L Frame speed loader?

[truckemup97]

I bought a couple of speed loaders at the show last weekend. They're marked "S&W L-Frame" and were made by Dade Screw in Miami, FL. They seem to work fine in a K frame. Is there a difference in the cylinders from K to L? Is there any reason these shouldn't work in a K?

 

[SWP357]

They should, but I think that some "L" frames won't accept. I know when I order from 5 Star that you need to specify the model to be sure that you get the right fit. Just got one today for my 686+

 

[BobR1]

I have never seen a Dade Loader. However HKS, Safariland, and Jet Loader's make different speed loaders for K and L Frame. They do not enterchange. The K Frame Cylinder diameter is smaller than an L Frame, which is smaller than an N Frame. The Dade Loader must have looser tollerances for an L Frame loader to work in a K Frame.

Bob

 

[ab4ka]

I had some Dade J-frame loaders that worked well. If they work with your K frame then go for it. They are neat little pieces. I've got a HKS K-frame speedloader that won't work with my L frames, and my 5-Star L frame loaders won't work with my K frames.

 

[Poohgyrr]

The Dade's I'm thinking of have a small spring that circles the outside of the speedloader body, to hold the rounds in. Mine work fine for range practice, but do not hold the rounds securely enough for me to use them for carry. I believe these were about the first speedloaders made.

I don't have an L frame handy to see if my K frame Dade's work, but the L frame cylinder definitely seems fatter (larger) than the K frame.

 

[Nightowl]

I used to see the Dade's when shooting PPC a whole lot of years ago. I recall, maybe incorrectly, that they preceeded the Safariland. I never bought any, saw some dropped and spilled the rounds. Safariland's were more secure and i ended up with them. I have not seen any in a long time.

 

[truckemup97]

I used to see the Dade's when shooting PPC a whole lot of years ago.

I'm thinking that's where they came from. They were in a speedloader pouch that had the covers cut off. And they are the type with the spring. They seem to work pretty well. I'm not sure how you would dump them accidentally, as it takes quite a bit of pressure to release them.

 

[Mack]

The Dade speedloaders were mainly sold for police use. I have a K and N frame .357 set in unmarked duty belt pouches. I believe they date from the 1960's to ??.