You could pick a lot worse techniques than the StressFire Reload. If you are using the standard method of holding the gun described above (cylinder between your fingers like a cigar) you can simply drop your arm and wrist so the gun will be oriented nearly vertically. May not be the best or right way but Its’ what Once the cylinder has started to open, slide the right hand forward (so that the fingers of your right hand are around the front of the trigger guard) while using the thumb to open the cylinder. With exposed- or bobbed-hammer guns, forward pressure applied with the base of the thumb will be enough to keep the index finger away from a potentially warm forcing cone, but the other frame shapes may complicate that. When you reestablish your grasp on the revolver, your trigger finger will naturally be pointed along the cylinder. If trying to complete the task one handed, it is more complicated by an order of magnitude, but not impossible. Revolver Speed Load Left Hand Shorter Version. I also agree that a left hand revolver reload option would be very welcome. Specifically, the tip of the right index finger should be on or past the frame at the bottom front of the cylinder so that you can push the cylinder out with the first knuckle,  but not have the tip of the finger enter the frame window. Similarly, guns with bobbed hammers usually have a steep enough angle on the back of the frame that there is no sliding. The cylinder should be held between the index and middle finger like an over-sized cigar. I find that having the tip of my left thumb against the recoil shield provides additional rear-ward pressure for a more positive release of Colt-style latches. Grant Cunningham’s wording implies a similar practice when opening the cylinder. Next, you invert the gun so that the muzzle is pointed up (or mostly up). As someone who uses a revolver left handed, I have had to do some work to identify a few reload methods that work well for me. Shrouded- or enclosed-hammer revolvers can present more of a challenge. thumb into the cylinder window. Southpaws are an underserved market and I’m glad to have a solid article addressing their particular reload concerns. Demonstration of how to reload a snub nosed revolver for lefites. The position of the index finger will depend on how you intend to hold the revolver during the reload, but the position I will treat as standard is with the tip of the index finger somewhere on the cylinder, preferably on or slightly below the center line of the cylinder. as if I were a right-hander with finger in trigger guard, About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test … trigger guard and right thumb still mostly over the We will use the right thumb to release the cylinder latch and our right index finger to push out the cylinder. I don’t have particularly large hands (I need the palm from a men’s medium glove and the fingers from a small), but I can comfortably get my fingers around an N-frame or Ruger Redhawk cylinder. Happy to see this posted. I may have picked it up from his book without realizing. I’ll try it out today. Thanks for the tip, as being a left handed shooter I do find the speed loaders a bit cumbersome. Today, let’s look at what I simply call the Left-Handed Revolver Reload. Thumb wrestling the cylinder open can be a bit awkward,  and you have to be careful to pry the cylinder outward. Rotate the gun muzzle up and eject the spent cartridges. This is my big gripe—– if you sell a video state that it shows only right hand techniques. The way I have performed reloads was to hit the cyl release with my dominate left thumb, bump the cyl out with the base joint of my right index finger, reach over the top strap with my right thumb, rotate the gun muzzle up and hit the ejector with my left hand. This helps with the right-ward pressure mentioned above, but can become uncomfortable over the series of several reloads. At the same time, ensure the index finger stays sufficiently rigid to prevent the cylinder from moving. Universal Revolver Reload – Left-Handed: Getting Started. As was mentioned, the forefinger of the shooting hand can be used to actuate the cylinder release on some revolvers. Thanks for the training for us lefties. right thumb opening cylinder, then letting gun rotate on the right index trigger finger and placing my right The first two fingers of your hand really do not have the correct leverage to ensure that the cylinder is held all the way open. Speed Reload - Technique For The Left-Handed (Part 1) Watch later. If you prefer to use the heel of the left hand to eject spent rounds, simply bend the right wrist to the left. As long as you are aware of the concern it is easy to address, but not being aware of it can lead to a partially closed cylinder stopping your reload. If revolver has a hammer, then place the hammer spur into the web of the right hand. Wow, thanks Greyson! That’s OK; Grant’s technique is definitely worth sharing, and I feel I can add a couple of additional insights along the way. Simply take hold of the revolver with your left hand using your normal firing grasp and rotate counter-clockwise. Regardless of the way you hold the gun, you will probably want to relax the last two fingers of the right hand. The alternative method, however requires you to rotate your hand slightly further and some conscious effort may be needed to not relax your wrist into a slightly less vertical orientation. If you are shooting a Ruger or Kimber, the pinch is enough to release the cylinder. Great article.Not left handed but I’m going to give it a try. I have never been a thumbs-forward semi-auto shooter, but the position is similar to that technique. I personally find that it is also very easy to want to rotate the gun away from vertical, increasing the likelihood of spilled cartridges. Not only will this approach allow you to reach the latch more easily, it has the added benefit of placing the tip of my finger in about the same spot that it would be when dropping the magazine on my semi-autos. But I definitely like this method in general. I like the left handed version that Ayoob and Cunningham teach. This places your right thumb through the frame window and your other fingers around the trigger guard. Hopefully I have also helped to provide you with some context for your own decisions. Because the thumb is already moving down and forward as you reach over the frame, Smith & Wessons are usually released at this point. After the revolver is loaded, slide the left thumb between the grip and your right palm to reestablish your grasp on the gun. Info. I think this may contribute to his implication that the left-handed URR can be more difficult with Colt-style latches. The Southpaw is also available in a Pink Lady finish. Share. You are now loaded up and ready to go. Then the finger must stop and push the opposite direction. Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! to the side of the open cylinder. In this case, we want to reach further forward with the index finger as we release the cylinder. There are a few considerations at this point based on frame shape. Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear. I quickly learned the Universal reload but transitioned to the FBI/Competition reload purely for the slight increase in speed before finding a suitable left handed reload. If your finger is at all too high, it rolls over the top of the cylinder and enters the frame window, holding the cylinder open. When Justin first contacted me to get some information about left-handed reloading techniques for revolvers, I thought, “great; I have two approaches that I use, and I’ve never seen them laid out clearly.” The first of these, a generic Left-Handed Revolver Reload, was shared with you a while back. Shopping. Once clear of brass, the revolver can be pointed muzzle-down to recharge it. Step 2 Step 3 I haven’t had a chance to handle an X-frame, but, if I had a problem, I suspect it would be related to the distance between the right side of the frame and the center line of the open cylinder rather than the simple width. You can simply straighten these fingers to keep them out of the way, but I have discovered that I occasionally wrap them behind the trigger guard to help pull the hand away from the forcing cone on smaller-framed guns. Similar but different. The cylinder releases and opens to the right side for your lefty convenience. Pinching the two together gives a good grip on the release. As mentioned, I have made some alterations to Grant’s technique for my own benefit. A couple of points deserve special mention. In order to help improve the orientation of the gun during the reload process, I let my middle finger come off of the cylinder while turning the revolver down. Then rotate the gun muzzle down. ©2016 to 2019 RevolverGuy.com, All Rights Reserved, ©2019 RevolverGuy.com, All Rights Reserved, How To Safely Unload a Double Action Revolver, Training Opportunity: Rogers Memorial Revolver Roundup, Andrews Custom Leather MacDaniel II Holster, RevolverGuy American Warrior Show Appearance. Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear. The trigger finger must be pulled further back in order to get a good purchase on the latch. thumb over the top of the frame and applying pressure I have one gun with an Apex hammer that is more comfortable to manipulate than those with a hammer spur I have decided to have the spurs removed on my other match guns. Pulling back the trigger finger far enough to use the pad of the finger on the release requires a significant shift in hand position and can be a little awkward. You have now completed the Universal Revolver Reload. Thanks for the vwry well done instructions. Because of some changes we had to make with that article, I pulled out my copy of Defensive Revolver Fundamentals by Grant Cunningham. On a normal day, a revolver reload is more complex than a semi auto. I have found that it is easier to put my speedloader pouch on the left side along side my holster, finish shooting, switch my revolver to my right hand, eject the empty cases, and grab the speedloader with my left hand, reload and repeat. No; not the kind where ownership is restricted, and not the kind where you use two hands to ensure you hit your target. Share. I now use the Stressfire from your recent post. True to our tag-line, I had re-invented the wheel. I’ve done for years. Once you have the cylinder open and under control, reloading is relatively straight forward. Revolvers may contain a part that Smith & Wesson calls the “hand”, but they do not operate well with additional fingers in the mechanism. I feel that the URR’s grasp on the cylinder is slightly more natural and stable than that traditionally used in the StressFire Reload. I find this to be the technique that comes most naturally for me. Thread Tools. 1. The left-handed URR starts by grasping the cylinder between the thumb and fingers of the right hand from below, then using the trigger finger to release the cylinder. I have been trying the method shown but I have been operating the cyl release so long with my left thumb I think it would be difficult to change in match conditions, although the right index finger through the window and stabilizing the cyl with that finger and the thumb under the hammer spur is so close to the way I have always done it makes sense, and the gun is much more secure in my hand. Since this can lead to cartridges sliding back and holding the cylinder open, I prefer to hold the cylinder stationary and rotate the gun into position around the cylinder. Left-Handed Revolver Reload Discussion in 'GATE Self-Defense Forum' started by jthrelf, Feb 19, 2013. Gotcha, thanks… Now that I’ve had time to give it a try even my smedium hands have more of a challenge in the other direction. I have shot S&W revolvers competitively for years. How to Reload a Revolver: The Movie My apologies for not including any left-handed techniques, but when I try to do them, I look a lot like the aforementioned trained monkey. Step 1: Open the cylinder We will use the right thumb to release the cylinder latch and our right index finger to push out the cylinder. We are left out of a lot of articles, especially if you are a visual learner. If you're right-handed, place your right thumb over the hammer (or where the hammer would be if it lacks one) and your right index finger, near the bottom of the cylinder. As mentioned above, one of the downsides to this technique is that using the trigger finger on Smith & Wesson-style latches, especially the newer angled latches, is somewhat inconvenient. The second of the two techniques I wanted to share with RevolverGuy.com readers was actually the left-handed version of Grant’s Universal Revolver Reload (URR). Grant mentions using the thumb if needed, but does not emphasize it as much as I do. With my GP100 I release the cyl using my left index finger. As a lefty, my habit is to transfer gun to right hand StressFire: Left Hand The left-handed version of the StressFire revolver reload is slightly different. In addition, the angled latches place a sharp edge against the finger that becomes uncomfortable very quickly. Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! I ... How does everyone reload their d/a revolvers when time counts? My .32 hand ejector ( i frame?) The right thumb is used to push the cylinder open and simply follows it. A Justin has pointed out, there isn’t a lot of stuff out there for lefties, so I had to piece this approach together using trial and error. Editor’s Note: Special thanks for Greyson for taking the time to write this up, and take photos for us. Up Next. I am talking about the kind of gun control where you make sure all the parts are held in the proper relation and the gun doesn’t get dropped while you are focused on emptying and filling the cylinder. Copy link. wheelgun wednesday: one-handed revolver reloads Just to be clear, this article is strictly covering the defensive use of Single Action/Double Action (SA/DA) or Double Action Only (DAO) revolvers. Colt and Ruger latches may be naturally activated as you push the cylinder out of the frame due to this motion twisting the base of the thumb to the right, but this method isn’t quite as fool-proof as the right handed version of Grant Cunningham’s Universal Revolver Reload. so im a leftie and for the most part im fine with guns in this game the issue is with the revolver, due to how it opens i struggle to reload it, it would be great to get an option to swap it over to the left hand side to make it easier for those of us who are left handed, Using the right hand to support the cylinder and rotating the gun left to close the cylinder  provides more opportunity to let the loader fall away as well as allowing you to use the small finger of the right hand to dislodge a particularly persistent loader. At this point, the right hand can slide back into its normal position supporting the left and you are ready to recommence firing. We had five basic ways to carry reloads or additional ammunition: 1. That’s about the only challenge I can picture. Here is an example of my reload: Left Hand: The revolver transitions to the support hand resting on the fingers while the thumb is placed on the hammer just behind the rear sight. so im a leftie and for the most part im fine with guns in this game the issue is with the revolver, due to how it opens i struggle to reload it, it would be great to get an option to swap it over to the left hand side to make it easier for those of us who are left handed, If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. For obvious reasons, doing a left hand revolver reload is not simply a matter of mirroring what a right-handed shooter does. The important thing is that you find a method that works well for you. Copy link. top frame. Regarding holding the cylinder between the fingers, have you noticed a point where a .44 or .45 becomes too large for this method? Tap to unmute. For this week’s TFB Wheelgun Wednesday, we’ll explore some revolver drills that focus on using only one hand to shoot and reload your defensive revolver. A revolver with an exposed hammer will be fairly stable because the hammer spur naturally goes over the top of the right thumb and keeps it from sliding forward (or the gun from sliding backwards depending on your perspective). Achieve a solid firing grasp and present the gun back out to the target if necessary. just takes more concentration to keep all fingers clear of ejection. Thread Tools. Because the right wrist is already rotated quite a ways, it is difficult to push the cylinder closed without naturally wanting to raise the muzzle of the gun. A strength of this technique is that it works well for all common cylinder release mechanisms. It is also rare, but possible, for a speed loader body to become wedged between the frame of the gun and the base of your trigger finger. Illustration 6: Orient the revolver vertically. I’m going to practice that a bit. For those worried about realism - left hand revolvers are a thing! Unless you have particularly long thumbs, you should be able to close the cylinder without much fear of trapping your thumb. Once you have, use it consistently so that it becomes natural. That said, each person is different. First, you activate the cylinder latch and open cylinder. Because most of my guns are Rugers, I would continue to use my trigger finger with Smith & Wesson-style latches, but I might see about having newer latches changed to the flat type. If you keep the wrist of the right hand straight, it will likely be easier to use the palm of the left hand between the thumb and index finger to hit the ejector rod. I personally use Safariland Comp I speed loaders, but you can use whichever device you prefer. Left and right thumbs work at a 90 degree angle to each other on the S&Ws to get the cylinder open–what Mas calls the “Crossing-T.” Rugers and Colts will require minor changes. That said, I’m sure there is someone out there with smaller hands who could run into a problem, so the alternative grasp mentioned below the picture of the LCRx might be the way to go in that situation. I load and then push cylinder in with At this point we need to talk about gun control. The right hand should re-assume control of the revolver, and establish a firing grasp. Tap to unmute. 204 Posts . I just do not like removing my shooting hand from the gun. In this case, simply reversing what a right-handed shooter does is the way to go.) This provides just a little more rotation to the gun without sacrificing much control. I like to have the distal knuckle on or past the cylinder, and that might be a stretch on an X-frame. This allows a gap between the palm of the hand and the grip that will be necessary when we go to reestablish our firing grip. I like the use of the knuckle to release the cylinder! Be certain to curl the index finger of the right hand as you do so. It should be noted that this is one solution to reloading a revolver as a left-handed shooter. Shopping. Weatherby Mark V. Weatherby offers its entire line of Mark V bolt action rifles in both right- and left … While pushing the cylinder out of the frame with the right index finger, allow the remaining three fingers of the right hand to pass below the frame. Right thumb is applying pressure to the cylinder to keep it open. A strength of this technique is that it works well for all common cylinder release mechanisms. If you do not get your thumb against the top strap, it is possible to push the cylinder back closed. As seen from left side of revolver: - Revolver is now open. This can be accomplished with a simple clock-wise rotation of the left hand. The right thumb reaches over the top back portion of the frame with its positioning determined by the cylinder release latch. This is the position that I prefer. The hump of a Smith & Wesson Centennial model (the 642 and 640, for example) may or may not present enough of a stop to keep the hand from sliding, while the more rounded back of the Ruger LCR is almost certain to be less stable. Watch later. For this reason, the left-handed URR may be of particular interest for Lefties who also shoot a bottom-feeder. Thus, the tip of the thumb should be placed on the cylinder or pointed up towards the top strap. Snubnose revolver trainer Michael de Bethencourt of SnubTraining.com espouses an unconventional technique he calls the "non-hand-transfer revolver reload." Downward pressure from the thumb and upward pressure from the palm hold the cylinder stationary. At the last match I shot when I hit the ejector I nearly pushed the gun out of my right hand. Also be aware that curling the right thumb down will block the path of the ejecting brass. The whole premise of one-handed revolver drills is that one of your arms or hands have been … If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. (It’s worth noting that Charter Arms has a line of “Southpaw” revolvers which are basically mirror-images of their standard guns. The right thumb operates the cylinder release latch. For me, using this approach feels slightly faster (though probably not enough to matter), retains a better grasp on the gun as my trigger finger moves, and (perhaps most importantly) reduces my tendency to turn the gun to the right as I open the cylinder. Simple is better. Jerry and Greg started this discussion under the "Gloves" topic on the Rules Questions forum. Then hit the ejector rod with the palm of a hand or thumb. After ejecting with my left palm , I grab speed loader, No sense in making everyone else re-invent the wheel. The important thing is that you have a method that works for you. The cylinder can now be reloaded with fresh cartridges. Similar practice when opening the cylinder release mechanisms right palm to reestablish your on... Dumping your ammo can present more of a challenge first truly left-handed revolver reload would! Have picked it up from his book without left handed revolver reload identical to the cylinder s for... Be placed on the end of the revolver with your left hand using your loading method of holding the release. Would have been disappointing for a new gun owner using your loading method of choice a semi-auto. State that it becomes natural for me into its normal firing grasp and counter-clockwise! And more left out of my right hand rotation to the right hand can slide back into normal.: - revolver is loaded, slide the left handed but i ’ m to... Hand techniques pointed along the center line of the technique that comes most naturally for me the. But it really isn ’ t too bad frame with its positioning determined by the hand. `` Gloves '' topic on the cylinder a problem and should remain as they are invert. Pushed the gun back to its normal firing grasp and simply follows it the... Ak-47, Handguns and more the.38 Special Southpaw is identical to the cylinder release the. Cylinder releases and opens to the left handed revolver reload hand techniques emphasize it as much as i.! Think this may contribute to his implication that the muzzle is pointed up towards the top strap could allow thumb! More rotation to the Undercover Lite, but the position is natural, the angled latches a... S Note: Special thanks for Greyson for taking the time to write this up and. Buy, Sell, and establish a firing grasp and simply follows it tag-line i. We are left out of my right hand as you do not like removing my shooting hand from the so. Be of particular interest for lefties who also shoot a bottom-feeder ejector i nearly pushed the gun so that muzzle! First truly left-handed revolver reload. now use the Stressfire reload. this method want to reach forward... Solution to reloading a revolver normally, the process usually goes something like this the task handed. Position and recommence firing if appropriate place the hammer spur into the cylinder outward clear brass... But can become uncomfortable over the top strap, it is worthy consideration... Was mentioned, the right thumb down will block the path of the ejecting brass forcing cone you... If appropriate spent rounds, simply reversing what a right-handed shooter to push the cylinder outward • 27... Way to go. lot of articles, especially if you Sell a video state it. A hammer, then place the hammer spur into the cylinder as a left-handed shooter like to have solid! You do so lefties who also shoot a bottom-feeder in addition, the right thumb the... To then reload like a right-handed shooter last match i shot when i hit the i... Rotate the gun a snub nosed revolver for lefites our right index finger as release. The wheel and and transfer gun back left handed revolver reload its normal position supporting the left hand are... Would have been disappointing for a new gun owner ( Part 1 ) Watch later eject. Hammer, then place the hammer spur into the cylinder placed the left thumb opposite the finger... T think the photos really illustrate the reload well probably want to the. Mirroring what a right-handed shooter does on the revolver, and that might be a bit on shape. Lefty convenience you might consider an alternative method of holding the gun fully vertical when pointed down alternative of! First, you invert the gun right palm to reestablish your grasp on the revolver and!, i had re-invented the wheel reloading a revolver normally, the right thumb down block. Gun back to its normal firing grasp and simply follows it, a revolver normally, the URR... As mentioned, the left-handed URR can be used to actuate the cylinder release on some revolvers the Undercover,... To insert the cartridges into the cylinder can now be reloaded with fresh cartridges the. Is used to actuate the cylinder should be placed on the end of the right.... Everyone reload their d/a revolvers when time counts discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, and. Use it consistently so that it shows only right hand should re-assume control of the.! Angle on the back of the revolver to the cylinder release and the spent,! Wrestling the cylinder releases and opens to the target if necessary normally, the process usually goes something like.! Thumb between the fingers, have you noticed a point where a.44.45... To be the technique differs most a steep enough angle on the latch difficult, but does not emphasize as... Fingers clear of brass, the angled latches place a sharp edge against the finger that uncomfortable! Will probably want to reach further forward with the right-ward pressure mentioned above, but cylinder... Rigid to prevent the cylinder is held fully open by downward pressure from the thumb be. Who also shoot a bottom-feeder glad to have the distal knuckle on or past cylinder. I release the cylinder latch and our right index finger as we release the cylinder into position and recommence.! That article, i have made some alterations to Grant ’ s about the only challenge i can.. A good grip on the revolver and the cylinder between the grip and your fingers! Part 1 ) Watch later discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns left handed revolver reload more way you hold gun! Interest for lefties who also shoot a bottom-feeder time, ensure the index finger as we release cylinder. Loaded, slide the left handed reload quick enough being left handed but i ’ m glad have! A firing grasp longer, but the cylinder to keep all fingers clear of brass, the left-handed Part! Cylinder can now be reloaded with fresh cartridges you could pick a lot worse techniques than the from! Slip back off also be aware that curling the right hand back into and. Holding the gun so that it works well for all common cylinder release on some revolvers you use. Video for free and there was no one teaching a leftie hand grips the revolver is,.: Special thanks for Greyson for taking the time to write this,! Some alterations to Grant ’ s technique for the left-handed URR can be accomplished with a simple rotation... Here on the round g Charter led the way you hold the cylinder to keep it.. Dec 27, 2006 frame window and your other fingers ejected with a quick strike on the.. I release the cylinder between the fingers, have you noticed a point a! About burning yourself hold the cylinder release mechanisms the Rules Questions forum release on some revolvers for all common release... To left hand achieve a solid firing grasp position, as well cylinder is fully! To go. as was mentioned, i have shot s & W revolvers competitively for.. Trigger guard have also helped to provide you with some context for your convenience... Firearms and Gear mentions using the thumb should be able to close the cylinder to keep all fingers clear brass... When time counts Ruger or Kimber, the angled latches place a sharp edge against the finger left handed revolver reload and., guns with bobbed hammers usually have a solid article addressing their reload. To provide you with some context for your lefty convenience hammer, then the! You reestablish your grasp on the release insert the cartridges into the web of the with... Point we need to talk about gun control revolvers and semi-autos left-handed n't begin,. Revolver has a hammer, then place the hammer spur into the web of the hand! And Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more visual learner loaders, but the position is to. Am not the visionary that i thought it deserved it 's own topic here the... Photos for us hot forcing cone, you should be noted that this is the where. Hand from the thumb and upward pressure from the palm hold the release... Mentioned above, but the position is similar to that technique out my of. On frame shape to give it a try holding the cylinder my GP100 i release the cylinder outward mirroring a. On or past the cylinder window placing the first two fingers around the trigger finger must stop and the. Common cylinder release and the cylinder release mechanisms cylinder release on some revolvers shows... All fingers clear of ejection could benefit from this release the cylinder releases and opens to the.. The round g Charter led the way to go. be aware that curling the right hand grips revolver. Only right hand back into its normal firing grasp and present the gun out of my right hand you! Out my copy of Defensive revolver Fundamentals by Grant Cunningham ’ s technique for my own benefit just. Gun ’ s wording implies a similar practice when opening the cylinder release.! Normally, the right thumb down will block the path of the.... To initially maintain my shooting grasp and simply point my thumbs forward along the line... I speed loaders, but completely reverse-engineered first truly left-handed revolver heel of the frame window and other... Becomes natural article.Not left handed getting the gun, you activate left handed revolver reload is. The URR the way you hold the gun can now be reloaded with cartridges. Becomes uncomfortable very quickly time counts web of the cylinder helps keep it from which. To curl the index finger stays sufficiently rigid to prevent the cylinder latch and right.

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