going to stay with the HKS speedloaders . . . the Maxfire speedloader & pouch (Brownell's) would be great for a duty belt but are just too bulky for concealed carry.

My question is where to carry the speedloader for CCW. I'm right handed and carry a revolver OWB on my strong side and the speedloader in a pouch on the weak side. My instinct (based on range use) is to change grip of the revolver and eject with the weak hand and then grab the speedloader from the strong side. I'm thinking, however, that swapping hands in a defensive situation is not recommended. However, I find it very awkward to eject spent casings and reload from the weak side while maintaining the strong side grip on the gun. What is the recommended method used by LE back in the revolver days?

Russ

 

[44forever]

The Don Hume is a good way to tote one. But...If you are using a Safariland speedloader, watch out! When the loader stradles the belt, the belt itself will activate the release mechanism in the middle of the loader, thus, dumping all of your rounds on the floor. If you are using an HKS speedloader - you're fine.

I also like these little guys.

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

I have used someting similar but with the three-in-three-out arrangement, works fine with the HKS loaders. If you have a loop carrier, you can stick two of the speedloaders rounds into the loops. It will stick out a bit more than the 3&3 arrangement but not as much as the leather speedloader carriers.

 

[elcruisr]

I use Jet Loaders. They can stack two high in a small generic cell phone pouch, ride in my front pocket or I have two carriers built for them if I'm wearing my Andrews Monarch shoulder holster.

 

[bummer]

front pocket in the summer time-fall/winter/spring in jacket pocket

 

[Glock 'em down]

I'm going to stay with the HKS speedloaders . . . the Maxfire speedloader & pouch (Brownell's) would be great for a duty belt but are just too bulky for concealed carry.

My question is where to carry the speedloader for CCW. I'm right handed and carry a revolver OWB on my strong side and the speedloader in a pouch on the weak side. My instinct (based on range use) is to change grip of the revolver and eject with the weak hand and then grab the speedloader from the strong side. I'm thinking, however, that swapping hands in a defensive situation is not recommended. However, I find it very awkward to eject spent casings and reload from the weak side while maintaining the strong side grip on the gun. What is the recommended method used by LE back in the revolver days?

Russ

I was taught to carry the loaders on the STRONG side forward of the holstered revolver, at about the 1:30-2:00 position. The reload is performed thusly:

Open the cylinder with your LEFT hand's middle and ring finger. Wrap your index finger around the topstrap and wrap your pinky finger around the rear sight, firmly gripping the open revolver. With your left thumb, depress the ejector rod while giving the revolver a sharp downward shake, utilizing good ol' gravity as an aid in ejecting the spent brass.

To reload, keep the grip you currently have on the revolver as explained above. After clearing the revolver of ALL spent brass, rotate the weapon so that the barrel is pointing downward. Grasp the speedloader with your RIGHT hand, insert the noses of the cartridges into the chargeholes of the empty cylinder. Activate the speedloader's mechanism that deploys the cartridges...push for Safariland, turn knob for HKS or lift and pry if using a Speed Strip. Once the revolver is charged, let the empty speedloader/Speed Strip fall to the ground - it's no good anymore. Firmly close the cylinder, re-establish a combat grip, aquire target...if there is one, and resume firing...if necessary.

Here's Clint Smith's method, which is similar but he likes to load his at face level so he can see what's going on around him. Which is a good "idea" but in reality, pointing the revovler downward utilizing gravity is, IMHO the best method.

YouTube - Defensive Revolver

As usual, YMMV.

 

[linde]

I was taught to carry the loaders on the STRONG side forward of the holstered revolver, at about the 1:30-2:00 position. As usual, YMMV.

Much obliged . . . the reloading technique you were taught and described is very natural and comfortable for me. I will apply it when I attend a Personal Protection Outside the Home class later this month. Thanks again,

Russ

 

[samIam]

I started using a cell phone holder after another forum member suggested it.Its made by Bucket Boss and is deep and wide enough for mags,speed strips or speedloaders.Its used by carpenters and is sold alongside nail pouchs and such. Best thing is it doesn't look like a speedloader pouch.

 

[flop-shank]

My question is where to carry the speedloader for CCW.

Russ there is an excellent tutorial on reloading revolvers with a speed loader in the library, IIRC, at www.grantcunningham.com .

 

[linde]

Russ there is an excellent tutorial on reloading revolvers with a speed loader in the library, IIRC, at www.grantcunningham.com .

Yes, that is an excellent tutorial . . . along with many other articles that make worthwhile reading. Thank you very much for the helpful suggestion.

Russ

 

[sipowicz]

I find speed strips much less bulky and with a little practice, not much slower...

 

[flop-shank]

I'm with Sipowicz regarding speed strips. The only time I ever carry speed loaders is when I'm wearing a heavy winter jacket. I otherwise find them obnoxiously bulky.

Yes, that is an excellent tutorial . . . along with many other articles that make worthwhile reading. Thank you very much for the helpful suggestion.

Russ

You're most welcome, Russ.