Auto pistols rule the day, but revolvers still have a surprisingly strong following. That doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon. If you’re packing a wheelgun for your everyday carry piece, Galco has you covered with its Speedmaster 2.0 holster. In addition, the company also offers a host of spare ammo carriers. I had a chance to check out some new and updated options at SHOT Show and got a few for hands-on evaluation as well.

The Galco Speedmaster 2.0 Holster

My two carry revolvers are a 3-inch Ruger SP-101 and a 3-inch Smith & Wesson L frame. Finding holsters for the 3-inch L frame has never been easy. It’s an old Custom’s Service CS-1 that was issued right before they switched over to auto pistols. This was in the early 90’s, I believe.

It’s my favorite revolver, but finding a good holster for the L frame with a 3-inch barrel hasn’t been easy. The L frame fits holsters of the same size as a Colt Python. Fortunately, the recent influx of 3-inch Pythons has made some new holster options available. So, I jumped on the chance to upgrade my leather.

I’m a fan of the paddle holster and used them for over a decade working in plainclothes. So, it’s a system I’m used to. When I saw that the Speedmaster 2.0 was available for the 3-inch L frame, I knew I needed it.

The Speedmaster is an open-top holster with an adjustable tension unit and a neutral cant. It has a polymer paddle but also includes an interchangeable belt slot if you prefer securing your holster that way.

Premium Construction

Like all of Galco’s leather products, the Speedmaster is constructed of premium steerhide and perfectly executed. It’s hand molded to the lines of the gun, which works with the retention screw to provide additional retention.

The holster covers the trigger guard but still allows for a full grip on the draw. I like the convenience of sliding a paddle holster on and off. However, if you prefer the belt loop options, the slot is adjustable for ride height and will work on belts up to 1 3/4 inches wide. It’s available in either black or tan finishes, and I went with tan for mine.

There’s also a belt drop attachment available that lowers the holster’s position on your hip. This is pretty handy as it can increase the speed of your draw. Likewise, it also lowers the holster to clear other gear. I could see this being especially handy if you’re wearing a pack with a waist belt. It’s an option I’m going to look into for camping or hunting.

The Speedmaster 2.0 is a well-executed holster that rides well on the belt and stays secure with any decent belt. Retention is also excellent. I can shake the holster upside down and not have the heavy L frame drop out. Yet I can still clear leather with a smooth draw.

There is no manual retention, just the molding and tension screw. If you’re looking for a thumb snap or other secondary retention, something like Galco’s Switchback might be better for you.

For me, the Speedmaster was exactly what I wanted.

Ammo Options

With an updated way to carry my 686, I also need spare ammo. I always like to carry at least one reload off-duty or when bumming around the woods. Fortunately, Galco has a number of options available for the revolver user.

2x2x2 Ammo Carrier 2.0

The most basic is a simple, well-thought-out drop-style pouch. The 2x2x2 Ammo Carrier 2.0 holds six loose rounds in groups of two enclosed in a full flap pouch. It’s made of premium steerhide in black or tan finishes and will fit belts up to 1 ¾ inches.

It fastens to the belt with either belt loops or a quick off-and-on snap. When you pop the flap open, the inner carrier tilts forward, presenting the rounds in pairs for easy retrieval. It’s a nice low-profile way to carry a reload and easy to load from.

Maybe not as fast as a Galco E-Z Loader or speedloader, but it’s worlds better than loading from your pocket. It would be a great choice for carrying a hunting, hiking, or camping reload.

The 2x2x2 has an MSRP of $69.00.

E-Z Loader Carrier

Next up is the Belt E-Z Loader Carrier. Once again, it is made from premium steerhide and available in black or tan finishes. In addition, the EZ loader will fit belts up to 1 ¾ inches.

The pouch is designed to hold a Galco E-Z Loader cartridge strip or similar loader. These rubberized strips hold up to 6 rounds by snapping the rim into the rubber retention slots. To load, just pull the whole strip out of the pouch by the extended tab, line up two rounds at a time with your cylinder, and peel the rounds off. I’m a fan of this system as it keeps your ammo secure, carries flat, and is relatively fast.

The E-Z Loader carrier is open-topped but has a snap that goes over the cartridge strip to keep it securely in place. It is a very compact way to carry a reload. You could easily drop two on your belt if you want an additional reload without taking up too much waistband real estate.

The belt E-Z Loader Carrier’s MSRP is $99.00 and comes with one E-Z Loader sized for .38 special or .357 Magnum rounds.

Cobra Speedloader Carrier

Speedloaders are the fastest revolver reload. So, naturally, Galco has that covered as well with the Cobra Speedloader Carrier. As you’d expect by now, these too are made from premium steerhide, available in black or tan finish, and fit a 1 ¾ inch wide belt.

Like the 2x2x2 carrier, it fastens to the belt with either belt loops or a quick off-and-on snap. It’s a nice match for the Speedmaster holster, as you can put on or take off both the holster and speedloader pouch without taking off your belt.

The Cobra holds both K and L frame speedloaders and should also work with similarly sized Colt and Ruger speedloaders. I use HKS speedloaders, and they work perfectly.

The Cobra has a full leather flap with a snap for retention. When you pop the snap, the speedloader pouch tilts forward slightly, giving you easier access to the speedloader. Thus making for faster reloads.

I wouldn’t mind seeing a double-speedloader pouch set up like this. But as it is, the single pouch is compact and will work well for concealed carry.

MSRP on the Cobra Speedloader carrier is $69.99.

VZ Grips Boot Grip

Since I was dusting off my 686 for carry and outfitting it with a new holster and accessories, I also decided to reevaluate my grip choice. My 686 CS-1 was wearing a Pachmayr compact rubber grip, which is what I believe they were initially issued with.

It’s a good grip. It’s comfortable and helps with recoil, but it isn’t as compact as it could be. Not to mention, the rubber can catch on clothing. I have a set of VZ grips on my SP-101. So, that’s where I looked when I went for a new set of grips for the 686.

I ended up with a set of VZ Boot grips with the Tactical Diamond checkering pattern for round frame K and L frame Smiths. These grips leave the backstrap exposed but fill in the space between the trigger guard and the front of the frame to still give you a good-sized grip. They extend just past the bottom of the frame as well, so I can get my pinky on the grip for a full firing grip.

The Boot Grip is made from G10 laminate which is strong and resistant to chemicals and the elements. The Tactical Diamond checkering provides an aggressive grip, even if the gun or your hands are wet. Despite the fairly sharp checkering, they don’t chew your hands up when firing heavy .357 loads.

The VZ Boot grip is available in Black, gray, or brown laminates. Likewise, you can get them in smooth VZ 320 versions or the Tactical Diamond checkering like I got. The MSRP is $85.00 for either grip.

It’s a nice upgrade to my 686. It’s a little more compact and doesn’t catch on clothing. Not to mention, it’s also more durable than a wood grip and looks pretty sharp as well.

Final Thoughts

It may be the 21st Century, but revolvers are here to stay. So, it’s nice to see companies like Galco and VZ Grips still supporting the market.

The Speedmaster 2.0 is a great outside-the-waistband holster for both concealed carry with a cover garment and open carry. I was happy to find it for my slightly oddball 3-inch 686, but Galco offers it for a wide variety of other revolvers and auto pistols as well.

I love that the company has a variety of ammo carrier options as well, including the 2x2x2, the E-Z Loader carrier, and the Cobra Speedloader carrier. There should be a fit for just about anything between those three. Likewise, you have the option to switch things up depending on what and where you’re carrying that day.

I’d likely use the E-Z Loader or Speedloader carrier for EDC use. However, I can see the low-profile 2x2x2 being a nice option for hiking or hunting.

If you’re still carrying a revolver or thinking about doing so, Galco is a must-stop spot for your holster and ammo carrier shopping.

For more information, please visit GalcoGunleather.com and VZGrips.com.