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The Miller Method for Speed-Reloading Snub-nose Revolvers
By Dr. Jan L. Miller
Many firearms owners today have a snub-nose revolver in their battery or collection of handguns.
Some carry one as a second gun to back up their primary firearm, others often have one because
they are easier to carry and conceal as their primary gun, and while a larger, and maybe even more
powerful gun may stay at home in the safe, the snub-nose revolver can easily be toted, slipped in
the outer coat pocket, the front pocket of the jeans, on the ankle and about the waist. The snub-nose
can even go under a sports jacket, suit, or tuxedo in a shoulder holster without looking like you are
walking around with car parts under your armpit.
With the invent and new advances in metallurgy the firearms industry has provided light-weight
materials in the designs of the frames and cylinders like scandium, titanium and aluminum so that
the latest snub-nose revolvers are getting even easier to carry, anytime, anywhere, all day long.
Two of the major disadvantages to carrying the snub-nose revolver as compared to a semiautomatic
handgun are the issues of ammo capacity and the inability to reload a revolver very fast.
The snub-nose usually will have a total of either 5 or 6 rounds at full charge. Now this brings up the
issue of what happens if you need more that 5 or 6 rounds? It is easy to reload a semi-automatic
pistol when it runs dry, and the methods are very quick to get it back into action. This is not the
case for a revolver. This is why some who carry a snub-nose revolver have taken to the practice of
carrying two, because a second gun is the fastest reload. Currently the methods available to reload a
revolver involve either loading the rounds singularly, placing them in the cylinder manually two at
a time or loading with the aid of a speed loader, moon clip or speed strip, but all of these methods
are still much slower then reloading a semi-auto. Problems exist with the classic methods of using
these items which are supposed to speed up the process: (1) the method is too slow, (2) the newly
inserted rounds can easily fall back out of the cylinder under a stressful situation if the gun is not
held in just the right position, (3) the position you hold the gun for the reload is awkward,
cumbersome and uncomfortable, and (4) the ejected empty bullet casings may lie on the floor in
front of you and could trip you up if you were to step on them. I know there are talented and expert
firearms professionals out there that can reload a revolver using the classical methods in 4 seconds.
I was never able to duplicate that feat no matter how many times I tried, no matter how many reps I
did to practice the techniques. So I began a quest to find a better way to speed up the process.
Though the method I developed was designed specifically for use with snub-nose revolvers, you
may also find it to also work, depending on the gun, with revolvers having longer barrels.
As a defensive tactics and firearms instructor to Law Enforcement Agents and Civilians, I began to
teach this method to all of my students who carried a snub-nose or had one in their collection of
firearms. I also began teaching it to beginning shooter as a reloading method in my basic pistol
marksmanship classes, as well as the advanced revolver coursework. All who learned the method
took to it like a duck in water. They found it to be faster than other methods, and a more natural
and comfortable way of reloading. They had no problems assimilating the method as their
kinesthetic sense (the ability for muscle to memorize movement) took over within a short period of
practice time.
For me, it meant that for the first time while using a speed loader, I was able to go from last shot to
reload in less than 4 seconds and I was able to shave off three to four seconds from my reloading
time using speed strips. It might not sound like much, but in a life and death situation…every
second counts.
An easy way to remember The Miller Method for Speed Re-Loading a Snub-nose Revolver is to
simply describe it as: Open-Slap-Spin and Re-Load or OSSR.
OSSR: Right Hand Shooter:
From last shot fired: Press/Push/Pull Cylinder Latch or Button (depending on your snub nose
brand) with your right thumb as you cradle the trigger guard in your left palm. Push on the
cylinder with your left hand index finger and hold the open cylinder between your left thumb and
left index finger while your left middle and ring fingers wrap around the top of the back strap (feel
free to even add the left pinky finger to help, by positioning it near the hammer), squeeze all your
fingers to help steady the gun and keep the cylinder in the open position. Rotate the whole gun
clockwise (to the right) so that your palm will face to the right and the gun’s ejector rod (now on the
right side of the gun) and muzzle point up at a 45 degree angle (the grip bottom and trigger guard
bottom are also facing up at this point).
Next, swing the whole gun down and backwards alongside the left side of your body and continue the arc back beyond the left hip as you slap the ejector rod with your right palm (this helps to push out empty cases fast and spill out onto the floor way behind you, preventing the chance of stepping on empty cases that might trip you up).
At this point, let the gun grip rotate and spin forward (helped by its weight) past the inside of your left wrist as the index or index and middle fingers remain inside the cylinder hole as a pivoting point to revolve around.
Release the left thumb off of the cylinder while doing this. Then lift the whole gun upwards so that
the grip bottom faces forward with the muzzle pointing down, (as if your gun was in a cross draw
position—but held to the front of your body). While the gun is spinning in the left hand, reach with
your right hand for your speed loader or speed strip.
The left thumb can now come back in contact with the cylinder for steadying it for the speed loader or if you are using a speed strip, you can use the thumb to rotate the cylinder as needed. Once the gun is fully charged, drop the speed loader and reach over the top of the grip with your right hand to grab the grip as you would for a cross draw grab, keeping the muzzle down to prevent fresh rounds from dropping from cylinder.
Now rotate the entire gun clockwise as you lower your left hand down to cup under the trigger guard
using your left thumb and left index finger (on the right side of cylinder) to reclose the cylinder.
Bring the gun back up to firing position.
Okay, I bet it sounds a bit complicated, but once you practice it you will see that it is quite easy and
very fast. I use the small Safariland push type speed loaders. I know there are people out there who
can reload from last shot fired using a speed loader and be back in action in 4 seconds. Using their
methods I couldn’t do it in less than 6 seconds and using a Bianchi Speed Strip It would take me 9-
10 seconds. With a little practice using the method I developed described above I was able to get
that time down to just a bit under 4 seconds with a speed loader and 6 seconds using the speed
strips. Practice and let me know what you think.
© All rights reserved. The material in this article may not be published or reproduced in any form without the
express written permission of the author.
Dr. Jan L. Miller is Defensive Tactics and NRA Certified Firearm Instructor for Law Enforcement Agents
and Civilians. He is a master of both armed and unarmed methods of combat and currently teaches Defensive
Tactics, 5 Animal Shaolin Kung Fu and Sun Style Tai Chi Chuan at the Dragon Tiger Kung Fu Center, 298
Maple Ave. Smithtown, New York (631) 863-3600 www.dragontigerkungfucenter.com and can be reached for
questions and comments at [email protected].
Enjoy!...Doc
By Dr. Jan L. Miller
Many firearms owners today have a snub-nose revolver in their battery or collection of handguns.
Some carry one as a second gun to back up their primary firearm, others often have one because
they are easier to carry and conceal as their primary gun, and while a larger, and maybe even more
powerful gun may stay at home in the safe, the snub-nose revolver can easily be toted, slipped in
the outer coat pocket, the front pocket of the jeans, on the ankle and about the waist. The snub-nose
can even go under a sports jacket, suit, or tuxedo in a shoulder holster without looking like you are
walking around with car parts under your armpit.
With the invent and new advances in metallurgy the firearms industry has provided light-weight
materials in the designs of the frames and cylinders like scandium, titanium and aluminum so that
the latest snub-nose revolvers are getting even easier to carry, anytime, anywhere, all day long.
Two of the major disadvantages to carrying the snub-nose revolver as compared to a semiautomatic
handgun are the issues of ammo capacity and the inability to reload a revolver very fast.
The snub-nose usually will have a total of either 5 or 6 rounds at full charge. Now this brings up the
issue of what happens if you need more that 5 or 6 rounds? It is easy to reload a semi-automatic
pistol when it runs dry, and the methods are very quick to get it back into action. This is not the
case for a revolver. This is why some who carry a snub-nose revolver have taken to the practice of
carrying two, because a second gun is the fastest reload. Currently the methods available to reload a
revolver involve either loading the rounds singularly, placing them in the cylinder manually two at
a time or loading with the aid of a speed loader, moon clip or speed strip, but all of these methods
are still much slower then reloading a semi-auto. Problems exist with the classic methods of using
these items which are supposed to speed up the process: (1) the method is too slow, (2) the newly
inserted rounds can easily fall back out of the cylinder under a stressful situation if the gun is not
held in just the right position, (3) the position you hold the gun for the reload is awkward,
cumbersome and uncomfortable, and (4) the ejected empty bullet casings may lie on the floor in
front of you and could trip you up if you were to step on them. I know there are talented and expert
firearms professionals out there that can reload a revolver using the classical methods in 4 seconds.
I was never able to duplicate that feat no matter how many times I tried, no matter how many reps I
did to practice the techniques. So I began a quest to find a better way to speed up the process.
Though the method I developed was designed specifically for use with snub-nose revolvers, you
may also find it to also work, depending on the gun, with revolvers having longer barrels.
As a defensive tactics and firearms instructor to Law Enforcement Agents and Civilians, I began to
teach this method to all of my students who carried a snub-nose or had one in their collection of
firearms. I also began teaching it to beginning shooter as a reloading method in my basic pistol
marksmanship classes, as well as the advanced revolver coursework. All who learned the method
took to it like a duck in water. They found it to be faster than other methods, and a more natural
and comfortable way of reloading. They had no problems assimilating the method as their
kinesthetic sense (the ability for muscle to memorize movement) took over within a short period of
practice time.
For me, it meant that for the first time while using a speed loader, I was able to go from last shot to
reload in less than 4 seconds and I was able to shave off three to four seconds from my reloading
time using speed strips. It might not sound like much, but in a life and death situation…every
second counts.
An easy way to remember The Miller Method for Speed Re-Loading a Snub-nose Revolver is to
simply describe it as: Open-Slap-Spin and Re-Load or OSSR.
OSSR: Right Hand Shooter:
From last shot fired: Press/Push/Pull Cylinder Latch or Button (depending on your snub nose
brand) with your right thumb as you cradle the trigger guard in your left palm. Push on the
cylinder with your left hand index finger and hold the open cylinder between your left thumb and
left index finger while your left middle and ring fingers wrap around the top of the back strap (feel
free to even add the left pinky finger to help, by positioning it near the hammer), squeeze all your
fingers to help steady the gun and keep the cylinder in the open position. Rotate the whole gun
clockwise (to the right) so that your palm will face to the right and the gun’s ejector rod (now on the
right side of the gun) and muzzle point up at a 45 degree angle (the grip bottom and trigger guard
bottom are also facing up at this point).
Next, swing the whole gun down and backwards alongside the left side of your body and continue the arc back beyond the left hip as you slap the ejector rod with your right palm (this helps to push out empty cases fast and spill out onto the floor way behind you, preventing the chance of stepping on empty cases that might trip you up).
At this point, let the gun grip rotate and spin forward (helped by its weight) past the inside of your left wrist as the index or index and middle fingers remain inside the cylinder hole as a pivoting point to revolve around.
Release the left thumb off of the cylinder while doing this. Then lift the whole gun upwards so that
the grip bottom faces forward with the muzzle pointing down, (as if your gun was in a cross draw
position—but held to the front of your body). While the gun is spinning in the left hand, reach with
your right hand for your speed loader or speed strip.
The left thumb can now come back in contact with the cylinder for steadying it for the speed loader or if you are using a speed strip, you can use the thumb to rotate the cylinder as needed. Once the gun is fully charged, drop the speed loader and reach over the top of the grip with your right hand to grab the grip as you would for a cross draw grab, keeping the muzzle down to prevent fresh rounds from dropping from cylinder.
Now rotate the entire gun clockwise as you lower your left hand down to cup under the trigger guard
using your left thumb and left index finger (on the right side of cylinder) to reclose the cylinder.
Bring the gun back up to firing position.
Okay, I bet it sounds a bit complicated, but once you practice it you will see that it is quite easy and
very fast. I use the small Safariland push type speed loaders. I know there are people out there who
can reload from last shot fired using a speed loader and be back in action in 4 seconds. Using their
methods I couldn’t do it in less than 6 seconds and using a Bianchi Speed Strip It would take me 9-
10 seconds. With a little practice using the method I developed described above I was able to get
that time down to just a bit under 4 seconds with a speed loader and 6 seconds using the speed
strips. Practice and let me know what you think.
© All rights reserved. The material in this article may not be published or reproduced in any form without the
express written permission of the author.
Dr. Jan L. Miller is Defensive Tactics and NRA Certified Firearm Instructor for Law Enforcement Agents
and Civilians. He is a master of both armed and unarmed methods of combat and currently teaches Defensive
Tactics, 5 Animal Shaolin Kung Fu and Sun Style Tai Chi Chuan at the Dragon Tiger Kung Fu Center, 298
Maple Ave. Smithtown, New York (631) 863-3600 www.dragontigerkungfucenter.com and can be reached for
questions and comments at [email protected].
Enjoy!...Doc
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