Speed strips or Speed loader
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Speed-Loaders are faster then Speed-Strips by a considerable margin.
But Speed-Strips are more compact for the amount of ammo carried if you carry CCW in tight clothes.
I like Speed-Strips a little better in J-Frame S&W's because there is hardly enough thumb latch clearance for Speed-Loaders to work.
I prefer Speed-Loaders for K, L, and N frame guns & exposed belt holster carry.
Optimally, you would have & practice with both, and use whichever is more appropriate for the occasion & dress.
rc
But Speed-Strips are more compact for the amount of ammo carried if you carry CCW in tight clothes.
I like Speed-Strips a little better in J-Frame S&W's because there is hardly enough thumb latch clearance for Speed-Loaders to work.
I prefer Speed-Loaders for K, L, and N frame guns & exposed belt holster carry.
Optimally, you would have & practice with both, and use whichever is more appropriate for the occasion & dress.
rc
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Probably should have qualified that part about the J-Frame thumb latch interfering with speed-loaders.
That is with the older style thumb piece with the sharp checkered edges.
I can't speak for the new style they use now, because I don't have one.
rc
That is with the older style thumb piece with the sharp checkered edges.
I can't speak for the new style they use now, because I don't have one.
rc
I don't have anything as constructive to say as rcmodel. 
Speedstrips are a security blanket. Chances are you will never fire a shot in anger. If you do, chances are you will never have to reload under fire. Quite simply, they serve the same function as the revolver they're carried with in most cases. Probably including yours. Probably including mine.
But if you ever actually need to reload under fire after expending your five shots? Well, while you're fiddling around with your so-called speedstrip, the individual or individuals responsible for your current lack of ammo will have plenty of time to light a cigarette, amble on over to wherever it is you last fired a shot from, and park one in the back of your skull. Speedstrips are slow. Very. Slow. If you think "pwrtool45, that's BS! They work just fine for me!" I challenge you to shoot video of yourself doing a speedstrip reload on the clock in front of other people.
I'll be happy to loan you a sundial.
They're fine for what they are: a security blanket. Just don't disillusion yourself that they're useful for anything other than giving you a fully loaded five-shooter until the cops show up. Y'know. After the bad guys are gone (one way or the other). If you plan on using those blasted little things while someone is in the general vicinity and intent on doing you harm, well, at least time yourself such that you have an objective measure of how they actually perform.
Speedstrips are a security blanket. Chances are you will never fire a shot in anger. If you do, chances are you will never have to reload under fire. Quite simply, they serve the same function as the revolver they're carried with in most cases. Probably including yours. Probably including mine.
But if you ever actually need to reload under fire after expending your five shots? Well, while you're fiddling around with your so-called speedstrip, the individual or individuals responsible for your current lack of ammo will have plenty of time to light a cigarette, amble on over to wherever it is you last fired a shot from, and park one in the back of your skull. Speedstrips are slow. Very. Slow. If you think "pwrtool45, that's BS! They work just fine for me!" I challenge you to shoot video of yourself doing a speedstrip reload on the clock in front of other people.
I'll be happy to loan you a sundial.
They're fine for what they are: a security blanket. Just don't disillusion yourself that they're useful for anything other than giving you a fully loaded five-shooter until the cops show up. Y'know. After the bad guys are gone (one way or the other). If you plan on using those blasted little things while someone is in the general vicinity and intent on doing you harm, well, at least time yourself such that you have an objective measure of how they actually perform.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No video, and I don't intend to film one for you.
However, I have timed myself at about 2 1/2 - 3 seconds with speed loaders, and about 4 to 5 seconds with Speed-Strips.
And I am far from fast.
If nothing else, they keep 5-6 rounds of ammo together in one place so you don't drop some of them fishing loose rounds out of your pocket a couple at a time.
rcmodel
However, I have timed myself at about 2 1/2 - 3 seconds with speed loaders, and about 4 to 5 seconds with Speed-Strips.
And I am far from fast.
If nothing else, they keep 5-6 rounds of ammo together in one place so you don't drop some of them fishing loose rounds out of your pocket a couple at a time.
rcmodel
earplug
Member
For CCW, Speed Strips
They are always available on the desk as I go out the door.
They fit in just about any pocket. No noise or rattle like a speed loader.
If you are diligent in using them at the range, they are viable.
When you drop a loaded speed strip it won't roll away.
If you mix up your keys or other toys in your speed loader pocket they will confuse some store clerks.
They are always available on the desk as I go out the door.
They fit in just about any pocket. No noise or rattle like a speed loader.
If you are diligent in using them at the range, they are viable.
When you drop a loaded speed strip it won't roll away.
If you mix up your keys or other toys in your speed loader pocket they will confuse some store clerks.
speedloaders are faster to use by a factor of 3...i can complete a load with a speedloader in the same time it would take to load 2 rounds from a speedstrip. it doesn't make a difference if it's a 6 shot or 5 shot gun as it still takes 2 additional motions.
the advantage of speed strips is their flatness, which makes them easier to carry. they also offer the option of a partial reload...not usually tactically recommended.
i have the Uncle Mikes Bootgrips on my S&W 642 and the Safariland Comp I speedloaders clear fine
the advantage of speed strips is their flatness, which makes them easier to carry. they also offer the option of a partial reload...not usually tactically recommended.
i have the Uncle Mikes Bootgrips on my S&W 642 and the Safariland Comp I speedloaders clear fine
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Both have their place and use.
I prefer speedloaders for my J-frames, but keep a couple strips handy because they go where the cylindrical loaders sometimes can't. FWIW, I carry a couple of either in the car as spares, since they're a convenient way to organize ammo. For a larger frame gun such as a Colt MarkIII or Ruger Six, I don't see any advantages over the speedloader. If I were ever to pack that much iron, I'm boondocking and concealment isn't a major concern.
medic_guns
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Why not just skip both and carry another wheelgun? YOO HOO.
seeker_two
Member
If the bad guy is that close, you should have a better plan than reloading....like attacking the attacker with another weapon or retreating until you have time to reload....distance equals safety....
Yes, that's one possibility. Another possibility is to not hamstring one's efforts to get the most effective tool at one's disposal back up and running.
It's a trade between speed and convenience, though. I get that. My criticism of speedstrips is that in every thread like this people come in and have nothing but good things to say about them. Yet, I've never seen anyone practicing with them (much less with a timer). I've seen one person (me) use them at a BUG match. Folks who will argue that the most minute details are of critical importance ("I want every advantage I can get!") and who will spend hundreds of dollars having modifications of nebulous value added on to their tricked out 1911 will also casually come in and say "yeah, I like speedstrips, they're plenty fast." It's...maddening.
As I indicated in my original post, the issue is largely academic. I should probably stop, though, since too many folks associate criticism of a technique or product with criticism of themselves.
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Kind of Blued
Member
On the few occasions that I've only carried one gun, and that gun was a revolver, I carried both strips and loaders.
The speedloader would be used first, as it actually shows some potential for getting back into a fight. The speed strips were merely "ammo holders".
I honestly think I could reload 5-6 loose rounds faster than with speed strips, but then again, I don't practice with them.
The speedloader would be used first, as it actually shows some potential for getting back into a fight. The speed strips were merely "ammo holders".
I honestly think I could reload 5-6 loose rounds faster than with speed strips, but then again, I don't practice with them.
when i first started using speed strips, i did indeed practice with them.
speed strips are much more technique dependant then speedloaders...they're even more technique dependant than loading loose rounds. if you're not using them correctly, you'll be pulling just loaded rounds out of the cylinder
speed strips are much more technique dependant then speedloaders...they're even more technique dependant than loading loose rounds. if you're not using them correctly, you'll be pulling just loaded rounds out of the cylinder
johnnylaw53
Member
speed strips are slow but when i carry extra ammo that the way i normally do it for my j-frame. When I go to the range for score which we have to do on any weapon we carry off duty that when the speed loader come in, with strips I can't qulified due to running out of time. The range master use the same course of fire for the issue sig for the off duty weapons and there just not enought time using speed strips.
be safe
be safe
saltydog452
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- Aug 1, 2004
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Two speedstrips fit in an empty Altoids mint container. The Altoids container fits nicely in a shirt pocket.
I guess it'd depend on if discretion is important to you.
I guess it'd depend on if discretion is important to you.
Interesting discussion, although (and maybe I'm way off-base) it seems to me that most people, if they are in a situation that calls for reloading a 5 shot defensive snubby while under a continued attack, are way beyond having a good chance of emerging unscathed. FWIW, I think speedloaders are superior in every way other than flatness for all the reasons mentioned. But for carrying extra ammo beyond that in a speedloader, the strips are excellent. If one gets to that point, the day has really gone downhill fast and calling in an airstrike is advised.
mrghostwalker
Member
Speed-loaders and Speed-Strips
I go with both.
My first duty gun was a revolver and I learned the value speed-loaders. As has been said before, speed-strips are easier to carry and hide.
Therefore I always carry a speed-strip in my front pocket and whenever possible I carry a speed-loader in a jacket pocket.
I go with both.
My first duty gun was a revolver and I learned the value speed-loaders. As has been said before, speed-strips are easier to carry and hide.
Therefore I always carry a speed-strip in my front pocket and whenever possible I carry a speed-loader in a jacket pocket.
thanks....that's very interesting...might work really well when i'm not wearing something with a watch pocket.
speedloaders carry pretty well in a jacket pocket...keeps the flap down too
texas bulldog
Member
i keep some slowstrips in my car, and i occasionally will carry one to go along with my SP101. i have no illusions about their drawbacks. i just haven't figured out a good way to carry a speedloader along with all the other crap i have on me everyday.
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