Dumpers?

[jonh1373]

Became a US Treasury Agent in 1973. We we issued dump pouches that wrapped around our pants belt and carried the rounds horizonatally with bullet down. They were a pain to get used to but you could get pretty proficient with use. Agreed that they were not the best but were way beter than carrying extra rounds in your pocket with your keys, change, lighter, or none at all. I still have my first issued pouch and still wear it when I carry my 640 Pro.

 

[31FordA]

Became a US Treasury Agent in 1973. We we issued dump pouches that wrapped around our pants belt and carried the rounds horizonatally with bullet down. They were a pain to get used to but you could get pretty proficient with use. Agreed that they were not the best but were way beter than carrying extra rounds in your pocket with your keys, change, lighter, or none at all. I still have my first issued pouch and still wear it when I carry my 640 Pro.

When I was hired by the county in 1997 I was partnered with an investigator who had been on the job since 1972. Since I was carrying a 19-7 he gave me two of those dump pouches that he no longer needed. A dump pouch, and a speed loader in the pocket of my sport coat, was sufficient for many years. I still use those old pouches, they work fine, although they're probably as old as I am.

 

[gerhard1]

I used the dump pouches in the early 1970's when I did armed security work. They were awkward, I thought.

 

[sigp220.45]

Lots of the revolver guys in the Bureau carried their spare ammo in 2x2 pouches. Not as fast as a speedloader, but quicker than a dump pouch.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Here's one I was issued.
It's mounted in the up position, but of course will swing down for dumping when unsnapped.

 

[SoulStealer]

I have found that the "dump pouch" will hold a 5 shot 38 spc Speed Strip just fine.

I rather carry speed strip for my pocket 38 and the plain black dump pouch gives nothing away.

 

[texmex]

Reloading the revolver has really evolved over the years. Now, I open the revolver and hold it muzzle up in my left hand, eject the full moon clip and spent rounds, point the muzzle down and practically throw in a full moon clip, then close up with the revolver in both hands. This has to be modified somewhat if you are trying to hold a flashlight also. Also good to practice with reloading seated or behind cover or prone or with one hand in case of injury. I will have to admit the auto loader is quicker and easier one handed or prone. Fortunately, most of us will never need to reload, but most of the situations I have studied, if you need to reload, you need it quickly and surely.

 

[flagman1776]

I started in 1977. I was fortunate to be able to carry a double speedloader pouch on my right side... after I qualifed with them including dropping them in the sandy range. My FTO had had his drop boxes come open when his belt scraped on some obstruction... He and I remained on the scene to recover his ammo by flashlight.
I cut a drop box to a single, the kind where part of the unit goes behind the belt and the box hinges to fold up in front. I had leather tools and added a snap at the top internal edge so the flap snap wasn't the only thing holding it. I carried it between the speedloader and the holster on my right so it was protected. To open, I'd flip the flap with my thumb coming up, then same thumb release it with a downward motion. Even though I carried a 357, I had 38 HPs in a speed strip in the box. Some officers still carried M10s so it could be a partner reload.

 

[DWalt]

I have several sets of them, but never used them. I have speed loaders also, but never used them either. Seems to me that dump pouches were at least a step up from belt loops.

 

[max503]

I snagged these at a pawn shop for $5. They are made by Bauer Brothers and they appear to be unused. I'm going to use them for hunting and woods walking.

 

[texmex]

I snagged these at a pawn shop for $5. They are made by Bauer Brothers and they appear to be unused. I'm going to use them for hunting and woods walking.

Those are good because you can open the top flap and push the cartridges out the bottom, all at once or a few at a time.

 

[Jellybean]

... In the Stress Fire reload, you hold the gun vertically and hold the cylinder open with the thumb on your right hand between the cylinder and frame while striking the ejector rod with your left hand. It ensures a straight shot on the ejector rod with no finger in the way to shorten the stroke...

I know this thread has been dormant for a year, but then so have I, when I read this I had to chuckle.

When I was in my basic academy the topic of ejecting brass this way came up. The instructor said to never "slap or hit" the ejector rod as it increases the chance the ejector star may slip past a case rim and the case will get trapped underneath it, and is a real pain to get out.

Several years later I read a magazine article by Masaad Ayoob where he was describing his technique like above and I decided I'd give it a try to see how it compares. On the very first try the star slipped past a case rim...and it was a real pain to get the case out.

I did learn why all those old police officers carried a Buck 110 on their belts and put mine back on.

 

[crazyphil]

I liked the 2by2 pouches, but I like the speed strip pouch even better.
Here is one made by Pechenino Leather with a Bianchi speed strip it it.
The revolver is a model 10 2" barrel. The holster is a vintage Lewis
crossdraw.

 

[snubbyfan]

A dump pouch would be a disaster for me, I prefer belt loops or speed strips in my pocket.

 

[Jellybean]

I had the Safariland hinged drop boxes with the plastic inserts mentioned earlier. They could hold the speed strips and if you removed the plastic inserts they would hold six rounds of .41 magnums in each side.

 

[chief38]

While certainly not the best reload method (possibly the worst) I suppose the key to any method is constant practice. At one point years back, I was got pretty fast reloading from a 6 cartridge belt loop holder (2 at a time). I got to the point where I could fire 6 shots, reload and fire another 6 shots (accurately) into the target in 20 seconds.

Speed loaders are a bit faster however they are more cumbersome to carry as a civilian not wearing a duty belt. I'd rather have the belt loops with 6 extra rounds readily available than fumble for a speed loader somewhere in a pocket that is cumbersome to carry.

Again....... constant practice drills are the real answer no matter what the carry method. I will admit, I was never a fan of Dump Pouches.

Speaking of practice...... I have seen many fumble horribly with speed loaders too - again, any method needs constant practice.

 

[chief38]

A dump pouch would be a disaster for me, I prefer belt loops or speed strips in my pocket.

With practice, loading from this type of loop carrier can be really fast!! I like this style and when I tote a wheel gun I use a similar type. Speed Loaders are not conducive to the grips on my M60-7 and even if they were, it would be uncomfortable to carry (for me). Nice job BTW Snubby!

 

[snubbyfan]

With practice, loading from this type of loop carrier can be really fast!! I like this style and when I tote a wheel gun I use a similar type. Speed Loaders are not conducive to the grips on my M60-7 and even if they were, it would be uncomfortable to carry (for me). Nice job BTW Snubby!

First time I hand stitched bullet loops for the first lined holster I ever made to match the first double layer belt I ever hand stitched.

 

[EMS6260]

Dump pouches work if you practice. Still carry a single on me with 6 rounds, never know when it will be neeeded.

 

[66 shooter]

In 1972 just about all of us carried our extra ammo in cartridge loops. When reloading I practiced withdrawing and loading 2 rounds at a time, thinking that would cut down reloading time.

About 1975 we started seeing the Bianchi Speed Strips, which became very popular very quickly. As others have pointed out, selection of a pouch that would accept the Speed Strip was critical (not all would do so). Also, after long use the cartridge pouches could begin to collapse, losing their original shape, and this could make it difficult to withdraw the loaded Speed Strip.

Shortly after that HKS introduced their speedloaders, in virtually the same design as still seen today (a testament to an excellent design). Safariland followed with their own speedloader design, also very good. For either type carry pouches can be an issue, all being somewhat bulky on the belt, and some not allowing an easy and solid grip on the loader as it is withdrawn.

Throughout the 70's and 80's I've seen many different problems associated with reloading revolvers quickly under stress. On the range, during timed events requiring reloading, I've seen ammo scattered around on the ground and guys scrambling around trying to pick the loaded rounds out of all the spent brass. Tabs torn off the Bianchi Speed Strips were very common, and after some use the rubber around the cartridge rims could tear away. Grabbing a speedloader out of the pouch by the release knob can cause inadvertent release of the cartridges leaving the shooter with an empty speedloader in one hand and empty revolver in another hand. Dump pouches dropping 6 rounds into the hand for reloading seems like a good idea until you have to fumble with them under stress, frequently having to pick up several off the ground.

Interesting story about an old timer I knew back in those days. On the range or on the street he never used cartridge carriers. He carried his ammo loose in a pocket, reloading one round at a time as needed. His range routine was to eject his empties and put those in another pocket, saving the need to police up his brass after the end of the course. One night he was involved in a gun fight with a couple of bad guys barricaded behind a car, after which he found 12 fired cases in one pocket, where he had put them while reloading his revolver twice.

Sounds like the Newhall incident in California