Speedloading a Revolver

[Baba Louie]

Please direct me to a link or thread discussing reloading a revolver quickly, smooth, number of steps, etc. for a RH using old police dbl pouch (left front 10:00).

Revolver will probably be a 586, a 10 or Taurus 82 (same thing kinda), 4" bbl. in a thumb-break (4:00).

Probably shoot mostly dbl taps and FTS drills, 3 - 5 yds (if thats a factor)

Numbers of draws daily, stance, etc would all be helpful.

And what about CCW (I probably won't be but what if I hadta?)?

What's the time factor I want to get to? What kinda times do the pro's do? (I've heard tales that, like McGivern's shooting, are just hard to believe, even if you are there watching it happen!)

Thanks in advance

Adios

[Fred]

Speed loader technique for revolvers.

Speed loaders and pouches are generally worn on the same side as the holster. The following technique is widely taught and could be considered a classic method. As with any technique there are alternative methods that may also work equally as well.

To reload a revolver with a swing out cylinder the firing side thumb engages the cylinder catch. The support side hand comes under the trigger guard and forms the letter U. The thumb is on the left side of the cylinder and the fingers are on the right. The middle and ring fingers push the cylinder open and maintain contact with it,( other fingers can also be used) release the grip with the firing side hand. You'll be holding the revolver's cylinder in your support side hand with the trigger guard resting in the palm.

Index the revolver so that the muzzle is pointer straight up and strike the ejection rod with the firing side hand. the support side thumb can also be used to eject the fired cases, but it is a less forceful method. Fired cases can become hung up on the grip against the frame. Rotate the cylinder to free them up and strike the ejection rod again if needed.

Once the revolver is unloaded index the muzzle so that it's pointed downward. Secure a speed loaded and insert the rounds into the chambers. Let the speed loaded fall away and close the cylinder. Transfer the revolver back to the firing side hand and your good to go.

HTH

[Monkeyleg]

Just to add to what Fred wisely said, you can also use a couple of fingers from the speedloader hand to help guide the rounds into the cylinder.

With practice, you'll be able to use speedloaders almost as fast or just as fast as changing magazines on an auto.

[Lotzinger]

I am doing nearly in the same way as fred wrote.

the thing I do in a different way is using the left hand for striking the ejection rod while pointing the muzzle slightly up. after ejecting the empty shells my left hand grabs the cylinder pointing the muzzle down for easier insertion of the speedloader with my right hand.

[Hkmp5sd]

In one of Massad Ayoob's training videos (either Shoot to Live! - Gunfight Survival or Police Survival Shooting ), he demonstrates how to reload using a speedloader. He can do it faster than most people, me included, can change magazines in an autoloader

[MK11]

Check out the current issue of Combat Handguns, there's an article on "25 Ways the Revolver Beats an Auto." It details a reloading technique taught by a former instructor at Sig Arms, which emphasizes not shifting the revolver from strong hand to weak hand then back again. I took that class last year and the technique takes some getting used to but seems to work very well.

[stephen_g22]

Fred Said Speed loader technique for revolvers.

Speed loaders and pouches are generally worn on the same side as the holster. The following technique is widely taught and could be considered a classic method. As with any technique there are alternative methods that may also work equally as well.

To reload a revolver with a swing out cylinder the firing side thumb engages the cylinder catch. The support side hand comes under the trigger guard and forms the letter U. The thumb is on the left side of the cylinder and the fingers are on the right. The middle and ring fingers push the cylinder open and maintain contact with it,( other fingers can also be used) release the grip with the firing side hand. You'll be holding the revolver's cylinder in your support side hand with the trigger guard resting in the palm.

Index the revolver so that the muzzle is pointer straight up and strike the ejection rod with the firing side hand. the support side thumb can also be used to eject the fired cases, but it is a less forceful method. Fired cases can become hung up on the grip against the frame. Rotate the cylinder to free them up and strike the ejection rod again if needed.

Once the revolver is unloaded index the muzzle so that it's pointed downward. Secure a speed loaded and insert the rounds into the chambers. Let the speed loaded fall away and close the cylinder. Transfer the revolver back to the firing side hand and your good to go.


I use this technique for the most part when I have speedloaders. However, my usual daily carry is a J Frame in a pocket holster in my strong side front pocket. I carry a speed strip in my support side front pocket. Other than changing how I carry my speed strips, what reloading recommendations can anyone make for me? Thanks.

[Jim March]

Suggestion: at gun shows, you can find small cordura beeper cases that often hold a J-class speedloader perfectly, with a velcro flap cover and a belt attachment.

[Fred]

Another option is what's called a tactical reload. There is a down side to it because it relies on line of sight. It is useful for bring the revolver back up to capacity after engaging an adversary and you don't want to dump any live rounds, but retain them.

The technique is to look at the primers to identify the fired cases. Depress the ejection rod with the revolver held horizontally and remove the fired cases by hand. Using a speed strip or loose rounds, load the empty chambers and your good to go.

From a tactical stand point it's assumed that a condition exists that allows you to go eyes off of the situation to reload such as moving to cover.

HTH

[Kalvan]

One thing I do is index the cylinder so that the left thumb is in one flute and the middle finger is in the second flute to the right (i.e., next to the frame). Even though the cylinder is a round object, two charge holes should be in a straight line between your thumb and middle finger. When you draw your speedloader, place the tip of your right index finger between two of the rounds, touching the tips of the rounds. Your fingertip can find the portion of the cylinder between the thumb and middle finger of the left hand quite easily and the two rounds are ready to go right where they are supposed to go. Using this technique, with a little practice you can reload in the dark or without taking your eyes off the target area. (Because of this, I'm not fond of unfluted cylinders, although I think they look neat.)

A good speedloader reload is about 3 seconds, while a normal semi-auto reload is about 1 second. Jerry Miculek, using a .45 ACP S&W 625 with moonclips rather than speedloaders, fired 6 shots, reloaded, and fired six more (all A-zone hits at 15') in 3 seconds.