Strips or Loaders?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Are you a speed strip or speed loader kind of guy or gal?

I like strips because being thin, they lie flat in a pocket, etc. - easier to conceal. and 99.9999% chance, you won't need more shots that those already in your gun, so the speed of the speed loaders is just not justified over the bulkiness.

 

[george29]

Don't like the rattle of speedloaders, also take up more room and they have a tendency to shake loose if not kept in some type of poich which I hate. I currently use a 6 round plastic wallet.

 

[rswartsell]

HKS Speedloaders, familiarity reasons.

 

[simpleguy]

Speed strips, bought them through the local law enforcement supply store. Funny thing is, they hadn't heard of them.......I LOVE EM.

 

[novaDAK]

When carrying I normally carry either one or two speed strips, or have a cartridge slide (nylon, but works great) on my belt that holds another reload, or both.

 

[loneviking]

Speed Loaders. They are much faster than strips. Bulky? You're kidding--right? I just toss 'em into my coat or pants pocket without a pouch. The pouch is what makes them bulky. And loose? Something is wrong with your speed loader. I use HKS and mine never come loose.

 

[Gator]

I like strips because being thin, they lie flat in a pocket, etc. - easier to conceal. and 99.9999% chance, you won't need more shots that those already in your gun...

You got it!

 

[Purple95]

I use, carry, and train with both.

Speed strips and speed loaders are tools. Use the right tool for the job.

I carry a strip in my strong hand back pocket. This is used for "topping off" the cylinder if time and circumstances dictate and allow. For full reloads, the strip is slower for me than the speed loaders so.......

I carry two speed loaders. One in the strong hand front pocket under the J-frame holster and another in the strong hand cargo pocket. These are used for full reloads as rapidly as possible; the front pocket first, the cargo pocket second.

Stay safe,
dan

 

[Ala Dan]

Bianchi Speed-Strips~!

 

[Brian Williams]

I use both speedstrips and speedloaders along with an occasional moonclip.

 

[nj.piney]

i use a 2x2x2 belt pouch, fast reloads and it rides flat on my belt. if im wearing a coat i drop a couple of hk speedloaders in my left hand pocket . im right handed but i load the speedloaders left handed, much quicker.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

SECOND GUN! Then moonclips after that!

LD

 

[Rexster]

This is not an "either-or" thing! Speed Strips are a VERY fast way to load two rounds, but a quite slow way to load a full five or six. A speedloader is almost as fast as loading two with a Speed Strip, but of course is a complete reload. Large, bulky stocks (grips) can complicate speedloader use.

The fastest way back into action is multiple handguns, and I find it quite easy to tote multiple SP101 snubbies, or one SP101 and something bigger. I like HKS speedloaders for their durability over the Safariland loaders, and I find the twist-to-release very natrual and simple. I mostly use speedloaders with my larger sixguns, and use Speed Strips always, except on the rare occasions I am only using autopistols.

Another favorite of mine is a 2x2x2 ammo pouch. With practice, that is FAST. It beats a Speed Strip for a complete reload, but of course does not beat a speddloader.

 

[Striker]

Like Purple 95, I use, carry, and train with both.

I prefer Safariland Comp I or II speedloaders carried in a Safariland splitbelt type pouch in front of my holster (which I wear just behind my right hip.) I also carry a speedstrip in Simply Rugged drop pouch worn just forward of my left hip.

Here is my Colt Agent EDC set up:

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Boy, I had no idea that a lot of you guys swung both ways!

 

[308win]

I use speed strips for my snubbie and speed loaders for my Model 19. I have tried one of my M19 speed loaders with my Jframe and experienced clearance issues though if I tried a speed loader made specifically for a jframe clearance might not be an issue (?).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use both.... And the occasional pouch too.

 

[Purple95]

Here is my Colt Agent EDC set up:

Stirker,

That's a good looking, no nonsense, rig you have there.

It's plain to see you have put considerable effort into your carry equipment. I'm sure this setup works perfectly for you. A well thought out and implemented rig such as yours combined with regular training is an excellent approach to personal defense efforts.

Your Agent and leather appear to be well used and well cared for.

Bravo!

Cheers,
dan

 

[Drgong]

I am more of a speed loader type, but nothing wrong with the strips. After I get my CCW I might just carry both

 

[machinisttx]

Moon clips

 

[SAWBONES]

It depends upon your priorities.

I agree with the "New York reload" (BUG) concept as a first step past the primary gun, then going to reloading if necessary.

If you seriously wish to be prepared to reload your revolver with reasonable quickness and reliability, and care more about that readiness than about the convenience of a flat package (Bianchi Speedstrips), get and carry speedloaders.

Those who carry Bianchi speedstrips in preference to speedloaders have chosen convenience over genuine readiness. That's OK if that's what they really want, but anyone who's actually needed to reload a revolver fast has thrown away their "Slowstrips".

Having carried and practiced with both, I carry (Safariland Comp I) speedloaders.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

I use speed strips for my snubbie and speed loaders for my Model 19. I have tried one of my M19 speed loaders with my Jframe and experienced clearance issues though if I tried a speed loader made specifically for a jframe clearance might not be an issue (?).

That's due to the difference in physical size between the J- and K-frame cylinders.

 

[Johnny Guest]

And yet another vaguely possible reason - - -

I have tried one of my M19 speed loaders with my Jframe and experienced clearance issues . . .

AND, it COULD also have something to do with the attempted use of a six-round loader to feed a five-round cylinder.

But seriously, I have one HKS J-frame speedloader, but more often carry a couple of Speed Strips in my hip pocket.

 

[HB]

 

[308win]

AND, it COULD also have something to do with the attempted use of a six-round loader to feed a five-round cylinder.

That's what it was! Seriously, the speed loaders I have are too bulky; I expect the speed loaders made for the Jframes are smaller in dimension (as well as capacity).

The speed loaders I use for the M19 are HKS and they don't really work all that well with the M19.