ozarkhillbilly
Member
Anyone use speed strips for their revolvers and if so how do you like then and what brand do you use?
Thanks for information.
Thanks for information.
Speed strips
- Thread starter ozarkhillbilly
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I do, I use them with my j frames. I have an eight shot one set up with a space in between two rounds. So I have three sets of two.
I like speed strips set up like this so you can dump you cylinder and then load two quickly and slam it shut and fire this two if need be. With a speed loader, it’s all or nothing.
It takes practice, like anything with it comes to j frames. But it’s very fast and can get you back into shooting if need be.
I don’t know the name of them at this time. They are orange, all I know. Got them off Amazon.
Lefty
I like speed strips set up like this so you can dump you cylinder and then load two quickly and slam it shut and fire this two if need be. With a speed loader, it’s all or nothing.
It takes practice, like anything with it comes to j frames. But it’s very fast and can get you back into shooting if need be.
I don’t know the name of them at this time. They are orange, all I know. Got them off Amazon.
Lefty
mcb
Member
I have speed strips for several of my revolvers. Both Bianchi and Tuff strips, both brands have worked well for me. In general I rarely used them since if I am shooting/carrying any of my revolvers regularly I have speed-loaders and even better moonclips for them. I do occasionally carry a speed strip with my J-frame when I am going for minimal size, but most of the time I carry a spare moonclip with it.
shoobe01
Member
Even more so, I was taught for an in-fight reload* to open with the muzzle DOWN, then tap the ejector just a bit. The expended rounds (even if all of them) will stay up and any live will fall back down. Use a finger to pull out two rounds, shove the speedstrip in to put two new ones in, pry the speedstrip away and (if all others are down, or push/pull them out of the way) close the cylinder.
Can be VERY fast, and at no point is the gun totally empty (I mean, if you didn't fire all 6 already!) so if there's a surprise, just abandon what you were doing and with either one action (close cylinder) or at most two (push all back in and close) you are back to a fighting gun.
Google found me this, I have no idea who it is but it's close enough to what I just said:
Mine are all Bianchi, and are 20+ years old: just checked and while they look odd (white discoloring, need to get armor-all or something) all are still rubbery and seem to work fine. Long ago I had a friend who was a real, real good revolver shooter, so had a lot of them, lots of accessories. He had other speedstrips and I vaguely recall comparing, and it seemed like they were a lie, all came from the same mold with just different names applied. Identical, for the same model of gun.
* ETA clarification to comply with the below explanations of the proper time in a fight to tac load. I used "in-fight" here just to mean other-than-administrative.
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JCooperfan1911
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Best for carrying due to the flatness.
Anywhere where a speedloader can be reasonably carried, is preferable to the speedstrip.
Anywhere where a speedloader can be reasonably carried, is preferable to the speedstrip.
Ive seen some guys do that and it’s pretty cool to watch. I don’t do it cause it’s too much fine motor skills for me, and if I can’t do it under just the stress of a timer I doubt I would be effective in a real world situation. Man has to know his limitations.
If I ever did beat the stats and have to fire more than five shots, I would just cheat and go for my second j frame in my back pocket. LOL
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
I have tried to like Speed Strips but found myself making accommodations to carry my speed loaders instead.
Thanks for that video @shoobe01
One of the reasons I started getting turned off by the speed strip was I fumbled a lot with them vs the speed loaders. Especially when I did the drill where you jog around, get your heart rate up and then try shooting and reloading under stress. In one session I dropped my speed strips twice in one reload scenario due to sweat and shakiness. Granted, one could just as easily drop the speed loader, but I found that with deliberate actions between speed loaders and speed strips I liked and had more confidence in the speed loaders. To be fair, I am biased towards the speed loaders. I tried to like speed strips, but I just don’t. Not for fast reloads.
@gobsauce that SKS stripper clip video is interesting. Thanks for that.
Thanks for that video @shoobe01
One of the reasons I started getting turned off by the speed strip was I fumbled a lot with them vs the speed loaders. Especially when I did the drill where you jog around, get your heart rate up and then try shooting and reloading under stress. In one session I dropped my speed strips twice in one reload scenario due to sweat and shakiness. Granted, one could just as easily drop the speed loader, but I found that with deliberate actions between speed loaders and speed strips I liked and had more confidence in the speed loaders. To be fair, I am biased towards the speed loaders. I tried to like speed strips, but I just don’t. Not for fast reloads.
@gobsauce that SKS stripper clip video is interesting. Thanks for that.
I use Bianchi Strips. They serve well, to keep carry ammo conveniently organized and together, in a neat, flat, compact row, and are a very fast way to load the first two rounds. A strip is not nearly the fastest way to completely reload a cylinder, but there is much to be said for its other qualities, and, a quick two rounds could save the day.
Speed loaders are, obviously, a faster way to fully reload the cylinder, but are not as convenient to conceal. Arguably, a speed loader carrier is almost as bulky to conceal as a second revolver. Carrying two or more speed loaders can certainly add up, in overall bulk.
Bianchi Strips may have a longer service life, than one of their competitors, if anecdotes that I have seen, and heard, are true. I cannot confirm or deny, as I have not used the competitor’s products. Bianchi Strips do not last forever. I have not kept any written records, but I have been using Bianchi since the mid-Eighties, and none of my originals have lasted until now. I reckon that, like a car’s tires, they are consumable products.
Speed loaders are, obviously, a faster way to fully reload the cylinder, but are not as convenient to conceal. Arguably, a speed loader carrier is almost as bulky to conceal as a second revolver. Carrying two or more speed loaders can certainly add up, in overall bulk.
Bianchi Strips may have a longer service life, than one of their competitors, if anecdotes that I have seen, and heard, are true. I cannot confirm or deny, as I have not used the competitor’s products. Bianchi Strips do not last forever. I have not kept any written records, but I have been using Bianchi since the mid-Eighties, and none of my originals have lasted until now. I reckon that, like a car’s tires, they are consumable products.
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mcb
Member
Friends don't let friend tactical reload, especially a revolver. Dump it all, reload, and continue. I have never seen or found an example of a tactical reload working in the real world. I have seen lots and lots of people fail tactical reloading at IDPA matches in the past. Tactical reloads are so bad that even IDPA has removed them as a required action in a stage. You can still do them if you are silly enough to try but they can no longer be required.
Good point. Selectively removing individual empty cases is a rather complex thing to be doing, in the midst of a fight. It CAN be done, by “feel,” but a delicate touch, with the fingers, is problematic, in an emergency situation.
When I mentioned a partial reload, in my above post, I was referring to the inserting-fresh-cartridges phase, not the dumping-of-empties phase. That one trooper, at Newhall, CA, might have seen the threat, in time, had he not completed a full six-round reload, as he was ambushed right as he closed his just-fully-reloaded cylinder. (This was before speed loaders were general practice, and is the incident that spurred police departments and government agencies to start authorizing speed loader usage by officers and agents.)
Things can happen, while one is trying to fill the chambers with fresh cartridges. It is a best practice to remain aware, while reloading, and, if necessary, close that cylinder, and re-engage the opponents/enemy without completely filling all of the chambers. (The “load two and look” mantra actually got it wrong, as it implied that one should have looked away, in the first place.)
I unflinchingly stand by the concept of a second gun, for those of us who carry revolvers, and are legally allowed to tote more than one weapon. I have often remarked that my favorite “speed-loader,” when carrying one of my SP101 revolving pistols, is made by Ruger, of solid stainless steel.
The late, great gunfighter, Jim Cirillo, used the term New York Reload, as he was a member of the NYC PD Stakeout Unit. He carried three revolvers, and if I understand correctly, that included personal time, at least when he was active LE. (I did not think to ask him, when I met him, at the Snubby Summit in 2005.) I am not saying that he was the first lawman to tote multiple handguns; he was the one who popularized one label for the practice.Chris Baker, a firearms/shooting instructor, and the guy who does the you-tube videos for Lucky Gunner, an ammo dealer, as said something to the effect that he does not foresee using a Speed Strip to reload during a fight, but so that after a fight, he is not left standing around, with an empty gun, waiting for what happens next.
Interesting; I like that. (It is not exactly my plan, but, a quite valid point of view.)
Interesting; I like that. (It is not exactly my plan, but, a quite valid point of view.)
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
I am by no means a real life gunfighter or a top competitor in tactical shooting sports. Back in the 80’s and early 90’s I did take some tactical shooting courses and one thing that I learned was “Keep your eyes on your attacker(s). Learn to reload without looking at your gun and what you are doing. Eyes off your attacker means you don’t know what your attacker is doing while you are looking at your gun.”
Of course, at that time I was using a 1911. Much easier to reload without looking, but to me a speed strip takes too much “looking” to get the job done.
My 2 cents.
By the way, @Rexster an article I read about Jim Cirillo is why I started carrying two guns before I moved to CA.
I don’t have a CCW permit here…I’ll be gone from here before I could get a permit here. The wait is over two years now.
Of course, at that time I was using a 1911. Much easier to reload without looking, but to me a speed strip takes too much “looking” to get the job done.
My 2 cents.
By the way, @Rexster an article I read about Jim Cirillo is why I started carrying two guns before I moved to CA.
I don’t have a CCW permit here…I’ll be gone from here before I could get a permit here. The wait is over two years now.
shoobe01
Member
That is always the way. You "tactical load" (check and top off) when there is a "pause" in the fight. I agree with the several who taught me that: it is not the END of the fight until you are back home and have a beer. Anything may pop up surprisingly, hence you want to reset yourself as much as possible to a starting condition for the rest of the fight, or to continue the fight when there's time. You do NOT fire two, then retreat to top those two off, then wheel around the corner and fire two... etc. Yes, that has had to be said.
Nuance arrives with things like preparing to go through a door, across an open space etc. Easier to justify stopping to top off (tac load) if there is good cover, space, if you brought friends and they brought their guns, etc.
Armored farmer
Member
I have multiple Bianchi speed strips that I use for spare ammo.
They fit in my watch pocket.
I use them to load my D/A revolvers, but I still use them on my S/A revolvers and carbine. They are just handy to grab 6x rounds at a time.
45colt/30-30/.410 all interchangeable in speed strips...fyi
They fit in my watch pocket.
I use them to load my D/A revolvers, but I still use them on my S/A revolvers and carbine. They are just handy to grab 6x rounds at a time.
45colt/30-30/.410 all interchangeable in speed strips...fyi
bannockburn
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Still using Bianchi Speed Strips for use with my S&W J frames.
mcb
Member
I tend to use speed strips more to carry a few spare rounds for my hunting rifle than for my revolvers. Keeps them together and quiet in my pocket or pack.
edwardware
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trackskippy
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If I were to go back to carrying a revolver, Id go with speed loaders over the speed strips. Ive carried speed strips in the past, and always found them slow and cumbersome, and very prone to ending up in the wash.
Speedloaders on the other hand, are much easier and faster to do the reload, and carry very nicely on the belt with a split carrier. A lot easier to find and get going too when your pushing things.
Speedloaders on the other hand, are much easier and faster to do the reload, and carry very nicely on the belt with a split carrier. A lot easier to find and get going too when your pushing things.
mcb
Member
I have never found it any issue to carry speed-loader with my OWB setups. I tuck one speed loader in on my belt right behind the holster. With the long Comp III I carry with my Model 10 the grip of the revolver ensures the speed-loader cannot come out of my pouch and you don't even know its there tucked in it sort of disappears into the holster.
Riomouse911
Member
I carried two Bianchi speed strips in the opposite-side pouches that came with my Bianchi K-frame shoulder rig. I was never all that great at reloading with them, it probably took me just as long with strips as it would fishing loose rounds out of my pocket. Looking back, I think two Speed loaders would’ve been a better choice had I ever needed to reload the Model 19 2.5” I was packing at the time.
I don’t think I even have any of the speed strips left... but I do have a coffee can full of HKS speed loaders for my various 5-6-7-8 and 9-shot swing-open revolvers.
Stay safe.
I don’t think I even have any of the speed strips left... but I do have a coffee can full of HKS speed loaders for my various 5-6-7-8 and 9-shot swing-open revolvers.
Stay safe.
wcwhitey
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I have used speed strips for 30 years as I do speed loaders. The key to your statement was loose rounds. I always practiced loading loose, using the speed strips. Truth is I am not sure if one is really faster than the other. What always stuck with my in my early days having seen a few shoutouts when revolvers were still heavy in use was there were always loose rounds on the ground. Fingertips don’t do so well under the extreme pressure of a gun fight. I always like having my rounds secure. This is why I always had at least one speed strip.
fastbolt
Member
I've used speedstrips for many years. Mostly it's been the original Bianchi product, but there are some competing products nowadays.
I started using them when carrying a couple speedloaders off-duty took up too much pocket real estate, and for work, with my original issued leather double dump pouch. (It was issued so the user could quickly dump 6 loose rounds into their hand, but I found it was easier to pull a speedstrip from the pouches than risking fumbling loose rounds.)
Some of my original speedstrips became so old they started to break down, though. This is what I pulled out of a front jeans pocket (sans the rounds) at the end of a day, a couple or more years ago. I replaced most of my speedstrips. I think some of them dated from the early 80's.
Now, using a speedstrip is both slower, and requires more manipulation of the gun, than the typical speedloader. Takes up less space and make less of a lump inside a tight pocket, though. Choose the best compromise in convenience and practical utility for yourself.
Whichever you choose (I still own & use both speedstrips and speedloaders, depending on the circumstances), learning how to most effectively use your loader is still going to be important. I think I already mentioned it in another thread, but back in my service revolver days we had one part of the older qual course of fire that required a timed loading of the revolver. It had a twist, though. It was for a "partial/top-off reload".
Simply put, we had 25 seconds to run from the 50yd line (revolver holstered) to the 25yd line, and when we arrived we had to fire 10 rounds at the threat target. The first 6rds were fired DA, and then we had to reload with 4 more rounds. Since some guys & gals carried Colts and some S&W's it was expected the shooter would know which direction their cylinder turned, so they could load the cylinder charge holes so the last 4rds immediately came up with the first DA trigger pull.
Some folks pulled those 4 rounds from bullet loops, and some from pockets (loose rounds). I used a partially filled speedloader. Faster than a speedstrip under time constraints. It was within the "rules", so why not? Might that have happened in real life, meaning having to use a partially filled speedloader? Well, it wasn't impossible for a plastic speedloader to break if dropped dropped onto concrete, so you might not have the full 6rds remaining in it if you desperately needed to use it.
FWIW, most guys and gals easily completed the 25yd run/jog, shoot 6rds , reload with 4rds and shoot 4rds within the generous 25sec time limit. I paced myself and easily did it in 15sec or less. Also, instead of shooting the provided 158gr LSWC +P remanufactured (reloads) ammo, I used Magnum ammo, too. No doubt the Magnum muzzle blast might've occasionally annoyed or startled some of the guys & gals to either side of me (since we ran forward in a line of shooters).
Nowadays I carry at least 1 speedstrip of spare .38/.357 ammo (sometimes 2) in the event I ever find myself in a shooting incident and having to reload behind cover before the cavalry arrives and/or the threat is over. Sometimes a speedloader or 2. Just depends. I've found it helps to keep in practice with both, to try and stave off the dust and rust from forming too heavily over my previously developed and practice revolver skills.
I started using them when carrying a couple speedloaders off-duty took up too much pocket real estate, and for work, with my original issued leather double dump pouch. (It was issued so the user could quickly dump 6 loose rounds into their hand, but I found it was easier to pull a speedstrip from the pouches than risking fumbling loose rounds.)
Some of my original speedstrips became so old they started to break down, though. This is what I pulled out of a front jeans pocket (sans the rounds) at the end of a day, a couple or more years ago. I replaced most of my speedstrips. I think some of them dated from the early 80's.
Now, using a speedstrip is both slower, and requires more manipulation of the gun, than the typical speedloader. Takes up less space and make less of a lump inside a tight pocket, though. Choose the best compromise in convenience and practical utility for yourself.
Whichever you choose (I still own & use both speedstrips and speedloaders, depending on the circumstances), learning how to most effectively use your loader is still going to be important. I think I already mentioned it in another thread, but back in my service revolver days we had one part of the older qual course of fire that required a timed loading of the revolver. It had a twist, though. It was for a "partial/top-off reload".
Simply put, we had 25 seconds to run from the 50yd line (revolver holstered) to the 25yd line, and when we arrived we had to fire 10 rounds at the threat target. The first 6rds were fired DA, and then we had to reload with 4 more rounds. Since some guys & gals carried Colts and some S&W's it was expected the shooter would know which direction their cylinder turned, so they could load the cylinder charge holes so the last 4rds immediately came up with the first DA trigger pull.
Some folks pulled those 4 rounds from bullet loops, and some from pockets (loose rounds). I used a partially filled speedloader. Faster than a speedstrip under time constraints. It was within the "rules", so why not? Might that have happened in real life, meaning having to use a partially filled speedloader? Well, it wasn't impossible for a plastic speedloader to break if dropped dropped onto concrete, so you might not have the full 6rds remaining in it if you desperately needed to use it.
FWIW, most guys and gals easily completed the 25yd run/jog, shoot 6rds , reload with 4rds and shoot 4rds within the generous 25sec time limit. I paced myself and easily did it in 15sec or less. Also, instead of shooting the provided 158gr LSWC +P remanufactured (reloads) ammo, I used Magnum ammo, too. No doubt the Magnum muzzle blast might've occasionally annoyed or startled some of the guys & gals to either side of me (since we ran forward in a line of shooters).
Nowadays I carry at least 1 speedstrip of spare .38/.357 ammo (sometimes 2) in the event I ever find myself in a shooting incident and having to reload behind cover before the cavalry arrives and/or the threat is over. Sometimes a speedloader or 2. Just depends. I've found it helps to keep in practice with both, to try and stave off the dust and rust from forming too heavily over my previously developed and practice revolver skills.
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