The only other speed strip I previously had was a five round TUFF QuickStrip (sic) speed strip. To better prepare for testing the AHolster loading strip I carried it in a pocket for a week to get use to it. Here are a few brief reactions following that week’s carry exercise: Between the TUFF QuickStrip and the AHolster strip, the AHolster speed strip is longer and subsequently easier to grip and to use. I found that I could get a firm grip on it when it was carried in my right in my front pocket. This was true even when I was using gloves. When I first received the AHolster strip I found it was a little too stiff and I struggled a bit to load the rounds in. But I applied a little trick Michael de Bethencourt noted in one of his Snub Noir blog posts, and following a few minutes of warm water contact the strip worked flawlessly. Subsequently I took the strip out to a private range owned by a law enforcement friend where he and I tried the strip out using a Smith & Wesson J-frame five-shot 642 .38 snub. I found that I could consistently load my revolver quickly by loading two rounds, followed by two rounds, and then concluding with a single, last round. Both I and my friend found that the strip easy to reload with so much so that my friend reports that it is his new favorite speed strip and he subsequently didn’t (initially) want to give it back. As soon as the gentleman returned home he looked up AHolster’s web page and ordered a pair to carry while on duty. A notable recommendation. If you want to check out AHolster’s loading strips, be sure to note on your order that you are a Snub Noir members. Alan Miller, the owner of AHolster is offering Snub Noir members a “three for the price of two discount.” All you will need to do is decide between AHolster’s 5-, 6- or 8-socket versions.
