Speed loader recommendations for a 357 L frame 686

[DocPhil]

Hello folks. Looking 4 recommendations 4 speed loaders 4 a 357, 6 shot model 686. A sometimes CC. TY in advance

 

[SJK2]

I like these guy's........

.357 L-Frame Accessories

 

[MrSwede]

I use Safariland Comp-3.
Maby moon clip is the thing for CC?

 

[UncleEd]

Just get HKS; they've served for years. They're durable and usually on sale from Midway.

The Safariland cost half again as much. But if you do, get the Safariland 2; I think the 3s are as big and long as hot dogs. And they cost substantially more (OK for competition, I guess, but not CC).

Other than they are shiny, I'm not impressed by the Stars, nor their cost, and yes I've used all three. I know others will swear by the Safariland and I really don't fault them.

Whichever you get, practice exclusively with that brand as each has a different mode of operation.

 

[GerSan69]

HKS are available all over the place. Amazon has cheap ones as do several other vendors. I even bought the .22 version for my Model 18.

 

[Nightowl]

I have Safariland Comp 1s that I have used since they first came on the market. There were not called Comp 1 until the two model with the larger knob was introduced. The twos are a little easier to lock the cartridges in, but otherwise work the same. The threes are for competition in my opinion. I have HKS, Five Star, SL Variant as well but the Safarilands are the ones I use when I walk to the firing line.

 

[BobR1]

I conceal carry the Safariland COMP II's in the Safariland Spring Steel CD-2 Carriers.
I have 3 Pair on my dresser.

Pair 1 would be K Frame Comp II's loaded with 38 Special +P Speer 135 GDHP Short Barrel.
For: 15-5 Snub, 315 Night Guard, 10-5 Snub, and my 64.

Pair 2 would be another K Frame Comp II loaded with Speer 357 Magnum 135 GDHP Short Barrel.
For: S&W 66-2 with 3" barrel.

Pair 3 would be L Frame Comp II's loaded again with Speer 135 GDHP Short Barrel 357 Magnum.
For: 4" 686-5.

My next choice would be the L Frame Jet Loader carried in a Big Creek carrier. The Jet Loader is smaller than the Safariland Comp III. I would rate is as small enough for belt carry.

This is what an L Frame Jet Loader looks like in a Big Creek Carrier.

The HKS will work ok, and has for years. My problem with HKS Speed Loaders is no good belt carriers for them. I guess I could cure that problem by making a Big Creek carrier for it from Kydex.

Which ever carrier you go with, you probably need to stick with one brand and model.
The Safariland Comp I, II, and III, as well as Jet Loaders just push down into the cylinder to release. No Knob to turn. This is a great system as long as everything clears. Normally this is not an issue on an L Frame. Grips and Cylinder Release can cause clearance problems on some K and J Frames.

The HKS speed loaders releases by turning the knob clock wise. Not quite as fast as a Safarliand, but they work well, and have for years.

Some other brands of turn knob speed loaders turn backwards from HKS.

I use several different revolvers in matches using multiple speed loader designs. I can deal with all Safariland, Jet Loaders, and Speed Bee'z for my 22. Just push down to release.
With HKS a clock wise turn of the knob while holding the cylinder releases the ammunition. That is all the designs I plan to work with. I do not need a speed loader that releases by turning counter clock wise.

Which ever you go with, practice using it.
Midway is a good source for HKS and Safariland when on sale.
I get Jet Loaders from Pistoleer, who also carries Safariland.

Bob

 

[DR505]

I have Safariland Comp 1s that I have used since they first came on the market. There were not called Comp 1 until the two model with the larger knob was introduced. The twos are a little easier to lock the cartridges in, but otherwise work the same. The threes are for competition in my opinion. I have HKS, Five Star, SL Variant as well but the Safarilands are the ones I use when I walk to the firing line.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I like the Safariland best, though have HKS too. The Safariland Comp 1 is more concealable, and puts the rounds in the cylinder with authority. I carried on the job for a while before I switched from a Model 27 to an auto-loader.

 

[ikor]

IIRC Safariland still makes their 'Split Six' speedloader pouches, and I carried many an HKS speedloader in them for lots of years...you may have to special order a couple however.

 

[Thursday]

I use HKS and haven't had an issue. They work and are readily available just about any where I've looked.

Also not sure if you've already tried speed strips and decided you liked the speed loaders better but if you haven't and you're using the gun for CC, speed strips may be worth looking into. They may be slower reloads but I find that they are easier to conceal.

 

[echo1xg36c]

Ive tried both HKS and the safariland ones.
Used HKS speedloaders for years without a problem.
I personally prefer the twist of the HKS instead of the push of the safariland.

 

[Dave T]

The speed loader you choose has a lot to do with which hand you use to reload with.

For right handed shooters, if you keep the gun in your shooting hand and load with the left the Safariland is vastly superior because you don't have to keep the cylinder from rotating. Trying HKS with this technique is problematical. It can be done by using an extra finger to hold the cylinder still while turning the knob but it's tricky and prone to error.

If you transfer the gun to your left hand to reload and hold the cylinder after dumping the empties then either the Safariland or HKS will work equally well.

Since I often carry revolvers that use full-moon clips and load with the left hand, I prefer using the Safariland as it keeps the reloading motion/technique reasonably consistent.

Dave

 

[echo1xg36c]

The speed loader you choose has a lot to do with which hand you use to reload with.

For right handed shooters, if you keep the gun in your shooting hand and load with the left the Safariland is vastly superior because you don't have to keep the cylinder from rotating. Trying HKS with this technique is problematical. It can be done by using an extra finger to hold the cylinder still while turning the knob but it's tricky and prone to error.

If you transfer the gun to your left hand to reload and hold the cylinder after dumping the empties then either the Safariland or HKS will work equally well.

Since I often carry revolvers that use full-moon clips and load with the left hand, I prefer using the Safariland as it keeps the reloading motion/technique reasonably consistent.

Dave

Excellent point. I personally transfer to the left hand to eject and load with the right.

 

[luangtom]

I concur with those on using HKS. I like the twist-factor. Have used their speed-loaders for years for all of my S&W revolvers.