New duty rig and a question...

[Glock 'em down]

This thread is mainly directed to my fellow dinosaurs, who carried a revolver duty rig back in the day. You kids that never knew anything but plastic pistols will probably be as clueless and as lost as a baby possum.

Since I found a killer deal on a duty holster for my 3 inch model 65-2, I've decided to put together a new duty rig for my little K frame.

Here's the holster I picked up from CDNN Sports, Inc.

It's made by Gould & Goodrich in ballistic nylon, made speciffically for a 3 inch M&P revolver. I know, I know...it's a sin to carry a revolver in anything other than gunleather, but at 20 bucks? Yeah...I thought it would be ok.

Now then...here's the REAL question.

Which speedloader pouch?

I'm looking at a few different speedloader pouches. Basically, there are only two different kinds. You have the standard flapped double pouch that carries a pair of speedloaders on the belt, the pouch protruding away from the belt...

And you have the "split six" type that wrap around the belt, holding the pair of speedloaders that stradle the belt, with three rounds on either side...

While the "split six" design is less obtrusive and bulky, being closer to the body, they are a kinda PITA to remove from the belt. Plus, Safariland doesn't offer them in a "nylon look" finish like they do on the other style.

Then, they have this type of triple carrier...

According to some reviews I've read on the interwebs, removing the speedloaders require skills that few have. Of course, opinions are like noses.

Which one would YOU pick?

 

[Scotter260]

I'm only in my mid-30s but when I got my surplus Model 65 4" a year or two back, I obtained a Safariland 6280 and an HKS double speedloader pouch for it and promptly qualified with it. Every once in a while when I feel like being an attention wh*%#, I carry it. I kept my old duty belt and leave the holster and speedloader pouch on that belt and then just swap my other stuff which all comes on and off quite easily.

I carry the two HKS loader in the pouch and then carry a SpeedStrip in the front divided cargo pocket of my 5.11 TDUs. When rollin' with my revolver I also carry my Glock 26 as a back-up. I've spent many nights in my basement living room over pillows practicing retrieving the speedloaders from the pouch and reloading the revolver and I'd say I feel proficient. I continue to practice though because it's not as comfortable as the magazine changing with which I've "grown up". I can't speak to your other options as I have to experience with them but feel that the HKS offers the right amount of security and easy access.

Here's a pic (technically the speedloaders are on the wrong side, I tried it the correct way and it just threw me off):

I wish you well with your endeavor,
Scott

 

[Faulkner]

I carried speedloaders for my 586 before we transitioned to 9mm semiautos. I much preferred the split six style of carrier.

If you find the split six style harder to get to your speedloaders it's usually because you need to loose a few pounds of belly.

 

[WC145]

Interesting looking holster, you don't see many duty holsters for 3" revolvers. I'm having a rig made for my 586 L-Comp, I had to go with a custom shop because of the 3" barrel and my need for moonclip pouches instead of standard speedloader pouches. Please post more pics and let us know how you like it when it arrives.

Personally, I'd go with the first speedloader pouch you listed. The second looks uncomfortable, and I'd be concerned with losing them them out of the third.

Nice looking rig, Scotter260. I've always liked the 6280, used one with my USPc. I'd have ordered one for the L-Comp, but, like I said, no 3" barrel option.

 

[Jellybean]

I preferred the revolver up to my unexpected retirement in 2007. Honestly, I never tried the split six carrier because I needed to loose more than a few pounds. I don't know if it would make a difference, but it sure looks uncomfortable.

I never had any problems at all with the standard flapped models and that is what I usually carried. In fact after cops realized they needed autos I found a few used Safariland quad pouches which I used if using a S&W K frame. They weren't made in the nylon look either though. When I first got into law enforcement they were laughed at by many because real cops only needed 18 rounds. My last department was very remote and got a little rowdy at times, plus the guys with their hi cap autos and 50+ rounds of ammo never said a word.

The last one you pictured is a competiton style and I wouldn't use them for duty use. I have one each for K and L frames and they just don't hold the speedloaders secure enough for my liking. Also they aren't hard to remove as long as you stick with the comp 2 or comp 3 style speedloaders they were designed for.

And as far as sinning goes, I carried a custom leather holster on an Uncle Mikes nylon belt that looked like leather.

 

[Nightowl]

Jellybean is right on. I would use the flap style in Safariland if I could find them with comp ll Safariland speedloaders. Ebay has them sometimes. I carried the flap style N frame for several years and they performed well.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I carried speedloaders for my 586 before we transitioned to 9mm semiautos. I much preferred the split six style of carrier.

If you find the split six style harder to get to your speedloaders it's usually because you need to loose a few pounds of belly.

Oh, there's absolutely no doubt I need to lose a few pounds of belly. MORE than a few pounds, actually.

Interesting looking holster, you don't see many duty holsters for 3" revolvers.

Personally, I'd go with the first speedloader pouch you listed. The second looks uncomfortable, and I'd be concerned with losing them them out of the third.

Yeah, you don't find many holsters for 3 inchers - on or off duty.

As for the comfort level of the split six carrier? Actually, they are more comfortable than you think. Because they are basically round, they don't gouge you like a mag pouch does. They are just kinda cumbersome to me.

I preferred the revolver up to my unexpected retirement in 2007. Honestly, I never tried the split six carrier because I needed to loose more than a few pounds. I don't know if it would make a difference, but it sure looks uncomfortable.

Nah! They ain't that bad.

The last one you pictured is a competiton style and I wouldn't use them for duty use. I have one each for K and L frames and they just don't hold the speedloaders secure enough for my liking. Also they aren't hard to remove as long as you stick with the comp 2 or comp 3 style speedloaders they were designed for.

That's good advice.

And as far as sinning goes, I carried a custom leather holster on an Uncle Mikes nylon belt that looked like leather.

I still hate to put a revolver in anything other than good ol' cowhide. It just ain't right...

Awesome replies guys - keep 'em coming!

 

[Lt JL]

I like the original double HK speedloader pouches. They are the only ones that guarantee the speedloaders will stay in them, and if you take out the plastic inserts, they don't rattle. I don't trust the competition style for real world use. The old three-in, three-out were favorites of the plainclothes guys; never saw much use for them on a duty rig. You sure are lucky, I'd go back to a .357 K frame in a heartbeat if I could. Stuck with this P226 boat anchor.

 

[webley green]

As long as we are talking about 'way back when'...we all had .38/,357revolvers. I got my SW 66 4" through a departmental buy and kept my SW 15 4"; we just about all had dump pouches for carrying our departmental issue ammo. I liked and used the bianchi speed strips, just kept them in my pocket.

 

[Frizzman]

In my uniform days, I was issued double dump pouches. We could use speedloaders but had to buy our own. The only police supply in the area carried HKS loaders and pouches. That's what I used. I was issued a "Sam Browne" belt with a Don Hume Border Patrol holster. I was also given one set of handcuffs and a belt pouch for them. The department issued me 18 rounds(that's all) of .38 LSWCHP +P for the heavy barreled Model 10 they supplied. I thought I was well armed back then. I can get some nostalgia thinking about that rig but these days I prefer my Glocks and M&P's with a couple of additional magazines to keep the bacon in one piece.

 

[Goldstar225]

In the days before autos I preferred to carry my safariland comp II's in split-six carriers for my 686. I felt that they provided a positive grip on the loader with a trimmer profile on the belt.

 

[Glock 'em down]

In the days before autos I preferred to carry my safariland comp II's in split-six carriers for my 686. I felt that they provided a positive grip on the loader with a trimmer profile on the belt.

I tried that exact setup back in the day. I walked into the PD, sat down and glanced over the reports from the prior shift, stood up and walked towards the back door to hop in my unit and start the night's patrol...

...and left a trail of cartridges on the floor behind me.

The next day I bought a pair of HKS speedloaders and never had that problem again.

 

[gr8AmericanBash]

Here's a pic (technically the speedloaders are on the wrong side, I tried it the correct way and it just threw me off):

What is the correct way?
It makes sense (to me) to have the speedloaders on your non-dominant side. What am I missing?

 

[Glock 'em down]

What is the correct way?
It makes sense (to me) to have the speedloaders on your non-dominant side. What am I missing?

Because when you unload/reload a revolver, you take it apart, hold it in your left hand and load with your right hand.

Here's a good video showing the proper way...

YouTube - Defensive Revolver

 

[gr8AmericanBash]

Aaahh, I'm showing my age (and inexperience ).

I was thinking loading mags with offhand, forgetting that you use your dominant hand when loading revolvers.

Thanks!

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
REAL COPS carry revolvers and leather gun belts/accessories.
HOWEVER nylon web gear is much lighter and maintence free.
Safariland (?) speed loader pouches that I have used are deep enough that two full moon clips will fit in each compartment (first one bullet down, second ones bullet up.
I carried a double speedloader pouch plus a 12 round cartridge carrier
Jimmy

 

[Glock 'em down]

Hi:
REAL COPS carry revolvers and leather gun belts/accessories.
HOWEVER nylon web gear is much lighter and maintence free.
Safariland (?) speed loader pouches that I have used are deep enough that two full moon clips will fit in each compartment (first one bullet down, second ones bullet up.
I carried a double speedloader pouch plus a 12 round cartridge carrier
Jimmy

Where did you wear the 12 loop?

I thought about one of these along with a double speedloader pouch. Maybe beside it by the buckle?

 

[jimmyj]

Hi, Glock Them Down:
I wore the the 12 round cartridge carrier to the right of the gun belt buckle between the buckle and the jordan border patrol holster.
Jimmy

 

[Muley Gil]

"Safariland (?) speed loader pouches that I have used are deep enough that two full moon clips will fit in each compartment (first one bullet down, second ones bullet up."

That's the way I carried my moon clips for my 3" M625 in .45 ACP. My pouch setup was the large HKS size.

If 30 rounds of .45 ACP HydraShocks didn't the job, I needed back up BADLY!!!