Speed Loaders...which ones?

[SixgunFife]

Piping back in with another question here, though - the OP's revolver is a 27-2 (my current favorite, also!)...was just perusing a Safariland site, and it doesn't look like their Comp I, II, or III loaders are made for the 27/28 Smiths.

I use HKSs myself but have always heard good things about the Safariland line. I'm interested in the Five Star loaders toward this end.

Have I missed something on the Safariland lineup?

http://www.safariland.com/dutygear/duty/speedloaders.aspx

 

[minconrevo]

There are 3 big issues with a speed loader.

First is let the loader and gravity do the work. If you fight it, you will find it takes longer. You potentially will totally bobble the reload if you fight it.

Second is to choose a bullet nose design that runs well in the particular gun.

Third is PRACTICE with the loader and full weight dummy ammo. For quickness and certainty, the reload must be smooth. Smoothness only comes with practice.

In this particular case, the loader type needs to meet the need, i.e. carry, competition or whatnot.

 

[reuben]

never cared for speedloaders... I have a bunch but never use them.. I use an SKS stripper clip.. they hold 10 rounds of .357, and are dirt cheap... I wouldn't want to wait til my gun was empty or dump live ammo to reload my revolver...

 

[IllinoisCCW]

Just ordered some speed loaders for my LCR .22 from 5 Star. I believe they are the only company that makes speed loaders for the .22. Little pricey at $20 a pop.

 

[Nightowl]

Safariland only made the Comp l for the Model 27 & 28 Smiths. They have been out of production for quite a few years. I have used them since they began production way back when. I used them with a stock 27 with wadcutter ammunition without difficulty, but you cant force them. They are very smooth if you take your time. I have found some on ebay and at guns shows and even found three in a gunshop. Mine have been dropped on concrete, gravel and asphalt and I am still using the original three that I bought when they first came out. They look no different than the ones I purchased later.

I have three of the SL Variants for the 27s and three 5stars for 8 shot 627s, but I still revert to the Safariland when it counts. The only problem with them is that the knob is held on by a crosspin and it will sometimes slip. That happens so seldom that it is not really a problem. There is nothing wrong with the HKS ones either, they are a lot more readily available than the Safariland and cheaper than the Variants or 5stars. The Safariland is faster to use as you just push on the body and the cartridges release, as opposed to the two steps needed to release the HKs and 5stars.

As I see it, the Safariland is hard to find, the Variants and 5stars are expensive and unless you are using them for heated competition, the HKS are probably the best bet. When speed is important, try the Variants.

 

[k22fan]

[...] was just perusing a Safariland site, and it doesn't look like their Comp I, II, or III loaders are made for the 27/28 Smiths. [...]
Have I missed something on the Safariland lineup?

FWIW, I own some of the early 1970s style Safariland speed loaders with the small nub on the back for 28s and 27s. I haven't seen newer style Safariland speed loaders for 28s &27s, but that doesn't mean they weren't made.

 

[blujax01]

I ran into a deal on HKS 10's used Police trade in's at $5 per. Bought a fistful of them.

Like Growr says it's all about the bullet design. A plated or FMJ round nose works the best. They're fun at the range but I doubt I'll ever carry one concealed. If 6 doesn't get the job done, well...

 

[66snub]

The Safariland Comp 2's are the best. I use them with my M66 and they are great. Super fast, secure, and inexpensive. Can't beat 'em.

 

[Buford57]

Amen to practice, bullet selection, practice, J-frame-specific challenges and practice.

Back around the time the earth's crust started to cool I took my M28 and left a department that mandated use of dump pouches for reloads for one that mandated Safariland Speedloaders (they only made one version back then). I went through about half a dozen to find two that would usually work. I put them in my belt pouch and carried a pair of (unauthorized) HKSs in my jacket pocket.

Up to about 6 months ago, I wouldn't touch a Safariland Speedloader if you gave it to me. On a whim I bought a new Safariland for my 642 and found that not only does it release every time without the use of vice grips and a sledgehammer, but clears the Uncle Mikes grips with less fuss than does the HKS.

Since you have HKSs for your HD already, why mess with what works? Use them for the 27, too.

As far as bulk is concerned, if you are carrying an N-Frame for CCW (and I have), that ship has sailed.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I haven't used the 5 Stars much yet but the black finish is part of the anodizing process and has a clear sealant over them. The rubber O ring is supposed to be sealed so I isn't ground up by dirt, dust, or grit. They seem to have more wobble than the HKS loaders but they slip the bullets right in and the twist knob away from the frame does seem faster than the HKS twist into the frame. I also like the 5 Star loading blocks and really need to get a couple of the larger ones for K and L frames.

 

[duppie]

Amen to practice, bullet selection, practice, J-frame-specific challenges and practice.

Back around the time the earth's crust started to cool I took my M28 and left a department that mandated use of dump pouches for reloads for one that mandated Safariland Speedloaders (they only made one version back then). I went through about half a dozen to find two that would usually work. I put them in my belt pouch and carried a pair of (unauthorized) HKSs in my jacket pocket.

Up to about 6 months ago, I wouldn't touch a Safariland Speedloader if you gave it to me. On a whim I bought a new Safariland for my 642 and found that not only does it release every time without the use of vice grips and a sledgehammer, but clears the Uncle Mikes grips with less fuss than does the HKS.

Since you have HKSs for your HD already, why mess with what works? Use them for the 27, too.

As far as bulk is concerned, if you are carrying an N-Frame for CCW (and I have), that ship has sailed.

Well now that I know that a certain amount of shake is normal, and I'm already very familiar with the HKS units ,I'm reconsidering my trepidation in picking some up for the 27.
As for CCW,unless I can come up with a very large contribution to the political powers that be....it's not happening soon and definitely not with a 27-2 with a 5 inch barrel.

 

[GerSan69]

I use an SKS stripper clip.. they hold 10 rounds of .357, and are dirt cheap...

Are you saying you use a rifle stripper clip? (That's one of those "why didn't I think of that -- thinking outside the box" solutions, if I read it right!)

 

[SixgunFife]

...As for CCW,unless I can come up with a very large contribution to the political powers that be....it's not happening soon and definitely not with a 27-2 with a 5 inch barrel.

Maybe it's just because my HKSs are brand-new, but they're exhibiting no shake at all, unlike earlier iterations I've used in the past for Model 19s and 66s.

Regarding CCW of a five-inch 27, it can be done...of course, my being tubby (working on that!) doesn't hurt when hiding this revolver and the loaders.

Granted, it's easier to carry my usual other "service-size" handgun, a Glock 19, but I alternate them sometimes.

 

[duppie]

Maybe it's just because my HKSs are brand-new, but they're exhibiting no shake at all, unlike earlier iterations I've used in the past for Model 19s and 66s.

Regarding CCW of a five-inch 27, it can be done...of course, my being tubby (working on that!) doesn't hurt when hiding this revolver and the loaders.

Granted, it's easier to carry my usual other "service-size" handgun, a Glock 19, but I alternate them sometimes.

View attachment 89375View attachment 89376

I'm no light weight at 235lbs either but that's too much gun for me. I have a CZ75b that at 2.2 lbs empty would seems like a handful to CCW,I can just imagine a 27 at 3+ lbs.

 

[SixgunFife]

I'm no light weight at 235lbs either but that's too much gun for me. I have a CZ75b that at 2.2 lbs empty would seems like a handful to CCW,I can just imagine a 27 at 3+ lbs.

I hear you - it's a noticeable change for me when I swap between the 27 and the Glock.

The holster pictured, a custom job from Black Hills Leather, goes a LONG way toward making it work for me.

 

[hotrod150]

Seems like I read that the -A version of the HKS speedloaders (such as "36A") are designed to not have any shake. The single one I have, a no-dash #36, does have shake. FWIW

 

[duppie]

Seems like I read that the -A version of the HKS speedloaders (such as "36A") are designed to not have any shake. The single one I have, a no-dash #36, does have shake. FWIW

I wondered about that, Natchez has the "A" advertized with no shake for $6.99 each but I didn't know if I was dealing with the same animal that I already own.

 

[hotrod150]

Maximumbob, those are some pretty agresive hollowpoints. What are they-- factory load, handload, ??
Nice big cavity-- reminds me of the old 45acp "flying ashtray" Speer hollowpoint.

 

[hotrod150]

Duppie, I have a recently-purchased #36 that has a whole lotta shaki' goin' on, but not too long ago I bought a #10A for a briefly-owned model 12 snubby & it was a non-shaker. I just sold a pair of 5-shot Safariland Comp 1's on this site & they didn't have any shake either.

 

[reuben]

Are you saying you use a rifle stripper clip? (That's one of those "why didn't I think of that -- thinking outside the box" solutions, if I read it right!)

I don't recall what possessed me to slide a .38spl into the stripper clip, but it worked great.
Back then I had a Taurus 85CH that I carried (still wish I had it).. The clip carried two full cyliners worth...10 rounds..
That was my first experience with a strip for revelver use... haven't used a speedloader since...
It was flat and compact and I could reload just the rounds I needed.. (never actually needed any fortunately!!)...