Strong hand or weak hand quad load?

[runawaygun762]

I have discovered how atrocious I am with the shotgun this past weekend, and part of the reason is not being well-trained in loading. I have been using the Taccom duaload 16 up beltline, and I have gotten better, but I have been hesitant to really practice like I should because I knew early on I was getting rid of that crap and getting something better. I'm going to send the shotgun to either Accurate Iron or C-Rums once I can con the wife out of some money and I will be going to quad loads.

My question is for those of you who have practiced both strong and weak hand quadloading; I know it ultimately comes down to personal preference, but with zero experience doing it, and very little practice with dual loading, I haven't really developed a preference. It's like shooting left to right or right to left. I suck with both equally and don't have a preference.

Is there a mechanical benefit in terms of potential speed or economy of effort between the two?

 

[jtischauser]

I've learned to go both ways. At first it feels a little weird but you get used to it and it eventually makes you a better man.

When guns start on tables loading 2-4 Weakhand right off the table is fast. It's easier to work in close quarters with the gun up on your shoulder. And other things.

 

[runawaygun762]

I don't know if your first line was intended to be an advertisement for the "alternative lifestyle", but I think it's working on me, damn it.

I think my biggest concern with going weak hand quads is breaking the 180 if I'm moving along a linear stage. I also think I should hold off finding a preference until I get the gun worked on. I just tried the weak hand quad and it feels horrible, but that's mainly because I have to dig my thumb into the mag tube to get the rounds to lock in place.

 

[drmitchgibson]

I ended up not liking strong-hand quad loading at all. This winter I'll be practicing the Greg Jordan style of weak-hand quad loading.

 

[45recoil]

I ended up not liking strong-hand quad loading at all. This winter I'll be practicing the Greg Jordan style of weak-hand quad loading.

does he load a different way?

 

[theKenny]

I've learned to go both ways. At first it feels a little weird but you get used to it and it eventually makes you a better man.

When guns start on tables loading 2-4 Weakhand right off the table is fast. It's easier to work in close quarters with the gun up on your shoulder. And other things.

I just about snorted my coffe out my nose reading that first line.

 

[jtischauser]

I don't know if your first line was intended to be an advertisement for the "alternative lifestyle", but I think it's working on me, damn it.

I think my biggest concern with going weak hand quads is breaking the 180 if I'm moving along a linear stage. I also think I should hold off finding a preference until I get the gun worked on. I just tried the weak hand quad and it feels horrible, but that's mainly because I have to dig my thumb into the mag tube to get the rounds to lock in place.

No matter which hand you use when moving one direction or the other it will cause you to have to walk funny to avoid breaking the 180. Just like reloading pistol moving left for a right hander.

 

[MarkCO]

There are differences, and they are similar for Twins or Quads.

WeakHand: Allows you to keep the firing hand on the grip which can be beneficial if you have to operate the safety. You can also shoot some targets with the shotgun inverted, which can give you a huge advantage if the opportunity presents. You are less likely to fumble the movement from the shooting to the loading position. You can also select load one or two shells easier while keeping the gun mounted. The disadvantages are that the gun moves a little more so you can not be quite as forceful. Loading going to the weakside on the 180 does take a torso twist and it is a disadvantage.

StrongHand: Allows more loading force (speed) so it has a slight benefit if you really need to haul. The disadvantages are the the mount and dismount are more complicated and you have a slightly higher risk factor. If you have the strong hand down, you may need to learn some kind of weakhand load for the select load of one or two shells. It is a little better for loading while moving across the 180.

If you have good weakhand dexterity, it is probably good to run drills and see which one is faster. If your weakhand is a placeholder at the end of your arm, stick with stronghand.

With Quads, one thing to consider is the fumble factor. If you have enough room, the more aggressive Twins loading will result in a faster load while moving than Quads.

 

[drmitchgibson]

does he load a different way?

Look at Greg Jordan's Facebook wall at a post on August 3rd at 4:29PM. It's a video that will blow your mind.

 

[45recoil]

Look at Greg Jordan's Facebook wall at a post on August 3rd at 4:29PM. It's a video that will blow your mind.

Freaksihly fast...sure...but i thought he was doing it a different way. thats the way ive practiced weak hand load two/4, just not even close to that fast.

 

[Tuflehundon]

Most people I know that do this practice both ways. On some higher round count stages at larger matches you are going to need to be able to do both just due to space on your belt. Practice both and see which you are best with and use that side.

I am much faster strong side, and will load strong side 99% of the time, but still train both. Sometimes due to stage design it's better for me 180 wise to weak hand load.

 

[runawaygun762]

The weak hand quad load like Greg Jordan does it (Just not in fast forward mode like he does it) is the weak hand method I was referring to. I'll be quad loading one way or another.

 

[cajunautoxer]

Look at Greg Jordan's Facebook wall at a post on August 3rd at 4:29PM. It's a video that will blow your mind.

Wow

 

[runawaygun762]

So my question here is, how much work does a shotgun need to be that easy to load. Before anybody jumps on me, I realize the majority of that is skill, but unless he's got bionic arms, there has to be some work done to lifter and magazine spring, right? I'm hoping for a price list from Mike soon. I need to figure out how much elephant dung I have to sell at a gun show.

 

[jtischauser]

So my question here is, how much work does a shotgun need to be that easy to load. Before anybody jumps on me, I realize the majority of that is skill, but unless he's got bionic arms, there has to be some work done to lifter and magazine spring, right? I'm hoping for a price list from Mike soon. I need to figure out how much elephant dung I have to sell at a gun show.

You can drop dueces into just about anything. Quads require a little smoother load port. The bigger ususlly the easier it is until you do like I did and open it so far that shells start moving up and down and then only a corner of the shell catch is hitting the rim and the next thing you know two shells come out of the mag tube causing death jams.

 

[45recoil]

Ill agrer that getting adequate with both methods only benefits you more. Like jesse mentioned, staging a gun upside down for weakhanf loading is way faster than picking it up, toss it on shoulder then grabbing shells for strong hand. U can have the shells in weakhand while.moving to the pickup table. Ultimately it depends on the situation

 

[runawaygun762]

I agree with the benefit of being able to do it multiple ways. I think I'll stick with strong hand because I can keep practicing with the dual load setup I have now and have a shorter learning curve when I get the gun worked on and get the quad shell holders.