Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Right. It is a fluid motion. Insert and press -- let fall -- cylinder closed --- reacquire firing grip.
Safariland vs HKS Speedloader
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Right. It is a fluid motion. Insert and press -- let fall -- cylinder closed --- reacquire firing grip.
F-111 John
Member
For the Comp I speed loaders, not only do you not have to let go of the body to press the button, you CANNOT press the button. The knob is used when loading the speed loader, and you use it by seating the rounds, then pressing the knob in towards the body of the speed loader and turning the knob 1/8th turn. The button pops out towards the shooter when the cartridges are released. If you put pressure on the button the rounds cannot be released.
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Panzerschwein
member
I just got some HKS model CA-44 for my Charter Arms Bulldog .44 special.
The rounds are VERY loose in the loader. I can shake one, and a round will fall out. Not good. I want to contact HKS but am unsure how. If you ask me, it seems like the little metal star in the HKS isn't large enough to put much pressure on the rounds, meaning they shake around severely. It's almost like they made these with the wrong star. My other HKS loaders are still a bit loose, but nowhere near as bad as this one.
The rounds are VERY loose in the loader. I can shake one, and a round will fall out. Not good. I want to contact HKS but am unsure how. If you ask me, it seems like the little metal star in the HKS isn't large enough to put much pressure on the rounds, meaning they shake around severely. It's almost like they made these with the wrong star. My other HKS loaders are still a bit loose, but nowhere near as bad as this one.
I've had problems with both types.
I've had HKS loaders wear to the point the knob locked and wouldnt release. The cartridge rims had worn down into the aluminum tips that held them in the loader and the rims locked the knob in place. Turning it upside down allowed it the release, but it was a very frustrating moment trying to figure out why it wouldnt work. In fairness, it was when riding Harleys, the vibration likely played a large part, though I started looking at my loaders and found maybe 6 or 8 that were worn like that to some degree. I tossed them all.
I've had some of the cartridges fall out of comp 1 44 loaders, I've also had them lock up and not release for no apparent reason, then start working again. Most unusual. The J frame comp 1's seem OK in my use so far. I pocket carry one regularly.
The comp 2 and 3's are head and shoulders better loaders than the HKS loaders. If you have a K or L frame Smith, youre good.
For me, its a toss up on HKS or comp 1. The comp 1s do hold the rounds in a little better aligment.
The comp 3's will feed wadcutters. If you can afford the room they require because of their size, they are my all time favorite loader.
I've had HKS loaders wear to the point the knob locked and wouldnt release. The cartridge rims had worn down into the aluminum tips that held them in the loader and the rims locked the knob in place. Turning it upside down allowed it the release, but it was a very frustrating moment trying to figure out why it wouldnt work. In fairness, it was when riding Harleys, the vibration likely played a large part, though I started looking at my loaders and found maybe 6 or 8 that were worn like that to some degree. I tossed them all.
I've had some of the cartridges fall out of comp 1 44 loaders, I've also had them lock up and not release for no apparent reason, then start working again. Most unusual. The J frame comp 1's seem OK in my use so far. I pocket carry one regularly.
The comp 2 and 3's are head and shoulders better loaders than the HKS loaders. If you have a K or L frame Smith, youre good.
For me, its a toss up on HKS or comp 1. The comp 1s do hold the rounds in a little better aligment.
The comp 3's will feed wadcutters. If you can afford the room they require because of their size, they are my all time favorite loader.
My wife's gun is a 7 shot S&W. She is not really into guns so it was up to me to figure stuff out before her 2 day defensive handgun class. I tried speed strips and 3 different speedloader types. If the Safariland Comp IIs were an option, I expect that is what I would have went with.
I settled on 5-star speed loaders. They work the best, are pretty rugged and low profile. Like a very high quality HKS. You do have to commit to them though since they twist to release the opposite direction as the HKS.
I had to make her a kydex holster and kydex speedloader pouches, but they worked well, the loaders worked well also, no issues.
I settled on 5-star speed loaders. They work the best, are pretty rugged and low profile. Like a very high quality HKS. You do have to commit to them though since they twist to release the opposite direction as the HKS.
I had to make her a kydex holster and kydex speedloader pouches, but they worked well, the loaders worked well also, no issues.
AKElroy
Member
I may be spitballing here, but you seem to be reluctant to recommend the comp 1's......If you're shooting a .44, your choices are pretty limited. Safariland doesn't make the Comp IIIs for .44, so you're stuck with the Comp Is. They are not good.
I've written a few things about them before --->
My problem with the Is was with reliability. I tried them for a couple of seasons of match use and have tried to make light of the experience a coupe of times here...
Channeling Ed Zern here or Pat McManus... but, yeah, I'm not a fan.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I'm glad to hear others have had trouble with Safariland Comp 1 loaders. I thought it was just me.
OpticsPlanet
Member
I share some of the same feelings as a lot of you. The HKS products "seem" to be better built because metal parts are visible. I have just gotten used to Safariland Comps for so many years and I prefer the push release rather than the twist action. I tend to feel like the rounds are "seating" better in the cylinder.
George P.
George P.
Regarding the grips, I've had both types contact and have interferance from grips. Sometimes you can get the loader past the tight spot and then be able to relaese, but if it doesnt get to a free place after getting past the grip interferance, they wont release. I've seriously cut and modified factory Smith wood target grips to accept speedloaders. The later cutouts were better than the old ones, but still can use improvement.
There may still some misunderstanding for some about how the Safarilands function. Its been mentioned, and talked around trying the explain it, but some may not quite get the clear picture.
The Safarilands release from contacting the ejector star on the gun. Its "release button" is inside the front of the loader. Thats what several have tried to explain, you just push the body of the loader down once the shells start into the chambers and it releases itself from contacting the ejector star.
For anyone that hasnt tried them, the comp 3's are amazing. They are bulky, not likely something youd want to carry unless maybe on an unconcealed belt carrier or a coat pocket, but that bulk is a spring inside the body that slaps the cartridges into the chambers when its released.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Agreed, the Comp IIIs are about like cheating. The fact that they actually give you a big ol' handle by which to grip and manipulate the rounds is probably 2/3 of the benefit. They're really pretty awesome!
I didn't realize how much better the Comp III were than the Comp II until I got some for this IDPA season...WOW...and I haven't even Bubba'd them yet.
With their long handle, I'd even consider them for CCW use...because you'd be able to easily orient them by feel. Plus they would naturally be oriented, in your pocket, bullets down
With their long handle, I'd even consider them for CCW use...because you'd be able to easily orient them by feel. Plus they would naturally be oriented, in your pocket, bullets down
Panzerschwein
member
I wish HKS had a customer service number or email address... I want to ask them if the looseness in my CA44 speedloaders is normal. The rounds are so loose, when shaken vigorously some of the rounds come flying out. Not good! This is with all .44 special ammo I've tried.
HKS speedloaders have always been loose, but not to the point of dropping cartridges
OK. I stand corrected. And that where the foolproof part of the hks comes in. A fool like me might try to push the button on the safariland when in fact you have to avoid pushing the big old button.
It has been a good while since I used my safariland. I guess that's obvious. I got one of each. At one point I did indeed know how to use the safari land. And then I bought 3 more of the hks.
It has been a good while since I used my safariland. I guess that's obvious. I got one of each. At one point I did indeed know how to use the safari land. And then I bought 3 more of the hks.
Yes, if its dropping cartridges, something is wrong with it. The ones that I just flat wore out from carry never dropped cartridges that I recall. I've used them in all the other frame sizes of Smiths and not had trouble with that either.
HKS contact. Yeah, their website is about the most spartan thing I've seen in a long time. No contact info. Do the cards they are attached to when new have contact info?
Some of the K and L size HKS loaders have plastc flanges over the baser of the cartridges and hold them more snugly. Dont think I've ever seen that in the 44 size. still, not as snug as the comp 2's and 3's.
EDIT: Was just looking around, saw that Midway has some of the safarilands on sale.
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortb...onids=4294846163&newcategorydimensionid=10705
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