Drbironhead
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I use HKS speedloaders and banachi speed strips as well
Speedloaders
- Thread starter WoodsCustom
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Andy Griffith
Member
Ah, speedloaders.... 
A very interesting and convoluted subject.
With my mounting collection of Dade, HKS, Safariland, Cartridge Clip Company of New York, Webley, SL Variant and Jetloader speed loaders...
I would have to recommend sending the cylinder and yoke off for a moonclip conversion. You don't have to use moonclips with it...but they are much faster to load, and with ammunition prices going higher, finding your spent brass does become an issue.
It's all about trade-offs and compromise.
Speed of reload, concealment, ease of operation.
*The HKS is reliable and the easiest to use, but not as fast.
*Moonclips are the fastest and you can find your casing much easier after being fired, but you do have to use a tool to unload the clips, and sometimes to load it depending on your strength and brand of ammunition used. Also, the moonclips can be bent if stepped on (of course, an HKS can break if stepped on too).
*Jetloaders and Comp-III Safarilands are the fastest speedloaders, period. They are durable and easy to use, but not as concealable.
*Speed strips are the most convenient and concealable, have no moving parts and are the least likely to break. However, they are the slowest way to reload.
Links:
Jetloaders. Imported by Buffer Technologies
http://www.hksspeedloaders.com/
Safariland speedloaders, which has three different styles depending on your model of revolver...J-frame is only offered in the Comp I
Clark Custom... For $100 they'll machine your cylinder to take moonclips. Easy as pie. There are other companies too, go to Moonclips.com
If you need some in .22LR or .22 WMR for your 6, 8,9, or 10-shot revolver from Taurus, S&W or H&R to practice with, Dave's got them... DS-10 Speed Speedloaders. I've really liked mine, and use my .22's more now that ammunition has gone up anyway.
Also, Tuff Products, the first company to offer speed strips in any caliber besides .38/357 and in various round counts too. Worth a look.
Longwitz of Germany makes the the SL Variant speedloader. Someone is importing them again, and I found it in a past thread but didn't bookmark it- I should have. Now, they are only $30.00, whereas they were $60. if you could get them from Germany direct. These seem to be the "cream of the crop" in the speedloader word.
Also, I haven't gotten them yet, but 3Dinc.com is making a machined aluminum version of the HKS. These not only look good, but they offer the best selection of models for different guns and calibers. I would think these are almost indestructible. I believe the ones I ordered are about $25.00 each.
I'm not endorsing anyone or anything above, just suggesting options.
This just goes to show there are more options available for speedloading revolvers of any caliber now than there ever has been. If you don't have enough speedloaders or moonclips to outrun the auto crowd, it's your own fault!
A very interesting and convoluted subject.With my mounting collection of Dade, HKS, Safariland, Cartridge Clip Company of New York, Webley, SL Variant and Jetloader speed loaders...
I would have to recommend sending the cylinder and yoke off for a moonclip conversion. You don't have to use moonclips with it...but they are much faster to load, and with ammunition prices going higher, finding your spent brass does become an issue.
It's all about trade-offs and compromise.
Speed of reload, concealment, ease of operation.
*The HKS is reliable and the easiest to use, but not as fast.
*Moonclips are the fastest and you can find your casing much easier after being fired, but you do have to use a tool to unload the clips, and sometimes to load it depending on your strength and brand of ammunition used. Also, the moonclips can be bent if stepped on (of course, an HKS can break if stepped on too).
*Jetloaders and Comp-III Safarilands are the fastest speedloaders, period. They are durable and easy to use, but not as concealable.
*Speed strips are the most convenient and concealable, have no moving parts and are the least likely to break. However, they are the slowest way to reload.
Links:
Jetloaders. Imported by Buffer Technologies
http://www.hksspeedloaders.com/
Safariland speedloaders, which has three different styles depending on your model of revolver...J-frame is only offered in the Comp I
Clark Custom... For $100 they'll machine your cylinder to take moonclips. Easy as pie. There are other companies too, go to Moonclips.com
If you need some in .22LR or .22 WMR for your 6, 8,9, or 10-shot revolver from Taurus, S&W or H&R to practice with, Dave's got them... DS-10 Speed Speedloaders. I've really liked mine, and use my .22's more now that ammunition has gone up anyway.
Also, Tuff Products, the first company to offer speed strips in any caliber besides .38/357 and in various round counts too. Worth a look.
Longwitz of Germany makes the the SL Variant speedloader. Someone is importing them again, and I found it in a past thread but didn't bookmark it- I should have. Now, they are only $30.00, whereas they were $60. if you could get them from Germany direct. These seem to be the "cream of the crop" in the speedloader word.
Also, I haven't gotten them yet, but 3Dinc.com is making a machined aluminum version of the HKS. These not only look good, but they offer the best selection of models for different guns and calibers. I would think these are almost indestructible. I believe the ones I ordered are about $25.00 each.
I'm not endorsing anyone or anything above, just suggesting options.
This just goes to show there are more options available for speedloading revolvers of any caliber now than there ever has been. If you don't have enough speedloaders or moonclips to outrun the auto crowd, it's your own fault!
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This turned up on a Bing search for SL Variants, which are very highly regarded by the USPSA/ICORE guys:
Products
It says they're all in stock except the 7-shooters.
These would be the best for 27s and 28s. I know they existed in the past but I don't see them on the site now.
I've had Dades for the Ns and they're not as positive as Safarilands. However, the Safarilands were only available in I, the mini-concealable version. Not so hot for IDPA and the like.
I've never had an opportunity to try them, but will now that they're available again. I'd be back to shooting a Python in IDPA again with this sort of speedloader. I changed to the 586 only to get to use the superior Comp IIIs over the IIs that are available for the Colt.
Products
It says they're all in stock except the 7-shooters.
These would be the best for 27s and 28s. I know they existed in the past but I don't see them on the site now.
I've had Dades for the Ns and they're not as positive as Safarilands. However, the Safarilands were only available in I, the mini-concealable version. Not so hot for IDPA and the like.
I've never had an opportunity to try them, but will now that they're available again. I'd be back to shooting a Python in IDPA again with this sort of speedloader. I changed to the 586 only to get to use the superior Comp IIIs over the IIs that are available for the Colt.
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David Sinko
Member
It is possible to do a weak hand reload with the HKS twist loaders. The trigger finger goes though the frame window and presses against the cylinder to prevent it from rotating when the knob is twisted. I have seen one shooter do this with surprising speed.
I'm not fan of the SL Variant. Instead of having just one big spring to drive the cartridges, you have six small ones. They see this as a design improvement, but I see it as five more things that can go wrong at the most inopportune moment.
Does anybody out there actually carry Comp III loaders concealed? Most of the revolver competitors I know don't even carry revolvers concealed. Many of them dismantle the Comp IIIs and grind down some of the parts to make them even more sensitive. How's that gonna work for you out on the street?
I'm playing around with my "new" 2" Model 64 and if I ever carry spare ammo for that it will probably be in a Comp II loader.
Dave Sinko
I'm not fan of the SL Variant. Instead of having just one big spring to drive the cartridges, you have six small ones. They see this as a design improvement, but I see it as five more things that can go wrong at the most inopportune moment.
Does anybody out there actually carry Comp III loaders concealed? Most of the revolver competitors I know don't even carry revolvers concealed. Many of them dismantle the Comp IIIs and grind down some of the parts to make them even more sensitive. How's that gonna work for you out on the street?
I'm playing around with my "new" 2" Model 64 and if I ever carry spare ammo for that it will probably be in a Comp II loader.
Dave Sinko
Grog
Member
That's a gamer, the same type who would use a 6" 1911 under a trenchcoat for a "concealed" match.
As far as the guy doing weak hand reloads, I prey he does not actually carry a revolver in a defensive manner. He the time comes to do a "real" reload under stress, I see his way not working out too well.
photoman
Member
Back when I was carrying a 2" Model 64, I used Comp III's. That's the only way to go with K frames.
Gutpile Charlie
US Veteran
I carry a snubbie J frame 24/7. As to speedloaders, well I have HKS, but for my style of carry, they are just too bulky. I carry one Bianchi speed strip in my off hand rear pocket. It is simple and it works.
I prefer any Safariland speed loader over the HKS. Even the cut down Comp llls are very secure. I've had the HKS drop rounds too many times to trust them. I use the Comp llls in IDPA and they are the fastest by far.
The folks who shoot in competition will find out what works. Then that's what they will carry because they know it works best.
As for the weak hand reload, I've found that it works better for me because I don't have to re-acquire my grip after the reload.
The folks who shoot in competition will find out what works. Then that's what they will carry because they know it works best.
As for the weak hand reload, I've found that it works better for me because I don't have to re-acquire my grip after the reload.
I'm still using HKS units I bought in the late '70's, early '80's. The six shot loaders are very rugged. The 7 shot loaders have very thin walls between the holes and while still very good they're not as tough as the six shot models. I've also noticed for some reason that the 7 shoters will drop everything consistantly except Winchester 38 brass, it tends to hang up occasionally. Go figger! There may be loaders slightly faster but for sheer simplicity and durability the HKS can't be beat.
los
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Here's a good video that showcases a few popular Speedloaders and demonstrates their [different] release mechanisms.
YouTube - Speedloaders - Michael deBethencourt
YouTube - Speedloaders - Michael deBethencourt
David Sinko
Member
OK, so how do you actually CARRY Comp III loaders out on the street? One of the few IDPA compliant methods is the Blade Tech that splits the load evenly over the belt. While it will work for the matches, in my experience it is "gamer only" and not fit for use out on the street. What else is there for summer carry?
For a few years I carried a 4" Redhawk .45 Colt concealed and I was able to do it in the summer under just a T shirt. The only speed loaders I could find for it were the HKS that were made for the S&W Model 25, and concealing a loaded N Frame speedloader was actually more difficult and challenging than concealing the revolver.
Dave Sinko
For a few years I carried a 4" Redhawk .45 Colt concealed and I was able to do it in the summer under just a T shirt. The only speed loaders I could find for it were the HKS that were made for the S&W Model 25, and concealing a loaded N Frame speedloader was actually more difficult and challenging than concealing the revolver.
Dave Sinko
CHerryRiver, your post #16 rocks, and I couldn't have made the case any better if I tried. I agree totally.
Tracer_Bullet
Member
NY reload. It takes me too long to get rounds in the chambers with a speedloader because the shoulders of the LSWCHPs tend to hang up on the edges of the chambers. It's faster with jacketed rounds like the Speer 135gr short-barrel because the bullets are rounded, but still can't match the speed of pulling a J-frame out of your pocket.
If I couldn't carry a NY reload I'd go with the SL Comp I for concealed carry because they require less manipulation than the HKS (no knob to turn, just shove the rounds into the chambers and press).
I always carry a speed strip in the watch pocket of my jeans regardless because it's so easy to carry an extra 5 or 6 rounds that way.
If I couldn't carry a NY reload I'd go with the SL Comp I for concealed carry because they require less manipulation than the HKS (no knob to turn, just shove the rounds into the chambers and press).
I always carry a speed strip in the watch pocket of my jeans regardless because it's so easy to carry an extra 5 or 6 rounds that way.
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