Essential Revolver Reloading: The DeSantis Gunhide Swift Strip for .38 Special and .357 Magnum J-Frame Revolvers

In the realm of personal defense and responsible firearm ownership, preparedness is paramount. For those who rely on the enduring reliability of a revolver, particularly compact models like the iconic Smith & Wesson J-Frame, the question of how to efficiently and discreetly carry additional ammunition is critical. While revolvers are renowned for their simplicity and ruggedness, their relatively limited ammunition capacity often necessitates a practical solution for swift reloads. This is where the DeSantis Gunhide Swift Strip, specifically the T11BAZZZ0 model, emerges as an indispensable tool, meticulously engineered to address the very real challenges faced by revolver users in both everyday carry and critical situations.

Understanding the Need for Swift Reloads in Revolvers

Why is an efficient reloading solution so important for revolver owners?

• Limited Capacity: Most compact revolvers, including the S&W J-Frame, typically hold 5 or 6 rounds. In a defensive encounter, this capacity can be quickly expended.
• Slow Manual Reloads: Manually feeding individual rounds into a revolver's cylinder under stress is a slow, cumbersome, and often fumbling process, significantly delaying the ability to re-engage or defend oneself.
• Bulk of Traditional Speedloaders: While effective, many traditional speedloaders are bulky, making them difficult to conceal comfortably, especially for smaller revolvers or in everyday clothing.
• Loose Ammunition Inconvenience: Carrying loose rounds in a pocket or pouch leads to fumbling, lost ammunition, and an even slower reload process than individual feeding from a pocket.

The DeSantis Gunhide Swift Strip was conceived precisely to overcome these hurdles, offering a streamlined, compact, and highly effective method for carrying and deploying spare ammunition. It's a tool designed for the practical gun owner, the concealed carry holder, the law enforcement professional needing backup, or anyone who values readiness and efficiency.

DeSantis Gunhide Swift Strip: An In-Depth Look at its Design and Functionality

The DeSantis Gunhide Swift Strip (MPN: T11BAZZZ0) is a testament to thoughtful design, blending simplicity with high-performance functionality. Crafted from a robust, yet flexible, injection-molded polymer, this innovative accessory is engineered for durability and ease of use. Unlike rigid traditional speedloaders, the Swift Strip's flexible nature allows it to conform more readily to the body or to the contours of a pouch, enhancing comfort and discretion. The black finish provides a low-profile aesthetic, blending seamlessly with most carry setups.

This particular model is specifically designed to accommodate six rounds of either .38 Special or .357 Magnum ammunition. This dual-caliber compatibility is a significant advantage for users who might own revolvers chambered for both or switch between them for different purposes. The Swift Strip excels when paired with the popular Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolvers, including but not limited to models like the S&W 442, 642, 637, 638, 36, 60, and similar five- or six-shot variants. Its design ensures a snug fit for the cartridges, preventing rattling or accidental dislodgment, yet allowing for smooth extraction when needed.

One of the defining features of the Swift Strip is its ability to facilitate a "two-at-a-time" loading method. This technique, while requiring a bit of practice, significantly accelerates the reloading process compared to single-round insertion. The strip acts as a guide, presenting two rounds directly in line with two chambers, allowing them to be simultaneously inserted and then the strip peeled away. This method drastically cuts down on the time it takes to get critical rounds back into the cylinder, potentially making a life-saving difference in a high-stress scenario.

For maximum value and preparedness, DeSantis Gunhide thoughtfully packages the Swift Strip as a two-pack. This means that when you acquire this product, you immediately gain the capability to carry two sets of spare ammunition, effectively doubling your immediate reload capacity or allowing you to outfit two separate carry setups. This dual-pack approach also makes it an excellent choice for range practice, where multiple reloads are common.

Who Benefits Most from the DeSantis Swift Strip?

This product is ideal for a wide range of firearm enthusiasts and professionals:

• Concealed Carry Permit Holders: For those who carry a compact revolver for self-defense, the Swift Strip offers a slim, discreet way to carry spare ammunition without the bulk of a traditional speedloader. It fits comfortably in a pant pocket, shirt pocket, or a small pouch.
• Law Enforcement Officers (Off-Duty/Backup): Officers carrying a compact revolver as a backup weapon or for off-duty personal protection will find the Swift Strip invaluable for its minimal footprint and quick reload capability.
• Home Defense Enthusiasts: Having a Swift Strip readily available alongside a home defense revolver ensures that additional ammunition can be quickly accessed if needed.
• Range Shooters: Practice is key to proficiency. The Swift Strip allows for efficient reloading during range sessions, helping shooters practice their reload drills without constantly fumbling for loose rounds.
• Minimalists: For those who prioritize a low-profile and lightweight carry setup, the Swift Strip is an excellent choice over bulkier alternatives.

Practical Application: How to Use Your DeSantis Swift Strip

Mastering the use of the Swift Strip is straightforward, but like any skill, it benefits from practice. Here's a step-by-step guide to both loading the strip and performing a reload:

1. Loading the Swift Strip:

• Orient the Strip: Hold the Swift Strip with the side containing the six circular indentations facing up.
• Insert Cartridges: Press the rim of a .38 Special or .357 Magnum cartridge into each of the six indentations, ensuring the cartridge seats fully and securely. The flexible polymer will mold around the cartridge to hold it firmly in place.
• Verify Secure Fit: Gently tug on each cartridge to ensure it is properly seated and will not easily fall out during carry.

2. Performing a Reload with the Swift Strip:

• Open the Cylinder: With your revolver, depress the cylinder release latch and push the cylinder open.
• Eject Spent Casings: Use the ejector rod to forcefully eject all spent casings from the cylinder. Ensure the cylinder is completely clear.
• Align and Insert (Two at a Time): Take your loaded Swift Strip. Align two rounds on the strip with two empty chambers in the cylinder. Insert these two rounds into their respective chambers simultaneously.
• Pivot and Peel: While holding the Swift Strip against the cylinder, pivot the strip slightly away from the revolver's frame. As you pivot, gently peel the strip away from the two inserted rounds. The flexibility of the polymer allows it to easily release the rounds.
• Repeat: Shift the Swift Strip to align the next two rounds with the next two empty chambers. Repeat the insertion and peeling motion.
• Final Two Rounds: Repeat for the last two rounds.
• Close Cylinder: Once all chambers are loaded, firmly close the cylinder, ensuring it latches securely. Your revolver is now reloaded and ready.

Regular practice with an unloaded firearm (dry fire) is highly recommended to build muscle memory and improve the speed and fluidity of your reloads.

Why Choose the Flexible Polymer DeSantis Swift Strip Over Alternatives?

When considering spare ammunition solutions for a revolver, you'll encounter a few main categories: loose rounds, traditional speedloaders, and speed strips like the DeSantis Swift Strip. Each has its pros and cons, but the Swift Strip often strikes an optimal balance, particularly for concealed carry and everyday utility.

• Compared to Loose Rounds:
  • Massive Speed Improvement: The Swift Strip organizes ammunition, allowing for a two-at-a-time reload, which is exponentially faster than fumbling for and inserting individual cartridges.
  • Prevents Loss: Rounds are securely held, preventing them from scattering or being lost in a pocket or bag.
  • Reduced Fumbling: Eliminates the frustration of trying to pick up slick, small cartridges under pressure.
• Compared to Traditional Speedloaders:
  • Superior Concealment: This is arguably the Swift Strip's greatest advantage. Traditional speedloaders are often cylindrical and bulky, creating a noticeable bulge when carried. The flat, flexible profile of the Swift Strip makes it incredibly easy to conceal in a pocket, a small inner pouch, or even a wallet-sized compartment without printing.
  • Comfort: Its flat shape is far more comfortable against the body, especially when seated, compared to a rigid, cylindrical speedloader.
  • Less Snag Hazard: The smooth, flat surface is less likely to snag on clothing or other items when drawn.
  • Durability and Simplicity: With fewer moving parts than some mechanical speedloaders, the Swift Strip is inherently simpler and more robust, less prone to breakage or malfunction in harsh conditions. It's truly a "set it and forget it" solution until needed.

The Durability and Reliability of Injection-Molded Polymer

The choice of injection-molded polymer for the DeSantis Swift Strip is a deliberate one, contributing significantly to its overall performance and longevity. Polymer is an ideal material for this application due to:

• Exceptional Durability: It resists impact, abrasion, and most common chemicals, ensuring the strip holds up to years of daily carry and use, even in demanding environments.
• Flexibility: As highlighted, this is key to its compact nature and ease of use during reloading. The material allows the strip to bend and contour without breaking, facilitating the "peel-away" reloading method.
• Lightweight: Polymer is inherently lighter than metal, adding negligible weight to your carry setup.
• Temperature Stability: It performs reliably across a wide range of temperatures, from cold winter mornings to hot summer days, without becoming brittle or overly pliable.
• Corrosion Resistance: Unlike metal components, polymer is impervious to rust and corrosion, an important factor for an item that may be exposed to sweat or varying environmental conditions.

The engineering behind the DeSantis Swift Strip ensures that while it is flexible, it maintains sufficient rigidity to properly align cartridges during the reload, providing a reliable and repeatable process.

Optimizing Your Revolver Setup with the DeSantis Swift Strip

Integrating the DeSantis Swift Strip into your daily carry or range kit enhances overall preparedness. Consider these tips:

• Carry Multiple Strips: Since they come in a two-pack and are so compact, carrying two Swift Strips provides ample spare ammunition, especially for five-shot revolvers where one strip essentially provides a full reload and a second strip offers additional rounds.
• Practice Regularly: As with any defensive skill, consistent practice with the Swift Strip will make reloads faster and more instinctive under pressure.
• Designated Carry Spot: Identify a consistent, easily accessible spot for your Swift Strip – a dedicated pocket, a small pouch on your belt, or even a specific compartment in a carry bag. Consistency in placement reduces fumbling when seconds count.
• Pair with Quality Ammunition: While the Swift Strip reliably holds any standard .38 Special or .357 Magnum rounds, pairing it with high-quality defensive ammunition enhances your overall preparedness.

The DeSantis Gunhide Swift Strip is more than just an ammunition carrier; it’s a strategic accessory that significantly elevates the practicality and defensive capability of your revolver. It answers the fundamental question of how to be ready for the unexpected, providing a robust, discreet, and efficient solution for carrying essential spare rounds. For anyone who trusts their life to a .38 Special or .357 Magnum S&W J-Frame, the Swift Strip is not just an option, but a recommended component of a comprehensive personal defense strategy.

This essential tool, the DeSantis Gunhide Swift Strip, MPN T11BAZZZ0, is readily available to enhance your preparedness. You can find this invaluable two-pack of polymer speed strips at trusted retailers like DEGuns.com. Investing in the Swift Strip means investing in confidence, efficiency, and readiness for your revolver.

Feature	Detail	Compatibility
Brand	DeSantis Gunhide	N/A
Model	Swift Strip	N/A
Caliber	.38 Special, .357 Magnum	Revolvers in these calibers
Firearm Fit	Smith & Wesson J-Frame Revolvers	S&W 442, 642, 36, 60, etc.
Capacity	6 Rounds per strip	Optimal for 5-6 shot revolvers
Color	Black	Enhances concealment
Material	Flexible Injection-Molded Polymer	Durable, lightweight, non-corrosive
Quantity	2 Strips per Pack	Double the preparedness
UPC	792695322092	N/A
MPN	T11BAZZZ0	N/A