Funny little speed strips

[SAWBONES]

"Speed strips" are:

1.) Easy to carry

2.) Faster for reloading than loose rounds in a pocket, loose rounds in a "dump pouch" or rounds loaded from cartridge belt loops.

Those are their benefits.
The end.

 

[MCgunner]

That's the main thing for me, they're even easier to carry than a spare magazine for my bottom feeders. No, they're not as fast, but then, a self defense gun fight ain't high times at the IPSC tournament, as others have said. You'd be a fool to spend the seconds standing in the open reloading rather than running for cover. Just sayin'.......

 

[hariph creek]

If you think you won't need a reload. Don't carry one.

If you think you probably won't need a reload? Carry a speedstrip. It's convenient, unobtrusive, cheap, and quicker than loose rounds.

If you're in the "I expect to reload" camp? Carry a speedloader(s). IT IS FASTER.

There! You're all right!
You can live with your decision. You can live or die with your decision.

 

[chuckpro]

"What irritates me is...carrying a REVOLVER reload on your weak side. Does nobody train any more? Is the knowledgeable use of a revolver dead?"


No but it has evolved in the past 30 years. For me a left handed reload on a j frame is faster than the FBI reload. I have practiced both and that is what works for me.

So yes i carry my speed loader in my left pocket and yes i have knowledge and experience with revolvers.

 

[MCgunner]

If I really expected to have to reload, I'd carry my high cap 9mm and 5 magazines. I'm much faster at reloading a semi-auto. But, I ain't raiding a crack house, just carry to defend myself from assault.

 

[chuckpro]

If i really expected to reload i would be caring my AR, MINI 14 or 870. I don't expect to have to defend myself. it happens when least expected. It is all a compromise between being paranoid and preparedness.

 

[scaatylobo]

Back in the day

When men were men [ and proud and SURE of that fact ] I was issued a S&W model 10 heavy barrel and a 12 round LOOP for my duty belt.

That was THE slowest way to reload and I asked for permission to carry those 'newfangled' speed loaders,was told NO.

So I was told I could wear a 'dump pouch' and then I found that the 'dump pouch' would DUMP the loose rounds in the street if you got out of your unit in a hurry,I did not at all like the idea of losing me reloads and so I bought Bianchi Speed strips [ the only ones available at the time ].

I kept 2 in my dump pouches and 2 in my pocket,at least I had 12 round at hand if needed.

I now have the 8 rounders for the 38/357 as well as the originals that I bough 30 + years ago.

And yes they are carried for a reload since I truly believe that IF there ever comes a day when I need to shoot = then I really NEED to reload.

And the wheel gun is usually a BUG with speed strips.

 

[X-Rap]

I just carry 5 in my auto loader because everyone on the internet says that's all you need but they look cooler than a revolver. If I feel like I might be going into a bad place I take a couple more mags with 5 ea. or speed strips to fill my one primary mag.
If I feel real froggy and go for the wheel gun it's a SA with 5 cause those swing out thingys are weak and no body ever needs to reload, right? Besides SA revolvers are old school and much cooler than any of the new fangled stuff and that's what they used when I was a kid and listened to the Lone Ranger on the radio.

 

[MCgunner]

An 1858 Remington Pietta hangs on my bed post loaded with Pyrodex and round ball. I have two spare cylinders, but I don't keep 'em loaded.

 

[MedWheeler]

Hariph creek writes:

If you're in the "I expect to reload" camp? Carry a speedloader(s).

If I could actually expect to reload, I'd change my plan to "be somewhere else".

 

[hariph creek]

MedWheeler, your right. They say "the first rule of a gun fight is, bring a gun." I say it's, don't show up.

 

[dscampbell]

Yep. I also carried speed strips in my dump pouch until we were authorized speed loaders. I still carry speed loaders in my pocket.

 

[ZVP]

Instead of Speed Strips...

I carry a S&W Model 36, it's a lot faster than fumbling with shells.
Otherwise I carry Speedstrips and load 2 chambers at a time.
ZVP

 

[royal barnes]

Whether a person is faster with a speedloader or strips is directly related to hand/eye coordination........and the amount of practice with each item.

 

[Sam1911]

Well, to some extent, sure. But given adequate practice with each, you'd never be able to hit the speeds you could with a speedloader. It isn't terribly uncommon to see an accomplished revolver shooter go from 6th shot fired to firing shot 7 in under 3 seconds using a Comp III or Jetfire speedloader. I'll go way out on a limb here and say you'll never, ever, ever, ever see anyone get within 3 seconds of that time using speed strips.

 

[sixgunner455]

I can demonstrate that's probably true in my case, Sam, but ... the darn things lay flat in my watch pocket, or suit coat pocket, and don't rattle the rounds together, and ... I just find them such a convenient way to carry spare ammo.

Even when I do break down and carry a speedloader, I still have a speedstrip. Or two or three.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

If I have my LCR on me, pocket carry, it's because I'm feeling relaxed yet prepared, if that makes sense. I DO have two bianchi 5 round speed strips, but unless I'm not at home (at a hotel where the LCR is serving a primary role) they usually stay in my gunvault/lockbox.

At night my XD9 is my primary weapon and I have 4 loaded mags available plus the one in the gun to use. These live on a dedicated gun belt that I can deploy that also has shingles with two AR mags. (this not a response to perceived threats in my area, btw. More of a " just want to have everything in one place" type of setup.)

So if my primary assessment is that a handgun won't suffice, all I have to do is unlock my AR and in addition to the mag in the gun, I'll automatically have two extra.

At some point, if I thought of it, I'd probably drop the LCR in a pocket, along with a speed strip, but my setup with the belt is taking into account that I'd probably just have a tshirt and chonies on due to it being o-dark-thirty. At no point would I likely think to grab the speed strips, but maybe I should put at least one in a pouch on my gun belt.

Anywho, that's my experience/thoughts on where those "funny little speed strips" fit in my overall plan.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm pretty sure Speed Strips are a lot faster than going back home to get the speedloaders I left in the "stuff drawer".