Tactical Reloads for Revolvers

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Great video on Revolver Tactical Reload. I mentioned this technique and apparently a lot of younger revolver shooters are not familiar with it.

 

[326MOD10]

Great video and reminder that at minimum carrying a speed strip would be wise.

To be honest this is a skill that would also be important to focus on for those that carry a semi-auto as well and a reason to carry a reload with the semi-auto.

When I was working in LE and attending regular trainings tactical reload skills were practiced on your range training days.

While carrying a back up 442 revolver I would practice this skill when I qualified so that I kept my revolver topped off during qualification so I would not slow down the firing line for those carrying semi-autos.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Good video. I've mentioned this in other posts. For "tactical" oriented revolver shooters even just punching holes in paper always use your speed strips or loaders. And practice that partial reload too. Know your indexing. Keep that manual dexterity sharp.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

When I was heavily involved in shooting revolver in IDPA, I got halfway decent at this. My usual loadout when carrying a revolver is a speedloader and a speed strip or a 2x2x2 pouch.

What I hope I'll do if I ever have to do this for real is shoot, then run like hell to the nearest hard cover, then reload.

 

[stansdds]

I wonder how those revolvers that use moon clips work for a tactical reload? I'm thinking it's kind of hard to pick out and replace two or three rounds. Yeah, I like my defensive revolvers to utilize only the cartridge rim.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

In 45 ACP they had half moon clips, three rounders. But they are not practical. You really need to dump all six to reload.

When I was carrying a 1917 it was easier to carry the full moon clips. You could fit two full moon clips in the N Frame speed loader case. Also when I worked Investigations I would put the moon clips in my Sportcoat pockets, Dirty Harry style.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

My usual loadout when carrying a revolver is a speedloader and a speed strip or a 2x2x2 pouch.

That is a great tip. Three ways to carry extra ammo besides loose.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

… just punching holes in paper always use your speed strips or loaders. And practice that partial reload too. Know your indexing. Keep that manual dexterity sharp.

Great tips.

 

[Jim Watson]

IDPA used to love the Tac Load and I worked on it a good bit.
But even they treated the revolver as a red headed stepchild, the printed recommendation for a partial reload of a revolver was
"Eject the contents of the cylinder into your hand, dump the whole mess in a pocket, reload as usual."
Considering that one of their rationales for the Tac Load was to have a partial load available for later use so you didn't run out of ammo, this was not very effective. I called it the "Baby with the bathwater reload."

I called the video's method the "Eyeball plucking reload" except that since all my ammo was in speedloaders, I would pluck the empties and then let the live rounds fall out and pocket them, ready for reuse. Which was a very uncommon CoF requirement.

Then there was the "Modified baby with the bathwater reload." Drop the loose live rounds out and pocket them, stroke the ejector rod as you reach for the speedloader.

When shooting the M25, most ammo was in full moon clips but I always carried along some in the little two shot clips and some loose .45 Auto Rim in case the CoF was tricky.
M. Ayoob observed that a .44 Magnum speedloader pouch would hold two layers of clipped ACPs so you had twice the ammo and fewer concerns about dropping a partial clip.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

… When I was working in LE and attending regular trainings tactical reload skills were practiced on your range training days.

While carrying a back up 442 revolver I would practice this skill when I qualified so that I kept my revolver topped off during qualification so I would not slow down the firing line for those carrying semi-autos.

Before I retired I noticed the Range Staff was going in a different direction. More Target shooting instead of Tactical shooting.

The various Qualification Courses now is shoot until lock back.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

M. Ayoob observed that a .44 Magnum speedloader pouch would hold two layers of clipped ACPs so you had twice the ammo and fewer concerns about dropping a partial clip.

I figured that out when I was looking for ammo pouches when I carried a S&W 1917 on duty.