Anyone carry just a J-Frame, no speed loaders/strips?

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greyhound

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Well, in 5 months I will be eligible for CCW in Jefferson County (so odd for someone who spent 30+ years in Maryland!).

Now I have only been "into" guns for about 2 years, and while I think I have the good sense to know when to draw (I have absolutely no temper) and follow the 4 rules always, I do not think for a second that I would be able to work a speed loader/speed strip in a stress situation (my S&W 642 that I got at Simmons SG from fellow THR member Ala Dan - a true Southern gentleman, by the way).

I practice both the speed loader and speed strip and am awfully slow at both. I can try, but can't see how just practice can solve this. Do you guys have professional training or lots of practice, or is it just a "well it might not work but maybe is better than nothing" to carrying reloads from a revolver?

My thinking is that I practice accurate shot placement and just carry my 5 shot and not worry about reloads. After all, my ability to defend myself in AL is 100% better than in MD (oddly enough, both states are "may issue" but the criteria is night and day). On the other hand, I can carry a reload and not plan on using it (just in case).

Just looking for advice, and happy to be in a state where CCW is actually allowed.

I guess what I am asking is: "How many folks are 100% comfortable in their revolver speed loader/strip ability or how many just carry them 'in case'."
 
When I carry my Charter Arms undercover I carry loaded and that it. In fact I very seldom carry a reload for my autos. I trust the pistol and ammo in it will do the job. If not :eek:
 
Welcome to Alabama! I have been quilty of toting a handgun without a reload. This might be several handguns including snub nose revolvers, service revolvers, and full size automatic pistols. It was usually laziness on my part and it would seem wize to carry a reload. I dont think it is the quick reload that sould concern us but the fact that we have more bullets at our disposal if the need arises.Glad you got to meet Alabama Dan.We go back a "few" years.
 
I am still new to CCW, and imagine that I'll be taking a speedloader along for the ride, or a spare mag when I have an auto. It's kinda like my flight instructor always said: 'When you run out of gas, 2 things are worthless. Sky above you, and gas below you.' I figure it can't hurt to have extra ammo. Be Prepared, as the boys in uniform always say.

(This is probably contradicting some other things I've said. But, if presidential candidates can waffle on stuff, so can I!)
 
I carry a S&W332 daily and always have a speedloader handy. I don't ever want to be in a position where I say to myself "s___, I should have brought more ammo."

John from MD :eek:
 
greyhound...

My new "always" CCW is a S&W 342PD in .38Spl and I almost always carry a reload in a Bianchi speed strip. This method is the least obtrusive I have found. I hope never to have to use a reload, but then I also hope never to have to use my CCW.

The key to any reloading operations is, as with most other things, practise, practise, practise. There is no secret. You will get better the more you practise.
 
Only once, when I forgot to put my reloads in my pocket.

I usually carry a Smith M649 and two six round speed strips.
Sometimes in winter I carry a Smith M38 in my jacket pocket in addition to the M649 and the two speed strips.

In my hands you might as well call speed strips, "slow strips," but I figure it's better to have slow extra ammo, instead of no extra ammo.
 
The best advice I can give for carrying a speedloader is to practice.

Maybe even have a LEO friend or instructor help you. One of my co-workers is a corrections officer, and after he showed me the proper technique, I was doing my reloads quickly AND accurately.

Are you trying to reload with your weak hand while holding the gun in your strong hand, as you would with a semi-auto pistol? If so, there's part of your problem. As soon as you open the cylinder, transfer the gun to the weak hand (holding it by the bottom of the frame), using the index finger of the "holding" hand to push the ejector rod. Your ring finger should press against the back of the cylinder to hold it in place. Insert the speedloader and turn the knob/press the button to release the rounds. Close the cylinder shut with the "holding" hand. You can then place your strong hand back on the grip and resume your standard shooting grip/stance.

I wish I had photos to show you. Hope the wording isn't too confusing and actually helps.

There are some times when I don't carry a reload. Usually this is when my mode of dress doesn't allow and I'm carrying in an IWB holster. With winter here right now though, I usually carry under a jacket with an OWB, with the reload in the jacket pocket.

Good luck!

-38SnubFan
 
Agree With El T

I have carried a J frame as a BUG without reloads. I have carried as a primary as well, especially when in a former office setting, I had other firearms stashed all over the place , shotguns, lots of shotguns. :D

I have in todays times as a primary as well, I mean to the mailbox I walk, I don't do a fancy tactical powerslide of my vehicle and ninja roll out the door, going "hut hut hut" . I leave that for other folks much younger and such trained.

I'm going 15 steps, retrieve mail and return. Easier to wave hello at the neighbor' s this way too , Heck I even pet the neighbor's dog.

I ain't learned or had the training to pet a dog while doing a ninja roll. :p
 
When I used to carry a Taurus M85, 5 shot, I sometimes was guilty of not carrying a speedloader.
Better to have spare ammo and not need it then vice a versa!

Stress drills.

Place your pistol in your preferred carry holster, unloaded. Drop and give me 20!
Jump up, turn your back to the target, run in place for a minute.
Turn, draw, dry fire the target. Grab your reload (speedloader or magazine) from its typical carry location and reload.
Do it a few times as dry runs, then when you feel safe, do it for real.
 
When I carry snubby off-duty I bring three Speedstrips with me. If I have to reload I will do it two rounds at a time. I do not plan to take the time to reload all 5 at once. Taking that much time will get you killed. Now when I carry my 610 10mm I just drop a couple of moonclips in my pocket and go.
 
Greyhound,

I agree that under a stressful situation the probability of successfully reloading anything is fairly small.

Unless you are a law enforcement professional and/or you practice routinely.

I went through an evolution of thought from my first hi cap 9mm semi auto to smaller and smaller guns and finally settled on a j frame as the ultimate carry weapon for me.

They are small, light and five shots ought to give you an opportunity to be running in the opposite direction.

Statistically gun fights fall into the 3 shots, three feet and three seconds definition. With a five shot j frame that means you have 66% more bullets than you need.

I think spare ammo and night sights or even sights for that matter are highly over rated.
 
I carry a model 37 and an improvised strip (an sks stripper clip holds ten rounds of .38 and lays flat in the pocket). I'm not worried about FAST reloads...I just want them available.
 
I carry a J-frame daily. I usually carry a speed strip or two. As others have said, a slow reload beats no reload at all.

I feel that 5 shots is enough to get most people to a point where a safe retreat from danger is possible. The exception being those with small children and the elderly/handicapped, where a speedy and safe retreat is not as easily accomplished.

When I have small children, I'll probably carry a bit more, but as it stands, I am comfortable with just the five shots in the J-frame and my slow reloads.

hope this helps... good luck
 
In one sense I suppose you could say that learning to properly use speedloaders and speedstrips is like learning to shoot a handgun.

Most folks do it better with proper training and frequent, safe & proper practice.

When I started in L/E and was issued a revolver, the issued leather gear included a couple of leather dump pouches. The pouches held 6 loose rounds. Some folks still used belt loops.

I used the pouches to hold a couple of speedstrips. However, since we were authorized to purchase and carry speedloaders, I carried speedloaders as my primary reloads, and used the pouches/speedstrips as backups to the speedloaders.

Naturally, I felt that using speedstrips and speedloaders was preferable to using loose rounds from dump pouches and belt loops.

I spent a lot of time learning, practicing and fine-tuning my skills with different types of speedloaders & speedstrips over the years, and didn't abandon it when I transitioned from revolver to pistol.

When I carry my 642 off duty, nowadays the least amount of spare ammunition I generally carry is a couple of speedstrips (I say "generally" because I can remember carrying only 1 speedstrip some years ago). When I spend most of the day cruising around the coastal & back roads on my motorcycle, and I decide to carry my 642 instead of a pistol, I usually carry 4-5 speedloaders, and sometimes still carry a couple of additional speedstrips. One of my carry methods makes this very easy and comfortable ...

Maybe if I wasn't carrying as an off duty cop I might be satisfied or comfortable without carrying spare rounds ... but I wouldn't expect anyone else to necessarily feel the same way.

Personal risk assessment, and all that.
 
When I carry a J-frame, which is often, I always carry one speed strip. The speed loader is much faster, but is so bulky that I don't carry one.
I think that any situatiohn that I would encounter would not require reloading, but just in case.

Jerry
 
For a CCW holder, your only legal objective is to escape the threat. Not to subdue and apprehend the BG. 5 rounds will accomplish this limited goal in almost all realistic situations.

All life is made up of trade-offs. If you'll ALWAYS carry the j-frame w/o reloads but seldom carry it with more paraphenalia, then your question is answered because the first rule of a gunfight is to HAVE a gun.

So I carry my j-frame alone, always.
 
Statistically gun fights fall into the 3 shots, three feet and three seconds definition.
Click to expand...

I always cringe when I hear that statement or its cousin "the average gunfight..." Statistically, you will not need a gun, but you carry one. Letting statistics guide your decisions strikes me as a good way to become one. When the fight comes, it will be what it is; not what we hope it will be, not what we want it to be and not what it was for someone else.

We are all capable of making our own decisions. If you are comfortable carrying a 5-shot revolver without a reload that is your choice and you live with the consequences. I would be uncomfortable doing so.
 
"the first rule of a gunfight is to HAVE a gun. "

This is kinda where I was going with this, yet the responses make me think.
Seems speed strips are preferred over speed loaders, at least as far as non-LEOs?
 
I sometimes carry the J-frame. Used t carry it all the time until I bought my Kel-Tec P32. Now if I carry it I carry the P32 in a pocket holster as a back up. I don't think I want to waste time reloading when I an just use the BUG. That works for me but it may not work for others. Just my .02 cents!
 
I plead guilty to carrying my 649 as a stand alone firearm. As has been said here, 5 shots is enough to allow me to beat a hasty retreat with no puncture wounds in my body. Not to say that extra ammo is not a desireable to have in a gunfight, it certainly is and laziness is the only excuse I can offer. Since retirement my travels normally do not include any travel to areas that would raise my threat level above the normal yellow. When I visit the big cities my 649 stays home and I carry a Para 7-45 LDA with 2 spare mags.

I know threats can appear anywhere at any time and the time may come when I wish I had spare ammo, or better yet a spare gun, or better yet a friend with a gun, and 2 friends with guns etc. etc.

Dance with the ine who brung you!
 
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