Ian in Vic,
Your points are just as flawed as your logic. Speed strips will never be an expedient method reloading and will never compete with the speed of a magazine reload. Tactical reloads are neither fantasy nor myth. While competing (or fighting) the advantage goes to the shooter who has the fewest actions to execute. More rounds means fewer reloads. One large magazine directed towards one large hole equals gross motor skills and a much simplified movement over reloading a revolver with any method described above.
Your point regarding waterborne operations is again dependent on the particular firearm, not the system. Revolvers will shed water from their inner workings better than most autos. This advantage however can be offset with the ability to fire(some) autos underwater or while full off water. In either case, both advantages are of little value.
A CQB environment and the advantages of the revolver are not as clear cut as you would have us believe. Again, the mindset and tactics employed come into play. Anyone who carries for protection or for a living is ill advised to allow someone within reaching/grabbing distance of themselves or their gear. This of course will not always be the case. That being said, any attempt at a "gun grab" is likely to result in your firearm not functioning. The autos do have the downside of an out of battery slide causing the firearm to fail. Revolvers also have a similar issue. Anyone who grabs your revolver around the cylinder will render it inoperable. Selecting a firearm(and system) based on the advantages/disadvantages of said system during an unlikely and preventable situation is not a good idea.
The notion that those running an auto rely on the "spray and pray" mentality is nothing more than an unsolicited attack against auto loaders and their proponents. More rounds means less reloading and more targets engaged before being REQUIRED to reload. Anytime you're engaged in an immediate action(anything other than firing) you are at risk. No one who understands the risks involved with defending ones life would fire only one or two rounds into an attacker with confidence that their shots were well placed and are sufficient to stop the attack. FIRE TILL THE FOE FALLS. The method works for all firearms. Unfortunately it doesn't lend itself well to revolvers, break actions, bolt actions, or muzzle loaders. No one teaches, preaches or practices the "spray and pray" technique.
870P,
I agree that reloading loose rounds is best accomplished with a revolver. Rounds go from pocket right into the gun. Skipping the magazine step of auto loaders. The equipment for just such a situation is not the deciding factor. Mindset and tactics are the issue at hand. Anyone running an auto and loose rounds needs some more training or a psychological evaluation. It is neither effective nor prudent to carry loose rounds for any system, let alone an auto.
TDC