[KelVarnson]

I just purchased a couple of Bianchi speed strips to use with my 638. There were no instructions included, and I have never used speed strips before. Are there special techinques for using them, or are they just a handy way to carry rounds?

Please enlighten me. Thanks in advance.

[W.E.G.]

I don't think there is any magic "speed-strip method."

Some folks like to load two at a time, others just one at a time.

Definitely a handy item for revolver CCW reload.

[Cannonball888]

Bend it into a circle and insert all the cartridges in at once like a HKS Speedloader.

Just kidding. It would be great if you could.

[ArchAngelCD]

Just load 2 at a time and bend the strip while pushing down to release the rounds.

[cslinger]

Put two rounds into the chambers, then with a peeling up motion, using the chamber walls for a fulcrum of sorts, peel the strip back releasing the two rounds. Repeat as necessary.

Will work with single rounds as well.

Chris

[Mikeo]

Practice, practice, practice.

[dairycreek]

Speed strips are kind of misnamed. True they are strips but they are not particularly speedy. However, they are a heck of a way to carry extra rounds. Whoever said practice, practice, practice has it right. If you are willing to engage in some practice some relative speed can be achieved. Just for the heck of it I have developed some speed by not looking at the gun or the speed strip when loading. I keep my eyes on the target and it really does not take too long to get fairly speedy that way. FWIW:)

[Black Adder LXX]

Just for the heck of it I have developed some speed by not looking at the gun or the speed strip when loading. I keep my eyes on the target and it really does not take too long to get fairlly speedy that way.

THAT is a good idea. Thanks.

[KelVarnson]

Ahh, well thanks for all of the replies (I knew I came to the right place). The "two-rounds at a time" was the best approach I could see on my own also, after experimenting a little bit. And since the 638 is only five rounds, I guess that isn't so bad.

I also picked up some HKS speedloaders, which are great, even with the small J-frame. I can see that they will probably be my primary tool, although they are definitely harder to carry than the speed strips.

Thanks to everyone for all of your great replies.

[ArchAngelCD]

KelVarnson,
I also own and carry a M638. I use both the HKS Speedloaders and Bianchi Speed Strips. I carry the Speedloaders when ever possible because they are much faster but in the summer, wearing shorts, Bianchi Speed Strips disappear in your pocket.

[wcwhitey]

They may not seem like the quickest method, but try to load five or six loose rounds with adrenaline pumping and your hands shaking. Slow and steady in this case wins the race. Really a very good design. When the chips are down they sure beat fumbling for rounds in your pocket. I never leave home without one. As everyone has said, push off two at a time.

[The Lone Haranguer]

If carrying a revolver I like the speed strips because they are flat. A speedloader must necessarily be as big around as the gun's cylinder.
If simply carried loose ina pocket they can shift around and be difficult to retrieve, especially under stress. Two devices make it easier to carry speed-stripped rounds: the jeans watch pocket (almost perfectly sized/shaped) and various leather cases you put on your belt.

[KelVarnson]

Hmmm, makes me think somone needs to re-invent the speed strip, slightly, by adding reliefs on the edges in between the rounds, allowing it to bend like a centipede.

Maybe I will fire up the CAD system...

[fiVe]

I found the following several months ago and regrettably did not record the source. I tried to find it's origins today, but had to give up after a long search.

Anyway, I did not do this, but the author did a good job (IMO, because it helped me), and I hope it will help you. (Note: My CCW is a 642 J-frame, so I only carry 5 rounds in my speed strip.)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/five610/speedstrip_howto_1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/five610/speedstrip_howto_2.jpg

[W.E.G.]

I guess it is worth pointing out that it is best to rotate the cylinder for each round so that the chamber in which you are inserting the round is consistently at the point most distant from the rest of the gun.

[DrLaw]

Watch an episode of "THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW". Check out the belt that Barney is wearing. You will see a leather item with what appears to be two sets of snaps, upper and lower. That is a old-style bullet holder for police.

The Speed Strip was invented at a time when those holders were still in use. The double snap one worked from top to bottom. Load from the top with six rounds per pouch, and take them out from the bottom when you needed them. There were also pouches with one snap on the top where the pouch itself fell outwards to let the cartridges drop out.

With the invention of the speed strip, you did not need to have the bottom drop pouch or the dropping pouch. The strip went into the holders neat as can be with the six rounds on them. I know, I used them.

As others have said, they are really not a speedy thing, nowadays, since the advent of HKS and Safariland speedloaders, but they were faster than dumping the cartridges into your palm. Two at a time is about as fast as you can get. And, as another posted said here, practice, practice, practice.

I still have mine, but I have some of those modern whizbangs, too! :D

The Doc is out now. :cool:

[TheFrontRange]

Great info here! I've just purchased my first pair of Bianchi Speedstrips for my M19...eagerly awaiting their arrival now!

[Serpico]

If you are using a 5 shot, separate them into 2 and 3 rounds leaving a space in the middle...the first two will go in a bit quicker....and in the above pick it shows you to use your thumb, but many of us use our index finger to guide the strip in while cradling the restof the strip in your hand, then flip it over for the other two...then do the last one...with a bit of practice, they are pretty fast....but that's more for fun...most likely and hopefully you will never be reloading these little suckers on the street...:)

[Mike Kerr]

Handy to carry but only Semi Speedy unless you practice a lot.

:):):)