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Hello.

As some of you know I've recently acquired a S&W 642 for pocket carry.
I see my self carrying this as a primary firearm sometimes for summer and while working.

I love this gun but don't love the idea of limiting myself to only having five rounds of ammo.

As I see it there are two options...Speed Strips or Speed Loaders.

I like the idea of speed strips because they can be carried in flat format verses speed loaders
which are bulkier.

Anyone willing to share thoughts on this subject ?

Yep! I carry one of these pouches with two 6 rd Quick Strips.

http://www.tuffproducts.com/product.php ... 271&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bianchi never saw fit to offer anything other than the .38 cal, 6 rd Speedstrip.

http://www.tuffproducts.com/product.php ... 265&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tuff Products Quickstrips are available in 5, 6, 7, 8 rd for .38 cal. (The longer 7, 8 won't fit in the pouch.)

The Bianchi (sp?) speed strips are great. They are flexable so with practice you can load two at a time (insert two rounds, cover with thumb, then bend and pull strip up and away and then repeat. It actually is a fast way to reload and much easier to carry.
Edit: Looks like I type slower than I can reload.

I carry a pair of Bianchi SpeedStrips in one of these handy belt-clip pouches Ripoffs-brand Model CO-184EP http://ripoffs.com/datasheets/co184/co184.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... originally intended as a cell phone case, this case fits two speed strips standing up vertically with the excess plastic "grip" of each strip right where you need it for quick retrieval. The strips are fully concealed with the pouch's velcro top flap closed.

I also really like that this case uses a sturdy and large metal belt clip (easily large enough to fit on a police officer's patrol belt - thus fits on any quality gun belt) instead of a stitched belt loop. I ALWAYS forget to thread my belt through a stitched belt loop on a holster like this, so it's handy to be able to just clip this one on.

They carry these at GT Distributors in Austin, but do a Google search and you'll find some online dealers. I think Amazon.com even stocks some of the Ripoffs-brand cases.

I occassionally carry HKS Speedloaders in an old Pentax camera pouch with a belt loop. But prefer the speed strips and Ripoffs pouch.

OK, It looks like speed strips are the way to go.
Thanks for the links. I'm probably going to order two strips and the pouch.

I'm sure with practice I can get accustomed to reloading with these.
Plus, I think it will be easier to carry than the speed loaders.

Speedstrips are slower but much easier to carry. I have at least one when I pocket carry.

boomerang wrote:Speedstrips are slower but much easier to carry. I have at least one when I pocket carry.

I have a speedloader that I practice with and carry on occasion, it is faster to reload, but the speedstrips are easier to carry.

+1 on the Tuff products pouch and strips. I carry two 5 round quick strips in one of their pouches. Looks to all the world to be a cell phone case.

I am comfortable with a speedloader loose in my other front pocket. I have been thinking about getting a strip for comparison, though.

TX CHL 1997
CO CHP 2005

Not to thread hijack, but how hard is it to carry a snubby in jeans or shorts? I just have a hard time thinking it wouldn't print, even in a pocket holster. Maybe I'm paranoid, but seems like you'd get a lot of "whats that bulge in your pocket" questions or looks...

74novaman wrote:Not to thread hijack, but how hard is it to carry a snubby in jeans or shorts? I just have a hard time thinking it wouldn't print, even in a pocket holster. Maybe I'm paranoid, but seems like you'd get a lot of "whats that bulge in your pocket" questions or looks...

I carried the LCP for a long time before the snub.

I actually feel like the snub prints less like a gun shape due to the curves
of the cylinder and grip..especially in a pocket holster.

To me the LCP ,even though is very slim, shows up as more of a distinctive "L" shape.

When wearing cargo style shorts/pants with nice deep pockets, a snub virtually disappears.

Convert to Moonclip. USA I can see as the next Jerry Miculek.
Jerry Miculek
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carlson1 wrote:Convert to Moonclip. USA I can see as the next Jerry Miculek.
Jerry Miculek
[youtube][/youtube]

Sorry, I blinked and missed the "reload" part.

Every time I see that it's just like....wow

USA1 wrote: I actually feel like the snub prints less like a gun shape due to the curves
of the cylinder and grip..especially in a pocket holster.

To me the LCP ,even though is very slim, shows up as more of a distinctive "L" shape.

I own both a snubby and an LCP and I agree completely with the above analysis. There are ways to break up the outline of an LCP with a good holster and it is considerably shorter, which makes it concealable in some pockets that would leave the end of a snubby grip sticking out. LCP is also lighter, which has beneifits in certain pockets.

But other than those very particular scenarios when LCP is all that will work, I usually pocket carry a snubby instead of the LCP. Plus - of course - the ballistics of a .38 +P from a snubby are superior to a .380 JHP from an LCP-size barrel.

I carry either a 44 spl snubbie and a 38 spl snubbie IWB...I carry a speed strip for which ever one I'm totin in my weak side front pocket. I've tried the speed loaders and find them too bulky. I also keep an extra speed strip for both in the center console of my truck in conjunction with the one in my pocket.
I've practiced with these and can reload pretty fast. (2 rounds at a time)