Speed loaders

[jenv1990]

what are the best speed loaders to buy for a 38sp

 

[bubbiesdad]

I like HKS. Haven't tried others though.

 

[socal s&w]

I like the Safariland Comp II's or the Jets. Either of the two work very well, they actually eject via spring loaded into the chambers.

 

[586L-Frame]

I have both HKS & Safariland Comp II's.
I'm favoring Safariland Comp II's more so, as I use them more.

586L-Frame

 

[sipowicz]

Depends...HKS are easier to load and use for the range.....the Safarilands are more compact since they don't have a knob to release them...so I like those for carry...although these day I only carry a speed strip.

 

[jenv1990]

Thanks

Thanks for the info guys. I have some HKS but I will try the other too.

 

[Faulkner]

I carried speed loaders for duty use for a while before I transitioned to a semi auto. I used both Safariland and HKS a good bit. If speed and simplicity is an issue as in for a defense use handgun I'd go with the Safariland. I still carry a model 65 on duty from time to time and always carry a Safariland speedloader or two.

 

[USAF385]

I have HKS speedloaders (with the knob) for my 642.

For my 6 shot (681) I have one that is spring loaded, which was easier to get used to than the ones with the knobs. For me, I had to learn to hold the cylinder from spinning while using my HKS speedloaders... when I use the other, since you push the back in toward the cylinder instead of twisting the knob, this isn't an issue.

Of course, I don't know what kind the spring loaded one is....

 

[jenv1990]

Thanks

I am gonna get some safarilands and see which one works better for me

 

[Andy Griffith]

For which model and what use?

• The HKS brand loaders have the greatest variety of selection for many different models.
• The Safariland "Comp I and II" loaders also come in a variety of models, but no where as many as HKS, and are a bit faster to load, but some argue that they may not hold your ammunition as securely as the HKS brand.
• Safariland "Comp III's" are competition loaders only, but are very fast. Only available currently for the K-frame S&W's, and the L-frame S&W's. Used to be made for Colt Pythons too, but good luck finding them.
• The Jetloader made in Austria and imported by Buffer Technologies is somewhat of a version of a Safariland Comp III- which has a spring that "launches" the cartridges into the chambers. The great thing about these, they do make this model for J frames!
• I almost forgot the DS-10-speed, which is made for those shooting rimfires. It is in a class by itself, because other than the HKS rimfire speedloaders, there isn't anything else. I suppose it is closest to a Jetloader in the way it works. It is available in 6,8,9 and 10 shot varieties to fit many different makes and models.

There are two other options that technically aren't speedloaders, and are a bit more purpose specific, namely moonclips and speedstrips.

• A speedstrip is a strip of metal or plastic that holds between five and eight rounds in a straight line.
  For many years, Bianchi was the only maker of this, and only for .38/.357 rounds. There is a new maker of them, which there is a thread for, and they list them for .32/.38/.357/.45/.44/.500 and in many lengths.
• A moonclip is a piece of spring steel that is manufactured in a way that it holds cartridges so they may completely be dropped into a revolver, with the moonclip still attached. Usually, machining does have to be done to accommodate the moonclip in typical rimmed calibers.

The great thing about speedstrips, is they are flat and easy to carry in the pocket when loaded (unlike a speedloader). The bad thing is, they are slower than speedloaders.

Moonclips are just about the fastest way to go. Some people do think they are troublesome, and you do have to have your revolver's cylinder machined so that it can accept them (depending upon the caliber, make and model). However, the great thing is- a moonclip is not necessary to use your revolver just like you did before it was machined.

Just throwing some options out there, depending upon the use, money allocated for project, etc.

The main thing to do- just get out and have fun shoot'n!

 

[Evil Dog]

I prefer the Safariland Comp lll's.... works great for competition.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Another .38 just like the first.

 

[Centenniel]

Another .38 just like the first.

Ah, yes, the New York reload.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Ah, yes, the New York reload.

I thought a certain Confederate calvary officer came up with the idea?

They did carry more than two though.

 

[Combat_Diver]

I like the HKs speedloaders due to the different avaiblitly of other calibers. It allows me the same muscle memory.

I shoot
J frame 22 Mag 6 shot
J frame 38 Spl 5 shot
K frame 38/357 6 shot
N frame .41 6 shot
N frame .44 6 shot and
Charter Arms .44 Spl 5 shot

Cd

 

[paladin42]

I like HKS.

 

[jenv1990]

Thanks Everyone

I am going to be doing IDPA begining class with my 38sp and, as I understand, I need something fast and easy. Thanks for the info

 

[haggis]

The Safariland "Comp I and II" loaders also come in a variety of models, but no where as many as HKS, and are a bit faster to load, but some argue that they may not hold your ammunition as securely as the HKS brand.

I think you have made an excellent summary of the state of speedloaders, but I must disagree with the one point quoted above. Properly loaded, a Safariland speedloader is very secure, much more so than an HKS whose release knob is very easy to turn if the speedloader is not secured in a holder. I've bounced Safariland loaders off of concrete multiple times (usually not on purpose ) with the cartridges staying in the loader. I suspect the tales of low security come from people who don't properly lock the cartridges in place.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Quite right old chap.

I am a fan of Safariland Comp II's and moonclips myself.

However, moonclips cannot be used except on certain calibers in IDPA, namely rimless cartridges (.45ACP, .40 S&W, 10mm namely).

 

[jenv1990]

Safariland comp III

Does it have a holster?? I cant find one on the cops site.