Poll...Speed loaders...Time to end this debate

[coltle6920]

For those that knew what I'm referring to... Thank you.

For everyone else...Read the following.

It may be semantics but there is a difference in terminology when referring to items used to facilitate loading a firearm. Go to your favorite website for ordering supplies. In the search box type in "speedloader" (one word) and you'll get results for loading revolvers. Type in "speed loader" (two words) and you'll get results mainly for semi autos.

So now you know the difference. You're welcome.

 

[mrchick]

Please be sure to let Maglula know about the error on their website[emoji848]

 

[Onomea]

Ohhhh! You mean speedy loaders!

 

[AJ]

So, I guess based upon the poll options, we're not talking about actual revolver speed loaders, but we're talking about magazine loaders for those who can't load a magazine without assistance or actually just use their thumbs? Which really doesn't speed things up if you can use you thumbs . . .

Old school loading magazines!! Could have seen asking for a Speed Loader when loading magazines in the Corps. Would have gotten laughed off the planet...... Now with the "New Services" they probably have them.

 

[snubbyfan]

if we are talking about loading magazines. then I'm going with what god gave me. Two thumbs

That's the thing. Thanks to a degenerative motor nerve condition, I only have one properly working thumb.
Makes loading mags kinda challenging without some kind of a gadget.

 

[45Smashemflat]

I use an uplula for my Uzi SMG mags, does that count? It’s the only one I own, and it does work. Keeping the Uzi fed is tough on your thumbs without it.

 

[Onomea]

..we're talking about magazine loaders for those who can't load a magazine without assistance or actually just use their thumbs? Which really doesn't speed things up if you can use you thumbs . . .

Just wanted to say how much I admire your powerful thumbs. Well done!

(If, should it come to pass, that you, too, grow old, and find that, as it happens to some of us (if we survive long enough), that your hand strength decreases, you might find these devices helpful.)

Arf!

 

[Model 15-4ever]

I don't use speed loaders..........

Yes, where is the choice: "Buy a gym membership"?

 

[Hair Trigger]

I load my semiauto magazines by hand, no special tool needed. Why the need for "speedy loading" a magazine, When one is empty, drop it and slap another one in. The speed loaders are for revolvers and I use Safariland for my K frames and HKS for the N frames. I only carry them for times when I might need a quicker reload than I can do one round at a time with my fingers.

 

[usmcsgt]

Uplula

Two instructors run about 20 students through the indoor range every Saturday and we use the Uplula to load 9mm mags so we can keep up with the work flow. Each student gets to shoot 1 mag for 4 different 9mm pistols to see what they like best. My old thumbs could not keep up without the loader. I also notice our lady students have less problems loading mags when they are on the range and shooting 2 boxes or more using the Uplula loader.



Also back when one of the local federal agencies was running MP-5 with 32 round mags - everyone's thumbs would give out before we ran out of ammo (and fun). So even if your not an old guy yet with arthritis I would suggest you spend the money and save the wear and tear on your thumbs. It does make shooting sessions much more fun.

 

[CajunBass]

I've used several and they all seem to work, but the Uplula is the head of the class by far. My old arthritic thumbs really appreciate them. BTW. When I got my first Glock many years ago, I laughed at the mag loader that came with it. It didn't take me long to smart up about that.

I've got a half-dozen or more HKS "Speedloaders" for my various revolvers. They don't get used for anything really. Speed-Strips too.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I can't vote. A speed loader is a round thing-a-ma-bob with cartridges held in place in order to drop them speedily as a reload in a revolver.

An Uplula is a pistol magazine loading device. Not a speed loader.

I have one of each. The Uplula I had to buy because the mags for my model G23 are near impossible to top off by hand (and my two thumbs). The junky little thing that Glock gives you with the gun is mostly useless, and the Uplula works for I think every pistol caliber I own. I bought one of those round thing-a-ma-bobs for a M10-8 I used to own, and I think it works for most every .38 Special 6 shooter I own but I've never had a reason to use it. That's what high capacity mags are for in a pistol (if I feel like taking my car out to the hood for detailing and a couple racks of ribs.)
Edit to add: I did let my grandson play with (safely use) the speed loader one day a while back. He was shooting the M&P 38 (shipped Jan. '49) with the target stocks w/relief cut-out that I salvaged from my M10-8 before I traded it in. He didn't care for the speed loader very much, either. The stocks, OTOH, put a smile on his face with orders to get a couple more sets! C'mon, kid! They ain't cheap!

 

[wood714]

Some of the best money I've spent. I have the universal one for pistols, one just for the 30 round HK mags, and one for CZ EVO mags.

 

[jeffrefrig]

That's the thing. Thanks to a degenerative motor nerve condition, I only have one properly working thumb.
Makes loading mags kinda challenging without some kind of a gadget.

Snubby, get the Upula like in that picture up there. They're pretty cheap but are worth every penny. I don't yet have any thumb or hand issues yet, just much weaker since I retired! (I really didn't look that hard but I didn't see the issue in that pic.)

 

[lkabug]

For all you young strong thumbs folks...we older gentleman pray you too live long enough to get arthritis in both thumbs. That starts about the same time one begin to collect your Social Security. Enjoy your golden years, get a Uplula.

 

[AJ]

I have one of each. The Uplula I had to buy because the mags for my model G23 are near impossible to top off by hand (and my two thumbs). The junky little thing that Glock gives you with the gun is mostly useless, and the Uplula works for I think every pistol caliber I own. I bought one of those round thing-a-ma-bobs for a M10-8 I used to own, and I think it works for most every .38 Special 6 shooter I own but I've never had a reason to use it. That's what high capacity mags are for in a pistol (if I feel like taking my car out to the hood for detailing and a couple racks of ribs.)
Edit to add: I did let my grandson play with (safely use) the speed loader one day a while back. He was shooting the M&P 38 (shipped Jan. '49) with the target stocks w/relief cut-out that I salvaged from my M10-8 before I traded it in. He didn't care for the speed loader very much, either. The stocks, OTOH, put a smile on his face with orders to get a couple more sets! C'mon, kid! They ain't cheap!

Stay out of the Hill District....not a real nice place to be, unless it has changed considerably since i was stationed in the Burgh.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I'm 75, have arthritis in both thumbs and both wrists. Clicked on this thread to put in my vote for old timey speed strips. What with being a revolver guy and all.

Now I see magazine loaders are called speed loaders. I guess that's OK. Some people call magazines, clips. The term "clips" are mostly used by mainstream media reporter type people. They get harassed too. Sorry, I had to, it's the geezer in me.

 

[Mercury]

For all you young strong thumbs folks...we older gentleman pray you too live long enough to get arthritis in both thumbs. That starts about the same time one begin to collect your Social Security. Enjoy your golden years, get a Uplula.

Plan ahead, this is sage advice and the reason why I use them.

 

[smoothshooter]

+1 for me. Never had use for a speed loader myself, at least when it comes to magazines. Though I understand how some folks might.

If you clip a couple of coils off your magazine springs you won’t need a magazine loader.
Almost all magazines nowadays have springs that generate WAY too much upper pressure. No reason for it at all.

 

[smoothshooter]

Some 9mm 1911 magazines are hard to get the last cartridge or two in, specially when new. I use a Hiljack 3d printed loader.

For Speed Loaders with my revolver I used to use HKS but changed to the Safariland Comp II

Safariland are so superior to HKS that I can’t imagine why anyone would buy an HKS.
Unfortunately HKS are almost all I ever see for sale in gun stores and at gun stores. I’ll bet most revolver shooters aren’t even aware the Safarilands even exist.