Oh boy, I never really knew how complicated revolver reloads can be. With an automatic, it’s simple. Drop the magazine, replace the magazine, rack the slide, and you’re in action! It’s not too tough, but that’s completely different when it comes to a revolver reload. The likelihood of reloading in a concealed carry situation is pretty low but not necessarily impossible. It’s optimistic.
I recently decided I wanted to learn the revolver reload. It turns out there’s more than one. As such, I started learning three, put them against a shot timer, and let it rip. With a Taurus 856 Defender, HKS Speed Loader, and a pocket full of hope and optimism, I tried my unskilled, newb, hands-on revolver reloads. I quickly discovered why there is more than one and went about learning their pros and cons the old-fashioned way by simply doing them.
The Universal Revolver Reload
The Universal Revolver Reload gets its name because, unsurprisingly, it’s universal. It works with big and small double-action revolvers without too many problems. You can also use it with a midsize fighting revolver or compact J-frame. Whether a Smith, Colt, or Ruger, you can use it.
We start with the revolver extended. When we run dry or want to reload, we use the firing hand’s thumb to release the cylinder. Our support hand pushes the cylinder outward and pins it in place. I use my pointer, middle finger, and thumb to hold the cylinder open. At the same time, we bring the revolver inward and turn it upward.
Gravity is our friend with revolver reloads. We break our firing grip as we turn the revolver so the barrel faces the sky. The firing hand comes across the top and gives the ejector rod a nice slap, ensuring it’s driven downward as far as possible.
Now, we go back to using gravity and turn our wrists to face the barrel downward. Our firing hand finds the speed loader and inserts it into the gun. Release the rounds and obtain a firing grip as your support hand closes the cylinder. Now, you are ready to engage.
Universal Reload Pros and Cons
First, the biggest thing the Universal Revolver Reload has going for it is compatibility with a wider variety of revolvers. It just works with each different type regardless of size or manufacturer. Second, it’s a very positive reload, and each step is purposeful and simple to accomplish. It relies on your dominant hand for all of the important steps. This tends to make things more intuitive and simplistic. Finally, you won’t have problems with ejection. Your dominant hand gives a good positive slap that ensures those empty rounds are ejected positively and completely.
The FBI Reload
The FBI reload, as the name implies, was the FBI method for getting a gun back in action. This technique is aimed at speed, and it’s likely the most common reload amongst competition shooters. The FBI reload starts a lot like the universal.
When you need to reload, bring the weapon inward and open the cylinder. Rotate the gun upward and pin the cylinder in place with your support hand fingers. Where things differ is ejection. As you open the cylinder, your support hand thumb pushes the ejection rod down. While doing so, your dominant hand retrieves the speed loader.
By the time your dominant hand returns, you should have ejected empty brass and rotated the gun downward for that second dose of gravity. Since your dominant hand is back in the mix, you’ll insert the reload and then close the revolver cylinder with your support hand as you reassume a firing position.
FBI Reload Pros and Cons
Speed—it’s all about speed. That’s a big reason why competition shooters love it. It’s definitely the fastest means to reload your wheelgun. It’s rapid and very intuitive. The reload works great with combat-sized, medium-frame revolvers. However, when using smaller guns with shorter ejection rods, we run into issues.
For example, these issues include the rounds simply failing to eject. The thumb doesn’t have that nice positive slap to give the rounds a little inertia to force them out of the gun. The shorter the ejection rod, the harder this is to achieve. This thumb ejection can also pump the ejection rod and cause the extractor to miss the cartridge rim.
This reload works well with 9mm revolvers using moon clips and full-length ejection rods. Other options in the revolver world might prove difficult.
The Stressfire Reload
Famed police officer, firearm instructor, and subject matter expert Mas Ayoob created the Stressfire reload in his original Stressfire manual. The Stressfire reload is similar to the Universal Revolver Reload and lends itself well to a wide variety of revolvers.
When the shooter decides to reload, they pull the revolver inward and release the cylinder. This is obviously a common theme with reloading revolvers. The cylinder is then opened, and the gun is rotated facing up by this point. Next, the shooter uses their support hand to slap the ejector rod while maintaining a firing grip.
Once the empties are ejected, rotate the gun downward, and the gun will sit between the thumb and pointer finger of your support hand. As your gun is rotating downward, your dominant hand then retrieves the speed loader and loads the cylinder. Close the gun and resume firing.
Stressfire Reload Pros and Cons
The Stressfire reload combines elements of the Universal Revolver Reload with the use of your support hand. It works well with most revolvers and provides consistent ejection. You don’t reach through the action, and with this method, you’re less likely to burn your hand on the forcing cone.
Since you’re using your support hand, a stuck case can be quickly dealt with, while a good smack will free most cases. Your support hand has free reign, whereas, in the Universal Technique, your support may partially block the dominant hand from freeing the cases. While the Stressfire Reload can be just as fast as the Universal, it isn’t as fast as the FBI reload. However, it’s fairly easy to complete and does provide a good intuitive reload.
Reloading Wheelguns
Reloading revolvers is quite complicated compared to automatics. In fact, it’s downright tricky to have multiple arms doing multiple things at once. It’s the reloading equivalent of patting your head while rubbing your belly. It’s not always easy, but it can be fun! The dopamine hit of getting a new personal best time on your shot timer is worth the effort alone. If you’re a wheel gun fan, you should treat yourself to mastering revolver reloads. It’s plenty of fun and a great way to spend your training time.
