442 Speed Loader options

[nanney1]

Is there a preferred brand that works best with a 442/642?
Seems as if I've read that some take a little work at an angle to get the rounds loaded. And that one brand worked better/smoother on reloads... Safariland maybe??? Or does it matter?

My 442 has the stock grip.

 

[armorer951]

I use the HKS brand, primarily because the rounds are held more securely. (in case the loader is dropped) They are still a tight squeeze with the factory grips, and some after-market grips. The Safariland ones also work with some of the available grips.

I also carry Bianchi speed strips.

 

[eb07]

the best I have found outside of the extremely expensive now that they are unavailable S.L. Variants are the 5 star firearm loaders. Small lightweight and easy to carry. ALso small enough to work with all stocks. They have CCW release so the cylinder doesn't want to close when releasing but if you want CW release like the HKS you can call them and they will make them that way.

https://www.5starfirearms.com/

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I've used Safariland Comp I for decades, no problems, but I haven't drop-tested them a lot. Never had a desire to use larger or more-complicated-to-use speedloaders. For larger revolvers, Jetloaders may be an improvement (I use them for K revolvers), but for J, I have no desire to "improve" on the Comp I.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I prefer the Safariland Comp I. Simple operation...insert rounds, push on the loader's body. I have (unintentionally) drop-tested mine, including on concrete floors, and the rounds never spilled out, but the loaders still worked fine. I've read of people taking a loaded Comp I and throwing it against the wall without spilling rounds and still working.

However, if you carry in a split-six-type pouch, the release button rides on top of the belt. With enough downward pressure, the rounds could get released. While it's never happened to me, it's one of the reasons why I don't use split-six pouches anymore.

The biggest problem with Comp Is is that they don't work particularly well with the factory rubber boot grip that comes on most current J-frames. You can either switch to a different grip with a better relief cut or modify the grip with a Dremel tool, or file and sandpaper (the method I used to modify a set of PGS Hideout grips). Personally, I think it's worth the effort/cost to be able to use the Comp Is.

 

[snubbyfan]

I just trimmed my grips (or is it stocks?) and either brand works.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-xGOTToUpM&t=4s[/ame]

 

[Bill In Texas]

I use the HKS brand, primarily because the rounds are held more securely. (in case the loader is dropped) They are still a tight squeeze with the factory grips, and some after-market grips.

I also carry Bianchi speed strips.

+1!
For the same reasons.

 

[.45mtngun]

Gentlemen,
For my 442-2 Airweight i prefer the Bianchi Speed Strips.The main reasons are that i really like the factory grips that came with the gun, the HKS speed loaders are a tight fit with the factory grips, and i've practiced enough with the strips that i'm confident with them. I also don't think that the HKS Speed Loader springs hold the rounds tight enough if the loader is dropped on a hard surface. It looks like the Safariland CompI would be a stronger set up, though i have never tried them.
Jim C.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Nothing wrong with using strips, though I prefer the Tuff Products version. I have black ones for carry and orange ones for practice. The only caveat is that I wouldn't recommend getting the 5-round version for J-frames. I tried them, and there wasn't enough for me to grip it and strip off rounds with confidence. Stick to 6-round (or more) strips.

Two advantages to strips: 1) Flat profile makes carrying/concealing easier, and 2) you don't have to worry about grip compatibility.

Having said that, I much prefer speedloaders and use them probably 99% of the time as they are simpler to use and less fumble-prone. While I can use strips without looking, it is easier with speedloaders.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I use the HKS brand, primarily because the rounds are held more securely. (in case the loader is dropped) They are still a tight squeeze with the factory grips, and some after-market grips.

I also carry Bianchi speed strips.

This is how I roll as well. I've got CT Lasergrips on my 442, and the HKS work just fine. The HKS are metal, and I've never seen one toss out rounds when dropped. I have, however, on more than one occasion observed one of those plastic Safariland jobs either a: refuse to release rounds no matter how hard you jammed it towards the cylinder or b: explode in lots of plastic parts and springs when dropped on the deck. More often than not, though, I just carry a speed strip with five in my pocket . . .

 

[kaaskop49]

Current production 442s are fitted with the S&W knockoffs of the UM boot grip. They're perfectly suitable for shooting, but they do interfere with the HKS speedloaders when reloading. They REALLY do, don't ever try it either in practice or when SHTF. Solution: a few seconds work with an X-acto knife to relieve that area on the left grip and you're good to go/load.

I do prefer speedstrips. Or a second J-frame...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Sixgun100]

I prefer the Safariland Comp I. Simple operation...insert rounds, push on the loader's body. I have (unintentionally) drop-tested mine, including on concrete floors, and the rounds never spilled out, but the loaders still worked fine. I've read of people taking a loaded Comp I and throwing it against the wall without spilling rounds and still working.

However, if you carry in a split-six-type pouch, the release button rides on top of the belt. With enough downward pressure, the rounds could get released. While it's never happened to me, it's one of the reasons why I don't use split-six pouches anymore.

The biggest problem with Comp Is is that they don't work particularly well with the factory rubber boot grip that comes on most current J-frames. You can either switch to a different grip with a better relief cut or modify the grip with a Dremel tool, or file and sandpaper (the method I used to modify a set of PGS Hideout grips). Personally, I think it's worth the effort/cost to be able to use the Comp Is.

What he said, Safariland......

 

[MichiganScott]

I have Safariland, but I find myself carrying speed strips more often than the speedloaders.

 

[Mially]

New J-frame Speedloader

Is there a preferred brand that works best with a 442/642?
Seems as if I've read that some take a little work at an angle to get the rounds loaded. And that one brand worked better/smoother on reloads... Safariland maybe??? Or does it matter?

My 442 has the stock grip.

I helped design a new J-Frame speedloader early this year that does clear grips on the 442/642 for the company zeta6. Their website is called zetasix. I would post photos but I don't wish to look like a commercial.

~Mially

 

[haywood]

If you grind the stock grip the HKS and others fit fine.

 

[Eagle1*]

If you grind the stock grip the HKS and others fit fine.

that is an awesome looking grind job, so please explain how you did it please? Looks factory sir...

 

[Edknn123]

5 Star Fireams J2 - 357/38 work great in my 442 and other J frames. LCR 357 too. Much slimmer and load the shells deep in the cylinder.

 

[bigfatty]

I helped design a new J-Frame speedloader early this year that does clear grips on the 442/642 for the company zeta6. Their website is called zetasix. I would post photos but I don't wish to look like a commercial.

~Mially

I just got some of the loaders and strips from them. After playing around with them for 10 minutes on a couple of J's, I'm pretty impressed. Time will tell as far as carry and durability. If I can pocket carry one of each for a year and use them at the range 8 or 10 times during that span, they become the best speed strip and best readily available loader, IMO.

 

[geeollie]

I believe I will get some of those. They look as if they may be the best options for the factory grip.

Thanks for speaking about them. i did not know they existed.

 

[snowman.45]

Currently, I have HKS and some of the new Pachmyar aluminum speed loaders. Like Muss, I use CT laser grips (Model 405) on my 340 M&P and both work very well with complete clearance and no modification. However, neither clear the S&W or UM grips on my 640 Pro and 640 -1. Like others here, I have found that the Safariland Speed loaders clear the grips just fine. I haven't been able to find any of those for the J-Frames in a while. They're a bit scarce. I've never had one come apart on me when dropped or otherwise, but I've heard the tales.

The problem I have noticed with the HKS loaders is that I have had them dump the rounds in my pocket when I just put
them in there. For that reason, I like the Pachmyars a bit better in that the release knob is a little harder to turn.
I also prefer to carry one 2X2X2 pouch on my belt with GDHP 135gr. SB .357 mag in case of something really unusual requiring more punch. I also tend to carry speed strips quite often; more for the lower profile in my pockets.