Speedloader carry conundrum ...

[Mulliga]

My understanding is that to properly reload a revolver, you release the cylinder, eject empties with left thumb/hand while right hand goes for speedloader, insert speedloader and it's off to the races.

The problem is where to put the darn speedloaders (or any extra ammo, for that matter). I'm pocket carrying my 642 in my right pocket as I type this, and I know it's bad practice to put anything other than the gun and the holster in the pocket, as it might interfere with the draw. If I carry the speedloaders in my left pocket, I'd have to reach awkwardly around my body with my right hand in order to access them. Carrying in the back right pocket is out, because I enjoy sitting down from time to time . I'd prefer not to have to wear a belt when going out (the whole reason I pocket carry in the first place - if I'm going to put on a belt, might as well bring along the CZ and two extra mags). While I do wear cargo shorts with an additional pocket on each side, pants (khakis, jeans, etc.) offer no such option.

Any solutions?

 

[MK11]

You can load with your left hand. It goes against the conventional wisdom but that's what Northeast Tactical Schools teaches. Pop open cylinder, tilt gun up, push down on ejector rod with palm of left hand, while snaking right trigger finger through the gap to keep the cylinder open. Fish speedloader out of left side cargo pants pocket, insert speedloader, close cylinder.

It takes a little getting used to but I like it better than switching the gun between hands.

Or if you're wearing a shirt untucked, go for a New York reload. Another j-frame worn appendix carry with some Barami hip grips. If you can get used to the idea of the muzzle pointed at your crotch, it's probably the fastest method of carry out there.

 

[DR]

Interesting.

I also use my left hand for the speedloader. I find I'm about as fast either way and I prefer to not swap the gun between hands if I don't need to. I think the using the left hand leaves the gun in an unusable state for a shorter amount of time (since I retrieve the speedloader before opening the cylinder).

MK11, what did you think of Northeast Tactical? I just found out about their snub class.

 

[MK11]

Hi DR. I actually took that class at Sig Arms Academy before Northeast Tactical linked up with Smith & Wesson (same people teaching it though).

I highly recommend it. You'll get good tips on how to carry, reloading, operating the revolver with your weak hand should your strong hand be out of commission (including reloading) and retaining your revolver should somebody grab it. The shooting part is pretty basic but you get decent trigger time for a one day course, including weak hand shooting and drawing and firing from the ground.

I took it with an instructor other than Northeast head Michael DeBethancourt (and that instructor was excellent) but if you get a chance to train with DeBethancourt, do it. It's highly entertaining and highly informative. The Defensive Folding Knife course is terrific too.

 

[Jim K]

Sorry posted in error.

 

[gringolet]

truck

I keep mine in the truck just above the carbine that my revolver is going to get me to!

 

[Bulldozer]

Practice drills for reloading with either hand. I've been known to carry speedloaders on strong and weak sides, in pockets of pants, shorts, jackets depending on wardrobe and guns carried.

You could also look at Speed Strips.

 

[TarpleyG]

I usually carry a Speed Strip in my left pocket unless I am wearing 5.11s with the little pocket on the right, then I stick it in there.

Greg

 

[P. Plainsman]

Good question. A common conundrum, esp. in hot weather.

I tend to be most comfortable stashing the speedloader in a jacket. I wear a sport coat in cooler weather, and it's easy to stow a reload in the inside left breast pocket. One is used to reaching into that pocket with one's right hand anyway: it's where most men who wear a jacket keep pens, ticket stubs, etc.

So the procedure is: shoot snubby empty, find cover, switch empty snubby from right to left hand, reach across with right hand to fetch speedloader from inside left jacket pocket, and then follow usual speedloader drill, reloading with right hand.

I'm not recommending, just reporting. Some may argue the inside jacket pocket is too hard to reach, too much fishing around for the speedloader -- could depend on the garment in question and on the size of one's hands.

 

[Dienekes]

I carry six rounds for my 442 in one of the old MTM ammo wallets. It's light, flat, and about the size of two zippo lighters. My first one probably lasted 15 years before the hinge gave out. I have a 5 round HKS speedloader but don't carry for the HKS rattle and wiggle and it gathers dust. Tried speed strips but could not learn to like them.

Personally I think that the importance of reloads is overstressed in relationship to awareness, tactics, situation avoidance, and shot placement. It's pretty hard to cite a case in which reloading speed per se had any influence on the ultimate outcome.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I use my left hand to do the reload. I have tried the 'proper' way of doing it by switching hands, but it seemed slow and cumbersome.

But, I am very slow either way, and need to practice both ways a heck of alot more!

But, as of now, I carry the speedloaders in my left pocket, gun in holster. After finding out that digging into my pocket while trying to do a reload on the move is difficult, I need to order some pouches or something, since I always have the gun in a holster, might as well have the speedloaders there too.

 

[Marko Kloos]

The flashlight/knife pocket on 5.11 pants and shorts will hold two speedstrips with a speedloader stacked on top...and the pocket is on the right side on the older pants, perfect for a revolver guy. The new 5.11 pants have the pocket moved to the left side, which is perfect for you unnatural left-hand revolver reloaders, or for bottom-feeder users.

 

[Bulldozer]

Having the skill to reload a revolver quickly with either hand is invaluable. I stow reloads on my person to facilitate either hand doing its job.