In the first video, Massad Ayoob demonstrates his "stressfire" technique for reloading a revolver. He shows how to perform the reload for both right-hand and left-hand shooters (the technique is a little different). The basic premise of the "stressfire" technique is that all gross motor actions (holding the cylinder open, flipping the gun up to eject the empties) is done with the off-hand, while the shooting hand is used to hit the ejector rod and load the speed loader. With this technique, the extra speed loaders are carried on your strong side--i.e., generally the same side as the holster. By-the-by, this is the method I prefer. Grant Cunningham demonstrates the same basic technique, but via a series of photos in this article.
This second video demonstrates a method for reloading that primarily relies on the weak-hand to reload the revolver. The author has a speed loader tied to a lanyard for quick access, but I don't know if it is necessary to the technique. However, the technique would allow you to carry your speedloaders on the opposite side from your holster.
In this third video, Dave Spaulding shows a couple different techniques for loading a revolver that are slight variations on the ones shown above, plus he discusses some of the types of speedloaders available.
Finally, some articles:
(1) The Grant Cunningham article discussed above.
(2) Jim Wilson at the American Rifleman and at Shooting Illustrated.
(3) Dave Spaulding at Police One.
(4) An article at the Jeffersonian blog.
Mr. Docent, what type of speed loader do you use, and why do you prefer it over the alternatives?
ReplyDeleteAs you may have noticed from earlier posts, the revolver I use is a S&W J-frame for concealed carry purposes. I use two types of loading systems for my J-frame: HKS speed loaders, and the Bianchi speed strips. I wish I could say the selection was after a long process of evaluation and testing, but it was not. The only speed loaders that seem to be offered by stores in this area are the HKS, so that is what I bought and they work fine for my purpose. I purchased the speed strips for when I need something with better concealment than a speed loader provides.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't really much in the way of alternatives for everyday carry. Safariland makes a speed-loader that is a push button. Since I generally carry the loader loose in a pocket (with nothing else in the pocket) rather than a pouch designed for speed loaders, I'm a little concerned that the button on the Safariland might get pushed and release all of the cartridges, although according to this review (http://www.examiner.com/article/a-review-of-revolver-speedloaders-for-ccw-permit-holders) that isn't a problem. Grant Cunningham recommends the Safariland over the HKS (http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/speedloader_brands.html). However, I've used the HKS for pocket carry for over 10 years, though, and only had one instance where the cartridges were released in the pocket.
For competition, Safariland makes a spring-assisted model that seems to generally get good marks without being too expensive. 5-Star Firearms and Speed Beez make high-end speed loaders that I would like to try.