Speed loader vs. speed strip?

[ron4735]

What is the difference in these items and which is recommended/preferred for quickly reloading an S&W 5-shot 642 Airweight?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Quickly loading any revolver requires a speedloader. Speed strips are convenient and eliminate fumbling when you're re-loading but if someone around this campfire can use one faster than a speedloader I hope he or she pipes up!!!

***GRJ***

PS:

Oh, and tells us how it's done!!!

 

[DR505]

Speedloader for me is faster, but far bulkier. For CCW a speed strip is easier as it is flat. Carrying a speedloader feels like a spare cylinder in your pocket.

 

[MikeyB]

The quickest way to use a speed strip is to load two rounds at a time into the cylinder and only have four rounds on the strip with a empty space between the two pairs.

 

[Erich]

Mas Ayoob's Combat Handgunnery books give good info on this subject, by the way.

Myself, after carrying the things for almost 30 years, I find that speedloaders are decently fast to use, that speed strips are surprisingly not nearly as slow as you might think, and that full moon clips are the fastest option (but one that might not be available to you - you can research further if you'd care to do so) for a J-frame.

 

[wheelgunguy]

Mas Ayoob's Combat Handgunnery books give good info on this subject, by the way.

Myself, after carrying the things for almost 30 years, I find that speedloaders are decently fast to use, that speed strips are surprisingly not nearly as slow as you might think, and that full moon clips are the fastest option (but one that might not be available to you - you can research further if you'd care to do so) for a J-frame.

Mas also has a video on YouTube showing the technique he uses. I have found with practice you can get pretty quick with them. I carry the speed strip myself mainly because of the same reason my 642 is my EDC. It's very easy to carry no matter what I am wearing and I am never tempted to not carry because of concealment or comfort issues.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

What is the difference in these items and which is recommended/preferred for quickly reloading an S&W 5-shot 642 Airweight?

It's a tradeoff, like so many other things about concealed carry. The speed loaders are far easier and faster to use, while the speed strips are far easier to carry and conceal on a regular basis, unless you're a uniformed officer who wears a utility belt, in which case concealment isn't an issue. That said, with practice, the speed strips can be pretty fast too. A speed strip is what I carry, because carrying a speed loader in regular clothes (i.e., absent a utility belt) just isn't very practical, IMO.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

The quickest way to use a speed strip is to load two rounds at a time into the cylinder and only have four rounds on the strip with a empty space between the two pairs.

Or use a six shot speed strip, and only load it with five. Or a seven shot speed strip (for a six shooter), and only load it with six. Why handicap yourself?

 

[riverrat38]

I carry 6 rounds in my strips for my J frames, just because I might really want the extra rounds someday. I can ignore the one in the center if I am in that much of a hurry. I don't think this costs me any time for a reload.
I use the speed loaders at home, since they stay in my desk drawer. Almost as fast as having the gun loaded all the time.

Best,
Rick

 

[S&W1006]

I prefer speed loaders but I carry speed strips sometimes depending on how I am dressed. If I am wearing a belt I carry in an inside the pants holster and I have a pouch that holds 2 speedloaders. If I am pocket carrying in light pants I drop 1 speed strip in my pocket. I usually only carry this way for quick trips to the store. With practice the speed strips aren't bad but I speed loaders are the fastest.

 

[JFrames4ever]

Strips vs Speedloaders

I carry 2 eight shot strips, which gives me 3 extra loads with minimum bulk. The load in the gun is moon clipped.

 

[Engine 21]

I only carry one speed strip in my watch pocket.
Speed loader kept in the car. I figure if I have to use 15 rounds anywhere I'm in deep do do and need to leave - pronto.

 

[M3Stuart]

What they said.

I carry 1 speed strip for the 642 cuz it's flat in my other pocket. Moonclips for the 642 pro are nearby too.

 

[Old cop]

I keep two speed loaders in my truck and carry the strips on my person. Winter the speedstrip is in a jacket pocket and in the summer it's in a six round detective style pouch on my belt. An untucked shirt hides everything.

 

[HarrishMasher]

Several of my revolvers came cut for moon clips from the factory. After using those, there was no going back to speed loaders, and forget speed strips. The word speed is relative. After using moon clips I can no longer put the word "speed" in front of "loader" or "strip", because they are quite slow in comparison to moon clips.

If you truly want to load and unload your revolver quickly you have to have the cylinders cut for moon clips. As a result, I have sent several other cylinders from my carry revolvers off to TK Custom to have them cut for moon clips. I have 2 more cylinders going out next week to be cut. Once you use moon clips, it is hard to go back.

With moon clips, I can reload my revolver as fast as I can reload any of my semi-autos. For a defensive revolver I feel that moon clips are a must.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

HarrishMasher, how do you carry the spare moon clips?

 

[BCDWYO]

Agree with the order:
Moon clips fastest, then speedloader, then speed strip.

That said I usually find myself carrying the speed strips since they are by far the easiest for me to carry and conceal. I find I can hide a fair sized revolver a lot easier than I can conceal any speedloader or moon clip pouch I've come across. They tend to stick out like a sore thumb. The best I've found is a design made by Simply Rugged that allows the cartridges in the speedloader to "straddle" your belt so they don't stick out so far...but still not as flat as a strip!

 

[629shooter]

I use moon clips, speedloaders and, speedstrips. It all depends on the revolver and/or the day.

Does you 642 have these grips on it by chance?

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766297_-1_758003_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N

If it does, you might want to use a set that has more "clearance." if you plan to use speedloaders.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Ron4735:

Hi Ron, welcome to the Forum. Good advice so far. Here is a post I just wrote a response to another Forum member that you might find useful:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/403096-moon-clips-30-1-32acp.html#post138217906

As far as your original question, I found the fastest reload for me was the famous New York Reload - that is, drawing a second, loaded firearm, rather than rely on a moon clip, speed loader or speed strip - though they all have their advantages/disadvantages.

The New York reload also has it plusses and minuses - everything in life does. Personally, when I am armed, I am almost always carrying a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1 (Model 38-0 is on top in photo, the Model 638-1 is on bottom right). I usually pocket carry both, loaded with standard velocity .38 Special ammo, and I carry a Tuff Products, 8 round speed strip in my pocket, or on a pouch on my belt.

You are smart to do your research, much of your best research will come from your own actual use in the field.

Best of luck, please let us know what happens.

Regards,

Dave

 

[petepeterson]

I use a speedstrip for convenience of carry. Although I practice loading, it's carried mostly to ensure I'm not standing there with an empty gun after having to use it. It seems unlikely as a CCW holder that you would reload a revolver and continue to fight, unless you were somehow cornered.

I can still run faster than I can reload.