Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct Review

First Thoughts on the Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct

The Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct offer a straightforward solution to a problem every shotgun owner faces: quickly and efficiently reloading a shotgun, especially a pump-action or single-shot model. Tuff Products aims to provide a compact and reliable way to carry extra ammunition, and these bright orange speed strips promise to be easily visible even in challenging conditions. After years of fumbling with loose shells or bulky shell carriers, the promise of a streamlined, quick-reload system was very appealing.

I’ve always struggled with quickly reloading my 12-gauge during hunting trips, especially when waterfowl are incoming. Loose shells in my vest pockets are a mess, and traditional shell carriers can be cumbersome. The Tuff Products Quickstrips offered a potential solution to both problems: easy carry and rapid reloading.

Upon unboxing, the Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct felt surprisingly robust. The injection-molded urethane material is flexible yet feels durable enough to withstand the rigors of field use. The bright orange color is definitely eye-catching, ensuring they won’t be easily lost in the field or in a gear bag.

Compared to other shell-carrying options like shell belts or side-saddle shell holders, the Tuff Products Quickstrips are significantly more compact and lighter. I considered alternatives like the TacStar side-saddle for my Remington 870, but the added weight and bulk were a concern. These strips seemed like a minimalist solution, offering quick access without significantly altering the balance of the shotgun.

My initial reaction was cautiously optimistic. The simplicity of the design is appealing, but I was eager to see how well they would perform in real-world situations and how quickly they could facilitate reloads under pressure. The bright color and compact design certainly piqued my interest, but the true test would be in their functionality and durability.

Real-World Testing: Putting Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial test of the Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct took place at the local shooting range. I wanted to simulate a hunting scenario, focusing on rapid reloads with gloves on. The range offered a controlled environment to get comfortable with the strips before heading into the field.

The speed strips performed reasonably well in dry conditions. Loading two shells at a time into my pump-action shotgun was relatively easy, although slightly slower than loading individual shells. The urethane material provided enough grip to hold the shells securely, but not so much that it hindered their release during reloading.

I did find that the strips became slightly more difficult to manipulate with wet gloves. The reduced grip made it a bit harder to seat the shells properly during the loading process. This highlighted the importance of practicing with the strips in various conditions to build muscle memory.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months of use, including multiple hunting trips and range sessions, the Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct have proven to be fairly reliable. There are minimal signs of wear and tear on the urethane material, even after being exposed to dirt, mud, and varying temperatures. The bright orange color has remained vibrant, making them easy to locate in my gear bag.

I noticed some slight stretching of the urethane after repeated loading and unloading. This stretching hasn’t noticeably impacted their functionality, but it’s a point to monitor over continued use. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water has helped to maintain their flexibility and prevent any buildup of grime or debris.

Compared to carrying loose shells, the Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct have significantly improved my reloading speed and efficiency. However, they haven’t completely replaced my shell carrier in all scenarios. For longer hunts where a large volume of ammunition is needed, the shell carrier still offers a higher capacity. The strips are better suited for situations where a quick top-off is needed.

Breaking Down the Features of Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct

Specifications

• Caliber: 12 Gauge. The Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct are specifically designed to hold 12-gauge shotgun shells.

• Capacity: 6 Rounds per Strip. Each strip holds six 12-gauge shells, providing a decent amount of readily accessible ammunition.

• Material: Injection Molded Flexible Urethane. This material provides both durability and flexibility, allowing the shells to be held securely yet easily released.

• Color: Bright Orange. The bright orange color enhances visibility, making the strips easy to find even in low-light conditions or cluttered environments.

• Quantity: 2 Strips per Pack. The package includes two strips, providing a total of 12 rounds of readily accessible ammunition.

Performance & Functionality

The Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct perform their primary function of holding and dispensing shotgun shells reasonably well. Reloading two shells at a time is faster than loading individual shells, but it requires some practice to become proficient. The strips work best with standard-length 12-gauge shells; longer magnum loads can be a bit more difficult to seat and release.

The major strength lies in their compact and lightweight design, making them easy to carry in a pocket, pouch, or gear bag. A potential weakness is the difficulty in manipulating them with very thick gloves. With some practice, however, this can be mitigated.

The Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct largely meet expectations. They provide a streamlined and convenient way to carry and reload extra shotgun shells, especially for hunting or tactical applications.

Design & Ergonomics

The Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct are simple yet effective in their design. The flexible urethane material is easy to grip, and the bright orange color enhances visibility.

The strips are generally user-friendly, though there is a slight learning curve involved in mastering the two-shell loading technique. The contoured shape of the strips makes them comfortable to hold and manipulate.

Durability & Maintenance

The injection-molded urethane material is fairly durable and resistant to wear and tear. The Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct should last for several seasons of regular use, provided they are properly maintained.

Maintenance is simple, requiring only occasional cleaning with mild soap and water to remove dirt and grime. Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures or harsh chemicals, which could degrade the urethane material.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct are fairly simple and do not feature any specific customization options. The user can modify the way they are carried using different pouches or clips.

The Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct are inherently compatible with any standard 12-gauge shotgun shells, regardless of brand. They also work with most shell pouches and carriers designed for shotgun ammunition.

Pros and Cons of Tuff Products Quickstrips Speed Strips 12 ga 6/rd Orange 2/ct