Magazine loader for 3913, 908 et al?

[TTSH]

What magazine loader, if any, do you use for loading your single stack compact 3rd Gen 9mm magazines?

I love my brand new Maglula UpLULA magazine loader, but it clearly states that it is not for the above magazines. I haven't actually tried it yet on my 3913 magazines but I'll take their word for it that it's a no-go.

So what do you use instead? Thanks!

 

[jsbethel]

Adco Super Thumb is simple but works -
Super Thumbs - ADCO Distribution

 

[TTSH]

Adco Super Thumb is simple but works -
Super Thumbs - ADCO Distribution

Would that be the ST3 model that you use?

 

[jsbethel]

Would that be the ST3 model that you use?

Correct - works with .45 and 10mm single stack also.

 

[tjtoolbox]

I use a HKS Model 943 for my single stack 9mm, works just fine.

 

[Tex1001]

I use my UpLULA To load all of my 9mm 3rd gen mags. If the depressor tab will move between the 3914 feed lips, it should load fine.
There is a Baby UpLULA that will load smaller calibers, up to 380ACP.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

 

[Sevens]

The Avco is better than nothing, especially if you are dealing with a doublestack high-cap. But in reality, it is a two horse race. And here in the 2015, the UpLula is in front with the masses...

But not for me. And as you have found, not for the 39xx mags either.

Big draw to the xxLula loaders is that one device fits many or most and I see that attraction, but I was buying the HKS mag loaders a decade or more before the xxLula hit the market. So for those of us from a handful of years ago, we have a box full of different sized HKS loaders and I have no desire whatsoever to switch.

I much prefer the mechanics and process with the HKS over the xxLula and yes, "fit" is part of it.

One other point... Bought my first HKS loader in '94 and in looking at it, wondered how long before that plastic arm would SNAP. I'm still waiting... and I have logged well over 10k with that particular one. Like I said, I have probably 8 or 10 of them now... never have broken any of them.

Now, I snag em cheap when I find them offered used at gun shows.

 

[gunhobbit]

I use my UpLULA ....

One loader to rule them all....

 

[cpeblue]

One loader to rule them all....

Your correct, all you need to know .

 

[BruceB]

One loader to rule them all....

Absolutely. 9mm single stacks and all the others.

 

[TTSH]

I use my UpLULA to load all of my 9mm 3rd gen mags. If the depressor tab will move between the 3914 feed lips, it should load fine.

One loader to rule them all....

You're correct, all you need to know.

Absolutely. 9mm single stacks and all the others.

I finally had a chance to pull a 3913/908 magazine out of the safe... and you folks are right! The UpLULA loaded it perfectly. What the heck???

I went back to the Maglula website and here is the exact quote from that site complete with typos:

The UpLULA™ does NOT load the following:
S&W 7rd 9mm SS for models 908,3913,3913,3953 & 3954 (Beak too wide, does not enter between lips).

Note that the website is referring to a 7-round magazine whereas the regular 3913/908 magazine (other than the pre-rail TSW magazine) is an 8-round magazine.

So it appears they might be talking about the 7-round magazines for the pre-rail 3913TSW... not the 8-round magazines for the 3913, 908/908S, railed 3913TSW, etc. From this forum, I also learned there was a 7-round flat metal base magazine too... so maybe they meant that magazine???

Now I'm wondering if it will load a 7-round CS9 magazine, but I am too lazy to pull that gun out of the safe right now.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the great responses. Magula's website is wrong or at least very mixed up.

I may try those other two loaders anyway just for chits & giggles. They are both dirt cheap and I've got some some credit card points that will pay all but about a dollar or so for both of them on Amazon.

Again, thanks to all for your input.

 

[GaryS]

TTSH, because I'm the nice guy I am, I pulled out a 3913 8 round, the 3913LS 7 round, and one of my pre rail 3913TSW magazines. The latter is the same magazine as the CS9, only with a different base plate.

First, the three magazines are identical in terms of the feed lips and followers. I've put new followers in both the TSW/CS9 and the 8 round 3913 magazines.

The upLula fits all three quite well, so I don't know why Maglula says they won't work. I suppose I could dig out a 3906 magazine and try, but since the followers are identical, I'm sure that it will work there too.

I only use the upLula to load my double stack magazines, so I never even thought of this. I don't use anything but a thumb to load my single stack magazines, because I'm a manly man.

 

[0849]

I have purchased several mag loaders over the years, and since the range I go to recommended the UpLula, the UpLula is now the only one I use and only one I bring to the range. It does in fact work fine for me on my CS9 mags, also use it regularly for Beretta PX4 Compact which is a double stack and the Beretta Nano which is a single stack relatively narrow mag. It works great and seems to take less effort than other loaders.

 

[TTSH]

TTSH, because I'm the nice guy I am, I pulled out a 3913 8 round, the 3913LS 7 round, and one of my pre rail 3913TSW magazines. The latter is the same magazine as the CS9, only with a different base plate.

First, the three magazines are identical in terms of the feed lips and followers. I've put new followers in both the TSW/CS9 and the 8 round 3913 magazines.

The upLula fits all three quite well, so I don't know why Maglula says they won't work. I suppose I could dig out a 3906 magazine and try, but since the followers are identical, I'm sure that it will work there too.

I only use the upLula to load my double stack magazines, so I never even thought of this. I don't use anything but a thumb to load my single stack magazines, because I'm a manly man.

Such a "nice guy" and a "manly man"! What can I possibly say to that???

Anyway, thanks for solving the last part of the mystery. The Maglula website is clearly wrong as wrong gets.

Guess I shouldn't have believed the damn website and just tried for myself... a good lesson I'll remember for future such issues.

 

[TTSH]

I have purchased several mag loaders over the years, and since the range I go to recommended the UpLula, the UpLula is now the only one I use and only one I bring to the range. It does in fact work fine for me on my CS9 mags, also use it regularly for Beretta PX4 Compact which is a double stack and the Beretta Nano which is a single stack relatively narrow mag. It works great and seems to take less effort than other loaders.

This all makes me wonder if Maglula altered the width of it's UpLULA loader "beak" at some point in order to fit more magazines?

Anyway, problem solved. I really do like that loader and should have bought one for myself long ago.

 

[GerSan69]

Since no one mentioned it... they make an adapter that snaps on the bottom of the UpLULA to make loading single-stack magazines a little easier. It's called the "Maglula 1911AI Aligner Insert" and it's on Amazon for about $18 for a pair. (I bought mine for $13 a year ago, so look around.) It has a hole to thread that little snap-ring on the bottom of the UpLULA through so it doesn't get lost when you load a double-stack.

 

[TTSH]

Since no one mentioned it... they make an adapter that snaps on the bottom of the UpLULA to make loading single-stack magazines a little easier. It's called the "Maglula 1911AI Aligner Insert" and it's on Amazon for about $18 for a pair. (I bought mine for $13 a year ago, so look around.) It has a hole to thread that little snap-ring on the bottom of the UpLULA through so it doesn't get lost when you load a double-stack.

What is consensus opinion on these? Necessary and buy them regardless of the $18/pair + shipping ripoff price? Or forget about it and buy a second single stack loader (for as little as $6.99) if one really needs one?

Folks have said that Maglula should have included these little 6¢ pieces of plastic for free with their $30-35 UpLULA loader. I have to agree with that.

So far, the UpLULA has worked flawlessly for me but maybe I just haven't run into a magazine yet that actually needs this little plastic spacer?

 

[Tex1001]

So far, the UpLULA has worked flawlessly for me but maybe I just haven't run into a magazine yet that actually needs this little plastic spacer?

I've used the basic UpLULA to load mags for 1911, Kel-Tek PF9, CZ52, Bersa, Star, and Walther P38 without that insert.
I just don't see the need.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

 

[nocents]

I've been using the basic uplula on my 7 and 8 round 3913 mags for about 4 years....never a problem.....it truly was a game changer for my situation since a motorcycle accident left one arm and hand a little numb

 

[GerSan69]

I guess you could say my opinion's "tainted" since I already have them, but I really do think it's easier. I have some arthritis in my fingers, and the adapter keeps the mag from "swaying" when I press down, so my effort is concentrated on the downward pressure. To each his own, I suppose.
I do agree that they should've included these in the first place.