I recently bought a Performance Center 686 (6 shot, 4inch barrel version). Those of you that own one, what speedloaders are you using for it? I bought some Safariland J-GL8C Comp II Speedloader's for it and they didn't work. So either the ones I got were marked incorrectly or the Safariland Comp II's don't fit the Performance Center 686.

Something's not right here. Give Safariland a call and discuss the problem with them. Is this your first use of speedloaders? You need to push down on the center bump to unload the shells into the cylinder.

Really....they do work. I use them in IDPA matches.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Ditto what S&WIowegan said. Comp IIs or IIIs should be ideal. Not so easy to load the speedloaders for some folk, but they should recharge the cylinder easily and quickly...unless you have some sort of interference with the stocks/grip. In which case it would likely be a drama with whatever speedloader you use.

Not my first time with speedloaders and I do understand how the Safariland ones operate. The loaded rounds wouldn't even seat correctly. I'm thinking that the speedloader I tried was mislabeled, unless the Performance Center 686's frame/cylinder is slightly different.

Make sure you get the loaders for L frame. I use the Comp IIIs for both K and L frame S&W revolvers, and if I mix them up they don't fit. (66 vs 686).

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Science plus Art

Checking the Safariland site , the J - GL8C Comp. II is listed for L frame S&W .
S&W description says the 686 is available in 6 shot and 7 shot but gives the impression that both are L frame revolvers .
Another option is a 6 shot K frame loader got marked incorrectly .
Do you have a 6 shot K frame that you could try them in , that might tell something .
Talk to Safariland and see what they say ...if it doesn't work ...it's not correct for your revolver .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

OP. Can you clarify would not seat. In the charge holes of the cylinder or in the retaining holes of the speed loader itself.

The model number of the speed loader you are using is correct for the L frame. JK2C is for the K frame and is too small for your 686.

Are the grips interfering with the placement?

You may find a loading block is a great help.

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protocalldesign.com

I have been shooting K and L frames in competition for many years. Each uses a distinct speed loader as mentioned. I have 10 of each and they are kept in their own cases and have distinct markings. Used properly I've had few issues except for "grit" getting inside requiring periodic sonic cleaning.

The diameter of each closely matches the diameter of the cylinder of either the K or L frame and as noted marked in the "barrel end" with a K or L!

Nothing slows down a match like trying to "speed load" an L frame with K frame Comp III's! Heard it from a friend!

What bullet profile are you having difficulty with?

All the best,

Some close up photos of the speedloader that doesn't work (particularly the "open" end) would likely help! Quite a bit of difference between the various sizes of S&W loaders. IIRC, Python loaders look a little different as well. Even mislabeled, there should be clues.

I purchased (through Amazon) 3 of the Safariland Bianchi J-GL8C Comp II Speedloaders. I only opened and tried one of them. It failed to seat the 38 specials rounds that I tried (3 different brands), meaning the rounds themselves would not go into the cylinder far enough to be able to engage the speedloader. I bought a HKS speedloader for a 686 yesterday at Scheels and it works fine.

I haven't did anything different to the revolver. Stock from the factory so far. From what I could see, the stock grips and extended cylinder release aren't getting in the way.

From your posts, I would hypothesize that you got defective speed loaders from the vendor... they may be mismarked from Safariland or they may be damaged.

If I were in your situation, I would try all three of the S-land loaders and see whether I just got the 1 bad one, or whether they all got past the inspector. Armed with that information, I would then contact the CS department at S-land and ask for their assistance. The right Comp II Speedloader will work fine in your 686.

BTW, HKS "Speedloaders" in my experience, AREN'T! I've practiced with them and still find them slow and clumsy, but they do hold ammo fairly well. My shooting partner and I shot in a PPC league a couple of decades ago and both used Safariland speed loaders... with never a problem!

Froggie