Safariland speed loaders

[Collo Rosso]

Had Safariland comp 1 speed loaders recommended for J frames. Anybody prefer them over the HKS?

 

[smoothshooter]

I would guess that almost everybody that has tried both prefers the Safariland. I know I do.
I honestly don’t see how HKS has stayed in business so long. Must be because most customers that have bought or tried the HKS brand are not aware that there is another company that makes a superior product.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I've used both and I prefer the Safariland Comp I. I think it's simpler to use under stress. Insert rounds, push on body. While I tend to think the gross vs. fine motor skills arguments tend to get a bit overblown at times, the Comp I does require less dexterity than the HKS, at least in my experience.

Some people say the Comp I isn't as durable, but I've dropped them several times on the floor, including concrete floors, and they not only held the rounds in place, they continued to function properly. I've also read about one instructor who would throw loaded Comp Is against the floor and walls with the same results.

The only real downside I can see is if you like split-six loader pouches, where the loader straddles the top of the belt. With Comp Is, this means the release mechanism is riding on the top edge of the belt. While it never happened to me, I have read of some people who managed to apply enough downward pressure on the loader to trigger the release mechanism and spill rounds. For this reason, I switched to JOX pouches so it becomes a non-issue.

Another potential downside is that Comp Is may not be compatible with some grips that work with HKS loaders, but in most cases one can either alter the grips or use different grips. Personally, I think the ease of use of Comp Is make such changes worth it to be able to use them.

Just my opinion.

 

[Patrick L]

HKS makes a durable, reliable speedloader, that cannot be denied. It is NOT, however, the fastest design. When I used to compete, I preferred the Safariland. I especially liked the Comp 1 for my M28s ( they didn't make the Comp 2 or 3 for an N frame as I recall) and foolishly let them go when I sold the guns. Now that I have two Model 27s, I had to search for some old used ones, since apparently they were discontinued

 

[white cloud]

I have both the HKS and Safariland Comp 1 loaders and greatly prefer the Safariland unit. I have dropped mine several times and they still work fine.

 

[michpatriot]

Safariland Comp1 is the best I have tried and carry one daily for my j frame. I have one of the HKS jobs and it has a bad habit of loosing rounds if not handled very diligently, a errant movement of the knob and you have loaded cartridges everywhere. Never had my comp 1 loose it's proverbial marbles and I even carry it split over the belt on the release button and it has never dumped them in the belt mounted case...EVER and I have some dented cartridges from some VERY rough use whilst in the split position over the belt, even with those cartridges that were dented the Comp1 never dumped from riding on the belt, on the button.

 

[Nightowl]

I have some N frame Safariland speedloaders I have had since they were first introduced, maybe about 40 years ago or more!! I used them in PPC and dropped them on gravel and concrete firing lines for years and they don't even have a scratch on them. In fact, I can't tell them from ones I have bought to hoard and have never been used. I seldom dropped a loaded speedloader, but don't recall ever having one "loose their marbles"!

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Had Safariland comp 1 speed loaders recommended for J frames. Anybody prefer them over the HKS?

Most definitely. I do. Much easier to use. Occasionally a little tricky to load without a flat surface, but speed loaders are supposed to be fast on getting revolvers loaded, not loaders loaded. Comp I loaders qualify.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Thanks. Ordered a pair last night. They'll be for conceal carry now that I've started carrying my 360. Thought about having it cut for moon clips, but then would need a pouch to keep it from getting bent. Wanted something I could just drop in my pocket.

 

[Green Frog]

IMHO, the Safariland Comp 1 (through 3) is a series of speedloaders. While they have their place, the HKS 6 Second Loaders are a series of devices to organize and store ammo. Back in my days of shooting PPC revolvers I tried them all, and if I had added the time difference between a speed loader and a six second loader, I would have had less time for aiming and properly breaking each shot. This is a “No Brainer” for me, but of course YMMV.

Froggie

PS the grips on any gun I was shooting in competition would have clearance for the speedloaders. I’ve still got a handful of HKS ammo carriers that fit my Model 60 and Baby Chiefs Special, but they are getting dusty from disuse and I would never depend on one in a high stress scenario!

 

[seldon14]

Most definitely. I do. Much easier to use. Occasionally a little tricky to load without a flat surface, but speed loaders are supposed to be fast on getting revolvers loaded, not loaders loaded. Comp I loaders qualify.

I use the palm of my hand most of the time.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Used HKS until I discovered Safariland........ about 40 years ago!!!!!

 

[UncleEd]

For L framed revolvers, I have both
Safariland and HKS.

Sorry to buck the love fest for Safariland
but I prefer HKS.

The "twist" knob is not all that difficult
to master and build motor skills for it.

And they are substantially cheaper and
more durable though many would contest
that view.

 

[roo_ster]

Used them both back before the innerwebs. Both work fine and are quality. Could not find Safarilands where I was for one of my revolvers, but I could get HKS for all my revos. So I stuck with HKS and developed muscle memory with the HKS brand.

Gave the Safariland away to a buddy.

Were I to start over, not sure what I would run.

 

[oink]

I've been using the Safariland loaders for about 40 years. They are the way to go. I've tried the HKS but didn't like them. When I moved to FL I discovered most officers in the area used HKS for some reason. I also watched officers dump the rounds trying to reload under pressure with HKS during qualifications. Never saw it happen with safariland.

 

[Andy Taylor]

I had HKS before I knew Safariland existed. I did buy one Safariland for a N frame .357. I did like it, but in those pre internet days, they were hard to find and they didn't make them for all the different revolvers I had, so I stuck with HKS. I have since tried the 5Star loaders, which are basically a nicer version of the HKS, but turn the opposite direction. I still default to the HKS.

 

[kbm6893]

Safariland Comp II is what I prefer. They are FAR more secure than the HKS. You could literally throw a fully loaded Safariland as far as you could launch it and the rounds will still be secure. I've had games of catch with them and not one round has ever fallen out. HKS wiggle too much. I still have a bunch of HKS's, just cause they're OK and for range use that's all that matters, but when I need new speedloaders, I won't even consider HKS.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I use the palm of my hand most of the time.

So do I, but sometimes with a Comp I it is difficult to press the tiny button hard enough. Comp IIs are the best of the bunch, and Austrian Jetloaders are even better, IMO.

 

[rubiranch]

Like most of you I have several HKS & Safari Land speed loaders.
I carry the speed strips in my pocket because they are flat.




I recently purchased some ZETA6 J-Clip speedloaders and I really like them.

I keep a few ready in my truck and just bought more for my car.

I prefer the ZETA6 over the HKS & Safari Land for my J-frames.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Will be ordering some Zeta6 J-clip speed loaders.