Quick way to unload/load a revolver...

[pbhome71]

Since I got my first revolver - Taurus Tracker. I think I am seeing the light. I used to think that a revolver is, well, obsolete. However, the more I shoot, the more I like a revolver. I think I'll pick up some S&W next.

Type of revolver aside... I have been having a problem with unload and reload a revolver. When I unload, I pointed the muzzle up and unloack the revolver, then push the rod and shake it a bit. It seems to work, but it seems like forever to drop all the brass.

Loading a cartridge one-by-one is slow. I don't have any gizmo to quick reload it, yet. I'm wondering if there is any technic that you can share on how to quickly unload and reload a revolver.

TIA.

-Pat...

 

[pezo]

This may not be a good help to you but all I do is is flip the muzzle up and give the ejector rod a swift jab down. quick and firm. and keep those chambers cleaned and polsihed particually after shooting short cartridges in chambers that can hold longer cartridges , expample .38's in .357's etc.

 

[dfariswheel]

There are a number of different techniques but here's a good one:

Switch the revolver to your left hand.
Press the cylinder latch with the right hand as the fingers on the left push the cylinder open.
Holding the revolver only with the left hand, give it a brisk downward shake, at the same time as you give the ejector rod a fast push. (What you're doing is virtually dumping the fired brass out).

As soon as the brass is shaken out, bring the gun in toward your body where you have a steadier control of it, muzzle DOWN at an angle.

At the same time that you're dumping the brass, your right hand grabs a speed loader and brings it up to the gun.

Hold the speed loader by the body, NOT by the knob. Holding the loader by the knob risks accidentally dumping the rounds, and is harder to maintain control of the loader.

Insert the loader into the gun and activate the drop knob or however the loader is used.
As the loader drops, turn the cylinder with the left thumb to remove any binding on the loader and insure all the rounds are inserted into the cylinder.

Snap the cylinder shut with the left thumb as the right hand grips the revolver.
The right hand fully grips the revolver as the left hand closes on the revolver in a two handed grip.

 

[pezo]

well said , well said, my thoughts exactly.

 

[sixtyKaday]

I do it pretty much as dfariswheel described. I push the cylinder open and hold it there with the fingers of my left hand as I turn the muzzle up and hit the ejector rod with my left thumb and do the shake. With your fingers through the frame holding the cylinder open, you have a good hold and good control of the gun and in a pinch, you can use it as a club. Regardless if your doing it as a reload drill or just informal target practice, you should always dump the brass muzzle up and let them fall free, especially if you reload. If you dump the empties muzzle down, any unburned powder left in the case can and will fall under the extractor star as the case clears the chamber and can tie the gun up. I had it happen with my old model 29 Smith using 2400. The gun started to get tight to close and hard for the cylinder to turn. The unburnt 2400 looks like sand and was falling under the star and keeping it from going home and causing the cylinder to bind. You'd be amazed at how little powder it takes too. If you dump muzzle up, the powder stays with the case as it falls from the gun.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

Dferriswheel said it all.

Make up some dummy rounds or ask a reloader to do it for you. Snap caps might work if shaped like a bullet, then practice, practice practice with the speed loaders. Just make sure that you triple check that you have NO ammunition near you when you practice loading and unloading.

-Jim

 

[dasmi]

Get a speed loader. At least on my Service Six, I can give the ejection rod a quick push, and all of the brass flies out, everytime.

 

[Z_Infidel]

Yep, what dfariswheel said.