Sometime back someone on this forum mentioned a clip for a military rifle that held .44 cartridges, as well as the cartridge for which the arm was originally chambered IIRC. Would someone be so kind as to tell me which rifle that was? Does anyone know where I can get those clips?

My problem is that I've recently been making the move from the .357 up to the .44 magnum as my primary carry gun, but no one makes a speed strip in that caliber to top off the gun if I have to fire it. I tried using a Safariland speedloader, but the thing is a POS and the cartridges come loose and fall out when the speedloader is in my pocket. Any help would be appreciated.

A nice fellow from CA sold a bunch on this forum. He gave me a couple for testing, and I bought some more. They are made from Enfield stripper clips, and hold five rounds of .44 or .45 Colt. They work well, but require some practice for a "different" technique. His name is David, and his nickname here is Blademan21.
E-mail is Blademan21@netzero.net. He hasn't posted since April-hope he's okay.

I've had good luck with Safariland Comp-1 loaders for .44s, but I've noticed some QC problems lately. I think you got a bad one. HKS loaders are not quite as fast, but they are sturdier and less likely to lose rounds.

Hey guys, I just contacted Blademan earlier this week to order a couple more speedstrips for my M696. They work great, nicely powercoated and sturdy.
This is the one I currently have. Dave is also making a loader pouch that looks great. Might have to order one also.





Here is a pic of the pouch he sent me that he will be offering.

I use Safariland speedloaders exclusively.

I've used them for a long time in 38/357 (both Comp I and Comp II) and now have started with a 44 Spec/Mag Comp I.

I have never had one dump its rounds in my pocket.

flop, if you want the speedloaders to go to a good home, send me a note.

Funny, I have HKS .38 and .357 speedloaders for J,K and N frames. The all hold the cartridges tight without rattle. I also have one for my L frame 696, but the cartridges are not held tight like all the others, and two holes actually allow the shells to drop out without turning the knob.
Must be a defective one. I'll buy another to see if it's any better.

quote:

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
flop, if you want the speedloaders to go to a good home, send me a note.

I like you alive my friend. It's going to the range. I may try HKS even though I like the Safariland design better. I'm thinking I'll call Safariland and see if they'll replace it.

Does anyone know which specific model Enfield those clips are from?

HKS makes a decent N frame speedloader. I had some for my Model 29 years ago, and more recently was toting two of them around in the cargo pockets of my 5.11s when I was carrying my Model 58. I never had the ammunition spill out. The .41 magnum speedloaders rattle a bit more than the ones I have for my K frame .38s, but less than I remember the .44 mag ones rattling. Someone or another, Uncle Mikes?, used to make a speeloader case that was foam padded, which went a long ways towards eliminating rattle. I think it was only available for K frames, but you could build one yourself by having someone make you one in leather with eggshell style foam in the bottom.

Being paranoid though, I also made a "pouch" for additional .41 magnum rounds out of some cardboard, Gorilla tape, and #64 postal size rubber bands. A man can make most anything out of those components, but I digress.

Anyway, the "pouch" help eight .41 magnum rounds in the bottom of a pants pocket reasonably securely, but still allowed them to be plucked out as needed. Why eight? It just seemed to work best that way for some reason.

The HKS 10 series (6 round K frame .38/.357) they call a "rigid" hold. The CA44 (5 round .44-S&W, C/A, etc.) are the "rattlers". That, to allow a shimmy on installation to align with the charge ports. The J frame 5 round jobs, are a blend of the two. Tighter than the CA44's, but looser than the M10's. I've never had one drop a round on 1 or 2 holes only, if I did, I'd junk the thing immediately.

quote:

Originally posted by Spotteddog:
The HKS 10 series (6 round K frame .38/.357) they call a "rigid" hold. The CA44 (5 round .44-S&W, C/A, etc.) are the "rattlers". That, to allow a shimmy on installation to align with the charge ports. The J frame 5 round jobs, are a blend of the two. Tighter than the CA44's, but looser than the M10's. I've never had one drop a round on 1 or 2 holes only, if I did, I'd junk the thing immediately.

Yeah, it's brand new. It drops them ok, but will not hold the rounds securely. Two will fall out if I slightly shake it. It's not right.
I bought it new in the package at a gun show, so I don't have anywhere to return it.
I'll buy a new one, and hope it's better.

Yeah Mickey,
The company would probably make good on a warranty replacement. But by the time you got done paying shipping both ways, you could probably buy three of 'em!

Probably, Spotteddog. I don't care too much for the HKS twist knob design, but I may give theirs a try. I may try making something, if not from an Enfield clip. I made a GatorFarmer holster (cardboard and duct tape) for my Black Widow (my Mika hasn't showed up yet) and it's working O.K. so I might hit paydirt again. Whatever I do, I want it to hold six rounds since it's for my 629.

I picked up three Enfield clips at a gunshow today. Thanks for the help guys.

A tip for those who may be interested -- an SKS stripper clip will hold 10 .38/.357 rounds quite nicely.

A Mosin-Nagant stripper holds 5 .44s well & gives them enough "wiggle room" to be peeled off 2 at a time into the cylinder - they're cheap & easy to find also!

I need the pouch! I have about ten of those. They also fit nicely inside that little watch pocket on most Levi's or Wrangler jeans.