Preferred Speedloaders?

[Brooklynite]

I'm looking to pick up some speedloaders for my 28-2 and was wondering what brand you guys prefer?

 

[JackM]

I like the Safariland Comp IIs. They're light, compact enough to keep one in your pocket, the loaded rounds don't rattle, and they're cheap.

 

[BCDWYO]

Safarilands seem to be the fastest and simplest, in that you don't have to twist to drop the load (simply push - which might be easier under stress).

 

[Buford57]

For an alternate view, I switched to HKS due to failure of the original Safarilands to release the rounds. I have tried some of the newer version in K and J frames recently and they worked well.

Still, for any equipment used for SD purposes reliability trumps speed in my book.

 

[BCDWYO]

One big advantage of the HKS speedloaders is their ubiquitous availability (and I agree with Buford that they are reliable). I seem to always find HKSs for most any model, but you have to search a little harder to find Safarilands.

 

[Nightowl]

First, I am a big fan of Safariland speedloaders. I have used three since they were first introduced however many years ago it was, sometime in the 1970s I think. I have used only Safariland Comp l's in PPC competition since they came out and have never had any issues with them. They are much better for competition use than either HK or other twist knob speedloaders.

I believe that Safariland never made a Comp ll for the N frame six shot .357s. I have never seen one, nor a picture of one.

Now the rub. Safariland has not made the Comp l style speedloader for the six shot N frame .357 guns like the 28 or 27 in probably 15 years.
I have bought several at gun shows and found 3 new ones in a gun store a few years ago, and bought a few off of ebay. They are getting very hard to find. The last ones I saw at ebay sold for about $35 each.

Today, you can buy S.L Variant speedloaders for the N frame that act like the Safariland Comp ll speedloaders. They are excellent and expensive, about the same as used Comp ls on ebay! I have not used the Variants much, relying on the tried and true Safarilands I have, but they seem like they will be very dependable. Their advantage is that they spring load the ammo so they eject the ammo into the cylinder, rather that relying on gravity.

You have choices. Good luck with your decision.

As stated the advantage of the HKs are that they are made for so many guns and calibers so you can use the same system for many guns.

 

[Brooklynite]

Thanks Everyone.
I'll be keeping an eye out for some in-stock SL Variants, they look to be solidly built.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I prefer the HKS, rugged and reliable and not as slow as some may think. They are like the old saying about revolvers, "six for sure". Although you can get em from 5 to 8.

 

[Rick_A]

Another HKS fan here. I'm all for simple, reliable, lightweight, and compact.

 

[A10]

I've always used HKS, but over the past couple years have become a big fan of speed strips.

 

[66snub]

I used to carry an HKS for my 686+, but during a range session, I accidentally dropped it and it released the rounds all over the floor. I know that Safariland doesn't make one for the 686+, but thankfully I only use it for the range now, so speed isn't an issue with this unit. I definitely prefer the Safariland speedloaders for everything else.

 

[TAROMAN]

For N-Frame speedloaders, my choice is the Dade Screw Machine Products speedloaders.
Rounds are retained by a circumferential spring and a simple push of the knob chambers them.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/309051-dade-screw-machine-products-speedloaders.html

 

[BAM-BAM]

I like the Safariland Comp IIs. They're light, compact enough to keep one in your pocket, the loaded rounds don't rattle, and they're cheap.

Ya that.... for J,K and L frames.... I also have some comp I's for J frames.......


I used HKS until the day shooting PPC I pulled a speed loader out of my "friction retention" Bianchi speed loader holder...... only to find I must have twisted it a bit ...... I had a empty speedloader in my hand and 6 loose rounds in the holder

 

[JSW]

Another vote for Safariland. The best and fastest I've ever used.

 

[xfarfuldog]

When I became a PO I was given dump pouches. Found the speed strips and used those until I found the HKS. Then I went to an officer survival course and was shown the Safariland speedloaders. I adopted them and used them exclusively when teaching revolver courses. Try the Safarilands, you won't find a better speedloader.

 

[haggis]

Now the rub. Safariland has not made the Comp l style speedloader for the six shot N frame .357 guns like the 28 or 27 in probably 15 years.

Safariland made J-N1's (.38 N-frames) as recently as 4 years ago. Check larger gun shows (junk boxes are your friend), older gun shops with NOS, even eBay (even though some folks have run the prices up recently), or Shotgun News. They're still out there but you have to hunt. Since they were discontinued, I have picked up 15-20 for no more than $7 apiece (best deal was 3 for $5).

Buck

 

[snubbyfan]

I prefer HKS speed loaders but I carry speed strips.

 

[Green Frog]

Speed strips, HKS, and 5 Star are, IMHO at least, ammo carriers. If you want a speed loader, you need a Safariland Comp I, II, etc, or a Jet Loader. HKS calls theirs the "6 second loader" but if I'm looking for a speedy reload, I want something faster than that! I wish somebody would make a true speed loader for the K-32, but since it is rare enough in all iterations to not get used much in competition, I guess there's no hope for that!

Froggie

 

[Maximumbob54]

Five Stars all the way now:

 

[Kevin G]

I go w/HKS because they're available for every revolver I have.
Picked up some of the Safariland but didn't like the idea of using 2 different types of speed loaders.
I do practice w/speed strips sometimes.
Kevin