Which speedloader, and why?

[Beatnik]

I got two Safariland comp-II speedloaders for my GP100 for Christmas.
I wanted them because I don't like the idea of twisting the HKS loaders on a free-spinning cylinder, and I wasn't sure how the Maxfires would work.

Now that I have them, I'm a little disappointed in the quality of the Safariland loaders. They're not terrible, it just seems like the housing is a little thin.

I'm looking at the Maxfires now, since it seems like they won't be jamming up against the frame so much.

What do you all use, and why?

 

[Rule556]

I have some HKS speeduloaders for my Model 13. I've used them with .38 Specials and some .357 Magnum rounds and I've had no problems with them. They seem to be of decent quality. The rounds stay in them when locked in and fall free pretty smoothly when released. You don't have to turn the knob much to release the rounds. Give them a try if you haven't already.

I also have some of the Bianchi "Speed Strips" and I like them a lot. They're slimmer than a speedloader and I find them more comfortable to carry around. It takes a little longer to reload with them than it does with a speedloader. They might be worth a try, too.

 

[FullEffect1911]

i've tried the Safariland comp II's in my GP, and I found them to be awful... I had trouble getting the speed loader into the cylinder because the grips got in the way. Now maybe this is just me, but it was enough for me to try the HKS ones. Big difference. Due to the twist of the HKS loader, it doesn't need to be all the way into the cylinder like the comp II does. I liked it a lot better.


Try the HKS out, if nothing else you'll know for sure and it'll only cost your around 8 bucks or so.

(the safariland worked fine on my smite fwiw)

 

[KurtC]

The S/L Variant Jet-Loaders made in Germany are about the finest made. Difficult to find on this side of the puddle, but someone on the S&W forum was recently selling some.

 

[Phil DeGraves]

I've used the HKS loaders for years and swear by them. I have tested the Safariland loaders and found them lacking for me at least. I'd stick to HKS.
If you are speedloading properly, the cylinder shouldn't be spinning.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I wanted them because I don't like the idea of twisting the HKS loaders on a free-spinning cylinder

The cylinder doesn't spin with the proper manual of arms.

Grasp the revolver in your left hand, with the tips of your fingers pressing against the right side of the cylinder. Unlatch the cylinder with the right thumb, then turn the revolver muzzle-up with the left hand and punch the ejector rod to let the cases fall straight down. While doing this, the right hand secures the speed loader.

Now, without shifting your left hand grip, point the muzzle generally downward. Your fingertips are still pressed against the right side of the cylinder, keeping it from spinning. Load the cylinder and drop the speed loader, grasp the revolver in firing position while the left hand closes the cylinder and moves to a firing support grip.

 

[Frisian]

As Vern, Phil and a few others have mentioned, your cylinder should not be spinning free if your are loading in the most commonly accepted manner.
So you should be able to use HKS loaders without problem.

Having said that, my personal preferance for my own use is for the Safariland Comp 1s & 2s. I find them faster to use and less bulky.
Especially the Comp 1s for a J frame.

I use HKS for students, as they are a bit more forgiving of stocks that have not been relieved properly.

 

[ronto]

I use HKS and Bianchi speed strips, depending on what I'm wearing...Haven't read good things about the Maxifires.

 

[SwampWolf]

I use the Maxifire speedloaders because they are the only ones I know about that will work with my Taurus five-shot .41 Magnum revolver. The Maxifire operates totally different from other makes of speedloaders that I'm acquainted with and there is a "learning curve" to overcome. I've had good success with HKS products with my other revolvers.

 

[azredhawk44]

I have some maxfires for my sp-101. I don't use them anymore out of concern that the lateral tension from freeing the cartridges can cause damage to the crane or ejector rod.

Since I've changed the grips from the stock Ruger grips to Badgers (that I absolutely love), I can't use speedloaders anymore. Now I use Bianchi Speed Strips instead.



I do use HKS speedloaders for my redhawk though.

 

[41magsnub]

I use the bianchi speed strips for my security six, with my pachmayr grips my HKS speed loaders don't fit right, they do not line up correctly. They still work, but it is suddenly awkward.

For my 657 .41 mag I don't have anything type of speed loader, just loose rounds. If I decide to carry it I'd look for something.

 

[Cosmoline]

I used the HKS for years but have recently switched to the Safariland ones. I like them both but Safariland are faster to load with (once broken in) and don't unload themselves in your coat pocket.

the proper manual of arms.

There is no such thing. There's the current standard practice, but it's not the only way to load and unload a wheelgun. Personally, with smaller wheelguns I will often knock open the cylinder with my right thumb without shifting the revolver from one hand to the other. The cylinder is not held firm for reloading. Different strokes and all that.

I try to make a point of just letting the loader fall down to the bench or ground after the rounds are in. I've noticed others carefully setting the loaders down, thinking of the $$ it costs no doubt. What you do in practice you'll likely do in an encounter.

 

[rbmcmjr]

I like the Dades:



They will theoretically drop rounds if you handle them roughly, but I haven't had a problem in practice.

Rick

 

[JNewell]

I have been EDC'ing Comp 1 SLs for years. They are, compared to others I've used and especially the HKS SLs, faster, more secure and more durable. I've never had one break or dump the cartridges anywhere except into the charging holes.

 

[BlindJustice]

In my case,
S&W 625 5" Bbl. Len.
with Guy Hogue Full size finger groove,
checkered monogrip
HKS 25M For .rt Auto RIm
only source I know of for .45 AR
The HKS work well with the short case of the .45 AR
but aren't as fast as .45 ACP with FUll Moon Clips.

S&W 686P 4" Bbl. Len.
with Guy Hogue K/L Compact finger grooves,
Checkering
HKS 587 for the 7 shooter. They interfere
with the grips so they will have to be relieved
for clearance

S&W Model 60-15 3" Bbl. Len. Stock Grips.
AFAIK - Safariland Comp-I are the only ones
available for the 5 shooter J-frame so a
couple of those are on the I Want List. .

Oh, also on the I want list
DS-10 speedloader for S&W 617 10 shooter
They also offer a loading block which holds
4 x 10 .22 LR rounds bullet down so you can
easily reload tghe speedloader at the range.
After going through 80 or so rounds in the 617
last saturday, I want a couple of thesee or at
least two loading blocks.

Hmmm, the Loading block idea sounds nice for my 587 7 shooters.

 

[scbair]

I once carried a S&W M19 "professionally." I also carried two speedloaders in belt pouches, or (when in plainclothes) in a jacket pocket. Sometimes, running, jumping, wrestling, etc., a speedloader would become dislodged & hit the pavement.

HKS? No problems; I have a couple that are 30+ years old, with visible "asphalt tatoos," that still run perfectly.

One of the two Safariland loaders I bought ('cause they were newer & better, ya know) hit the asphalt, broke, and scattered the rounds over the roadway. The other Safariland is still in an old relic box, I think . . .

For my money, HKS is good to go. I will admit that, as a CWP-holder, I usually make do with a pair of Bianchi Speed Strips, today.

 

[SR_]

once you get used to them, I think you will like them.

I have HKS, Safariland Comp II and Comp III. I use the Comp III for competition. These are by far the 'best' I've used but they are large.

For walking around the woods, I use the Comp II - a simple downward pressure releases the bullets. I don't have to think about the extra twist if the HKS.

 

[Round Gun Shooter]

Speed loaders I have used

Kel Lite rubber loaders-Similar to Max Fire but from early 1970s

Dade for PPC Competition (Wish I could find some) Good for competition only

Safariland Comp I for LE duty (no we did not use horses) I still have and use Comp I loaders that I bought in 1982

Safariland Comp II Loaders excellent for competition and for carry I like these the best as an all around speed loader

Safariland Comp III Good for competition but really need to be modified to work to their potential.

Jet loaders-Very similar to Comp III same comment

SL Variant-Just sold my last batch of 8. Kind of wish I had kept a couple but wasn't using them any more. These loaders are great but need a lot of practice for you to become proficient in their use.

HKS-slow loaders-Over the years I have broken and/or have seen broken more of these than any other loader. Tabs break, pins fall out, pins recess so rounds drop, unless there is no other loader available, I stay away from the HKS

One note: All my experience with speed loaders is with S&W J, K and L frame revolvers. No other revolvers.

Edit to add: I almost forgot the DS10 loaders I use for my 617. These are great but the handle is a waste of money for me. I rarely use the loading block I bought but I have 5 of the loaders. It is just as fast to load the speed loader is it is to load the block so invest in more speed loaders if you buy.

If anyone wants pics of any of the above loaders I can probably supply some for all but the SL but that has already been posted.

Happy New Year

 

[papajohn]

I used the Safariland Comp 2's for many years, both on duty and in competition, and I never broke one, but I lost a few. I think it's more a matter of personal preference and what you're used to than anything else, I hated the H & K's, and Speed Strips (to me) are slower than molasses in January.

I taught using and carrying the Comp 2's, and they seemed easier and faster than anything else, at least no one complained to me about them. I can see how they could break if they hit the pavement loaded, but when empty they weigh almost nothing, and I stepped on several, but never broke any.

Anyone can be trained to use anything well, if they will take the time and practice with them.

PJ

 

[TexasSkyhawk]

I used the Safariland for IPSC competition (they were a little faster in my S&W 686), but for carry and all other situations, its HKS only for me.

Jeff

 

[SAWBONES]

For those employing compact 5-shot revolvers (J-frame S&W, Ruger SP101, Charter Arms, etc.) for CCW, readily available speedloader choices are limited to HKS, Safariland Comp I and the Maxfire type.

I have and have used all of these, in .38 Special/.357.
To date, I've never broken any of them.

The Maxfires are the most bulky to carry and the slowest and most cumbersome to use. They're also the simplest and probably the most durable, being made of a single piece of molded rubber, but those advantages don't offset the bulk and slow reloading time IMNSHO.

The HKS variety "rattles" a bit when loaded, due to the mode of CCW carry typically involving the cartridges straddling the belt (with Bianchi, Andrews and Del Fatti carriers, anyway), which tends to "stretch" the aluminum retainer star pins in the loader, yet it doesn't reduce reliability or cause rounds to fall out of the loader, ever. The HKS loader is shorter in height than the Maxfire but taller than the Safariland Comp I, and requires a clockwise twist of the loader top knob to release the cartridges, which I find quite easy to do though some do not, since there's an extra movement involved. The HKS is the easiest type to find in stores, IME.

The Safariland Comp I is the shortest, and because carry with cartridges overlapping the belt might result in the central plastic star post being depressed (thereby releasing the cartridges), it mustn't be so carried, and IME there's little cartridge rattle, accordingly. It loads the most quickly of the three types, requiring only a solid push of the loader into the cylinder in order to release the cartridges, and is quite quick and reliable.
I've read that these wear out after about 500 uses. If so, I'd consider that to still be a good value. It might be a bit less durable than the HKS, being mostly plastic, though as I say, I've yet to break one. I've never found these in gunstores, and have had to order them from suppliers like Brownells or Midway.

I use both the Safariland Comp I and the HKS, and have no problem with either, though I rather like the Comp I design the better of the two types.
Incidentally, the HKS carries easily with Matt Del Fatti's SLC carrier and the others mentioned, while the Comp I carries well with Matt's SLC-2 carrier, and can be carried in his SLC with a bit of care not to depress the center post.

I won't use the Maxfire type after having tried it. While it's faster than Bianchi Speedstrips, it's so much more bulky that any benefit in speed is far outweighed by inconvenience of carry. The only secure way to carry these, BTW, is to use Maxfire's own double carrier, which is very bulky, and might be acceptable on a cop's duty belt but is way too big for typical civilian CCW.

JMNSHOs, YMMV, as usual.

 

[Brian Williams]

Moonclips

 

[SAWBONES]

Moonclips (except in .45ACP and the few remaining 9mm revolvers out there) require permanent modification of the revolver's cylinder.
Speedloaders accomplish reloading nearly as fast, but without modification of the gun.