SWAPPING LOADED CYLINDERS

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

This is a reprint of a discussion from over a year ago (related to some comments on a current Wire thread re: "single round reload")

The initial question was sent to the ROC back in 2007.

 

Question regarding use of LOADED conversion cylinder being used for a stage reload when shooting “Pale Rider” style (i.e. one revolver with extra cylinder) or “Josey Wales” (substituting multiple revolvers or reloads for the rifle engagements).

 

Granted that neither of those are “officially recognized” categories, there are some shooters with only one revolver that are asking about reloading procedures and allowances during a stage.

Swapping LOADED cylinders (of ANY configuration) has never been approved for stage reloads.
That would include any cartridge or cartridge conversion cylinder carried to the line with the rounds already in the cylinder (e.g. in a belt pouch as in “Pale Rider”)
with or without the firing pin plate installed.

(There has always been a perceived danger if dropped while handling, same as a capped/loaded C&B cylinder).
 
IMO...the POUCH regulations would preclude carrying a LOADED cartridge cylinder or a capped percussion cylinder to swap for a stage reload.
"Pouches shall have a flap and must carry their contents loose, with no special provisions to organize the contents for rapid retrieval."
SHB p.11
 
That would (also IMO) carry over to any other method of taking an extra LOADED cylinder to the line (e.g. in a pocket)
FWIW - Uncapped & charged percussion cylinders may be carried as a reload, but may only be CAPPED on the clock during stage engagement. A C&B cylinder is not considered “loaded” until capped.
A complete reload for percussion revolver shooters is handled by staging a loaded, uncapped revolver down range or switching uncapped cylinders and capping on the clock.
SHB p.23/RO1 p.16/RO2 p.9

 

The above reference "pouch" rule pertains to the fact that the cylinder itself carries 5 (or six) rounds "organized...for quick retrieval" in that they are already pre-loaded in the cylinder. That is also contrary to the pouch regulations requiring that the ammo be carried “loose”. That same concern would apply to pocket or other methods of carry (IMO).
Carrying an empty cartridge cylinder and loading it on the clock (without having to unload empties from the original) might be the fastest, LEGAL, method of swapping them out...this would put it on about the same footing, timewise, as swapping out an uncapped percussion cylinder and capping it on the clock.
 
I've found some previous email discussions (see below) from back in 2007 that pretty much ended up in the same place.
(i.e. NOT LEGAL to carry a loaded cylinder to the line for stage reloads).

Subsequent discussions at the time addressed dropping/retrieving loaded cylinders as being the same as dropped ammo (rather than a dropped firearm).

That rule has since been deleted from the penalty overview.