J frame speedloader issue

I had trouble using the HKS speedloader on my Taurus 85, just trimmed the rubber a bit and it works fine. I also have Speed Strips as a backup.


Yes, a Taurus and rubber, I'm cheap and it works

David Sinko said:

S. L. Variant loaders are almost impossible to find these days.

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Bobby Mac's- "Just Snub Holsters"

I think it does depend on the grips....I have Hogue Monogrips on all of mine and all the speedloaders I own work with them.

I agree as well, grips make a difference. I didn't try the speedloader w/ my 442 factory grips, but it loads OK w/ the LG-405 laser grips I have on now.

I would like to add my comments on the new Safariland Comp 1 speedloader for J frame Smith and Wesson revolvers. I own 6 J frames in various model stainless model 60,642, both 38 and 357 with either Ergo grips,Spegel boot grips or Packmayr compac. This speedloader is too wide for this frame gun,period!! I played with it for about one hour and even called Safariland to no avail. Before you ask,yes,I removed the grips to have a naked empty gun in front of me and when properly loaded,the speed loader will not clear the frame enough for the rounds to drop into the five charge holes in order for the "star" wheel to activate the release mechanism. This loader needs to bottom out on the center ejector star in order for proper release. I bought 2 on Amazon for $11 each and promptly returned them. The package is marked for use by Charter and SW model 60 revolvers and has CJ-7 model number emblazoned on the blister packed card. My call to Safariland fell on deaf ears as their comment was "It should fit". Who else has this problem. I'm a 70 year old dealer with 40 years in the gun business. I'm frustrated on this supposedly new and unique loader as opposed to the HKS twist off type used for years albeit on larger framed guns of mine. Ted

My 442, as well as my Model 38, both have the factory magna grips w/a TGrip and all HKS speed loaders work fine. Almost any other grip I've tried will interfere w/the speed loader. Normally I use a speed strip and keep the speed loaders in my truck, or use them for LEOSA qualification.

I have the CT 405 grips on my jframe. Both HKS and Safariland comp 1's work as expected. I carry the comp 1 as my preference.

I have Spegel boot grips on my 642 and never had problems with either HKS or Safariland Comp I speedloaders. I also have a set of PGS Hideout grips for the J-frame and neither type of speedloader worked well until I attacked the grips with a file and sandpaper. My personal preference is for Comp I speedloaders.

I keep meaning to try the S.L. Variant speedloaders but my Comp Is work well so I haven't felt the need to try them.

Photoman44 said:

If using Speed Strips, try loading them up with two rounds, a space and then two more rounds for a total of four rounds only. Gets you back in the fight quick.

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That's how I load my strips:

Doc Mark said:

Evening, W8lfter,

I had exactly the same problem with my own 642. However, I had already been using HKS speedloaders with my old Model 60, and also a very old Model 36. That Model 60 has been wearing Uncle Mike's-made boot grips for many, many years, and has never bound up, or hung up. So, I removed the S&W-marked/made boot grips from my 642 and replaced them with my old Uncle Mike's version of that same grip. VOILA! Problem solved. So, emboldened by my success, I found a pair of NIB Uncle Mikes J-frame boot grips, on 'the Bay, and bought them. Like my own older Uncle Mike's, the NOS ones fit my 642 perfectly, and the HKS speedloaders now work just fine with that little shooter, too, just like they do with my M60. For what it's worth, I think that, when those S&W versions of that grip were made, something changed just enough to cause the problems that you are having, and I had. Try an older pair of Uncle Mike's boot grips, and I'm betting that your 642 will work just fine with HKS speedloaders, just as did my own. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

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Doc has the right prescription. The S&W knock-offs of the original UM Boots are a smidge too thick at that point to allow the HKS loader. Take an X-acto (proper spelling?) knife and trim off a strip of the leather and the loader should operate properly. I find the HKS loaders function best when there is no pressure, altho some match shooters will properly contradict this. Also, they function most positively with RNL service ammo. YMMV.

I prefer the speed strips for the reasons an above poster gave. Flat, toss them into the pocket, no muss, no fuss. I load them fully with 6 rounds; I already have few enough rounds with a J-frame.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Sort of old posts but on my 60-4 the Hogue type grips, as received from S&W when handgun was new, has a channel like cut or reduction on the left side of grips and allows for easy access of HKS speed loaders. Personally, I prefer the JII - 357/38 speed loaders from 5 Star Firearms--all machined aluminum not plastic and knob works in opposite direction of HKS. Warning, they cost more than the HKS. 5 Star Firearms - Home. Milrose

It's an easy fix. I took my Grip off touched it against the grinding wheel of my bench grinder. The wheel fit perfect in the area were the Speed Loader would fit. It rounded out the area perfect and left just a few lines in the rubber.

Doc Mark said:

Evening, W8lfter,

I had exactly the same problem with my own 642. However, I had already been using HKS speedloaders with my old Model 60, and also a very old Model 36. That Model 60 has been wearing Uncle Mike's-made boot grips for many, many years, and has never bound up, or hung up. So, I removed the S&W-marked/made boot grips from my 642 and replaced them with my old Uncle Mike's version of that same grip. VOILA! Problem solved. So, emboldened by my success, I found a pair of NIB Uncle Mikes J-frame boot grips, on 'the Bay, and bought them. Like my own older Uncle Mike's, the NOS ones fit my 642 perfectly, and the HKS speedloaders now work just fine with that little shooter, too, just like they do with my M60. For what it's worth, I think that, when those S&W versions of that grip were made, something changed just enough to cause the problems that you are having, and I had. Try an older pair of Uncle Mike's boot grips, and I'm betting that your 642 will work just fine with HKS speedloaders, just as did my own. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

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THIS. I just had a 642 Pro with the factory grips they're putting on these days that wouldn't work with either the HKS or Safariland speed loaders. Just picked up a 1992 vintage 60 with the Uncle Mike's boot grips and both loaders work perfectly.

AND... Smith and Wesson has approx 200 sets still in stock on the "clearance" section of their store website at $15/set! You'll end up with a similar (better, to me, IMHO) grip on your gun and grips that work great with speed loaders.

Product: J Round Boot Grip Uncle Mike's (No Logo)

Milrose said:

Sort of old posts but on my 60-4 the Hogue type grips, as received from S&W when handgun was new, has a channel like cut or reduction on the left side of grips and allows for easy access of HKS speed loaders. Personally, I prefer the JII - 357/38 speed loaders from 5 Star Firearms--all machined aluminum not plastic and knob works in opposite direction of HKS. Warning, they cost more than the HKS. 5 Star Firearms - Home. Milrose

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+1 for the 5 Star Firearms speedloaders. One thing you might consider is on Jframes with the clearcoat finish (642's etc,) the anodized finish of the speedloader can mark up or scratch the surface. FYI

HKS Speedloader will not work on my Model 36, with stock grips

while going over speedloader options for my '73 model 36 snub, i scoured this forum and found the following replies in topics "what speedloaders are best for j-frames", or "what speedloader for my model 36"

replies:
* "The HKS speedloaders worked great with the 36"
* "The Newer S&W Grips have been giving alot of people trouble lately"
* "However, I had already been using HKS speedloaders with my old Model 60, and also a very old Model 36"
* "However I prefer hks speed loaders."
* "I don't always carry speedloaders, but when I do, they're made by HKS."
* "I also use HKS as everyone in the house is familiar with how to operate them"
* "I started with HTK and have reasonable success with them."
* "insert HTK and twist knob (or Safariland and push button), close cylinder, your good to go."
* "FWIW, I like HKS speedloaders"
* "I like the HKS, as I use those regardless of frame size."
* "The HKS unit, AWESOME build quality, specially since they costs less than the Safarilands, I love how easy it is to load the speedloader"
* "I've never had a problem with the function of the HKS."
* "HKS just keep on working, but it does take a little practice"

i had an HKS for a previous revolver, and it fit fine. HKS lists their 36A as designed for S&W model 36's.

based on what i read here, and what HKS said about their product, i picked one up.

it won't work, and here's a pic.

Those are shoved in way too far. Hold the gun down, line up the bullets and dump them, use your thumb to hold the cylinder.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

With my carry 442, I had to trim part of my Pachmayr Compact grips to get speedloaders to work:


After trimming, speedloaders work great: