ContinentalOp
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I received a pair of JOX speedloader pouches today and spent several minutes evaluating them, so I thought I'd share my initial impressions.
I prefer to carry my primary reload behind my left hip because I reload with my left hand, a la Michael deBethencourt. I've been looking for a good way to carry speedloaders concealed without sticking them in my pockets. I've used Split-Six (or Split-Five in my case...I carry a 642). There are a couple of drawbacks, though. I've had the snap come undone, usually by my car seat bolster. Anyone who has used them know that the flap is the only thing keeping them in place. Fortunately they never fell outside the car but inside down in the recesses under the seat. While I've never experienced it, I've read a few accounts of Safariland speedloaders losing their rounds because the activation mechanism sits on top of the belt and somehow pressure was exerted, releasing the rounds. I would also prefer a simpler reload without having to undo snaps. So I stuck with strips, even though I carried them in a snapped belt pouch.
I got the JOX pouches because they're the best solution I've seen so far. Holders other than Split-Six were either open topped and didn't seem to offer much retention or they were flap-covered and mounted on the belt, sticking out quite a bit.
The pouches look very well made to me, but this is my first Kydex gear purchase so take that for what it's worth. All the edges were nice and smooth, no burrs or sharp edges that I could feel. They came with two foam pads to adjust the fit of the pouch based on what ammo is being carried. With my Comp I speedloaders and Speer 135gr SB-GDHP the thick foam made for a good fit with no rattle. The lips at the top of the pouch did a good job retaining the loaders. I did a pretty vigorous shake test and they showed no sign of letting the loaders fall out. However, it did give me some concern that they might have too much retention.
Practicing reloads with dummy rounds relieved me of any concern in that regard. They allowed me to get a good grip on the speedloader body and released very smoothly. Even doing strong-hand-only reloads, reaching around with my right hand to grab a loader from my left side, were easier than when using the Split-Six-type pouches.
I was a little concerned with concealment. My "tactical padding" tended to push the carrier's out a little bit, but with my typical cover garment it wasn't noticeable, even when stretching, twisting, or bending over. If you can conceal a double-stack magazine OWB, you can conceal a JOX speedloader pouch.
I also tried it with two different belts, a 1.5" Wilderness Instructor Frequent Flyer and a 1.5" Beltman. It was a little tricky at first to get the pouches on my belt, but it didn't take long to get the hang of it. This is one case where following the directions is helpful.
It almost "snaps" onto the belt. They're very secure. I don't see them shifting unless you physically grab and move them on your belt.
There was an unanticipated benefit. I keep my wallet and flashlight in my left back pocket. With flapped pouches I had to exercise a little care to make sure I didn't accidentally unsnap the pouch when getting my wallet or light. I don't have to worry about that with the JOX pouches since the speedloaders are carried above the belt.
At this point I think it's safe to say that the JOX pouch has replaced my speed strip belt pouch for general every day carry of my primary reload. I haven't decided if I'm going to wear both or just use one for carry and one for practice, using a strip in the pocket for a secondary reload. I haven't tried them sitting in the car yet, but I don't see a big problem with it, maybe just tweaking the belt position a little.
I like them and so far I think they're worth the price.
I prefer to carry my primary reload behind my left hip because I reload with my left hand, a la Michael deBethencourt. I've been looking for a good way to carry speedloaders concealed without sticking them in my pockets. I've used Split-Six (or Split-Five in my case...I carry a 642). There are a couple of drawbacks, though. I've had the snap come undone, usually by my car seat bolster. Anyone who has used them know that the flap is the only thing keeping them in place. Fortunately they never fell outside the car but inside down in the recesses under the seat. While I've never experienced it, I've read a few accounts of Safariland speedloaders losing their rounds because the activation mechanism sits on top of the belt and somehow pressure was exerted, releasing the rounds. I would also prefer a simpler reload without having to undo snaps. So I stuck with strips, even though I carried them in a snapped belt pouch.
I got the JOX pouches because they're the best solution I've seen so far. Holders other than Split-Six were either open topped and didn't seem to offer much retention or they were flap-covered and mounted on the belt, sticking out quite a bit.
The pouches look very well made to me, but this is my first Kydex gear purchase so take that for what it's worth. All the edges were nice and smooth, no burrs or sharp edges that I could feel. They came with two foam pads to adjust the fit of the pouch based on what ammo is being carried. With my Comp I speedloaders and Speer 135gr SB-GDHP the thick foam made for a good fit with no rattle. The lips at the top of the pouch did a good job retaining the loaders. I did a pretty vigorous shake test and they showed no sign of letting the loaders fall out. However, it did give me some concern that they might have too much retention.
Practicing reloads with dummy rounds relieved me of any concern in that regard. They allowed me to get a good grip on the speedloader body and released very smoothly. Even doing strong-hand-only reloads, reaching around with my right hand to grab a loader from my left side, were easier than when using the Split-Six-type pouches.
I was a little concerned with concealment. My "tactical padding" tended to push the carrier's out a little bit, but with my typical cover garment it wasn't noticeable, even when stretching, twisting, or bending over. If you can conceal a double-stack magazine OWB, you can conceal a JOX speedloader pouch.
I also tried it with two different belts, a 1.5" Wilderness Instructor Frequent Flyer and a 1.5" Beltman. It was a little tricky at first to get the pouches on my belt, but it didn't take long to get the hang of it. This is one case where following the directions is helpful.
It almost "snaps" onto the belt. They're very secure. I don't see them shifting unless you physically grab and move them on your belt.There was an unanticipated benefit. I keep my wallet and flashlight in my left back pocket. With flapped pouches I had to exercise a little care to make sure I didn't accidentally unsnap the pouch when getting my wallet or light. I don't have to worry about that with the JOX pouches since the speedloaders are carried above the belt.
At this point I think it's safe to say that the JOX pouch has replaced my speed strip belt pouch for general every day carry of my primary reload. I haven't decided if I'm going to wear both or just use one for carry and one for practice, using a strip in the pocket for a secondary reload. I haven't tried them sitting in the car yet, but I don't see a big problem with it, maybe just tweaking the belt position a little.
I like them and so far I think they're worth the price.
