Revolver Speed Loaders?

[brucev]

Shot a match the other day at the police range. I was going to use my six inch 686 w/ HK speedloaders. Was told only five inch or less barrels were allowed. So, I was going to use my four inch 28. Problem... only had one speedloader. Ended up using a borrowed four inch L-frame. Gentleman gave me six spring loaded speedloaders to use. They were a revelation. Much faster for reloads.

The time limits are generous... 30 seconds for 12 round w/ 90 seconds for the 18 rounds at 25 yds. I found the spring type loader very easy to use. Just don't remember the brand name. Looked at some pictures. The ones I used did not have an exposed spring.

Looks like in future matches I will have to use either my four inch 66-3 or my four inch 28-2. So, I need speedloaders. I don't want to reinvent the wheel. Obviously others are used these type revolvers in matches. Which speedloaders do you find work best? Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Jet Loaders most likely

 

[OKFC05]

Safariland Comp III are spring loaded also.
Revolver Speed Loaders

 

[PERAZZI]

Jets the best imho. Sounds like our "service" matches. 5" auto, 4 " revolvers.

 

[BigBill]

I purchased the HK speed loaders on clearance when ever I see them.
I'm not sure with the revolver sales down how much longer the speed loaders will be available. Numrich E-Gun Parts had some on clearance a while back not sure what's left.

 

[BobR1]

With NO Exposed Spring you were using Safariland Comp III's. They are not real hard to find. Midway has them on sale now and again.
They are manufactured in 2 sizes ONLY.
K Frame 6 shot 38/357
L Frame/GP100 in 6 shot 38/357

The EXPOSED Spring Speed Loaders will be Jet Loaders. They are a little better quality than the Safarilands, and also more expensive. They are available from Power Custom, as well as Pistoleer.
They come in 3 sizes ONLY
J Frame/SP101 in 5 shot 38/357
K Frame 6 shot 38/357
L Frame/GP100 in 6 shot 38/357

You have some other considerations, such as Speed Loader Carriers. Check the Rules of your sport.
Safariland still makes the Model 333 Carrier. It carriers 3 speed loaders side by side. It is available in 1.5 Inch as well as 2.25 Inch Duty Belt size.

The Safariland is NOT IDPA Legal. It is good to go for most other Revolver Games however.

For IDPA Legal you have a few choices.
North Mountain
Blade Tec
I make the Big Creek Kydex Carriers
I believe their are atleast a couple more makers.

Your Model 66 would be a good choice. You may need to do a grip change for speed loader clearance. I am using Hogue Rubber on both my Full Size Revolvers. My main 2 Match Revolvers are a 64, and a 686. I am running the more expensive Jet Loaders in the K Frame due to them being a little smaller in diameter. The K frame cylinder clearance is pretty close. I am sure you can do fine with Safariland Comp III's also.

Your 28 being an N Frame limits your choices some. You will be limited to the HKS and 5 Star "Turn Knob" Speed Loaders.
Something to consider. I have been using the HKS Speedloaders for 40 years. They are pretty good, and made for lots of different revolvers I own.
The 5 Star Speed Loaders turn BACKWARDS of the HKS to activate. If you have never used Turn Knob Speed Loaders you will not have an issue using the 5 Star.

Next issue will be the Carrier. As far as I know, Big Creek Kydex is the only source for carriers for anything other than the K and L Frame speed loaders.
I have examples of almost every HKS, Safariland, and Jet Loader made. I do not have 5 Star speed loaders to check the fit, and to make forms.
I have made carriers for the 5 Star, but I had the Speed Loader sent to me to get the fit right. I believe that was for a 5 shot LCR Ruger.

My guess is that you will save between One Half and a Full Second on a spring driven speed loader reload over a turn knob reload if you practice with both, and get good.

Next issue is Bullet Shape. Use a Round Nose Bullet.

Have Fun

Bob R

Big Creek Kydex Speed Loader Carriers
[email protected]

 

[chief38]

I have HK Speed Loaders. I tried the push to release style buy didn't care for themas much. Used them for PPC.

 

[Ky Farmer]

I've never used speed loaders before. I ccw a s&w 638, and I carry a speed strip in my pocket.
I have several k frame 64's and 65's, and a 686 l frame six shooter, and I'd like to get some speed loaders, what is the easiest to learn to use, and easiest to carry if I was to start carrying a speed loader for the 638, I'd prefer to just get one brand/style for my j,k and l frames so I only have to learn one way if I ever have to reload under stress. Probably gonna keek carrying speed strip regardless it works with the five hole as well as the six

 

[PERAZZI]

For carry I think I'd like the security of the hks and the strips.

 

[judge]

Been using Dade for over 20 years - still like them, and they never break.

 

[BB57]

I've never used speed loaders before. I ccw a s&w 638, and I carry a speed strip in my pocket.
I have several k frame 64's and 65's, and a 686 l frame six shooter, and I'd like to get some speed loaders, what is the easiest to learn to use, and easiest to carry if I was to start carrying a speed loader for the 638, I'd prefer to just get one brand/style for my j,k and l frames so I only have to learn one way if I ever have to reload under stress. Probably gonna keek carrying speed strip regardless it works with the five hole as well as the six

The safari land Comp and Comp 2 speed loaders are small enough to be practical for real world use, but the Comp 3 is not what I'd call 'practical' given the extremely long design.

HKS speed loaders are very common, not very expensive and they work quite well. They are fairly snug when new, but loosen up a bit over time and they get a little easier to drop the rounds into place.

Five Star makes all aluminum speed loaders and the quality is excellent. They start out a little looser than an HKS speed loader and don't change over time.

The fly in the ointment here is that the HKS speed loaders drop the rounds into the cylinder with a clockwise turn of the knob while the five star speed loaders drop the rounds with a counter clockwise turn of the knob.

So...pick one and practice with it but don't try mixing and matching.

-----

Personally, while I like the quality of the 5 star speed loaders, I started with HKS a long time ago and I just stick with them. They work well and most speed loader carriers work well with them.

For concealed carry use I prefer this model from Wild Bills Concealment as it is low profile, allowing you to slip 2 or 3 rounds over your belt.

Wild Bill's Concealment | The Professional's Choice

 

[Josh M.]

For real world carry, I like the Safariland Comp II, for fun the spring loaded Comp III is a bit quicker.

Have HKS and Safariland, I feel the Safariland Comp II holds the rounds the most securly when I slip one into my watch pocket.

 

[Yorkie Man]

Safariland Comp 2's are what i have used for the past 30 years, I tied the Comp 3's and had some of the rounds pop back out so I went back to what I was used to.

 

[haggis]

Next issue is Bullet Shape. Use a Round Nose Bullet.

And chamfer the chambers. It makes a big difference in speed.

Buck

 

[Houlton]

I was at S&W's Officer Survival School a lifetime ago and almost everyone used SafariLand. Much faster than everything else at that time. Still have mine most of which are 30 years old + and still work. ( much better than I do)

 

[Pizza Bob]

My take on speed loaders:

HKS and 5 Star - fine for general range use. Requires two motions to load cartridges - insert/twist. Relies on gravity to chamber the rounds, so the muzzle must be pointing down. BTW - 5-Star release knob rotates the opposite direction from the HKS loaders

Safariland Comp I & II - Better for carry applications where concealability and speed are a concern. Just requires firm insertion to release the cartridges - no separate twist motion. Release button bears against the extractor star to release. Still relies on gravity to chamber the rounds. The Comp I has no top knob and must be grasped by the sides. The Comp II has a top knob making it easier to remove the loader from the carry pouch.

Safariland Comp III and Jet Loader - Competition style speed loaders. Single motion (insertion) to release rounds. Loader is spring-loaded and pushes the rounds into the chamber - does not rely on gravity. Large top knob for easy grasp and removal from pouch (not suitable for CC).

Dade & SpeedBeez (CF) - both of these have a coil spring around the circumference of the body of the loader, that retains the rounds in the loader. The top knob pushes the cartridge rims past the spring into the chambers. Prone to losing cartridges if dropped - not real positive retention.

Variant SL - I've never seen these used, but from what I've heard these were excellent. Unfortunately, it appears the the lone importer for these is no longer bringing them into the country.

The loader you choose may be dependent on application (comp v. carry v. range) or availability of a particular loader for a particular cartridge/firearm combination, so optimum applications may not always be achievable.

As an alternative, companies like TKCustom can machine the revolver cylinder to accept moon clips without losing the ability to still use speed loaders or load rounds singly.

Hope this has helped.

Adios,

Pizza Bob