spare ammo for concealed carry?

J

justinicus

New member
Those of you who carry a revolver, how do you carry your spare ammo? Speed loaders seem awfully bulky, those straight-line plastic things, whatever they're called, seem half as bad as loading single rounds. Moon clips seem like a good way to go, but you can't carry 'em loose in a pocket, can you? It seems like they'd pop out if you bumped into something. The moon clip rigs I've seen Miculek et al. wear seem just as bulky as speed loaders on a belt would be -- obviously they're not designed for concealment, but it's hard to imagine being able to reduce that bulge. Anyone still make half-moon clips?

For reference, my next purchase will be a wheel gun, and I'm leaning towards either .45ACP or .357mag. I would like to have the option of using it for CCW, eventually, so how those spare rounds are carried makes a difference.

Any info would be appreciated!
 
half moons for .45 ACP/9mm revolvers...

Speed strips are okay..

bullet loops on the belt are okay...

Speed loaders are the best for any rimmed revolver cartridge IMHO.. no one will pay any attention to them if they are your belt in a nice case...
 
I have used many different solutions. I had a stiff belt modified with cartridge loops once. I have used ammo wallets. I have carried speedstrips in a hard eyeglass case. I have used speedloaders in pockets, duty carriers, split six and even simply stuck them over my waistband. Modifying a revolver is a solution but, I have not seen half moon clips for years. I have seen a set of suspenders that had bullet loops on them. If all else fails, bandoleers. LOL
 
I carry two speed loaders for my .357

A local gun store had leather police cases for $1.00 each or 10 for $7.50. I open carry so I carry two speed loaders cases on my belt.

I've found that a couple of speed loaders, in their cases, will fit in a pocket quite well and is just a touch slower than having them on my belt. This would be my m.o. if I carried concealed.

Can't help with the moon clips, yet. A .45acp revolver is on my short list so I'm interested in the responses you get about them likewise.

JRLaws
 
I carry a handful of speed strips. They're flat and don't add extra bulk.

I have three pairs of the older cotton 5.11 pants, the ones with the flashlight/knife pocket on the right side. Whenever I wear those, I put two speedstrips in that pocket, and a speedloader right on top...works like a charm.

I also have a single nylon speedloader pouch that I wear whenever I use the nylon pancake rig for CCW.
 
I am currently carrying a Smith 610-3 revolver (3.875 inch, N Frame, 10mm/.40 S&W) loaded with 180 grain Double Tap GDHPs. I am extremely pleased with this handgun, since its quality, reliability, durability, and ACCURACY are all superb. In addition, I very much like the fact that (similar to .357 magnum revolvers with .38 Specials) the 610 fires both 10mm and .40 S&W loads. This provides inexpensive and readily available .40 S&W rounds for target practice and plinking and potent 10mm rounds for carry.

Further, I frequently carry two RIMZ speedloaders. These fit together when one is inverted, with a few cartridges from the first speedloader fitting inside the “circle” of cartridges from the other speedloader. The result is a significantly reduced size-profile for the two reloads.

I have not experienced any problems, including cartridges popping out in my pockets, as suggested in the initial post to this thread.
 
I don't even bother to carry extra,the way I see it it will happen fast and be over just as fast.Do you really think you will have time to reload I don't.If you are up against that many you won't ever have the chance to reload :eek:
 
Russ5924: "Do you really think you will have time to reload"

To paraphrase a common sentiment, better to have a reload or two and not need it than to need a reload or two and not have it, eh?

Those of you with the speedstrips (thanks for reminding me of the name -- I kept wanting to call them stripper clips! :)), how long does it take, with practice, of course, to reload with those things?
 
A couple of speedloaders in a pocket. No big deal. Don't need no stinkin' pouches. Sure, it makes a lump, but who cares? I just shoot what was in the loaders every now and again, and no problemo.
 
All of this talk about the bulging pockets or belts with speedloaders. I've never had any problems with concealing speedloaders on a belt or in a pocket at all in the many years I've packed a wheelgun.

Speedloaders are the fastest way to recharge a revolver aside from moon clips in auto calibre guns. I'd much rather carry 1 -2 of them and be able to recharge the revolver than have to fiddle with loose rounds or a plastic strip. Speed is life in a gunfight.

The speedstrips are alright, but are much slower to work with. The watch/change pocket on jeans is an ideal spot for speedstrips. If you've got cargo pants or painter pants, use those side pockets. Get relaxed fit jeans for a looser fit. You can easily hide a speedloader in a FRONT POCKET. Khakis with pleated fronts can help hide any minor bulge you might have. Nobody really notices them at all.

As far as carriers, there are a few good ones out there that do minimize the bulkiness. The Desantis A35 is a straddle design that puts the loader above and splitting the belt. The Cunningham Pouch positions the loader on top of the belt and at a horizontal pitch. Great idea and fast, once you get used to it. The Hume Pack-Six is decent, but puts the bulk of the loader totally in front of the belt. Wear a loose fitting shirt over it though, and it is not bad at all. The best that I've come across is the Del Fatti SLC-2 for Safariland loaders. It uses a Kydex assembly over the belt to secure the loader and wraps around. It is very slim and remarkably well made. It is almost as slim as a single-stack mag case.

I keep a trio of speedloaders in the central console of the CR-V (one with shotshells, other with magnums, third with FBI Load), in addition to the two Comp Is on my belt. Briefcase has a pouch in it for a couple of speedstrips.
 
justinicus,

You'll need to practice reloading with any solution. The fastest and easiest is to use the round speedloaders. Some folks prefer the Safariland loaders and others the HKS. Either are fine, just don't carry one of each since they operate differently!

Speedstrips will usually allow you to load 2 rounds at a time, but it does take a bit of practice. Figure on going to the range and using them exclusively to reload your gun to practice to develop your own technique. One advantage of speedstrips is that one size works for most .38/.357 wheelguns.

Use caution when practicing as you will be handling a weapon and ammo at the same time. If possible, have a friendly handloader make up some dummy rounds for you with no powder or primer for practice.

Go slow. Get the essentials of using the device first and then speed up as you get better. Re-practice frequently at first until you build confidence with each firearm.

Oh... and think about where to carry them. If you unload your gun with it held in your left hand, then don't carry your spares on your left side!
 
Speed strips allow you to load two rounds at a time. Making it easier to top up if you don't need a full re-load. I still carry a speed-loader in my jacket pocket on the same side as the carry piece, to help act as an added weight to swing the jacket out of the way as I sweep into the draw. (easier to do/show than explain.
 
Bill makes an excellent point. Generally want to carry speedloaders strong side in front of your holster if you are using the swap revolver to left (weak) hand for reload drill.
 
My first "reload" is a 3" GP-100.
next reloads are two speedloaders in the pocket (they don't make any more bulge than my keychains int he other pocket). Nice thing is they fit both the 4" and 3" GP-100.

I also like to have a Galco 2x2x2 ammo holder in front of the holsters on each side.
 
No matter what, I'd be picking empties out from behind the ejector! I hope I never have to reload in a hurry. As it is, I carry a 5-round speedloader in a vest pocket and on my shoulder holster strap I carry 6 rounds in loops. Lumpy happens when you try to carry two speedloaders under the arm in a shoulder holster rig. I have also a metal clip that holds a speedloader to the belt. Being all thumbs, I have considered getting a revolver in the auto cartridge in order to use moon clips.
 
I normally use Speedloaders...I keep one in the truck and 2 on my belt in a double rig when I carry my Security Six...
 
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