Using a Bianchi Speed Strip

[Sean Dempsey]

After a suggestion in the Trolley Square thread, I got a pair of speed strips for my 638.

I have been trying them out, loading the gun again and again, and I am not sure I am loading them in best way possible.

Of course, this is alot slower than using a speedloader... but maybe there's some technique I am missing that speeds this up. Right now, I just put the first 2 rounds into chambers, and then sorta bend the strip back until they come off, then do it again, and then once more for that last round. I suppose it could be faster than just fishing 5 rounds out of my pocket and putting them in, but right now I am thinking of just carrying a speedloader instead of the strip, and maybe only using the strips when I don't have the room/width for the round speedloader.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[MK11]

Some advise downloading the speed strip to 4, thinking that's easier (and faster) than trying to fumble 5 or 6 rounds in. Then click through until you hit a loaded chamber.

Also, when peeling off the roads into the cylinder, make sure yu're pulling it towsrd you, like pulling the tab on a soda can. I used to push it away from me and peeling it toward you is much more positive.

Speeloaders are much better if you can deal with the bulk.

 

[cowboy117]

I load mine with 4 [two center holes empty-leaves room for thumb or fingers].This is for a 5 shot CCW .Much faster.

 

[Ala Dan]

I load 'em 2+2, then 1; or 2+2+2 depending on whether its a 5 or 6 shot
revolver~!

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

I've never dealt with them before. Never saw the appeal when I could just carry speedloaders. Is it just an in-between when compared to loading by hand by pairs and actual speedloaders?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sean Dempsey,
2+2+1 is the correct way for a 5 round revolver. You can get faster if you practice, just like anything else. I use them and I like them for my 5 and 6 round revolvers. I only wish they made a speedstrip for my 7 round revolver.

RevolvingCylinder,
The speedstrips aren't meant to replace speedloaders but to be used when speedloaders aren't a good choice. If you are wearing a pair of shorts and a T shirt in the summer a speedloader would be too bulky. The speedstrip disappears in your front pocket. Speedstrips are also better than loose rounds because you pull all the rounds from your pocket at once when they are on a speedstrip.

 

[Ala Dan]

The Bianchi speed strips are a lot easier to tote in civies, than a couple
speed loaders strapped to your belt~!

 

[Bear41mag]

I think they work great and are easy to carry in the watch pocket of my jeans or in a belt wallet, nice and flat.

I just wish someone would make them in .41, .44 and .45

 

[Limey46]

I've found that I can fit five .44 rounds into a .38 speed strip. The result is a kind of fan shape, with quite a space between the tips of the rounds, and that works pretty well. In fact, I can pop .44 Special rounds into my Smith 296 faster than I can load 38s into my J-frames.