8 shot speed strip for 5 shot j frame

[CAJUNLAWYER]

If i thought I was going to be loading my snubs under pressure, in the midst of a dynamic situation ... I'd be carrying speedloaders.

If i thought I was going to be loading my snubs under pressure, in the midst of a dynamic situation ... I'd be carrying my M&P9 with four extra loaded magazines....or I'd just stay at home .

 

[Fastbolt]

If i thought I was going to be loading my snubs under pressure, in the midst of a dynamic situation ... I'd be carrying my M&P9 with four extra loaded magazines....or I'd just stay at home .

Me too.

 

[walkin' trails]

I never thought about the 8-rounders, but seems like a good idea. I can't think of any cons. If you've ever trained with strips, you understand that it is easy under stress to accidentally lose a round. Having a couple of extras keeps you going without missing a beat. Also, the more rounds in the strip, you have enough to top after firing two or three and still may have enough left for a full reload.

 

[Old TexMex]

I was taught and train with six round strip minus one. Eject/Reload with left hand. I'm right handed and never turn loose of right hand grip.
We had to run stadium drills with snap caps, dryfiring and reloading running up and down staircases. Threat up, threat down etc. Speedstrip in sock top, or hanging around the neck on a string. exhausting...
Speedloaders weren't practical, too bulky for tropical street clothing. 2 eights might be worth a try, I'll check it out.

 

[JayFramer]

I would worry that the gaps in the loader would hang up on things especially when withdrawing from the pocket; I just use a 6 shot strip loaded with 5 rounds leaving an empty closest to the tab for more purchase.

 

[walkin' trails]

I would worry that the gaps in the loader would hang up on things especially when withdrawing from the pocket; I just use a 6 shot strip loaded with 5 rounds leaving an empty closest to the tab for more purchase.

I don't know if the gaps causing hang-ups is a real issue. I currently carry a couple if Bianchis fully loaded with six each for my five shot BUG for the reasons I previously stated. Never had a problem with strips hanging up or dumping rounds. I used to carry HKS speed loaders in my pocket until I started getting loose rounds in my pocket.

 

[chief38]

I used to carry speed strips but about 10 years ago I bought a rig from Kramer Leather which has an ammo dump pouch that holds 6 rounds in staggered heights (easy to grab). I've practiced loading with it quite a bit and have become as fast or faster loading that way then I can with the speed strip. On the other hand, I know of many guys who love the speed strips and practice with them on a regular basis - they have become quite proficient with them. If you choose the Speed Strips set up as you have described and PRACTICE a lot I am sure you could be quite fast.

The method you have posted 2-1-2 (with spaces between) might require a little manipulating in the hand - don't know as I don't own a 7 round strip to try it with. I suppose with practice one could be proficient and the good thing here is it would not matter which way the strip gets oriented in your pocket (if the end tab was removed).

 

[wheelyfun66]

I actually carry a 6 round strip...with only 4 rounds!

I load the strip with 2 skip 2 and load 2.

The reason: I trained with Michael de Bethancourt, who specializes in snub revolvers.

We trained and trained with reloaders of all varieties, as well as "speed" strips.

In order to get back in the fight as quickly as possible, we trained to reload as quickly as possible.

At times, this meant that we only loaded 2 rounds, indexed the cylinder while closing it, and got rounds downrange much quicker.

Other times, we loaded two and two, indexed cylinder and had more rounds on target.

Wouldn't want to die while getting an extra two rounds in the cylinder, eh?

 

[Stan O]

The ultimate speed loader/strip

A 2nd loaded revolver.

 

[Fastbolt]

While trying to balance the relative merits of the speedstrip versus the speedloader, I'd think that practicing loading, in general, probably needs more attention for a lot of revolver shooters who carry their 5-shot (or more) revolvers for dedicated defensive weapons.

I remember when we carried duty revolvers and there was a stage in the qual where we had to partially reload and fire 4 rounds at one point. I think it involved firing 10 rounds in 25 seconds from about 20 yards, and the time limit remained the same regardless of the method used for loading the last 4 rounds. Not exactly difficult for a competent revolver shooter, although trying to load loose rounds did make for a bit of a harder time for folks using belt loops. (It also reinforced the shooter remembering which way their service revolver cylinder rotated, if they were loading less rounds than it took to fill a cylinder, as we had guys carrying both Colts and S&W's. )

Bottom line?

Nowadays, I carry strips for convenience (flatter & easier to pocket), but I'll still occasionally carry speedloaders. Sometimes both, especially if I'm traveling. Why?

Simply because if I actually expect there's an increased potential risk of having to (re)load under stress, the speedloaders are always going to be faster, letting you dump 5 rounds faster than it usually takes to load 2 charge holes. Insert, twist/push versus insert, peel & pull.

I'm disinclined to try juggling 2X2X1, or 2Xskip-a-spaceX2 and leave an empty charge hole to index under the firing pin hole, under stress. Speedloaders are much faster and load all chambers at once.

Now, since I'm retired from being fully active I no longer have to carry a 5-shot snub off-duty while thinking I might have to invoke my peace officer status and take an enforcement action. Trouble is going to have to work to find me, so I don't carry speedloaders all the time. Speedstrips are probably fine for my typical retirement needs. (I even started carrying them more often when pocketing an Airweight in dress slacks when i was attending conferences & seminars as both student & trainer toward the end of my career.)

If the circumstances of my daily activities or travel make me suspect I might really need more than a 5-shot snub, I'd either change my planned activities ... or carry one of my pistols that have 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12-rd magazines (which I sometimes do, anyway, depending).

When it comes right down to it, when I carried a 6-shot service revolver and a pair of speedloaders on-duty, I often carried the same setup off-duty. When I eventually adopted a 5-shot snub for off-duty, court appearances and attending other admin/training functions, I realized I was trading away that 1-extra shot inherent advantage in both the gun and the speedloaders, and I carried speedloaders more than speedstrips. The strips were for convenience, which could be argued to imply a certain amount of laziness regarding the bulk of what I was willing to carry in my pockets.

There's always some degree of compromise involved. Risk assessment and balanced compromise.

TANSTAAFL, folks.

 

[Kilibreaux]

I saw a pic of an 8 shot loader with a model 13 in the "what smith do you trust your life to and does shooting a dog prepare you for two legged creatures.". Anyway, it got me thinking that an 8 shot loader would be easier to manipulate if you loaded it 2 space 1 space 2. Also, it's larger size might also make it easier to load quickly. Discuss......

Honestly I am not a fan of speed strips in the world of cylindrical speed loaders. Sure the Speed loader is more bulky but it is also faster and more precise.

 

[Jim1392]

I would worry that the gaps in the loader would hang up on things especially when withdrawing from the pocket; I just use a 6 shot strip loaded with 5 rounds leaving an empty closest to the tab for more purchase.

Exactly how I do it.

 

[nawilson]

I actually carry a 6 round strip...with only 4 rounds!

I load the strip with 2 skip 2 and load 2.

The reason: I trained with Michael de Bethancourt, who specializes in snub revolvers.

We trained and trained with reloaders of all varieties, as well as "speed" strips.

In order to get back in the fight as quickly as possible, we trained to reload as quickly as possible.

At times, this meant that we only loaded 2 rounds, indexed the cylinder while closing it, and got rounds downrange much quicker.

Other times, we loaded two and two, indexed cylinder and had more rounds on target.

Wouldn't want to die while getting an extra two rounds in the cylinder, eh?

I've been reading de Bethancourt's blog, and it (mostly) seems to make a lot of sense. I like the four rounds to a speed strip idea, but I carry two speed strips when I do. It actually seems to make the reloads mose sure, too, with fewer rounds "missing" the chambers. I suppose it has something to do with less stress on the strip itself.

The speed strips are backing up a speedloader.

 

[MOONDAWG]

That might work for some, but there is no way I can carry four comp 1 speedloaders and not look like I have tumors on my thighs.

If you were back home in Nu Yawk, you wouldn't be so worried about your figure.

Bigbadabingbadboom...***itabouit!

 

[setxn]

6 shot Tuff products full for a 5 shot revolver in right front pocket with an 8 shot in vehicle or bag just as a handy, secure, and convenient way to carry more ammo. Got a pair of 6 shot 12Ga strips for the same reason.

 

[NE450No2]

I use the speed strips quite a bit to carry extra ammo.

I use them in 22LR, 22 Mag, 38/357, 44 Mag, 45 Colt, and even with 308 ammo. They hold the rounds securely and they do not rattle...

I always load them up to their max capacity, as I like to carry as many rounds at a time as I can.

Nothing says you cannot carry some speed loaders AND some speed strips, and the same time...

 

[badge 851]

I saw a pic of an 8 shot loader with a model 13 in the "what smith do you trust your life to and does shooting a dog prepare you for two legged creatures.". Anyway, it got me thinking that an 8 shot loader would be easier to manipulate if you loaded it 2 space 1 space 2. Also, it's larger size might also make it easier to load quickly. Discuss......

I carry two Bianchi® 6 shot speed strips banded together; all full.