Discussion About Reloading A Revolver

[s1mp13m4n]

Hello everyone. I recently purchased my first ever revolver. Since then I have been reading a book by former revolver-smith Grant Cunningham. The book is called Gun Digest Book Of The Revolver. I am about to start another book by him called Defensive Revolver Fundamentals. Do not worry, he does not do “tacticool” or teach the zombie prepper stuff. LOL i also enjoy his pidcast called The Grant Cunningham Show. Anywho, in his book he mentions speedloaders and speedstrips. He explains what they are, the pros and cons of each, and how to use them. Here are my questions. Do you use any of these devices when you reload? If so, which do you personally prefer and why? I am personally leaning towards the speedstrip. My reason are because they are thinner, easier to carry, take up less room in my small two gun fast open lock box, and I am learning. I am not as interested in fast reloading speed for a compitition or some shootout. LOL Thanks for the help.

 

[BC38]

I have both but carry and use speed strips the most. Speed loaders are too bulky for pocket carry.

 

[Onomea]

I don’t use either, though I have trained with speedloaders. If I were to carry one or the other, I’d carry speedstrips as less bulky.

For what it’s worth, the reason I don’t carry either is I don’t envision getting into a self-defense scenario that requires me to shoot more than five or six times. (Everyone has their own opinion on this sort of thing, so just go with yours based on your lifestyle.)

(Grant Cunningham knows whereof he speaks/writes. He is also a very fine, though now retired, gunsmith. Of my remaining five revolvers, two Colts and three Smiths, he tuned four.)

 

[kthom]

Yes, I use both, depending on the circumstances. Both are in my possibles bag. I also load two rounds at a time from a semi drop pouch that separates six rounds into three compartments. I learned to reload a revolver and did so for very many years from a twelve loop belt slide that was a part of my uniform gear, nothing else allowed that could be seen.

I will tell you this: I have been a reader of Grant Cunningham's writings for a very long time. I respect his knowledge and his common sense. I don't always agree with him but only on very few things. IF you will read and reread, digest, and hear what Mr. Cunningham has written in these two books and practice them carefully, you will be profited greatly, in my considered opinion. He will certainly give you good things to think about! Speed strips can work pretty well, and they are indeed easily carried at all times, as opposed to a speed loader that is bulky. All methods of reloading can be easily fumbled. Reloading a revolver is best accomplished when you are in a position of good cover where you can focus more on what you are doing. Again, practice is a very important part of what you are learning to do in order to be efficient at the task. Again, I say Mr. Cunningham is well worth listening too. There are also others, but in my experience, the numbers of those worth really paying attention to are few in number! But my advice for you is to remember that being able to deliver any rounds you might fire in a defensive situation is the most important thing you can do. There is a thread by Mr. X in a post by titled "Factors in Surviving a Gunfight" in the Concealed Carry section that contains a link to some short words spoken by Mr. Cunningham that was posted today. It is well worth reading for all of us, I think. Here is a copy and paste of that link to read it for yourself. "Some perspective from Grant Cunningham regarding “defensive shooting experts”.... There are no defensive shooting experts. - Personal security training and advice - [url]www.GrantCunningham.com www.GrantCunningham.com[/url] Personal security training and advice - [url]www.GrantCunningham.com www.GrantCunningham.com[/url] " Click on the last URL in this string.

 

[ASA335]

Yeah, I also use both depending on circumstances and clothing. Strips are flatter and much easier to conceal, but speed loaders are faster and can be concealed in many situations.

I've attended one of Grants trainings. Good man and instructor. I often use Ayoob's trainings for revolvers also.

Good luck.

 

[s1mp13m4n]

Yes, I use both, depending on the circumstances. Both are in my possibles bag. I also load two rounds at a time from a semi drop pouch that separates six rounds into three compartments. I learned to reload a revolver and did so for very many years from a twelve loop belt slide that was a part of my uniform gear, nothing else allowed that could be seen.

I will tell you this: I have been a reader of Grant Cunningham's writings for a very long time. I respect his knowledge and his common sense. I don't always agree with him but only on very few things. IF you will read and reread, digest, and hear what Mr. Cunningham has written in these two books and practice them carefully, you will be profited greatly, in my considered opinion. He will certainly give you good things to think about! Speed strips can work pretty well, and they are indeed easily carried at all times, as opposed to a speed loader that is bulky. All methods of reloading can be easily fumbled. Reloading a revolver is best accomplished when you are in a position of good cover where you can focus more on what you are doing. Again, practice is a very important part of what you are learning to do in order to be efficient at the task. Again, I say Mr. Cunningham is well worth listening too. There are also others, but in my experience, the numbers of those worth really paying attention to are few in number! But my advice for you is to remember that being able to deliver any rounds you might fire in a defensive situation is the most important thing you can do. There is a thread by Mr. X in a post by titled "Factors in Surviving a Gunfight" in the Concealed Carry section that contains a link to some short words spoken by Mr. Cunningham that was posted today. It is well worth reading for all of us, I think. Here is a copy and paste of that link to read it for yourself. "Some perspective from Grant Cunningham regarding “defensive shooting experts”.... There are no defensive shooting experts. - Personal security training and advice - [url]www.GrantCunningham.com www.GrantCunningham.com[/url] Personal security training and advice - [url]www.GrantCunningham.com www.GrantCunningham.com[/url] " Click on the last URL in this string.

The podcast that I listen to is from his website blog. It is that content put in to audio. I like his realistic approach. I like how he simply talks to you, does not talk politics, does not use fear or scare tactics, does not push advertising, etc. Thank you all for the help. Right now I am enjoying learning to shoot double action only. I am not carry my revolver or anything. I am learning how to clean it, wherebto lightly oil it, why I mustvwipe it down because it is blued, the basics. I really like Grant Cunninghams keep it simple, minimalistic approach.

 

[Absalom]

HKS speedloaders only, for many years. I find speed strips too fumbly.

I have to add that I only carry J-frames for CCW. The 5-shot speedloaders are small enough in circumference that they can be comfortably and unobtrusively stuffed into a front pocket of jeans. The 6-shot K-frame size would likely be too hefty for that. I’ve also never had one malfunction or dump unintentionally, which some people like to worry about.

 

[kthom]

The podcast that I listen to is from his website blog. It is that content put in to audio. I like his realistic approach. I like how he simply talks to you, does not talk politics, does not use fear or scare tactics, does not push advertising, etc. Thank you all for the help. Right now I am enjoying learning to shoot double action only. I am not carry my revolver or anything. I am learning how to clean it, wherebto lightly oil it, why I mustvwipe it down because it is blued, the basics. I really like Grant Cunninghams keep it simple, minimalistic approach.

Good luck to you, Sir, as you go forward. You are to be commended for your careful preparation as you go forward from here. For me, double action only has been my preferred method of operating my revolvers for a great many years. With good practice, it can be done as accurately and more quickly than the single action mode. It seems to me that you have made a very good start!

 

[s1mp13m4n]

Good luck to you, Sir, as you go forward. You are to be commended for your careful preparation as you go forward from here. For me, double action only has been my preferred method of operating my revolvers for a great many years. With good practice, it can be done as accurately and more quickly than the single action mode. It seems to me that you have made a very good start!

Thank you very much for that. I did not grow up around firearms. The family members that do have them....well to be kind...they fall into the “kitchen gunsmith”, tacticool, and the myth of “knock down” power catagory. You know the “if a man gets shot in the hand with a 45, it will spin him around” type thing. I tend to trust science over speculation.