Favourite Speedloaders: 5 Star?

107driver

107driver

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I just ran across pics of the 5 Star billet speedloaders here, and wondering if anyone has experience with those. Thus far I've been using HKS with my 340PD and 586. Spending far too much time reading blogs such as Grant Cunningham too, and it seems there is an argument to be made for push operation like Safariland instead of twist like HKS or 5 Star.

Thoughts?
 
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The 5 Star loaders function just like the HKS, they're just made of aluminum instead of plastic. I have both for N-frames in 44 Caliber and see no real functional difference between them.

I prefer the push to release design of the Safariland and the SLVariant because I keep my gun in my shooting hand and reload with my week hand, allowing carry of the speed loaders on the weak side just as I carry and load with full moon clips in the M1917, the M25-2, the M625-2 and most recently two 7-shot L-frames.

This is very much a matter of personal preference and choice. Most all the competitive revolver shooters I've ever known use Safariland loaders or moon clips carried on the weak side. I shot revolvers in competition for two years and found that worked best for me as well. YMMV!

Dave
 
I've got a set of 5 Star's for my 686+ (7 shot) and 66. Here’s my thoughts ... They’re well constructed and a little heavier than the HKS. Putting them side by side to the HKS versions I find they are both about the same height and width, but the 5 Star are a tiny bit higher and better built. Their loaders also turn counter-clockwise, which is actually better, as it turns the cylinder away from the frame.

My only complaints are that they are double what you pay for HKS and also I have noticed that because they are metal, the rounds tend to rattle when carrying. The HKS older models did the same thing but after they released their -A versions, rattle is no longer an issue. They offer the j-frame loaders in black and I wish they’d also have that option for the K and L frames, but overall I’m happy with them.
 
Having carried both on the street as a cop, I will stay with the twist model of HKS & 5 Star. I've dropped the Safarilands and had the spring pop and the cartridges release and scatter on the sidewalk. The Safariland loaders were dropped from waist height when this happened. This happened with an N frame loader and a year later with a J frame loader.
 
eb07: I checked out the SL Variant, but couldn't find much info about their operation on the Bobby Mac site. Looks like they are spring loaded?

Dave T: you are complicating my existence with your mention of offside ammo carry. Without hardly any formal revolver training, I have been trying to be orthodox and carry same side for strong hand reloads, but the idea of balancing the weight with ammo on the left has great appeal.

Anybody else have the same unintended release experience as Bronco? I had read that somewhere else and that would push me towards the twisters, and ah, away from the pushers. Yup.

Great input; thank you.
 
I bought a pair of the 5 Star for my S&W 460V and my S&W 460XVR because nobody else made them. I have since gone back and bought them for my .44 magnums and my .357 magnums. They are great quality and work very well for me. I kept the HKS as a backup.
 
107driver,

After retiring from law enforcement I ran my own firearms training business for 10 years. When it came time to tell my students about revolvers I had two demonstration speed loaders to show them, a Safariland and an HKS.

Both were for N-frames in 44 caliber and were loaded with dummy 44 Mag rounds. To show why I recommend one of those two brands I would drop them on the table in front of me, then toss them to someone in the class. They were only caught about 50% of the time. On the other occasions they bounced across the concrete floor of the classroom. In 10 years of doing that 2-3 times a month neither the Safariland nor the HKS ever lost a single round. I always told my students it was a matter of personal preference which one they used but when asked I also told them my choice was the Safariland, for the reasons I stated in my earlier post here.

Dave
 
The point of an speedloader is to reload the revolver. Motor skills go to snot when the you know what hits the fan and its sort of hard and slow to reload your revolver picking up the rounds loose on the ground after the push me types do thier thing when not handled correctly. Keep it simple and reliable and stick with the SKS.
 
I prefer the HKS & 5Star over the push style. Nothing loads faster than a moonclip of .45 ACP ball ammo into an eased extractor star equipped 25/325/625/Governor. Of course, nothing can be more aggravating than an 8x moonclip full of .38/.357M ammo and a 627 - the 5star speedloader may just be faster. Of course, practice - and utilizing gravity instead of fighting it, helps. Here are a pair of 627's and both a moonclipped load and a 5Starfirearms loader & baseplate:

IMG_4599-1.jpg


Stainz
 
Typically I use HKS or Safariland but would love to find a SL Variant for a J frame. Sadly they are no longer made. Next option would be the Jetloader.
 
MikeyB said:
Typically I use HKS or Safariland but would love to find a SL Variant for a J frame. Sadly they are no longer made. Next option would be the Jetloader.
Click to expand...

Keep an eye on Bobby Mac's web site. The J-frame model is currently listed as backordered and I don't know if he'll be getting more but if he does, grab a couple once they're in. As far as I know, he's the only one still importing these from Germany so you've got to get them while the gettin' is good.
 
I just picked up some 8-round 5 Stars for my S&W 627PC 8-shooter. These are beautiful all-aluminum speed loaders and at a halfway decent price for 8-shooter speed loaders. If you have a 627 you will be wanting some of these for times when moon clips are not convenient.
 
I have a pair of J Frame Jet Loaders on order from Pistoleer. I should have them around Monday I would think.

JetLoader SpeedLoaders

I am building Kydex Speed Loader Carriers, and plan to have a Form made as soon as I get the J Frame Jet Loader to measure the diameter.

I have both K and L Frame Safariland Comp III Speed Loaders for Matches.
I normally carry Comp II's for Concealed Carry in Safariland CD-2 Belt Carriers.

The J Frame is another story. Safariland only makes the Comp I for the J Frame, and No Belt Carrier . I am thinking the J Frame Jet Loader should make reloading an SP101 or J Frame much quicker. A single Kydex Belt Carrier for a J Frame Jet Loader infront of the holster should not be overly bulkey.

Bob
 
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I have two 5 stars and a range block for my 686+.

Awesome quality. My favorite accessory.

Once they arrived, $70 for the kit seemed cheap, so well made.
 
Never seen a 5-Star. I have HKS loaders for all my Smith's, even the M18, and recently picked up a couple of Dade push-types for the K-frame .38. They're stamped "Colt", but they fit the S&W and seem to work very well.
 
I always have used and been very well pleased with HKS but when I could not buy N-frame 8 shot ,I first bought from Thunder Ranch but when I could not break years of habit with them releasing opposite of Hks I sat them and the revolver aside. When I found Five-Star, I called them and they made me 6 8-shot loaders ,on special order, that release the same as HKS. Now I have the best of both worlds, a super quality carrier that releases the way I have trained, plus they are great people to do business with.
 
I hugely prefer Safariland. I don't see how a fall can eject the rounds. Something would have to travel down between the rounds and perfectly press the button in the middle to eject them. Only other way they're coming out is if the body is pressed down while the bullet heads are pressed against something. I have a few (and carried while still on the job) HKS loaders. The rounds never felt as secure to me. They wobble when they sit in there. No more HKS for me, other than maybe at the range.
 
If I'm not mistaken, my 5 Star and HKS speedloaders release by twisting in different directions. I usually carry 625s with moonclips but I have no complaints with the 5 Star loaders and prefer them the odd time I carry my 627.

Dave Sinko
 
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