RELOADING DRILLS - REVOLVERS

[Rastoff]

Please note, I posted a video of a guy doing a reload. I made no reference to any person whatsoever. However, since PolymathPioneer seems to think it was directed at him...

PolymathPioneer said:

I can reload my revolvers using moonclips faster than any pistol shooter can change a magazine.

The video I posted fits criteria of "any pistol shooter."

Is there a video of him doing that with live fire, not standing straight up and with a carry gun and not a race gun with a mag well the size of a cows butt hole?

Is this more to your liking?


I'm not sure how recoil makes it easier to reload a revolver and more difficult to reload a semi-auto. Could you please explain that to us a little better?

Also, I'm not sure how a video of a person pulling the trigger 8 times is relevant to this discussion. Neither is a picture of a hand with a ring of cartridges.

What would be helpful is a video of you doing a reload with moon clips. Please make a video showing us the proper technique. Obviously you're faster than the average shooter. We can learn a lot from such a video.

 

[Kifaru]

OK, I'll bite. What is LINE? Google is not much help here. Will it help me squat 1,000 pounds too? I've had knee surgery, so my squat is only 315 for reps right now. But my dead is back up to 405, and I'm shooting for 425 by my 56th birthday in late June. But 1,000 pounds would be awesome. I still carry, though, as I am not yet bulletproof. Will LINE help with this?

OK, I admit to having a little fun, but I am honestly curious.

 

[Rastoff]

Linear Infighting Neural Override Engagement (LINE) is a methodology of self-defense or combat hand-to-hand training. It has nothing to do with reloading revolvers.

Still, you can read about it here: LINE (combat system) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[rwsmith]

Moon clips...

Moon clips are the bee's knees but you have to have gun with a cylinder that is cut for them. I think this should be an option on revolvers made for carry.

 

[gtoppcop]

Good thread guys! I prefer to use the Safariland Comp IIIs for the K-Frame and the JET loader for the J-Frames I have around the house.

I have always used the Cunningham method (from Embassy Guard School at Quantico in the early 90s), but have been experimenting with other methods of reloading the wheelgun.

I always refer to the Clint Smith Defensive Revolver DVD (my second, because I wore out the first DVD). I must confess that I carry the Comp III or JET vertical in my strong side pocket. It'll place itself in the pocket right next to my inner thigh. I looks like I have a key fob in my pocket (no jokes, please).

The JET is a tad more svelte than the COMP III and does a better job in the pocket. As far as the Speed Strips go, I practice with them a bit, but I prefer the 2X2X2 pouch on the belt for quick reloads.

I load up my own dummy rounds with 125gr bullets to give me the weight of the loaded rounds. They have spent primers in them with Magtech brass bullets colored with Birchwood's Brass Black to differentiate them from live rounds.

I also practice using the other Cunningham technique where one keeps the revolver in the strong hand and simply uses the weak side hand to do the speedloading. Just for currency, I use HKS, 5-Shot, COMPs I & II as well as the 2X2X2 pouch.

When watching stuff on YouTube, I cringe when I watch others attempt to speedload a revolver (usually younger shooters brought up around autos). They sometimes really bollix up the load. With that said, I have learned some very valuable things on YouTube, especially from Mssrs. Ayoob and DeBethancourt.

With the Full Moons, I have several thicknesses of the clips to us on different cases. That way, I don't have the dreaded jingle that can slow the speedload down. I will have my 686-6 'Plus' cut for Full Moons. I like the concept very much, but do not rely on it 100%.

The end result is training and more training. A good revolver practitioner can keep the wheelgun moving if he/she is well versed in disparate loading practices.

 

[Rastoff]

One thing I don't fancy about M&P trigger is how the safety is setup. I don't see how they even call it a trigger saftey since since any pressure on the trigger deactivates the saftey.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/329404-trigger-really-safety.html

 

[soccerguy83]

How did this thread go from REVOLVER reloading drills to a dissertation on if the trigger is a safety in the M&P?

 

[Donn]

Nothing wrong with getting as proficient as possible with your EDC. However, the fact remains if you have to reload, it's no longer SD, it's a fire fight. If that's the case, you're in deep dreck, no matter what you're packing.

 

[Kifaru]

Thanks for the link, Rastoff. To get back on topic, Claude Werner has researched hundreds of self defense shootings, and he could not find a single instance where a civilian had to do a reload. As a result, he spends less time on reloads in his classes. I'm not saying reloads are unimportant, but a better use of training time might be to find ways to get better hits in the first place. Claude also has a new DVD out in which he covers various reloading methods in snubby revolvers, from every speedloader available to speed strips, loops, and loose rounds. It's well worth the $20. He has an earlier DVD that is useful also.

I was fortunate enough to attend Michael de Bethencourt's class, and if you have a chance, I would recommend it highly. He explained every step of his weak-hand reloading technique, and it works for me. I sometimes carry an auto and having reloads in the same place is helpful. Also, it seems more intuitive to me. I find it awkward to switch the revolver to the weak hand and reach around my hand and the gun's grip frame, holding my wrists (and tongue) just so to effect the reload. Also, for me, crossing my hands slows me down because I have to think hard about what I'm doing to avoid confusion. That's also why the Harries flashlight technique does not work for me. I know the weak hand is less dexterous, but to my mind, I would rather drop a reload than drop my revolver because I was trying to juggle the thing between my hands in a hurry. Obviously, you may not be as clumsy as I.