Wheelgun Challenge III

[Bruce Cartwright]

Folks:

What follows is the third installment. I had hoped to post these about once every week, but my laptop died and I was out of the loop computer wise for a bit. Enjoy.

"This is the third installment of this series. The gauntlet having been thrown down by a good friend, I carried my GP100 Match Champion every day as my primary defensive handgun for six continuous months.

In this installment, I wanted to discuss speed loaders. As a dear friend and mentor once said to me, anytime you shoot a revolver or shotgun, the event by default becomes a reloading event. Hence this discussion about speed loaders.

First a bit of my history. I grew up in Pennsylvania at a time when the Pennsylvania State Police (“PSP”) carried revolvers. In fact, PSP carried Ruger Security Six .357 magnum revolvers in stainless steel, with adjustable sights and four-inch barrels. I remember PSP transitioning from Colt Official Police 38 Special revolvers with six-inch barrels to the new Ruger. At the time, PSP used HKS speed loaders. If it was good enough for PSP to use HKS, I figured it was good enough for me. HKS speed loaders are inexpensive, robust and I never had one lose any rounds. I was aware of and occasionally used Safariland Comp II speed loaders (I also occasionally saw PSP Troopers with Comp IIs as well). They seemed fine, but I relied on HKS. In the attached photo, there is an example of an HKS, a Safariland Comp II and a Safariland Comp III all for my Ruger GP100. The patch is 2.75 inches in diameter to give you an idea of size. I recently changed to the Safariland Comp IIIs and let me tell you why.

55767

The reason for the change is the need for speed. Once I started shooting courses of fire that required more speed, I realized that the HKS were not the fastest loaders available. Another of my mentors mentioned that the Safariland Comp III’s were the only way to go. I acquired several and have been using them extensively. The reason for their quickness is that they are spring loaded and literally drive rounds out of the loader into the cylinder rather than relying on gravity.

The only downside to the Comp IIIs is their size. They are about as long as a typical high capacity 9mm magazine and also thicker. You have to get creative in carrying them. That said, the Comp IIIs that I acquired during the six months (2017), I carried the Match Champion have been holding up fine. I carried the Comp IIIs in a variety of pockets (Update: As of June 2020, the Comp IIIs are still working great.). The rounds have remained firmly in place and as a bonus there is no “rattle” of loose rounds. I obtained an elastic tool band marketed by Ready Man Inc., out of Salt Lake City, that wraps around a trouser belt and provides a 4 or so inch long tunnel of elastic. My thinking was I would place the speed loader horizontally along the long axis of my belt. I figured this might be a discrete way to carry a speed loader. I suspect a loose shirt should cover it. Unfortunately, I tried the elastic sleeves and they are too small to accommodate a Comp III. I am thinking about getting a local saddle maker to stitch me up a piece of commercial grade elastic that would be spacious enough to accommodate my Comp III. We’ll see. I am impressed with the Safariland Comp IIIs and have pretty much settled on them as my “go to” loader of choice.

I also carried a pair of Bianchi Speed Strips in my right hand pants pocket for an additional reserve. I am under no illusion about the Bianchi Speed Strips being quick to reload with, but I liked the additional reserve of ammo. I did the same thing whenever I carried an FBI authorized S&W J frame revolver.

One last point about speed loaders. Different bullet shapes work better than others. 125 grain jacketed hollow point 357 rounds tend to be easy to reload with. Sharp shouldered bullets, like wadcutters, can be much more difficult to reload with. One of the really cool benefits of carrying the Ruger Match Champion is that it comes from the factory with the edges of the cartridge charge holes chamfered. This really improves the ability to speed load that revolver.

As a training note, I have a bunch of “dummy” ammunition. “Dummy” ammunition is typically non-functioning ammo that carries no powder or primer. In my supply of dummy ammo is a bunch of 38 Special rounds loaded with 148 grain full wadcutter bullets. This is about the hardest type of ammo to speed load into a revolver. As a result, I tend to practice most of my dry fire reloads using wadcutter ammo. It is harder, but you are rewarded with an increased ability to speed load other types of ammo. Food for thought."

Bruce

[03RN]

Thanks. I need to try some comp 3s.

[Dagga Boy]

Uh...yea, what he said. All right in the money and went down a very similar path.

[Half Moon]

Thanks. I need to try some comp 3s.

If you haven't, you may want to check out JetLoaders as well. I've never tried the Comp III's. The height seems a bit much. The JetLoaders are spring powered as well but a little more compact. In a K frame my experience had been:

JetLoader > Comp II > HKS > > > Speed Strip

In a J frame on the other hand I get grip clearance issues but HKS seems to have less issue with that than the others. Comp I's are nice where they aren't jamming on the grips.

FWIW, Revolver Guy did a showdown between various speedloaders a while back:

https://revolverguy.com/what-is-the-best-revolver-speedloader/

I really want to try the SL Variants but never seen one in the wild.

[BN]

I like the Comp IIIs. The spring loaded action will drive the round into a slightly dirty chamber.

FYI. I had this story up with the picture of the speed loaders showing when I was asked to hold and rock my 5 week old Great Grandson. If I would repeat, in a soothing voice, the phrase "Safariland Comp 3, that's the loader for me" he would calm right down and be peaceful. ;)

[BehindBlueI's]

I took my dad out today and that involves a lot of bending over as I help him get in and out of the car, load his wheelchair, etc. I decided to carry appendix for that reason, and that meant the GP100MC with compact grips and a Comp II carried AIWB and a speed strip in the pocket. 158gr Hydra-shoks.

[TGS]

I really want to try the SL Variants but never seen one in the wild.

I would avoid them. The individual charge holes are sprung, and while securely held they still have enough freedom of movement that if you don't have it perfectly lined up, the rounds get hung up and pushed out of alignment.....I think this is caused by the adjustment feature, which is a needless gimmick in search of a problem nobody has.

You can't just jiggle it to line up and insert the rounds like a Comp II, HKS, etc. rsa-otc played with my SL Variants and found the same issue.

[JRV]

If you haven't, you may want to check out JetLoaders as well. I've never tried the Comp III's. The height seems a bit much. The JetLoaders are spring powered as well but a little more compact.

They are more compact, have better build quality, eject a bit more forcefully, and are the only option for J frames. They can be a bit finicky with a cylinder held tight in the support hand and are expensive, but the benefits are pretty pronounced.

[Wheeler]

When I first got into IDPA one of the competitors gave me two boxes of HBWCs he had loaded backwards. They were useless for normal shooting as they would keyhole. I used those to practice reloads with and got pretty darn fast.

[Dagga Boy]

I would avoid them. The individual charge holes are sprung, and while securely held they still have enough freedom of movement that if you don't have it perfectly lined up, the rounds get hung up and pushed out of alignment.....I think this is caused by the adjustment feature, which is a needless gimmick in search of a problem nobody has.

You can't just jiggle it to line up and insert the rounds like a Comp II, HKS, etc. rsa-otc played with my SL Variants and found the same issue.

When you are ready to sell those piece of junk SL Variants, PM me first.

[OlongJohnson]

Might have mentioned previously, I'm now out of the K frame business (still have J frame and GPs), which means my K frame Jet Loaders are for sale (https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?41797-K-frame-gear-JMCK-AIWB-Jet-Loaders-Comp-IIs).

[TGS]

When you are ready to sell those piece of junk SL Variants, PM me first.

They're long gone, I'm much happier with Safarilands.

[Stephanie B]

Comp IIIs don't fit into my jeans pockets. Comp IIs do.

[Inspector71]

I remember watching a training video with Massad Ayoob from the late 1980’s. He was talking about revolver speed loaders available then on the market. He reported having placed HKS speedloaders with JHP ammo into a local paint store’s Red Devil paint mixer (thousands of vibrations per minute). It peeled the jackets back to the case mouths, but all rounds were retained by the HKS speedloader. From personal experience, I never accidentally lost any rounds from my HKS loaders carried on duty. I only used the Safariland Comp III for my PPC shooting.

[JRV]

I remember watching a training video with Massad Ayoob from the late 1980’s. He was talking about revolver speed loaders available then on the market. He reported having placed HKS speedloaders with JHP ammo into a local paint store’s Red Devil paint mixer (thousands of vibrations per minute). It peeled the jackets back to the case mouths, but all rounds were retained by the HKS speedloader. From personal experience, I never accidentally lost any rounds from my HKS loaders carried on duty. I only used the Safariland Comp III for my PPC shooting.

I’ll remember that test for the next time I need to carry my revolver inside a human-sized vibratory cleaner.

[Half Moon]

I remember watching a training video with Massad Ayoob from the late 1980’s. He was talking about revolver speed loaders available then on the market. He reported having placed HKS speedloaders with JHP ammo into a local paint store’s Red Devil paint mixer (thousands of vibrations per minute). It peeled the jackets back to the case mouths, but all rounds were retained by the HKS speedloader. From personal experience, I never accidentally lost any rounds from my HKS loaders carried on duty. I only used the Safariland Comp III for my PPC shooting.

I've had HKS release when pocket carried. Never had it happen with Comp I or II's. I know Safarilands have that reputation but...

[Stephanie B]

I've had HKS release when pocket carried. Never had it happen with Comp I or II's. I know Safarilands have that reputation but...

I've had HKS speedloaders release in my pocket and in the belt carrier during matches. I've not had the same thing happen with Comp I/IIs. Maybe I haven't used them enough.

[Jim Watson]

Shot a Revolver Special USPSAish match yesterday with M67 and Comp IIIs for reload. Other loaders on hand for LAMR only. Great fun. I had some sticky reloads as the day wore on, my .410 Tornado brush is worn out and was not getting the chambers perfectly clean between stages. Also I found a couple of sticky rounds, reloads with coated bullets. Next time we have one of these, I will have a fresh brush and may well chamber check my ammo.

I have a similar M686 outfit but in practice was getting better hits with the K frame. I think I know the difference and will consult the gunsmith.

The poor old Python was just out of the running. Partly because they only make Comp II for Colt but mostly because I have gotten dependent on fibre optic sights and just couldn't see the plain post in a hurry. I sent the sight blade off to Pinnacle to convert to FO and we shall see.

The SL Variant seemed like The Answer for the Colt but is not 100%. You have to poke it harder to release, for one thing. It is great for LAMR, you load it one round at a time and don't need a plate.

[BillSWPA]

I am enjoying and learning from the Wheelgun Challenge posts.

It is interesting that carrying a revolver still presents challenges even with greater advantages than we had at the time when revolvers were a much more common choice for serious use. We now have Kydex holsters and speedloader pouches, and better sight options.

[Wheeler]

The only time I've had a Comp 1 or Comp 2 dump rounds was when I didn't verify they were secured properly and the one Comp 2 which had a broken retention clip. That's based over a decade of fairly serious competition using Split Six style speed loader holders as well as CCW when I wore a belt mounted rotary gat.

[BobM]

I had a Safariland loader not release while in the academy. It was my last one so I was not able to complete that exercise. The staff had to beat on it to get it to release. If we had stayed with revolvers past my probationary period I would have quietly switched to HKS ( and figured out an alternative to the issued 95 grain +P Silvertips).

[JRV]

I am enjoying and learning from the Wheelgun Challenge posts.

It is interesting that carrying a revolver still presents challenges even with greater advantages than we had at the time when revolvers were a much more common choice for serious use. We now have Kydex holsters and speedloader pouches, and better sight options.

It’s odd. Outside of moon clips and the Jox loaders, speedloader accessories for competition and carry are so far behind on iterative development that it’s actually surprising. Options seem to hit the market and disappear for lack of widespread adoption.

I had to commission custom work to get what I wanted.

[Bruce Cartwright]

I've had HKS speedloaders release in my pocket and in the belt carrier during matches. I've not had the same thing happen with Comp I/IIs. Maybe I haven't used them enough.

Stephanie B:

I try to carry my Comp IIIs in a vest or jacket pocket most of the time which may explain my success. Once in a great while, I will carry a speed loader in a trouser pocket. I try to avoid that. I think the solution is to have a single belt mounted speed loader pouch that is solely for emergency reloads. I did something similar with my AR magazines on my armor/plate carrier-I had one dedicated magazine pouch that was only used for emergency reloads. Any administrative loads were done out of the other pouches.

Bruce

[03RN]

It’s odd. Outside of moon clips and the Jox loaders, speedloader accessories for competition and carry are so far behind on iterative development that it’s actually surprising. Options seem to hit the market and disappear for lack of widespread adoption.

I had to commission custom work to get what I wanted.

No kidding. I wish the safariland 3 loader carrier had more positive retention.

I need to try some of the split 6 carriers. The jox prints to much

[Bruce Cartwright]

I am enjoying and learning from the Wheelgun Challenge posts.

It is interesting that carrying a revolver still presents challenges even with greater advantages than we had at the time when revolvers were a much more common choice for serious use. We now have Kydex holsters and speedloader pouches, and better sight options.

BillSWPA:

I am glad you are enjoying the Wheelgun Challenge posts. I had fun doing/writing it.

I think the answer to your observation is that because revolvers have fallen out of favor for serious use, there is an ever shrinking market for revolver accessories. The market just isn't there to support most manufacturers. I may be showing my age, but I can remember going into gun shops years ago and seeing revolvers, 1911s, shotguns and deer rifles. Anything other than a 1911 in terms of semiauto pistols was a rarity, as was seeing an AR. Today, finding a wood stocked rifle is a rarity. I keep looking for revolver stuff and every now and then, I get lucky (like the Sparks 200 AW N frame holster I found at a yard sale...), but those "finds" are getting more and more rare.

Bruce

[Bruce Cartwright]

It’s odd. Outside of moon clips and the Jox loaders, speedloader accessories for competition and carry are so far behind on iterative development that it’s actually surprising. Options seem to hit the market and disappear for lack of widespread adoption.

I had to commission custom work to get what I wanted.

JRV:

I think that the custom work may be the way of the future regarding revolver stuff. I am in the process of getting a horizontal speedloader pouch made up to try. Hopefully, it will work out. I'll keep you up to speed on how things progress.

Bruce

[JRV]

No kidding. I wish the safariland 3 loader carrier had more positive retention.

I need to try some of the split 6 carriers. The jox prints to much

I have found the split designs to be very dependent on belt thickness and cover garment. They’re were not usable with a double-thickness horsehide belt. And, there’s the whole “they’re built for 1.75” belts” issue. I had one done as a custom job back for thick 1.5” belts when I carried a Comp I as a reload. Even then, the snap on the top makes them just as “printy” as wearing a loader against the belt, and it is a vulnerable snagpoint.

Loaders (especially the J frame loaders) are not much wider then a Glock mag, and the round shape and lower height of a JetLoader (or even a K frame Comp III) makes them more viable for carriage in front of hip crease. They can hide just fine OWB. I’m working with a local leather guy on a tight-riding pancake setup for single and double J-frame JetLoaders.

The real cat’s pajamas would be something like the Phlster Flex for an AIWB 3” revolver and an IWB speedloader on the opposite hip crease, but that’s probably never going to happen. The entire potential market for that item is likely already commenting in these threads.

[JRV]

JRV:

I think that the custom work may be the way of the future regarding revolver stuff. I am in the process of getting a horizontal speedloader pouch made up to try. Hopefully, it will work out. I'll keep you up to speed on how things progress.

Bruce

Best of luck, and please post photos! Crossbreed made an interesting horizontal pouch that rode over the top of the belt for about five whole minutes.

[hickrev]

I need to try some of the split 6 carriers. The jox prints to much

For what it’s worth (for J frame and K6S loaders), I have not noticed a measurable difference in printing between the split six style and the “above the belt” style Jox pouches. Both are noticeable in a t-shirt, and neither are noticeable under a jacket or heavy flannel.

The split sixes are a bit more “comfy” as they have some more give to them, but obviously are a bit slower due to the clasp.

[BillSWPA]

I have a couple of split speedloader pouches that were made by DeSantis if I recall correctly. The fit is very tight when wearing a double thickness belt. Even though half of the cartridges are inside the belt, I doubt concealment is significantly improved since the belt will have to stick out more to accommodate those extra cartridges. I have never actually used them to carry speedloaders.

[03RN]

I have found the split designs to be very dependent on belt thickness and cover garment. They’re were not usable with a double-thickness horsehide belt. And, there’s the whole “they’re built for 1.75” belts” issue. I had one done as a custom job back for thick 1.5” belts when I carried a Comp I as a reload. Even then, the snap on the top makes them just as “printy” as wearing a loader against the belt, and it is a vulnerable snagpoint.

Loaders (especially the J frame loaders) are not much wider then a Glock mag, and the round shape and lower height of a JetLoader (or even a K frame Comp III) makes them more viable for carriage in front of hip crease. They can hide just fine OWB. I’m working with a local leather guy on a tight-riding pancake setup for single and double J-frame JetLoaders.

The real cat’s pajamas would be something like the Phlster Flex for an AIWB 3” revolver and an IWB speedloader on the opposite hip crease, but that’s probably never going to happen. The entire potential market for that item is likely already commenting in these threads.

Thanks for the info

Carrying aiwb limits ammo carrying where it would be easiest to reload.

The metal safariland carrier can work ahead of the holster with some belts but reloading is slower than from the pocket. Ive tried it at my left hip crease where i comfortably carry iwb magazines and its very uncomfortable and I had to cross over my my body to grab it which felt awkward.

I agree that the market is pretty dry but i understand why.

What id like to see is a jox carrier attached to a jmcustom aiwb that didn't need another belt clip.

[SCCY Marshal]

...Carrying aiwb limits ammo carrying where it would be easiest to reload...

I'm currently waiting on a new belt for this reason. My current instructor style belt has a descender loop that takes up enough space to prevent left-of-centerline placement of a 2x2x2 pouch with most of my pants. The belt loop on shorts I'm wearing today barely clears. Can still even fit my Key Defender and fixes blade. But the new belt should allow similar in most of my pants.

https://i.imgur.com/KrsmnSAl.jpg

As a somewhat related point, I've found another benefit to the Hip-Grip. If pre-staging my hand for a possible draw, it looks rather like I'm just hooking my thumb in my waistband at a casual glance. The gripframe is covered by my palm. More discreet than a firing grip on an auto or if using a higher riding revolver holster.

[03RN]

Im trying my jox carrier at 11oclock today. I made a pad to help push it inboard.
55989

I guess with the gun empty my hand doesn't have to move "that" much. Not ideal but really not that bad.

[BillSWPA]

What do you all prefer: grabbing the speedloader with the strong hand while ejecting empties with the weak hand, or keeping the gun in the strong hand and grabbing the speedloader with the weak hand?


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[Half Moon]

What do you all prefer: grabbing the speedloader with the strong hand while ejecting empties with the weak hand, or keeping the gun in the strong hand and grabbing the speedloader with the weak hand?


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Probably be a lot of disagreement on this. There are proponents of various methods. For me: I hold the revolver in the weak hand and reload strong hand but ejection is done by striking the ejector with the strong hand palm. Theoretically there would be some speed gain working the ejector rod with the weak hand thumb but trying it I see more instances of brass getting hung up especially on J's (usually from grip interference on the inboard rounds) and only minimal speed gain. The palm strike is better for ensuring the cylinder is cleared consistently.

[TGS]

What do you all prefer: grabbing the speedloader with the strong hand while ejecting empties with the weak hand, or keeping the gun in the strong hand and grabbing the speedloader with the weak hand?


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I prefer the Universal Revolver Reload, aka FLETC reload. It's more reliable for me than a non-hand-transfer reload where I can't control the cylinder as well, and simpler mechanics to process than Massad's Stressfire Reload. I don't get reliable ejection with the FBI reload simply because the extraction stroke isn't as sharp as using a hand...more of a slow push, so the cases have no momentum and just stop moving when I reach the end of the stroke, with up to half of them needing to be picked out manually.

My experiences are probably different than some others. I almost exclusively shoot 2.5" K-frames (short extractor rod) and prefer grips with a covered backstrap (makes it too long a "reach" for my finger to stabilize the cylinder in non-hand-transfer).

Excellent video by Mas


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXUwI_d8JlA

[Bruce Cartwright]

What do you all prefer: grabbing the speedloader with the strong hand while ejecting empties with the weak hand, or keeping the gun in the strong hand and grabbing the speedloader with the weak hand?


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BillSWPA:

That is the subject of my next installment. Short answer: Keep the revolver in my dominant hand (right) and reload with my left.

I'll post that up in a day or so.

Bruce

[03RN]

I prefer to hold the gun in my left while i manipulate ammo with my right.

https://youtu.be/UE8lOJbI-Dg

[revchuck38]

I have found the split designs to be very dependent on belt thickness and cover garment. They’re were not usable with a double-thickness horsehide belt. And, there’s the whole “they’re built for 1.75” belts” issue. I had one done as a custom job back for thick 1.5” belts when I carried a Comp I as a reload. Even then, the snap on the top makes them just as “printy” as wearing a loader against the belt, and it is a vulnerable snagpoint.

I've got a couple of the Safariland split holders and only use them when carrying an N frame with the required (because there aren't any Comp IIs) HKS loaders. I don't think the Ns are supposed to work with them, and they are a tight fit, but the rounds jiggle and make too much noise in the Kydex split holders I have for them. They fit in the hollow of my hip over the front pocket and conceal well enough under a square-bottomed shirt or something heavier. That said, I only carry an N frame when I'm feeling ceremonial or nostalgic (M21-4 or M22-4) or in the woods (M28-2). Normal revolver carry is a 4" K frame, and that's pretty rare anyway.

[revchuck38]

What do you all prefer: grabbing the speedloader with the strong hand while ejecting empties with the weak hand, or keeping the gun in the strong hand and grabbing the speedloader with the weak hand?

I load with the strong hand while holding the gun in the weak hand. I recognize that keeping the gun in the strong hand is probably a faster method, but the old way is ingrained in my reflexes and at 68 I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze to learn the other way for a gun I rarely carry anymore.

[JRV]

What do you all prefer: grabbing the speedloader with the strong hand while ejecting empties with the weak hand, or keeping the gun in the strong hand and grabbing the speedloader with the weak hand?


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Weak hand ejection and reload is faster and more consistent, in my experience. With decent speedloaders (not HKS or another twist-top design), I have also found that technique provides less opportunity for the empty speedloader to get hung up in or around the cylinder, and I have greater visual clearance into the chargeholes when briefly confirming loader alignment.

The process starts the same whether using a sprung loader (Comp III/JetLoader) or a gravity fed loader (Comp I/Comp II):

Right thumb release, left fingers push cylinder out of frame, muzzle up, left palm eject, gun and left hand go towards belt, muzzle down, left hand grabs loader, left middle finger indexes between two rounds, brief visual confirmation that the indexed finger is coming down on the bridge between two charge holes.

Sprung loader:

Left hand holds loader with rounds started into charge holes, right thumb presses on base of loader while left hand releases loader body, empty loader falls away, left palm rolls cylinder back into frame, gun meets eyeline back on target while reestablishing grip.

Gravity loader:

Left hand presses loader body into cylinder while right hand pulls the gun towards the loader, left hand releases loader body, empty loader falls away, left palm rolls cylinder back into frame, gun meets eyeline back on target while reestablishing grip.

The sprung loader technique cut my reload time down from about 4 seconds to under 3, shot-to-shot, in match conditions. It’s not going to work for everybody, or for people with body-types not conducive to carrying speedloaders in certain locations on their body. But, it’s enabled me to stay within 10-15% of overall match times compared to the local SSP and CDP MA class shooters (granted, that doesn’t mean a lot since the 5x5 became the IDPA classifier).

[Dave T]

I have always been a strong hand holds the gun, weak hand does the reloading shooter. This no doubt comes from years of reloading semi-autos that way and, the vast majoring of my revolver shooting was with 45 ACP revolvers and Moonclips. They kind of load themselves and aid in sure and complete ejection. It's kind of like cheating. (smile)

The same thing works reasonably well with the Moonclips for my 7-shot L-frame (386 Night Guard). The SWC load I'm carrying doesn't slip in as easily as the 45 ACPs but it is as easy and faster than the HKS 7-round speed loader I have.

Dave

[BN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgvCGcD-FAg

[TGS]

Your reloads are super smooth, Bill. I don't understand how you get reliable extraction when your gun is still mostly horizontal, and that very well might be a good example of a full length ejector rod vs snub length.

Question: Why do you wear your speedloaders tucked up against the gun on your strong hand side, when you're manipulating them with your weak hand? Why not wear them on the left hand side as you would with a semi-auto?

[SCCY Marshal]

I use the Ohio/Taylor reload as described by Michael de Bethencourt. Mostly because my left pockets tend to have the space for a reload. Partly because an empty speedloader body falls away more cleanly for me. As a nice bonus, I find the cylinder index on closing to be pretty consistent within a chamber or two and almost always end up with a live round ready to go after a pair from strip/loops/pouch.

Also just ordered up a Tex Shoemaker six-round belt slide with snap closure. Plan to leave it in my bag and be able to snap it on if I feel the need for another reload on my person. Have been leaving a Comp II in there but the flatter profile and included quick donning belt carrier seems handier. That's how I justify it, anyway. The real reason is having watched the first episode of the first Dragnet series, last night. Joe Friday was rocking a belt slide. Else I'd have just used a couple speed strips for the application.

[TGS]

I use the Ohio/Taylor reload as described by Michael de Bethencourt.

This one?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjRTdXvjBmE

[SCCY Marshal]

This one?

Yup. Do vary it slightly, though. I hook my left index finger around the yoke a bit for stable leverage with Ruger-style cylinder releases. May or may not rotate the cylinder side inboard like he does when going muzzle up, depends on my body position.

[BillSWPA]

I've got a couple of the Safariland split holders and only use them when carrying an N frame with the required (because there aren't any Comp IIs) HKS loaders. I don't think the Ns are supposed to work with them, and they are a tight fit, but the rounds jiggle and make too much noise in the Kydex split holders I have for them. They fit in the hollow of my hip over the front pocket and conceal well enough under a square-bottomed shirt or something heavier. That said, I only carry an N frame when I'm feeling ceremonial or nostalgic (M21-4 or M22-4) or in the woods (M28-2). Normal revolver carry is a 4" K frame, and that's pretty rare anyway.

The noise from the Kydex is a good point. I just tried out the pocket speedloader pouch from Aholster, and while the noise was not too bad, it was potentially noticable. Perhaps a thin piece of foam in the bottom of the pouch would help?

[BN]

Your reloads are super smooth, Bill. I don't understand how you get reliable extraction when your gun is still mostly horizontal, and that very well might be a good example of a full length ejector rod vs snub length.

Question: Why do you wear your speedloaders tucked up against the gun on your strong hand side, when you're manipulating them with your weak hand? Why not wear them on the left hand side as you would with a semi-auto?

Thanks. :)

If you look at the different reloads there was a slight glitch on the first reload, then when I reloaded before holstering, that one was very smooth. My S&W Model 10 is one of the older ones before they changed the ejector star and they have the longest ejector stroke.

That was my IDPA legal competition rig back then. The loaders could be right in front of the holster or behind the center line on either side. I put them there because when I brought the gun down to reload the loaders were right there with out added motion reaching clear across my body. I usually wore an open front vest and I could slip my hand in to get the loader. I leave the cylinder free to spin so the rounds could align themselves. I used FMJ round nose bullets and would have to experiment to see if any SD loads would work.

I originally made the video so I could see what I was doing. I didn't really think it through ahead of time. I just thought "reload" and it happened. ;)

[JRV]

Your reloads are super smooth, Bill. I don't understand how you get reliable extraction when your gun is still mostly horizontal, and that very well might be a good example of a full length ejector rod vs snub length.

Question: Why do you wear your speedloaders tucked up against the gun on your strong hand side, when you're manipulating them with your weak hand? Why not wear them on the left hand side as you would with a semi-auto?

I can’t answer for Bill specifically, but I wear pouches in the same spot.

(1) It’s closer to the gun. Gun comes straight down off target, in the strong hand, on the strong side. Less distance to cover with the loader and the gun in each direction.

(2) Unlike mags, which are stored upside down with respect to their final position in the gun, speedloaders are “upside right” for use when oriented in a pouch. Grabbing them cross-body minimizes any need for reorienting the bullets into the cylinder once grabbed.

[Bruce Cartwright]

Folks:

Thanks for some great discussion about reloading techniques. Sometimes its nice to get down in the weeds and see how other folks are solving a particular technique.

Bruce

[Half Moon]

I use the Ohio/Taylor reload as described by Michael de Bethencourt. Mostly because my left pockets tend to have the space for a reload. Partly because an empty speedloader body falls away more cleanly for me. As a nice bonus, I find the cylinder index on closing to be pretty consistent within a chamber or two and almost always end up with a live round ready to go after a pair from strip/loops/pouch.

Also just ordered up a Tex Shoemaker six-round belt slide with snap closure. Plan to leave it in my bag and be able to snap it on if I feel the need for another reload on my person. Have been leaving a Comp II in there but the flatter profile and included quick donning belt carrier seems handier. That's how I justify it, anyway. The real reason is having watched the first episode of the first Dragnet series, last night. Joe Friday was rocking a belt slide. Else I'd have just used a couple speed strips for the application.


This one?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjRTdXvjBmE

Thank you, both, for sharing that. I hadn't seen that style reload before. Trying it out, dry fire, in 25 reps I'm almost to my par on dry fire FAST with the universal reload. That's fumbling my way through a new sequence versus many, many lifetime reps of universal. Think I'll give it week of practice but very promising so far. Like the feel of not reacquiring the grip. Though my left thumb and palm are very mildly letting me know they don't have the proper calluses yet :-)

[Half Moon]

Continuing to work the Ohio(?) reload and am becoming a true believer. 5th day of practice and dry fire FAST is now down 0.8 to 1 second faster than my par with the Universal reload. I'm liking this!

Happenstance find of the day:

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-VIC-33240-SwissChamp-XLTPouch/dp/B0016KL9BC/

Got one of these a few weeks back as a belt pouch for my oversized Swiss Army knife. Wrapping up dry fire for the day, came to the realization it is about perfectly sized for a single K-Frame JetLoader without looking all tacticool. Focused on the hiking fanny pack right now so probably won't play with using the Swiss pouch for a belt speedloader for a bit. Seems promising though.

[Stephanie B]

Continuing to work the Ohio(?) reload and am becoming a true believer. 5th day of practice and dry fire FAST is now down 0.8 to 1 second faster than my par with the Universal reload. I'm liking this!

Happenstance find of the day:

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-VIC-33240-SwissChamp-XLTPouch/dp/B0016KL9BC/

Got one of these a few weeks back as a belt pouch for my oversized Swiss Army knife. Wrapping up dry fire for the day, came to the realization it is about perfectly sized for a single K-Frame JetLoader without looking all tacticool. Focused on the hiking fanny pack right now so probably won't play with using the Swiss pouch for a belt speedloader for a bit. Seems promising though.

I got one. I’ll have to wad up some cloth and put it into the pouch to keep the speedloader (Comp II) from dropping too far down.

[Half Moon]

I got one. I’ll have to wad up some cloth and put it into the pouch to keep the speedloader (Comp II) from dropping too far down.

Yeah, the JetLoaders are tall. By eyeball right now I'd say roughly an inch taller. They may be slightly slimmer too. Comp II doesn't insert as smoothly in the pouch trying one just now though still doable. Hope it works well for you!

[Stephanie B]

Yeah, the JetLoaders are tall. By eyeball right now I'd say roughly an inch taller. They may be slightly slimmer too. Comp II doesn't insert as smoothly in the pouch trying one just now though still doable. Hope it works well for you!

I think it'll work. I might try it with some S&W Shield magazines, too.