Reloading A Revolver In The Dark?

A

Ala Dan

Member in memoriam
O.K. Folk's,

We all know that reloading a semi auto in pitch black
darkness is relatively easy; but how about the revolver?
Now, I suppose that everyone who uses a revolver for
CCW purposes either has on hand an extra "speed
loader" or at least a "speed strip"; but what about
the guy and/or gal who rely's on loading one round
at the time, into the cylinder of a wheelgun? Chances
are great that a round will be mishandled, and fall to
the ground; not to mention the time variable required
to get back into action. So, my question is do you use
a) a speed loader, b) a speed strip, or c) do you load
from the pocket, one round at the time? I would like
to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions on this
subject, please?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Speed loader.

They work best for me. I prefer the HKS style, although I use the Safariland Comp III for PPC work.
Speed strips are good, too.

I don't carry extra ammo loose. No point in it.

Speedloaders are good size doo-dads, and therefore easier to handle, even with stress and cold fingers and such.
Speed strips are also handy with stressed or cold fingers.

Individual rounds are a disaster for me. At the best of times.

After reloading in the light for many years, loading in the dark is no big deal. Just as with magazine pistols, "hands find hands".
 
Speedloader is the way to go. Pushbutton release if possible, twist is acceptable. Anything else is screwing around :).

Finding a place to stash 'em on your person is tricky though :D. One answer: small nylon belt pouches meant as "extra pockets" available at most outdoor supply places usually hold speedloaders; some hold a J-Frame too :).
 
Single rounds, 2 at a time.
Couple of my Smiths are older K's (19-3) that don't have the cut out on the stocks for speedloaders so I try to stay consistant.
That, plus for some reason, I find the HKS a bit akward to use. I can't seem to guide it into place without having to look at it. With single rounds, loading 2 at a time, I can use my weak hand thumb to guide the rounds into place without having to look at em.
Bein an all thumbs, fumble putz on the best o days, I tend to look at things from the worst possible scenerio. For some reason I get this mental flash of me scrounging around at my feet for the fully charged speed loader I dropped in all the excitement. If i'm going to drop something, better it's a single round instead of the whole basket.
I'm a realist when it comes to my expectations of how good I am, and how many I can expect to get before they get me.
6 rounds is, in all honesty, the max, figuring 2 hits per target.
There's either going to be plenty of time to reload, or none at all.
Speed and grace just ain't this old ground sloth's strengths. I'm a world better putting a sinlge round where I want it.
 
Before speedloaders we had dump pouches. Not the best as you got 6 in your hand all at once. Any way that you hold while reloading, use your weak thumb on one of the flutes. Using speedloaders, your trigger finger can go between two rounds. This way you`re lined up by feel. This takes lots of practice of course. Even loading one or two at a time, get used to your finger placement.

Don`t concentrate on the gun, look at your target. In a real situation it`s not your gun that`s gonna kill you.
 
Part of my regular drill at the range is to reload my reolvers with my eyes closed to simulate dark.

It can take a little longer as you need to get the rounds lined up with the chambers, but practice makes perfect.
 
I practice reloading while not looking at the gun.
Fluted cylinders allow you to use an extended finger on the loading hand to index the speedloader, strip or singles.

Not as fast in the dark but pretty close to changing magazine in the dark times.

Takes a lot of practice tho. Wore out the latches on a 686, bout half the loading was practice and the other half shooting. The death of that gun was not in vain tho as it enabled me to raise my reloading of all my wheels to a much higher level.

Sam
 
I often practice reloading my Single Actions with my eyes closed.
In fact, at the range I seldom look at the gun when reloading.
I grab a handful of cartridges from my pocket and load with my left hand, using my right index finger to rotate the cylinder (grooves make this super easy).
Never grab one round at a time, its way too slow.
When I'm on a roll I can eject the empties, reload, and be back in business in 10-12 seconds.
 
I would also go with moon clips or speedloaders, especially since you're bringing the weapon up to full capacity right away.

I'm not so sure that reloading a semi is that easy in the dark, as you would have to find the mag release and slide release--which for some people (depending on hand size) might require shifting the grip.
 
AD, I do not carry a revolver; however, when I do revolver classes, I use as Jim March suggested, coupled with loose rounds for tac reloads.

I believe that you should always practice manipulations, reloads mal drills with your eyes closed. No one can guarantee that you will be allowed to see in a fight. (Need that quote from "Gates of Fire").
 
RAE, you really need to give a look at the Safariland Comp series of loaders. Unlike the HKS, they hold the rounds rigidly. You don't have to wiggle and jiggle to get them aligned with the chambers. No twisting any knobs, either. Just align, and 'inject'. The center-pin of the cylinder trips the release button. I thinks it's fair to say they are at least twice as fast as the HKS.:D
 
HKS vs 'others'

Never had an HKS speedloader lose its rounds after being dropped. Can't say same for others.......

M38, Security Six, GP100, and 357/41/44/45C Redhawks..........I gottalotta speedloaders! IPSC, you know :eek:
 
the easiest, but slowest, is the single round...index finger on bullet finds hole in cylinder. that is the wheelgun tactical reload.

fastest, but hardest to carry, are the speedloader/moonclip. weak thumb indexes flute on cylinder, trigger finger indexes between two rounds (python), trigger finger finds thumb and aligns rounds with chambers...the safariland has the advantage here as you then push with the heel of your strong hand to release the cartridges.

when i started carrying they also issued dump pouches. i found it faster to reload out of loops, two at a time.
 
Mine was the speedloader generation. We were told to practice loading in the dark with speedloaders. You do it by touch and it's a matter of practice, practice, practice.

Prior to the speedloader (hey, Colt had a wood one back at the turn of the 20th Cent. and Webley also had one for their revolver), cops use to carry them in loops and they were taught to load two at a time. Use a speedstrip if you don't carry or can't conceal a speedloader. Speedstrips require some practice but are much faster than single loading a cylinder.
 
Practice, practice, PRACTICE!!!

Practice with the speed strip/loader you usually use, practice loading 1 or 2 at a time and indexing if you have less than a full cylinder.

I loaded dummy rounds in most of my calibers to practice with safely and some of those "snap cap" store-bought dummies for some of the other calibers (and autos).

Firearms are tools -- tools must be mastered to be effective (and safe).
 
Speed loaders, chamfered chambers, loader in right hand gun in left, proper grip selection that does not interfere with the loader. Not as fast as semi-auto but easier than most expect.

Maybe a good time to point out the little chamfered charge hole thing. This usually cost about $25 and is about the best investment you can make in a combat revolver IMHO. Couldn't believe how much quicker my reload times were with this little change.

Might also note, us S/W lovers often long for the pinned barrels and recessed cylinders collection wise, but I've found a light chamfer job on a NON-recessed cylinder is the faster-smoother reload.

Best,

Blueduck
 
My money is on the Safariland Comp speed loaders with my smaller revolvers, and with my .45 ACP revolvers, I use the full moon clips. Those are the fastest of all in reloading. My leather guy makes a little fold over strap, that allows you to carry the Safariland speed loaders, or full moon clips, straddling your belt. Just a flick of the finger opens the velcrow top, and the loader just lifts off the belt. Very fast, and very concealed. Sam Andrews custom Leather in Alachua Florida makes them.
 
Ala, I figure if I have to reload a rolver in the the dark, I need to carry two revolvers, maybe more if need be!:D If six bullets don't do it, what makes you think twelve will? If it's that dark you can hardly see, what will you be firing at with six bullets?:confused:
 
If you only wanted to top off your wheel gun in the dark with loose rounds and not do a complete tactical reload, so as not to waste the unfired rounds.

Do as follows:

In order to expell the fired rounds and save the unfired ones, with the gun in your weak hand, open your cylinder, while you have the gun pointed downward. Push back on the cylinder rod with your weak hand thumb, just enough to raise all of the cases in the cylinder about half way up. Then release the cylinder extractor rod, the unfired rounds will drop back down and the fired cases should remain sticking out of the cylinder due to their having expanded when fired. Pick the empties out and reload the empty charge holes then close your cylinder and you're back in the battle fully reloaded. Back when I was carrying a wheel gun on duty, I much prefered HKS speed loaders over all others...

7th
 
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