Speed strips vs. Speed loaders

[Old Arkansawyer]

A few thoughts on the subject...

Speed strips give you the ability to "top off" the gun. Speedloaders require you to dump the "good with the bad" if you see what I'm saying.

Speed strips are ~much~ easier to carry.

Speed strips work with every grip style.

Speed strips will work with any J, K, L or N as long as the caliber is the same.

Whether speed strip or speed loader... If we're having to reload a J (which more often than not is a backup), we're in deep poo and should start looking for a non-gun solution.

I totally agree, especially about the topping off.

 

[jeeps]

Speed strips for me. Can top off easy by half stroking the ejector rod and picking out the empty and leaving in the live rounds. You can close the cly. If you have to shoot. While reloading keep your gun at chin level so you can see over it and shoot fast if needed. Remember if your not shooting you should be reloading. Top off when ever you can.

 

[jeeps]

One fellow was using the moon clips in his 640 pro . He could not top off and dropped a lot of ammo ,plus his cly. Jammed from a bent clip and his gun was useless!! On the street he would be dead. Clip's are cheap made and flimsy ,I would not waste my time for my life on the line!! My pro ran fine and I could top off easy with speed strips!! 326M10 you did some fine shooting!! Near 6-7 hundred rounds in 16 hours.How's your hands??

 

[AimHigher]

In the event that you need to reload in the heat of a gun battle, speed strips can get you killed. No point to using speed strips on any level. There are low profile speed loader pouches that won't make a bulge in your clothing and you can also carry a speed loader or two in your windbreaker pocket.
My advice is to use speed loaders (I prefer Safariland) and practice, practice, practice with them until you can reload in 5 seconds with your eyes shut every time. You might want to watch Massid Ayoob's video where he demonstrates his speed loading technique.

 

[AimHigher]

Speed strips for me. Can top off easy by half stroking the ejector rod and picking out the empty and leaving in the live rounds. You can close the cly. If you have to shoot. While reloading keep your gun at chin level so you can see over it and shoot fast if needed. Remember if your not shooting you should be reloading. Top off when ever you can.

Topping off can be considered a waste of time. If you fire 4 or 5 rounds and have time to reload, completely clear your cylinder and introduce a full compliment of rounds from a fresh speed loader. If feasible, pick-up your leftover live rounds and pocket - but don't make that your mission. Your mission is to come out of the situation alive. And if you're engaged with a criminal who has a semi auto, you'll need all the time savings you can get -- and plucking one or two un-fired rounds from your cylinder while under tremendous stress ain't going to cut it.

 

[MJB]

Ease of carry makes speed strips my choice.

 

[gman51]

I don't think I ever carried my HKS speed loader all the years I had it but the speed strips I just bought are always in my front pocket.
What's at home doesn't do much good at home. Just my thoughts about the two.
I just ordered a 2 pack of 44/45 speed strips from CTD.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In the 1970's I was trained to use a revolver: 1) I was trained to reload loose ammo from belt loops. 2) I was trained to reload with my eyes closed with the proper technique to keep from missing a chamber (so I didn't need a light), 3) I was expected to at home (with the revolver out of sight) look at people out a window while reloading by touch.

Now days the only dump pouches I find are used up and not fit to carry! so I've gone to an 8 round speed strip in a pouch on my belt. I have loaded 5 & 6 round speed loaders in the truck consul, but on my person I have a speed strip! I have 6 snubby (1 is a Colt) and 4-4" revolvers, the same speed strip works for every one of them, with 2 or 3 extra rounds.

When on the rare occasion I carry an autoloader I have a J-frame as a BUG. The auto may or may not have an extra mag, but the BUG always has a speed strip.

If at all possible, I would rather my feet get me out of trouble than my bullets. The problem is, after the stroke, my feet can't always get me out of what my mouth gets me into!

Ivan

 

[ContinentalOp]

I normally try not to post in zombie threads, but my thinking has evolved somewhat since my earlier posts.

I still think that if you carry a K-frame with a J-frame BUG, a speed strip makes a lot of sense.

However, since I only have J-frame carry revolvers now I've switched over to speedloaders for a few reasons.

I used a Simply Rugged strip pouch to hold my main reload strip at my left hip (I use the deBethencourt reload method where the gun stays in the right hand). The problem was that occasionally the snap cover would pop open when getting in or out of the car due to the seat bolster.

I've used split-six type pouches with my Safariland Comp I speedloaders, but again the seat bolster would occasionally pop the cover flap. Fortunately, the loader only fell inside the car. Also, while it hasn't happened to me, I have heard of instances where enough pressure was applied to the speedloader that the belt it straddled tripped the release mechanism, spilling rounds all over the place.

A couple of years ago I discovered JOX speedloader pouches, and they have been the best solution I've found to carrying speedloaders. They carry the speedloaders above the belt, which minimizes their profile. The kydex secures the loader in place yet allows for quick and easy release when needed. And they come with foam liners that keep the loaders from rattling in place. I now carry 2 speedloaders on my belt.

My main reason for prefering speedloaders now has to do more with secure handling than speed. Yes, I can load a second or two quicker with a speedloader, but more importantly I can reload with less likelihood of fumbling. And if I do fumble and drop a speedloader during a reload, I've got a second speedloader on my belt.

Of course, needing to reload during a gunfight is highly unlikely. In the rare instances where a reload has been done, it had virtually no effect on the outcome. However, that doesn't mean I want to stand around with an unloaded gun if I'm forced to fire in self defense waiting for the police to arrive (average 911 response time in my town is around 9 minutes).

As for the tactical reload of a revolver, or reloading a partially empty cylinder with single rounds, whether from a strip, dump pouch, or belt loops, doesn't make sense to me. With a semi-auto, it can work. It's not a difficult task to swap out magazines. But trying to press up on the extractor rod enough so I can pick out empties, and then reload only those chambers, all while likely having at least somewhat shaky hands after the adrenaline dump from a self-defense encounter, sounds like both a waste of time and a good way to fumble the reload. I don't practice tactical reloads. If I have to fire and then reload at some point, I just dump whatever's in my cylinders and reload with my speedloader, a process I can do without taking my eyes off my environment. One, it takes less time; two, it doesn't require as much dexterity; and three, it simplifies my practice regimen.

Just my thoughts on the matter. For now, anyways. Maybe if this thread gets resurrected again 6 years from now I'll have changed my mind.

 

[Rastoff]

I normally try not to post in zombie threads,...

Nothin' quite like a 6 year old thread to start the morning, eh? I've changed my mind a little on this subject too.


I like the speed strips. After going through a couple defensive classes, I see the value in the speed strips. It's rare that you'll empty all 5 or 6 rounds.

Even so, I'm a big fan of the moon clips. The benefit of moon clips is that they can be handled just like magazines. If you've fired two or three rounds from a magazine fed gun, it's wise to top off by removing that mag and inserting a fresh one. Well, the same goes for moon clips. Just pop out the partially spent one and insert a fresh one. Keep the partially spent one in case you need more.

It's much better than dropping live rounds on the ground to use a speed loader. And, with practice, it can be done as quickly as a mag change in a semi-auto. Even if you can't get that fast, it's as least twice as fast as a speed strip or speed loader.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I try for the best of all worlds,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


If I'm carrying a 3" 65 or 66 in the "Burbs of the Burgh" I'll generally have one Safariland Comp I speed loader (in the cover garments right pocket ) and a speed strip..................... same with a J-frame)

At the Cabin 2 Speedloaders ( in Safariland Split six carriers) generally one with .+P.38s and one with .357magnums and a speedstrip..... with an 12 round ammo wallet in the daypack or RZR.

 

[326MOD10]

326M10 you did some fine shooting!! Near 6-7 hundred rounds in 16 hours.How's your hands??

Thanks Jeeps. You were wheeling it pretty fine as well.

Hands are actually good and no issues. I didn't think my postings were getting on but I guess my computer updated everything now and they popped up.

Didn't notice this was a 6 year old thread but a good topic to revisit.

I will probably do a review of the TDI Snubby Revolver Class later tonight for those that may be interested in attending.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I will probably do a review of the TDI Snubby Revolver Class later tonight for those that may be interested in attending.

I would be interested in reading that. There aren't a lot of snub-specific classes around.

You might want to start a new thread for that, though.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Even so, I'm a big fan of the moon clips. The benefit of moon clips is that they can be handled just like magazines. If you've fired two or three rounds from a magazine fed gun, it's wise to top off by removing that mag and inserting a fresh one. Well, the same goes for moon clips. Just pop out the partially spent one and insert a fresh one. Keep the partially spent one in case you need more.

It's much better than dropping live rounds on the ground to use a speed loader. And, with practice, it can be done as quickly as a mag change in a semi-auto. Even if you can't get that fast, it's as least twice as fast as a speed strip or speed loader.

I have mixed feelings about moon clips. There have been instances where moon clips have gotten bent, rendering them useless, so I don't like them for reloads. My Comp I speedloaders have never failed to release their rounds, even after being dropped on the ground. I've never read of Comp Is failing to release rounds, even after being thrown against a wall.

But I have to admit that using moon clips for the in-gun load appeals to me because it makes getting a case rim caught under the extractor star during a quick reload virtually impossible, plus the extra weight (cases + clip as one unit) seems like it would make extraction much more positive and less reliant on getting a good hit on the extractor rod. With a gun that doesn't require moon clips, I could still use speedloaders for my reloads.

However, it never occurred to me that there would be an advantage to moon clips with regards to tactical reloads. I'm not sure it'd be enough to make me want to go that route, but it is a thought-provoking idea, to say the least. Thanks.

 

[326MOD10]

On my 640PRO I believe I am going to use the moon clips for the initial load to ensure ejection of the spent casings after the first 5 and then carry a reload (or 2) with speed strips.

Have to qualify with it first before i can start carrying though.

And yes a new thread will be started shortly with a review. Not a talented writer but will lay out the basics.

 

[jeeps]

Yes I seen the TK moon clips lock a J- frame up that was cut for them on factory pro Sw snubbys. It happened on the T.D.I. Snubby class, he would have been dead. I have seen this a dozen times over the last few years. I will not use them. I use the speed strips from Bianchi, John got these right. The tuff strips are cheaper made! Gimics are the fad,like laser grips. Be time you line them up you been shot. There so slow! Novices like the new whizz bang toys.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I don't worry about the bulge in my pocket, if I am not using a case. Depending on what I am carrying decides what type I carry. For SA revolvers I carry speed strips, for DA speed loaders.

 

[DD357]

I have had HKS's release in a pocket and I had a Comp II have 1 round come out of it while in a pocket (that one was strange as it had been loaded in that speed loader for months). I carry 1 strip in my jeans pocket and a speed loader in a jacket pocket (if I'm wearing one).

 

[woudstra]

Speed strips for CCW. Drop them in your pocket and they disappear. Not so speed loaders.