By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
For as far back as I can remember, I’ve carried speed loaders while packing a double-action revolver, even if it was holstered on a full cartridge belt.
In an emergency, the swiftness of reloading just might be critical to a harmonious outcome. I can say from personal experience, quickly replacing five or six empties popped out of an open cylinder takes a hell of a lot less time than prying fresh cartridges out of a gunbelt!
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to sample various models, from HKS, Pachmayr, Safariland and one or two whose brand name I can’t remember. I even had an all-rubber one given to me by a sheriff’s deputy pal to fit a Model 19 Smith & Wesson which worked real good until one night in a snow storm when I was out with a different deputy and I lost the darned thing.
THE SERIOUS SIDE OF FUN & GAMES
More than ten years ago, when I bought a 4-inch Model 57 S&W in .41 Magnum in a private sale, the deal was sweetened by what came along with the sixgun for a remarkable price: a brand new set of loading dies, four boxes of ammunition and two HKS speed loaders. I still have the revolver and the speed loaders. The ammunition was judiciously used in practice and the empty brass tumbled, resized and reloaded, perhaps a couple of times. I sold the dies to another guy since I already had two sets of my own.
This particular wheelgun was never intended to be used on game, but sure as heck, about seven or eight years ago, I had to polish off a wounded buck—I’m pretty sure he was a zombie!—and a moving shot to the head put him down for the count.
It’s my humble opinion, again supported by experience, that having at least two speed loaders along for the ride anytime I’m armed with a round gun, and three or four are even better. They’re not that expensive, compared to the value I put on my own hide, and should one get lost, well, it will be easy to replace.
My personal preference is for the HKS model, which is remarkably simple to operate. Insert spare cartridges, twist the release knob to hold them in securely, and when a reload is necessary, just pop out the empties and jam in the fresh rounds. In an emergency, one should never try to retain his/her empties. Just let them fall to the ground and reload; get ‘em out of the way! After the shooting stops, only then should anyone ever try to pick up the empty brass, except if you’ve been involved in an incident being investigated by law enforcement. In such cases, you leave those empty cartridge casings where they fall.
A few years back, I got a Pachmayr speed loader to fit my Model 19, and the difference between this one and my HKS units is that the Pachmayr is made of metal while HKS loaders are largely synthetic except for the knob and retention pins. Also, the Pachmayr knob twists in the opposite direction from the HKS, so I’ve had to consciously remember to “reverse gears” when using the Pachmayr.
Back in the days I was competing in pistol matches at my local range, necessity forced me to get pretty handy with speed loaders, whether using my S&W or a Colt Python. I learned to load my match cartridges with JHPs or JSPs because they naturally glide better into the empty chambers than SWC of full wadcutters.
It takes a bit of practice to master the speed load. I’ve managed to do a reload in a couple of seconds, but that was years ago and the timer was running, and I imagine my fingers were a lot more nimble. Pop open the cylinder with your middle two fingers while using the opposite thumb to press the cylinder release. Hit the ejector rod with the flat of the hand stoutly to firmly eject the empties (sometimes they hang up), hold the cylinder firmly and slide in the reloads. Speed comes with repetition and experience.
I’ve photographed my various double-action revolvers with speed loaders over the years. One image even managed to be used in an advertisement by a highly-respected firearms magazine to promote subscriptions. I was actually pretty proud of that, though I don’t recall being contacted ahead of time. I had used the image in a story for them.
The use of speed loaders in those images was purposeful, to remind readers/viewers of the necessity to have spare ammunition available instantly, same as carrying spare magazines for a semi-auto. Sure it’s subliminal, but it is also important.
To my knowledge, there are speed loaders available for virtually every modern double-action revolver with a swing-out cylinder. Companies also make single- and double-carry pouches, and I’ve got one from, I think, Bianchi.
In the final analysis, nobody should ever carry a sidearm—any kind of sidearm—without spare ammunition. Longtime readers have seen various photos of my handguns with fully-loaded cartridge belts, which is another way of reminding people to carry spares.
Still, the speed loader remains the smartest accessory for anybody with a wheelgun. Whether you find one at a local gun shop or have to order online (Cabela’s, Bass Pro, Brownells, Midway or someone else), it’s an inexpensive investment against running dry when you need to keep shooting.
