Who carries reloads: Speed Loader vs. Magazine

[Skribs]

This is more a satisfy-my-curiosity thread than anything else. I hypothesize that a smaller percentage of revolver carriers carry a reload than auto carriers. This is both because speedloaders can be more cumbersome for their capacity than magazines IMO, and because revolver carriers often say you dont need more than five or six shots to justify going revolver over auto. I realize I am biased here, that is just the attitude I've gotten from a large number of revolver fans.

The other possibility, of course, is that revolver fans know they are limited and carry reloads, while auto carriers feel sufficient with a larger magazine. So I ask the question: is your EDC a revolver or auto, and do you carry a reload? (And why or why not on the reload).

ETA: I realize many people swap back and forth for various reasons. The question here is regarding your primary EDC. I know, I know, you have no favorites and you love them all equally...

ETA #2: For the purposes of this thread, "speed loader" can also mean "speed strip".

 

[kilibreaux]

I carry four speedloaders for my S&W 500 Magnum plus the five in the gun.

 

[Inebriated]

I carry a spare mag about 50% of the time. If I were to carry more ammo for a revolver, honestly, it would probably be held in a second revolver.

 

[SconnieGirl]

I always carry a spare mag for whatever I'm carrying - or a speed strip for the revolvers I sometimes carry.

It's not because I need the extra rounds for a gunfight, because I'll likely win or lose that based on things other than extra ammo, but because things break... "one is none..."

 

[Hometeached1]

I carry two spare magazines for my pistol (primary) and a speed strip for my revolver (secondary).

 

[Black Knight]

Depends on which I am carrying at the time. If I have one of my revolvers the I have at least 2 speedloaders. If I carry my Beretta 92 or Colt 1911 the I carry at least 2 magazines.

 

[MCMXI]

I carry a Ruger KLCR (5-shot) with a 6-round "speed strip" and sometimes carry two KLCRs plus the speed strip.

 

[Skribs]

Hmmm, more people carry with a reload than without across both, although so far more revolver people go without. Interesting.

 

[Jenrick]

If the gun carrys less then 12 rounds I carry a reload. For revolvers it's usually a 6 round speed strip, though on occasion it's been a pair of speed loaders. For magazine fed guns, it's a single spare mag normally. Again on occasion I've carried two extra mags.

Usually I carry a semi-auto that holds 15+ rounds so I don't carry a reload.

-Jenrick

 

[gamestalker]

If I'm carrying an AL, I carry no less than two additional magazines.

When I'm carrying a revolver, which is most of the time, I also carry two speed loaders, or a combination of speed strips, just depends on what my attire will be.

All my SD weapons and spare magazines, speed loaders/strips, are loaded with my reloads.

GS

 

[Tomac]

I always carry 1-2 18rd reloads for my 15+1 Beretta.
Tomac

 

[bannockburn]

I would have voted Both if it was an option as I carry a spare mag with my semi-autos and a Bianchi Speed Strip with my revolvers.

 

[lpsharp88]

I always carry at least 1 spare 17 round mag, fits in my G26 and my G17

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I almost never carry reloads regardless of what I'm carrying. I just don't live in a very dangerous place. I also think being a pretty big guy makes me a less appealing target, but I'd never not carry because of that though.

On occasion if I'm going to the nearest city at night, I'll load my XDs us with the 5 round mag, chamber and top it off, and then drop a 7 round mag in my pocket.

I never carry reloads for my revolvers. To bulky

 

[Ironman615]

When I carry my SP101 in .327, I also have two six round speed strips. If I carry my SR9, I carry one extra mag. Yes, the SP101 holds six rounds, so I have 18 total. The SR9 holds seventeen rounds, so I have 34 total. I don't know why I do that, I just do.

 

[Skribs]

There are other advantages to a spare mag; it helps if your magazine fails. That said, I don't know if you would have time to diagnose and fix the problem in a life-or-death situation.

 

[Sam1911]

Your poll's messed up. Can't select "both."

 

[CZ9shooter]

When I first switched from a 9mm to a J frame for carry I did keep a speedloader with me. After a while I gave it up. I decided that the chances of needing more than 5 shots are remote. And the chance of ME being able to perform a reload under real stress is probably essentially zero. I am comfortable with my decision.

Plus, like the OP suggests, I too find speedloaders are difficult to carry along with all my other EDC items. Pocket realestate is hard to come by. The only way I found it comfortable and convienient was while wearing cargo pants. Which isnt my most typical attire.

 

[UpperAtmosphere]

I will be carrying an auto with one extra magazine, more as a backup in case of failure than the thought that I'm going to need another mag worth of ammo.

 

[GRIZ22]

I carry at least one reload for whatever my main battery is. I also carry one for my BUG. Although the need for it may be considered limited when you look at gunfight stats.

 

[jeepnik]

How about adding Revolver + Speed Strips? That's usually the way I go when carrying a snubbie .38 spl.

 

[Rexster]

Your poll is flawed! I believe quite a few revolver folks carry their spare cartridges in Speed Strips, 2x2x2 carriers, cartridge loops, and such. I liked some combination of Speed Strips ad 2x2x2 carrier during my mostly-revolver days. Then, there are those who are not limited to one or the other type of operating system. I am in that group.. And, then, there is the second-gun option, and yes, I am in that group, too.

Only recently have I tended to carry autos plus magazines most of the time, relegating the revolvers to occasional carry. It is not that I like revolvers less, but that muzzle flip as become an issue for my bad wrist, so I am gravitating toward low-bore-axis autos.

The spare mag is for the usual reasons: in case of failure of the in-gun mag, in case of the in-gun mag being emptied, and because, otherwise, it seems something is missing. Peace of mind is one of the building blocks of confidence.

I tend to carry a second gun, too. It is like a spare mag, with "benefits." More peace of mind; I will never forget the morning I finished a very busy night shift, and then arrived at home, and heard a rattling sound when I unholstered my duty sixgun. I removed the grip panels, and the two pieces of the broken mainspring came tumbling out.

Peace. Of. Mind.

 

[David E]

You don't carry a reload for DURING the fight, you carry it for AFTER the fight.

It's poor form to go bustle about with an empty gun. Watching some videos of actual shootouts, it's interesting to see how many defenders give chase or stand guard after the initial exchange with an empty gun.

 

[WestKentucky]

6 rounds in the cylinder and another six in my pocket. No speedloader. speedlaoders are what stands out in the pocket plus its uncomfortable. if im reloading im either laying bloody in the street, standing over the BG, or i found good cover. Who needs sped in any of these situations.

 

[tomrkba]

When I carry a revolver, I also carry:

4 speedloaders if it is a six shot gun in 357 Magnum
2 speedloaders and a speed strip if the gun is in 44 caliber
In both cases, a small semi-auto pistol with no reload

If I carry a semi-auto service gun, I carry either one or two spare magazines and sometimes a small BUG.