S&W 642 Reloads

[Planedude]

So how do y'all carry the reload for a pocket carried S&W 642 Airweight? I recently picked one up for a very fair price. With an uber-thin Masters pocket holster it rides along with almost as much ease as my P380.
My issue is with the reload carry. For a touch of background, I usually pocket carry in any warm weather. I do this as I feel weird wearing a shirt tail un-tucked. Thirty years working on aircraft proves that a loose shirt tail can cause an amazing amount of damage with just a short slide. Leaves me feeling a bit unmade to be out in the world with untucked tails.
When a cover shirt is worn I carry the five extra rounds on a Bianchi speed strip in an old school D&G dump pouch 5 o'clock on the belt. Otherwise the same combo goes into a spare pocket as is. I have several Safariland COMP-1 speedloaders (like um) but have yet to find a suitable (to me) method of carrying them in the world.
The issue with the speed strips is this, they rattle back and forth with every gimpy step I make. No one seems to have ever noticed, but to my ear sounds like I'm walking around with a dang Shetland pony...
It is really bad when the D&G pouch goes into a cargo shorts pocket down low on the leg. Clip-clop... clip-clop... Arrrrrrrrg...:rolleyes:
So I'm wondering how others do it. Unlike semi automatics magazines, no one seems to have a good "pocket sleeve" for the speed strips. I do practice with the speed strips and feel comfortable with them. Although one observer said I looked like "a monkey having carnal knowledge with a football" I did once do a timed stress reload in 5.2 seconds. Safe enough for my tastes.
Thanks in advance for your time and comments.

[muggsy]

As someone who has had carnal knowledge of a football, Jocko can probably point you in the right direction. He should be along momentarily with an answer to your perplexing question. I've always used HKS speedloaders, but being half deaf from years of shooting without ear protection, I don't notice any rattle. Of course, you'll have to remember that one of the worlds deadliest snakes usually rattles before it strikes.

[getsome]

I also jeans pocket carry a 642 in a Uncle Mikes square bottom pocket holster...It prints a little but I don't think anyone would notice unless they were really looking hard and if they did they would probably think I-Phone....I don't carry normally carry extra rounds but if I do I just drop them in the watch pocket of my jeans...I have tried the speed strips but being right handed and with a bum left hand I find it just as fast to fish them out 2 at a time from the watch pocket....I have a HKS speed loader that works since I changed the stock grips to Hogue's with a bigger cutout but like you said a speed loader is pretty bulky and hard to hide...

I figure a pocket pistol is a hit and run weapon at best and my hope is that a couple to the center mass will keep the BG busy while I high tail it out of the vicinity....If I thought there would be real trouble and a need for a reload I would take along more gun like a high cap service pistol and extra mag but as it is my primary carry is the 642 or PM40 loaded with Gold Dots...

This is an interesting question and I wonder how many CCW folks routinely carry an extra mag or revolver rounds when out and about....I think there's no such thing as having too many bullets but in reality IMHO it's just more stuff to carry around unless you are a cop or expecting trouble...

[muggsy]

I also jeans pocket carry a 642 in a Uncle Mikes square bottom pocket holster...It prints a little but I don't think anyone would notice unless they were really looking hard and if they did they would probably think I-Phone....I don't carry normally carry extra rounds but if I do I just drop them in the watch pocket of my jeans...I have tried the speed strips but being right handed and with a bum left hand I find it just as fast to fish them out 2 at a time from the watch pocket....I have a HKS speed loader that works since I changed the stock grips to Hogue's with a bigger cutout but like you said a speed loader is pretty bulky and hard to hide...

I figure a pocket pistol is a hit and run weapon at best and my hope is that a couple to the center mass will keep the BG busy while I high tail it out of the vicinity....If I thought there would be real trouble and a need for a reload I would take along more gun like a high cap service pistol and extra mag but as it is my primary carry is the 642 or PM40 loaded with Gold Dots...

This is an interesting question and I wonder how many CCW folks routinely carry an extra mag or revolver rounds when out and about....I think there's no such thing as having too many bullets but in reality IMHO it's just more stuff to carry around unless you are a cop or expecting trouble...

If he wasn't expecting trouble he wouldn't be carrying. :)

[mr surveyor]

I carry my revolver loads in speed strips, usually in my front right shirt pocket with a Velcro flap. Most of my button up work shirts have a big pocket with flap and a smaller flap pocket at the bottom that's perfect for either a speed strip of a small single stack magazine. I don't worry at all about little things like that making a tiny sound. I carry so much stuff in my pants pockets that I sound like a junk yard truck anyway.

[muggsy]

One other option is full moon clips, but the face of the cylinder needs to be machined to accept them.

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/reviews/gear-clothing/reloading-the-revolver-with-moon-clips/

[jeepster09]

I bought a small ammo case from Cabela's. Fits great in pocket and holds 6 rounds and holds ammo secure rattle free.

[Bawanna]

That looks good, never seen one like that. I have one I got years ago, same program but it holds 18 I think. I think it was suppose to act like a wallet or something.

The sixer like yours makes way more sense to me. Not super quick either one of them but far better than having to run to the hardware store to buy more when you need it.

[ltxi]

Speed strips. One or two loose in the off hand front jacket or pants pocket.

[Planedude]

I do like the speed strips. I use the six round Bianchi, loaded with five, as this gives more "tab" to hang on to while fumbling with them.
Nice thing about speed strips is the ability to quickly load just two rounds when you need to come back to the target really fast.

I have tried to carry the speed strip loose in the pocket and to a certain extent, it's fine. I have pulled them out to store them away and found them "lint fouled". On another occasion, the bottom round flipped free and back into the bottom of the back pocket. Again not a deal breaker as the "lost" round was still on me...
I've just been on the quest for the better/best solution for this issue. I do love the ideal of the moonclips and my 642's cylinder may soon go here http://www.moonclips.com/ for a little machine work. I still have the issue of how to carry the moonclips with me in the world. I have thought about using these http://www.moonclips.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=36&cat=Moonclip+Holders+%2F+Concealed+Carry and perhaps having my favorite local gun leather guy work a pair of then into a single case that screams "sunglasses" instead of "speedloaders". A pair of projects for another day.

[TucsonMTB]

I do like the speed strips. I use the six round Bianchi, loaded with five, as this gives more "tab" to hang on to while fumbling with them.
+1 . . .

http://viewsfromtucson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Tit_642_8x6_web.jpg

With the 642-1 in an Uncle Mike's size 4 on the strong side, the speed strip fits nicely inside a padded corner cut from a shipping envelope to protect the other items in a weak side pocket. The Casull round prop stays home. ;)

Admittedly, a Kahr PM40 is a more frequent companion when out and about, especially on the mountain bike. Rumor has it 180 grain "fotays" are much better a penetrating cars.

[mr surveyor]

a tip for you other speed strip users, if you don't already do it .....
instead of stacking all five rounds together, load two, skip one, load the other three. The gap gives you a finger space in the middle that not only helps grip the speed strip, but makes isolating the rounds for loading easier.

[Planedude]

+1 . . .

http://viewsfromtucson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Tit_642_8x6_web.jpg

With the 642-1 in an Uncle Mike's size 4 on the strong side, the speed strip fits nicely inside a padded corner cut from a shipping envelope to protect the other items in a weak side pocket. The Casull round prop stays home. ;)

Admittedly, a Kahr PM40 is a more frequent companion when out and about, especially on the mountain bike. Rumor has it 180 grain "fotays" are much better a penetrating cars.

Wait! You don't want to shoot a 642 Airweight chambered in 454 Casull??? Not going wimp on us, are you?:rolleyes:

I like the corner of a shipping envelope ideal. Maybe I could get something like that made in a rough-out leather so the two will separate when the rounds pull out. A couple of envelops would help me get the pattern right and done cheap...
I like it!:D

[TucsonMTB]

Wait! You don't want to shoot a 642 Airweight chambered in 454 Casull??? Not going wimp on us, are you?:rolleyes:
Yep! With the J-frame, I might even sit down to pee. :o


I like the corner of a shipping envelope ideal. Maybe I could get something like that made in a rough-out leather so the two will separate when the rounds pull out. A couple of envelops would help me get the pattern right and done cheap...
I like it!:D
Thanks! Not having any leather skills, it feels good be able to help one of the more talented guys around here. That would be you.

Oh, and a Midway box arrived today with a great speed loader. I had been looking for something that my wife could operate more easily. This is definitely it.

http://viewsfromtucson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Jet-Loader-with-638-3.jpg

You don't need perfect alignment on the cylinder. You just have to get close and push the big button, which requires very little force. Wham! It pops the rounds into place, right now!

That's her 638-3 with the loader in position. Despite the original S&W grips that she really likes, it just plain works.

http://viewsfromtucson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Jet-Loader-with-642-1.jpg

Incredibly fast with my 642-1 too. I can confidently load quickly in total darkness! :eek:

[DeaconKC]

Find a cheap cell phone case to keep the speed strip in. It is totally invisible this day and age.

[addictedhealer]

Just wanted to share pictures. I put speed strips in front or back jean pocket.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/26/upuru2u6.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/26/pumubutu.jpg

[Planedude]

Find a cheap cell phone case to keep the speed strip in. It is totally invisible this day and age.


I wear my phone in a leather, clip on "holster". It is not a smart phone, it's just pretty bright...
A second "cell phone" might look strange to old folks and police. Wouldn't even raise an eyebrow with the youngsters... ;)
The old D&G dump pouch is very reminiscent of a beeper holder. The only person who ever saw it on me, pointed and said "beeper"? Realizing what he was asking about, I replied "work" and smiled. "Ahhhh" he said and we were done.
Still would prefer to carry the spare rounds, contained in a "something" and carried in the rear pocket.

[340pd]

Frankly when I am pocket carrying my 340pd, I just throw a speed strip in my back pocket. I highly doubt that I would ever have time to get to it and utilize a fast reload, but it makes me feel better. I do have friends that carry a couple speed strips, (probably a great idea), in their socks.
I have found moonclips and speed loaders to take up a lot of room, and generally be a PITA for me for everyday carry.

[Barth]

J-Frame - twin Bianchi Speed Strips.
K-Frame - twin Buffer Technologies' Jet Loaders.
N-Frame - twin Bianchi Speed Strips.

I rarely carry the big N-Frame.
And my two J-Frames are BUGs.

Of my revolvers, Special K is my prefered primary carry gun.
And of the speed loaders I've tried - Jet Loaders Rule!
I know some can reload a revolver as fast as an auto.
I'm not one of those guys - LOL!

BTW Special K is a S&W 65-3 SS 3" Heavy Barrel 357 Magnum.

[Planedude]

I like the Jet Loaders, don't own any, but have used them. I like my Safariland COMP I loaders as they seem really concealable with the small button top. The issue is every speedloader carrier made swallows them whole and is ridiculously oversized for the set up. I have a Galco holder set for them, but it is only for the range as I fear the rounds would fall out on the street. Seems the carriers are cut for large knobbed speedloaders.

I love moonclips in the J frame the best. Most folks think it is about it being faster to reload. Well it is, but Moonies are quicker because of the unload as much as the reload. Earlier I told about my fasted speed strip reload timed at the range one day. This was with my "house gun" Rossi three inch barreled "J frame" and just going at it for fun. The thing about that one run was all the empties ejected with one smart slap of the ejecting rod and fell at my feet. That has always been the exception over the rule. Seems one or two pieces of brass hang in the cylinder whenever I'm doing a fast reload. The extra short ejecting rod on the 642 only makes this issue worse. Can't put the new rounds in till all the fired brass is gone...
With the moonies, when all the combined mass starts into motion, it really tends to stay in motion. Policing the brass is easier too. Just have never seen a good product for carrying the Moon clips concealed.

[Barth]

I like the Jet Loaders, don't own any, but have used them. I like my Safariland COMP I loaders as they seem really concealable with the small button top. The issue is every speedloader carrier made swallows them whole and is ridiculously oversized for the set up. I have a Galco holder set for them, but it is only for the range as I fear the rounds would fall out on the street. Seems the carriers are cut for large knobbed speedloaders.



I use the Jet Loader Pouch for carry.
It's secure and works well.
http://www.buffertech.com/Assets/ProductImages/JLP.jpg

[kiki]

i love the sw j frames....had 442 for yrs....recently sold for upgrade to 360 pd...in 357...lil ***** bites in 357.....lol ;0)