Tactical Reloads for Revolvers

[Doriangray6]

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.

Full moon clips could be made into two or three round clips or you could just carry half moon clips if you can find them for your particular caliber.
As I said in a previous post I use two round clips made by Ranch Products for the S&W Governor in my 1917 Colt service revolver.
It's not exactly what most folks consider a tactical revolver these days but at one time it was considered to be and was used as a combat firearm.

 

[Buford57]

You must have been trained after speed loaders became common.

Were you ever issued a dump pouch and/or bullet loops?
View attachment 781955
View attachment 781956

I started with dump pouches and our state mandated qualification COF Stage 1 was fire 6, load 6, fire 2, load 2, fire 4, load 4, fire 6. I was an early adopter of speed strips and still use them. There was no good reason to dump 4 live rounds in order to load 6. Newhall was a recent memory and we were not "playing games". With enough practice it can be done without giving the cylinder more than a glance or even in the dark. Ask me how I know that.

 

[mscampbell2734]

I was taught this type of revolver tactical reload in the early 90s at the Orange County, CA, Sheriff's Academy. We still issued revolvers, but allowed Deputies to carry most major name brand 9 mm autos.

 

[walkin' trails]

I resemble some of the remarks in that video. I recall it was just called “topping off” when I learned it at the academy. Other practices just called for dumping the cylinder and reloading with a speed loader. Never liked the idea of leaving rounds on the ground, but can see certain situations where it might be required. The down side of this tactical reload is trying to see busted primers when your close in vision isn’t so acute anymore - orbits dark. Helps to know which way your cylinder is going, but I can see getting a bit flustered during the heat of it all. And the presenter is right about firearms instructors not having a clue about the old ways. I see it during LEOSA quals. I found a 2x2x2 pouch someone had given me but never used. Part of the problem was that bullets had corroded inside and any fresh ammo left for not very long took on a green hue. Took it out the other day. It worked great for this tactical top off - like the 12-loop I originally trained on.

 

[Fastbolt]

You must have been trained after speed loaders became common.

Were you ever issued a dump pouch and/or bullet loops?
View attachment 781955
View attachment 781956

I was issued a leather double dump pouch like you show. I had to go out and buy a speedloader carrier (and speedloaders) on my own dime. (I occasionally used the double dump pouch for speedstrips.)

At that time a lot of the older guys & gals wore Buscadero gun belts, and the belt loop styles varied. Some had a full line of them across the back of their belt, and some half a line on their strong side behind the holster. Most of them also had speedloader carriers sewn to the front (primary reloads). Some had a double loop just above and in front of their holster, so they could 'top off' if they'd only fired a couple shots. Reminded me of an Old West practice.

In those days the qual course-of-fire included a section where everyone ran (joggled, whatever) from 50yds to the 25yd line, and then fired 10rds. The time limit was 25sec, and the clock started at the 50yd line "GO" signal. The last 4rds could be loaded from loose rounds, belt loops or a partially loaded speedloader (my choice ). Since both Colts and S&W's were being used, the shooter had to know the direction the cylinder turned so the last 4rds would immediately come up under the hammer. 25sec may sound like a short time for all that movement, shooting and partially reloading a revolver, but it was a rare thing for someone not to get off all of the rounds before the whistle blew.

Years later, long after we'd transitioned to issued pistols, I still included different loading methods for my snub quals and drills, using speedloaders, speedstrips and loose rounds. The trick is to keep those old revolver skills from completely fading away from disuse and rust, and not having to 'stop and look & study' what you're doing with the gun to the point you're no longer remaining aware of what's happening around you. Not much different from the days when they drilled everyone to perform 'tactical reloads' of pistols to keep them hot and fully loaded between positions, moving and taking cover, etc. Sure, in later years it seemingly became a 'thing' for different folks to talk about 'speed tac loads' (dropping partially loaded magazines in order to replace them with fresh mags), and 'reload with retention' (keeping the partially loaded mag for later). You could always tell the more experienced (older) folks when they were performing tac loads and keeping the partially loaded mags without stopping to think about it while they were busy with other needs of the moment.

Of course, the circumstances will likely dictate the best 'options' desired. If you have more than a single speedloader, speedstrip or sectioned belt carrier (2+2+1/2+2+2), and you've fired more than 2rds, you might end up choosing to just quickly reload the whole cylinder instead of topping off 1 or 2 spent rounds. TANSTAAFL.

The trick is to have the requisite skills for any/all of those options ingrained deeply into the 'unconscious competence' level. That typically takes time and successful repetition.