Ruger SP101 speedloaders

[Trent]

I picked up some HKS speedloaders for my Ruger SP101.

However, it's VERY difficult to get them aligned.

I've added Hogue grips to the SP101, but even with the stock grips on, it's still really hard to get the cartridges aligned and in.

Is this because of the SP101's design? Am I doing something wrong? Did I get the wrong brand of speedloaders?

 

[matrem]

I have some HKS 36s that work fine, but mine also still has the stock Ruger grip.

 

[788Ham]

^^^^ Same as mine^^^^^

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I'm assuming your sp101 is .357 or .38 so any j frame smith speedloader will work.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have some HKS 36s that work fine, but mine also still has the stock Ruger grip.

^^^^^mine too^^^^^

 

[sidheshooter]

hogue makes it harder. Stock is best for the HKS that I've tried, though I've read that the recent badgers are ok as well.

 

[jad0110]

Also, I've always found that revolvers with an odd number of chambers (5 or 7 for instance) are harder to load for some reason than ones with an even number (6).

 

[jon86]

If it were me, I would sand down the grips. I wouldn't really care how it looks. It is always concealed anyway.

 

[leadcounsel]

Return the speedloaders.

Use speed strips. Cheaper, and they lay flat in your pocket. Very easy to use.

Versatile for all revolvers too.

 

[Trent]

The stock Ruger grip abuses my hand with heavy loads (thumb knuckle rubs the top of the speed-loader cut out).

The Hogue solved THAT issue, but now speedloaders won't feed.

Guess I can't really have it both ways. I'll look in to those speed strips.

 

[beag_nut]

I have the 4" SP, with Hogue grips I added later. The Safariland speedloaders work perfectly for me. They are also much quicker in filling the cylinder, though trickier when loading up the speedloader itself. Threw out all my HKS ones.

 

[Fast Frank]

I have a Ruger Speed Six.

When I started carrying it, I played around with speed loaders.

It was a fumble-fest. I had to align the bullets perfectly with the holes in the cylinder, or they just would not go in.

After fiddling around with it for a while, I gave up on it.

Then, later on, I got tired of the hammer chewing on me where it's knurled on top. It would rub the hide right off me. The edges of the hammer were like a sawblade.

So, I started "De-Horning" the pistol.

I worked it over, and rounded the many sharp 90 degree edges on the pistol and dulled all the sharp edges it had.

And it was during this process that I noticed the rear edge of the chambers.

They were a sharp 90 degree edge. Hmmm...

So, I took a bullet and watched carefully as I inserted it into the chamber.

Yep, no doubt about it- that sharp edge was digging into the soft bullet and making it difficult to put the bullet in.

I gently applied a small bevel to the rear edge of the chamber, and to the ejector star, so it was nice and smooth all the way around.

I'm not talking about a big funnel on the chamber, just a very small bevel maybe 30 thousandths across.

I did it by hand with a small round file and some emery paper and then blended it to the pistol's finish with a fine scotch brite pad.

After that, rounds just drop into the chamber.

Loading is FAR easier now, and the speedloader is much simpler to use. (But I prefer the Speed Strips)

I know that somebody is going to say the case is going to blow out where I removed support but the pistol has been fired a lot since then and the cases show no sign of stress around the head.

Take a look at your pistol. If your chambers have a sharp edge you might want to think about a little bevel action there.

It sure made mine handle better.

 

[MK11]

Safariland Comps work fine with my Hogue-grip SP101 and I much prefer them to HKS. HKS worked fine with the stock grip (haven't tried them with the Hogues).

 

[Drail]

Revolver shooters have been fighting this problem for many years. Almost all revolver grips require some modification to work with speedloaders. Every set I own has been relieved to work with speedloaders. The people who design speedloaders and the people who design grips are from different planets and do not talk to each other. A Dremel is a wonderful tool.

 

[JJE]

I have Pachmayr Compac grips on my SP101 which are maybe a hair bigger than the stock grips and I load every single round I shoot out of the SP101 with HKS 36A speedloaders. The loaders won't sit parallel to the gun bore, so instead of trying to get the nose of the rounds fully into the chambers (I can't because they are slightly cocked), I just get the noses barely into the chambers and then release them. It works consistently and I don't sweat the fact that the fit isn't perfect.

 

[wheelyfun66]

I have Pachmayr Compac grips on my SP101 which are maybe a hair bigger than the stock grips and I load every single round I shoot out of the SP101 with HKS 36A speedloaders. The loaders won't sit parallel to the gun bore, so instead of trying to get the nose of the rounds fully into the chambers (I can't because they are slightly cocked), I just get the noses barely into the chambers and then release them. It works consistently and I don't sweat the fact that the fit isn't perfect.

This.....

 

[GambJoe]

Use HKS loader's with my 357 SP 101 and true it really doesn't go in that easily but if you rotate the cylinder slightly to get the loader further from the grip they will drop right in. In other words the bullets won't be exactly perpendicular to the bottom of the cylinder. Shaking the loader helps too.

I don't know if it would work with wad cutters or bullets without a radius but it is faster then loading by one by one.

 

[bikerdoc]

Got a set of really expensive Esmeralda grips on mine. no joy with speed loaders but speed strips and a lot of practice and all is well.

 

[Trent]

The grips stay as is, I finally got this thing comfortable to shoot even heavy loads. Well, as comfortable as a full house load is gonna be out of the thing, I guess. At least it's not excruciating to shoot 158gr magnums anymore. (Didn't bruise my hand this time!)

I can get the rounds in *usually* with partial insertion, sometime one will get unruly and fall over before it goes in.

The thing is though, with it being difficult to place, that's going to be a fine motor skill, which kind of sucks for self defense. Going to take loads of practice to get smooth and reliable at it.

 

[L-Frame]

+1 on the Safariland Comp I's. Far superior to the HKS's in my opinion.

 

[Trent]

I suppose I could order the speed strips and the Safariland Comp I's next time I put an order in at Midway. Neither are particularly expensive.