Where on your belt do you put revolver speedloader pouches for IDPA? Unlike with mag pouches, you put them on the belly side of your holster, right? 

Yes, because you transfer your revolver into your non-dominate hand and reload with your dominant hand. The speed loaders should be most accessible to that hand.

Depends - there are two schools of thought. If you load weak hand, then the three speedloader/moonclip holders go on the same side as a magazine pouch would (your weak side). Doing a weak hand reload means that your strong hand never comes off the grip. A weak hand reload requires more practice because you are using fine motor skills with the non-dominant, less dexterous hand. 

 

A strong hand reload requires you to shift the gun to your weak hand while inserting the speedloader or moonclip with your more dexterous strong hand. If you use a strong hand reload, under IDPA rules, you may have two speedloaders/moonclip holders in front of your holster (concealment rules still apply) and one behind the holster (total 24 rounds: 3 loaders + the loaded gun). The ammo holders in front must be no more than an inch from the holster and each other. No restriction on the rear one.

 

Make sure that your speedloader holders meet IDPA rules also. They must have either 360 degree coverage of the body of the speedloader, or have a flap to secure the loaders. The metal spring clip holders that are open on the top and sides are not legal for speedloaders. However, they are GTG for moonclips, providing they have a center post that protrudes through, and extends above, the center of the moonclip.

 

Good article in the current IDPA Tactical Journal (Second quarter 2013 - Vol I / Issue 2) on the various revolver loading methods, by Massad Ayoob.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Thanks, Bob. That is really helpful.

 

I read through that Tactical Journal article. I tried a strong and weak hand reloads, and the weak hand reload seemed more natural to me. I just don't like giving up my grip on the stocks. 

 

I'm registered for Somerset IDPA this Sunday and plan to run my S&W 686. This will be my first time shooting revolver in a match. I usually shoot a Glock 34. Should be fun, and I'm not going to worry about my scores.

 

BTW, I changed out the springs using a Wolff kit, which was one of the options you suggested in a previous post. Modestly lighter pull.

 

So getting back to the original question: Reloading weak hand, do all three speed loaders need to go behind the body centerline on the left side (like the rules for semi-auto magazine pouches)?  I would prefer to have them in front of the centerline if that's IDPA legal. 

 

– A.S.

So getting back to the original question: Reloading weak hand, do all three speed loaders need to go behind the body centerline on the left side (like the rules for semi-auto magazine pouches)?  I would prefer to have them in front of the centerline if that's IDPA legal. 

 

– A.S.

If carried on the weak side - yes. First holder can be on the CL, others behind that one.

 

See you there - not quite ready to attempt SSR (working toward that), so will be shooting in ESR, as usual.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

It all depends on the individual shooter When I was first trained we carried our speedloaders forward of our Revovler on the same side.  Reload was pop the cylinder latch, transfer to weak hand and eject the old brass, reload with a speedloader from the strong hand, close the cylinder, transfer back to strong hand, and keep shooting.  Even though it's been 20 years im finding it difficult to break that habit with my 625.

It all depends on the individual shooter When I was first trained we carried our speedloaders forward of our Revovler on the same side.  Reload was pop the cylinder latch, transfer to weak hand and eject the old brass, reload with a speedloader from the strong hand, close the cylinder, transfer back to strong hand, and keep shooting.  Even though it's been 20 years im finding it difficult to break that habit with my 625.

 

I agree with you!  Depends on a lot of things, including the size of your hands and I can perform a reload with either hand, but since a good friend of mine taught me how to do it the way you both were taught, I'm finding it a lot easier to do the reloads the way you describe.  I've used revolvers for 44 years, bought my Model 19 when I was just 18 (way back in '77 before you had to be 21 to buy a hand gun!), and because I made the switch to strong-side reloads I'm faster and better able to bring-up the gun back on-target. My friend Mike was OTJ for 28 years and now he's a professional Instructor sub-contracted by the Military to train Kids before they climb into the Sand Box.  Mike "broke me" of my bad habits revolver-wise, and I will always be grateful he did!  I shot IDPA at Somerset yesterday with my 586 wheelie.  Had a blast!

 

Dave 

I agree with you!  Depends on a lot of things, including the size of your hands and I can perform a reload with either hand, but since a good friend of mine taught me how to do it the way you both were taught, I'm finding it a lot easier to do the reloads the way you describe.  I've used revolvers for 44 years, bought my Model 19 when I was just 18 (way back in '77 before you had to be 21 to buy a hand gun!), and because I made the switch to strong-side reloads I'm faster and better able to bring-up the gun back on-target. My friend Mike was OTJ for 28 years and now he's a professional Instructor sub-contracted by the Military to train Kids before they climb into the Sand Box.  Mike "broke me" of my bad habits revolver-wise, and I will always be grateful he did!  I shot IDPA at Somerset yesterday with my 586 wheelie.  Had a blast!

 

Dave 

Your Friend Mike....Is his Son OTJ now in Sayreville???  If it is, He retired from my old dept.

Your Friend Mike....Is his Son OTJ now in Sayreville???  If it is, He retired from my old dept.

 

 

YEP!  The three of us ought to get together for a brewski!  Grandpa has a lot of "Instructor" left in him and he's a really nice guy!  He's in charge of doing the RPO Quals @ OBRPC and loves to play dress-up, lol!  Got to go since it's time to call it a night.  PM me anytime.

 

Dave