Speedloader/Moon Clip carry question.

[magicmanmb]

FWIW, I had a Taurus 905 revolver. It used those flimsy metal clips. I couldn't carry them without them bending and getting distorted in my pocket. Sold the 905 since that flimsy moon clip just didn't work for me. I didn't want to carry a speedloader pouch on my belt (although a speedloader pouch is way less obvious than a magazine pouch to the uninitiated "masses" out in public).

One of the guns I carry all the time is my 642. I use Bianchi speed strips for reload. You may consider the speed strips. Also, on the very rare occasion I carry one of my 2.5" K frames, I carry speed strips with it, too. I have been using speed strips for so long that carrying speedloaders doesn't even occur to me anymore.

If you run across another 905 LMK
FWIW I carry 2 speed strips & 3 HKS speedloaders in my pocket 2 weak hand side 1 strong side just in case. If you look @ some of the old leather patterns a 2x2x2 belt pouch was available had a local guy make a leather 1 & I sewed a nylon web version. Carried it for years. Now wear suspenders making a version for them.
Easy to pluck 2@ a time to reload my model 19. Plus I have an 8 shot taurus for ccw if in Summer no 8 shot .357 speedloaders.

 

[POWinCA]

Short answer: try them all and use the method that best suits you, your gun, your clothing, and your situation.

I know you wanted specifics, and I gave you principles, but I see others already responded with good choices. I use a pouch for two speedloaders, but...

Lets examine this analytically.

1. Most incidents are stopped by merely displaying a gun

2. Most gunfights are resolved in a couple of rounds

3. If you think running out of rounds is a problem, then I strongly suggest a semi-auto

4. If you are going to reload in a gunfight, I hope you have the good sense to take cover first.

5. If you are behind cover, just about any method of reloading will work, but loose rounds are really slow. The rest are comparably fast

There are seldom any one size fits all answer with guns. You have to experiment and train to be prepared. The situation may change everything, such as wearing summer clothing. But i appreciate the spirit in which you are seeking advice.

Btw, I have trained with speedloaders and snap caps to reload my 686 plus in less than two seconds. But I havent tried it for a while and dont know if i have retained the skill. I also dont know how i will react under pressure.

On my TRR8, i have to use moon clips because there is no good speed loader for it. Moon clips are a little slower, and when you have 8 cylinders there is more of a chance of a bullet hanging up. I have a rubber speed loader for it that works surprisingly well, but rounds tend to fall out of it rather easily.

I highly recommend the TRR8, but this 8 shot, five inch, N frame monster isnt exactly a concealment piece. It was designed for police entry.

My trusty J frame sits in my night stand. If i go out, a revolver isnt what i want. Thats just me.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

I agree with the previous post. Revolvers are pretty bulky to begin with - carrying spare ammo on your belt makes it worse. In the rare event I leave the premises carrying a revolver, I usually drop a speed strip in my right front pocket (either Bianchi or Tuff Products) and/or a speed loader in a coat/jacket pocket (Safariland or HKS).

However, "back in the day" while on-duty law enforcement with a concealed K frame, I used the Safariland "Split-Six" pouch and a 2x2x2 ammo pouch for spare ammo. But that was on duty as opposed to off-duty or CCW carry.

 

[ron11631]

What revolver and holster is pictured? I may want to look at the holster for my S&W Mod. 13.

 

[Eaglestroker]

What revolver and holster is pictured? I may want to look at the holster for my S&W Mod. 13.

Ron, if your referring to my photo you'll have to ask Mike. Believe it's an N-frame of his in a 'Summer Special.'

Products

 

[Martya]

When I carry my M-60, I carry two speed strips in one pocket.

 

[chuckfw]

HKS Speed loader in my offside pocket for my 638.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

Front left pocket, next to the mag for my .45

 

[forrestinmathews]

Lets examine this analytically.

1. Most incidents are stopped by merely displaying a gun

2. Most gunfights are resolved in a couple of rounds

3. If you think running out of rounds is a problem, then I strongly suggest a semi-auto

4. If you are going to reload in a gunfight, I hope you have the good sense to take cover first.

5. If you are behind cover, just about any method of reloading will work, but loose rounds are really slow. The rest are comparably fast

There are seldom any one size fits all answer with guns. You have to experiment and train to be prepared. The situation may change everything, such as wearing summer clothing. But i appreciate the spirit in which you are seeking advice.

Btw, I have trained with speedloaders and snap caps to reload my 686 plus in less than two seconds. But I havent tried it for a while and dont know if i have retained the skill. I also dont know how i will react under pressure.

On my TRR8, i have to use moon clips because there is no good speed loader for it. Moon clips are a little slower, and when you have 8 cylinders there is more of a chance of a bullet hanging up. I have a rubber speed loader for it that works surprisingly well, but rounds tend to fall out of it rather easily.

I highly recommend the TRR8, but this 8 shot, five inch, N frame monster isnt exactly a concealment piece. It was designed for police entry.

My trusty J frame sits in my night stand. If i go out, a revolver isnt what i want. Thats just me.

I personally don't care how many rounds you want to carry. You can explain to yourself why you ran out of ammunition during your gun fight. I will carry as much as I can reasonably accommodate in my clothing at the time. I dislike speed strips. Speed loaders are where it's at as I'd like to reload my teeny tiny slow poke snubnose as quickly as I can when I need to.

The moonclips that came with the TRR8 are brass generic. With the .38/.357 the groove is not spec'd in SAAMI, so they are all different. My advice is to buy Hearthco clips specific to your carry ammunition and do not use Winchester as the clips are very thin due to the narrow groove. I believe Maxxfire makes a speedloader for the 8 shot as does the five star speedloaders. Either way saying that moonclips are slower is false. Practice.

 

[sctman800]

I shoot IDPA in SSR (speedloaders) and ESR (moonclips) and am without a doubt faster with moonclips. In fact it could be that I don't shoot semi-autos as much I am realy faster with the moon clipped revolver. Jim.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I shoot IDPA in SSR (speedloaders) and ESR (moonclips) and am without a doubt faster with moonclips. In fact it could be that I don't shoot semi-autos as much I am realy faster with the moon clipped revolver. Jim.

As a fellow revolver guy if you dot shoot the semis as much, the reason you are faster is that you are more efficient. Less misses, less extra shots, more deliberate actions. The semis are still faster through the stage once you get the accuracy down. Enjoy the wheel!

 

[mmathras]

Homemade double speedloader case

Worn opposite the revolver on my homemade shoulder rig, this double speed loader holster has easy-to-grab leather thongs that are attached to elasticized loops that hold each speed loader in place. Pull the thong/rubber loop up and over the speed loader knob...for quick removal.

 

[forrestinmathews]

This all fits in my front left pocket. I think I'll be alright save something I should have brought a rifle for. Reloads carried need not be ultrastreamlined to work for you.

ETA: The mags can be more streamlined, but that is my everyday setup where I can access my wallet readily. Streamlined setup lays one mag on top of the wallet and turning the other bullets forward.

 

[Mediumbore]

Over the years, I've tried just about all of them and settled on speedloaders carried in Desantis Second Six pouches for concealed carry use.

I often carry a 686 in a RH pancake holster about the 3:30-4:00 position with one of these mounted just forward. Backup J-frame in the trouser pocket and a Speed strip in the right cargo pocket. Works like a charm but a bit heavy compared to the Glock 22....

 

[vahiker83]

I carry my j frame 640-1 on the back of my right hip and a couple Bianchi strips in my front left pocket. Remington 125gr .38spcl+p

 

[TNranger]

I usually carry 2 HKS speedloaders in my front pants pocket. These work just fine in jeans and khakis; but it should be noted that I like "relax fit" pants and nothing skin tight.

 

[EdP1946]

Any Recommendations for a J-frame

I'm old, but new to handguns. I've seen conflicting comments online saying that the HKS 36A is both recommended and considered problematic for J-frame revolvers. I've also seen that the 5-Star J2 product is supposed to be fine tuned for J-frames, but that the bare aluminum versions are prone to not cleanly releasing the rounds because of galling damage. Any first hand experience?

 

[Muss Muggins]

I change what I carry on a regular basis, just because I enjoy trying new things. I rarely, if ever, carry spare ammunition on my person, just a knife. My pre-planning is always this: Save myself, save my family, stop the threat, get back to the car. I can't think of a news story, ever, where a common citizen reloaded during a concealed carry incident in a public place, and I plan accordingly. If I am wrong about that, I would love to read a news story about such an event. I suspect such a story would be national news for a week.

In my humble opinion, your little gun is just used to fight your way back to your big gun . . .