Speed loaders?

[The Viking]

I have been out of revolvers for a long time. So I am looking for advice. What are the best speed loaders for 44spec/44magnum 38spec/357 magnum S&W revolvers?

 

[UncleEd]

For the .38/.367, most will probably
recommend the Safariland models as
quicker and simpler during the reload.

But I think HKS is just dandy and while I
have both HKS and Safariland, I tend to
favor the HKS (twist knob release doesn't
bother me or slow me up).

For the .44s, I'm not sure Safariland makes
a speedloader for the big bores so it's
HKS.

There are other brands but those I named are
the most economical and quite practical.

CORRECTION: IT'S THE REVOLVER GUY, NOT
Lucky Gunner. (I suggest you check Lucky Gunner site where
you'll find a rundown on just about all the
speedloaders and varieties that exist.)

 

[mmmtacos]

It usually comes down to the tried-and-true HKS (twist and release, gravity-fed) or the Safariland Comp III (jetloader). S.L. Variant is the gold standard but they scarcely, if ever, come in stock in the US. They're hens teeth and if you do see some for sale or auction you can expect to pay too much for them (I've seen them go for $90 for a 686 compatible style).

I'd advise getting one of each of the first two I mentioned, they're inexpensive, and just see which you like.

As for speed strips... they're the easiest to carry by far but they should never be considered fast. If anything they're just a good way to keep your rounds together, on count, and pointed in the right direction. They're anything but speedy though.

There are quite a few more options, you can check Revolver Guy's article for impressions (What is The Best Revolver Speedloader? - RevolverGuy.Com) but don't rely on his idea of what is quicker or not by and large. He says as much himself: practice is key, you can get faster with an HKS than someone can with an S.L. Variant if you work at it.

It just comes down to what you like. I tried a few and just found myself to prefer HKS over anything else. There's a lot of variables to consider and a lot of those are subjective.

 

[uncleted327]

I would say the best are 5 Star speedloaders. However you can buy HKS's for half the price or less. So it depends on what your aiming to get and for how much...

 

[Green Frog]

IMHO, the HKS product is not a speedloader, it does little more than fit mmmtaco’s description of holding your ammo and keeping it properly aligned. Unfortunately, if you aren’t shooting one of the most abundant models, Safariland doesn’t make one of their speedloaders for your gun. Try finding one for your K32, for instance.

Froggie

PS An old friend of mine who was a huge dealer for HKS once told me the story (privately) of a competitor who was offered use of HKS “Six Second Loaders” (as they were then called.) His response? “Sorry, but I could never afford to go that slow on my reload!” I guess it’s all in your perspective.

 

[Buford57]

I'm another HKS fan. I had bad experiences in the 80s with the early Safarilands, which my agency required me to carry. I came into a newer model Safariland in a trade a few years ago and found it much improved. They are one of the least expensive revolver accessories. As others have suggested, pick up a couple of each, try them out and sell the also-ran on the forum.

 

[prairieviper]

I use the Safariland Comp I in my S&W Model 29 for competition. As far as I know, Safariland does not offer their Comp II or Comp III for the S&W N frame.

I have used the HKS loaders but in my experience, they do not hold the cartridges as secure as the Safariland and are therefore not as fast due to the amount of wiggling you often have to do to get the rounds lined up in the cylinder.

When I carried a revolver on duty, I carried Safariland speedloaders.

 

[L-2]

I have used the following brands and they all worked fine for me:

SL Variant (generally unavailable now for some reason; unknown if still being made)

HKS
speedloaders

Safariland (a few different models available)
More Gear | Safariland

5 Star (also sell loading blocks)
Speed Loading Accessories

SpeedBeez (also has enclosed loading blocks)
Speed Loader | Speedloaders | 617 Speed Loader -Speed Beez

Whatever you get, just ensure your loader, ammo, revolver, and revolver's grips all work together. As someone else said, practicing with one's set-up is very important.

Let us know what you end up trying and liking.

 

[ContinentalOp]

For .38/.357, I like Safariland speedloaders. I've used their Comp I loaders for my 642 for several years. They're probably the easiest to use: Insert rounds, push, done. Jet Loaders and SL Variants operate the same, but I don't have experience with them, and, as was mentioned previously, the SL Variants are very difficult to come by. In my experience, the Safariland loaders, at least the Comp Is I've used, are durable, having been dropped multiple times ( ), including on concrete floors, without spilling rounds or losing functionality. I've read about people intentionally throwing them against walls, still holding their rounds and releasing them as designed.

Their one downside is if you like Split-Six-type carriers, where the loader straddles the belt with rounds on each side. With Safariland loaders, the release mechanism rides on the top edge of the belt in these carriers. Enough downward pressure, and you'll be picking up rounds off the floor.

HKS are fine loaders, but after having used them both in practice and on-duty as an armed guard, I don't like them. You have to insert the rounds, hold the cylinder so it doesn't move, then twist the knob to release them. I prefer the simplicity of the Safariland loaders.

Don't have any experience with .44s, other than knowing that HKS makes loaders for some .44s. I don't know about Safariland.

Strips are a good option, and are available in both .38/.357 and .44. Bianchi was the original Speed Strip, if I'm not mistaken, but I prefer Tuff Products Quick Strips because they have more options with regard to round count and color. They can wear out, crack, and break, but it can take years for that to happen, depending on usage and what kind of climate/temperatures they're exposed to. But they're not expensive, and I consider them a consumable item, so I make sure I have at least a few on hand and just replace the ones that wear out or break. Regular inspections and tests are a good idea, with strips or speedloaders.

I'll echo the sentiments of others who suggested getting one of each type and work with them to see what suits you best. When you decide on the one you like, practice, practice, practice.

Just my opinion.

 

[lrrifleman]

@ The Viking,

I have two Safariland Comp I speedloaders, and a number of HKS speedloaders for my: Colt Trooper MkIII; J, K, L, and N frame S&W (for 38/357); and for my Model 57 and 629. I prefer the HKS speedloaders over the Safariland, because I find the push button release on the Safariland to be a little too sensitive, and have had rounds release in my speedloader carrier.

I have not found a need to try any of the more expensive speedloaders.

 

[Nightowl]

I first bought Safariland speedloaders for my Model 27 the first time I saw them, could have been about 40 years ago. This was at the PPC Nationals in Jackson, MS and they were fairly new on the market. They were head and shoulders above anything else, and they still are! I don't think they were called Comp 1s until the Comp ll was designed, later. I have never seen a Comp ll in either N frame .357 or .44. However, the only real difference is the size of the knob, not important when inserting into the gun. The .357s have have not been made for several years, probably not .44s either. I still have the 3 I bought so many years ago, and they were used a lot when shooting PPC and still look new and function like new. I also have HKS, and some 5 Star and they are well made and function as designed, but they will never match the Safariland. I also have several SL Variant loaders for my model 27s, but never use them as I am very satisfied with the Safariland.
The only place I have found the N1 (N frame .357) loaders now is on the popular auction sites.
For the L frames, the Comp ll is still made and can be found new. The N frame .44s I have still seen at gun shows from the folks that sell all types of magazines.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[biku324]

Whatever you buy, get new and get the same type for all of your revolvers. Odds are a few million to one that you'll never actually have to reload under stress, but if you do, familiarity and muscle memory are irreplaceable.

 

[prairieviper]

You can still buy the Comp I Safariland speedloaders to fit your .44 from Safariland themselves, Cheaper Than Dirt!, Ebay and MidwayUsa. There are likely a lot of other places you can get them too! Some or all of these retailers probably offer the HKS brand, if that is your preference.

 

[Goldstar225]

I've used both the HKS and Safariland. I prefer the Safariland and that's what I chose to carry on duty.

They're not expensive and everyone has their own preference. Buy a couple of each and try them out. Neither one is a bad choice.

 

[garddogg56]

Five star USA made billet aluminum, elite counterclockwise release.

 

[vintage40s]

It usually comes down to the tried-and-true HKS (twist and release, gravity-fed)...
As for speed strips... they're the easiest to carry by far but they should never be considered fast. If anything they're just a good way to keep your rounds together, on count, and pointed in the right direction. They're anything but speedy though...

I have owned my first revolver for a month, a .38 Airweight.

And I have found that a speedstrip is fast compared to picking up each round and inserting it in the cylinder. With the speedstrip, stick in 2 rounds and peel, another 2 rounds and peel, and the last round and peel. Three quick motions.

I would like to get a speed loader. Does the HKS work without interference with Crimson Trace grips?

 

[oink]

I've used Safariland almost from the beginning. I did try HKS and they're OK I guess. I still have some for my model 17. I used Safariland my whole career for a 66, a 686, a 60, and a 629. I never had one let loose on duty. I did learn very early that when loading the loaders you should place them on a flat surface and press the button and visually check to make sure the little star is fully under the case rims and properly centered. Otherwise it is possible to think you have the rounds clicked in properly when they aren't. Safariland is the way to go. However, there is a bit more of a learning curve as compared to the HKS. I have observed, on a number of occasions, other officers dump rounds on the ground when using HKS loaders. Not going to happen with a properly loaded Safariland loader.