Show #22 - 09/05/07 Carrying the 1911, speedloaders and more..

[Marshal Halloway]

More on US Forest Service, carrying the 1911, speedloaders and Gun Owners For Fred Thompson

This week's references and learn more links :
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• Blade-Tech Holsters
       
• Brian Hoffner Holsters
       
• Alessi Holsters
       
• Alessi DOJ Holsters/Heinie
       
• HKS Speedloaders
       
• Gun Owners For Fred Thompson
     

   
http://www.downrange.tv/podcast.htm

[tnroadrunner]

Michael what about lefties using speedloaders?  I'm not fast but still use my speedloaders on the weak side.  Can you comment on this?

[DonWorsham]

It was good to hear Michael mention the lack of needing to carry a re-load. I carry a snubby in my pocket for the last 3 years (almost) but no reload. The stats say you are unlikely to need 5 rounds. Having said that, I keep a speed strip in the bedroom, another in my upstairs home office and a home made dump pouch in the car.

I'm carrying a new (to me) snubby since yesterday. S&W model 342 Ti. 38spl only no lock. 12oz loaded. Oh my what a difference from my 25oz Taurus 605!

[Majer]

Howdy Don,
I have the same pistol, and love it, The only changes I made were to put a spring kit in it and replaced the "Bantam" Grips with a pair of speigal "Boot Grips", I have thick fingers and the rubber S&W stock grips  just didn't fit my hand. I usually carry either a couple speed loaders or speed strips with me, better to have it and not need it ...

[DonWorsham]

The only changes I made were to put a spring kit in it and replaced the "Bantam" Grips

Majer, about the spring kit, was that to "lighten" the trigger pull? As for the grips I "think" I like thiese Bantams. On my S&W 642 and Taurus 605 I changed out the factory grips with Hogue Monogrips which gave me a full 3 finger grip. But on this S&W 342 I may stay with the Bantam.  I haven't shot it yet. I did shoot a rental 340PD .357 prior to my purchase with full power loads and while that hurt I was able to do follow up shots nicely.

I'm expecting to like the S&W 342 alot!

[Sponsor]

[Majer]

Don, The pistol I have had a VERY heavy trigger pull, so much so, that it was hard to shoot well. The spring kit and some smoothing of some burrs, helped a lot. I guess under a stress situation you wouldn't feel the heavy trigger but I still like a slightly lighter, smooth trigger

[hodman]

http://www.hellweg.com.au/

This is the link for the Hellweg Holster

http://www.shootingsystems.com/

Shooting systems is listed as the US Dist.

[fm451]

Michael, enjoyed your talk regarding holsters for the 1911 pistol.  I noted you discussed plastic holsters (Blade-Tech), and leather holsters (Alessi, etc.).  You didn't really touch on fabric/nylon holsters, such as sold by Uncle Mike's, Blackhawk, Orca, Bianchi, etc..
They haven't shown up on Shooting Gallery either. Just wondering what your thoughts were on the utility of cordura holsters for sport, shooting matches/IDPA, and self-defense.  Thanks!

[GUNS-R-US]

Just one thing about the speed loaders for revolvers. Michael you forgot to mention the Bianchi speed strips. their a great way to carry a reload, for I think everyone should have at least one reload. I think their almost as fast as the traditional speed loader if you practice with them, their also infinitely more conceilable. They lay flat in your pocket and holds 6 rounds. I’ve got the .38/.357 version for my J-frame and I’ve seen the .44sp/.44mag version at the store and on eBay. They might make other calibers but I’m not sure about that. As for me the round traditional speed loader is fine if your wearing a vest or jacket and I do keep one in my vest for when I’m wearing it. But i don’t think any body has ever said i brought way to much ammo to that gun fight!

[Revchuck]

Mike - I only just listened to this podcast, and I have to disagree with you on methods of carrying a speedloader.  I carry a revolver daily and shoot one in IDPA and USPSA.

A pocket is a bad place to carry a speedloader for the same reason it's a bad place to carry a magazine.  There's likely to be other stuff in that pocket, and that other stuff can get stuck in the spare ammo, somewhat slowing down the reload. Lint doesn't mess up a speedloader the way it can a magazine, but it doesn't help, either.

You can carry a speedloader on a belt without it looking like a goiter.  Just like a holster, how well it conceals depends what you're carrying the speedloader in.  Several companies offer speedloader carriers that carry the speedloader with three rounds on each side of the belt; Safariland, Don Hume, and Blade-Tech are among them.  When carried like this, they stick out less than a double-stack magazine.  My choice, for both carry and IDPA competition, is the Blade-Tech version that holds two speedloaders.  It's carried directly in front of the holster, and conceals well under the pseudo-Hawaiian square-bottomed shirts I get from Wal-Mart and other cheap places.

Two speedloaders?  Sure - I'm a strong believer in the concept that you can only carry too much spare ammo if you're swimming.