Speedloaders?

[Vartarg]

I just bought a Model 19, and want to buy a couple of speedloaders.

I've got HKS for my J frame, but am also interested in hearing some comments about Safariland and Maxfire?

It's for field/hunting use, and occasional concealed carry. Thanks.

 

[Dragon88]

I like the twist motion of the HKS, but that's probably because it was the first type I tried and practiced with. I would almost recommend just sticking with the HKS for commonality, to maximize practice and muscle memory in reloads with your guns.

The pressure activated loaders sure are fast though when you get good at them. Heck, buy a couple of each!

 

[smith revolver cop]

I am most comfortable with the HKS. Easy to load, positive retention, and quick to release the rounds once you're used to holding the cylinder firmly with your fingers through the frame. I found the Safariland loaders kind of tricky to load, and I've had some accidentally release.

I have broken some HKS loaders before, so periodiclly check them (especially if you drop one on concrete or drop one fully loaded). The little "flags" behind the rounds are the most likely piece to break. Other than that, I much prefer the HKS.

 

[celticfisherman]

I really don't like the others. HKS are almost bullet proof. I have 3 of them and then speed strips as well. I have had every other and I just don't feel that good with them.

 

[Nightowl]

On the other hand, I much prefer the Safariland. Easy to load once you get the hang of it. Very sturdy. I have about 15 for N frames, but still use the three I bought back in the 70's when they first came out. I drop them right off the cylinder when reloading and they have hit concrete hundreds of times with any visible damage. The rest I hold in reserve. Get the Comp ll's for a K frame, as the knob is larger. They don't make the N frame ones any more, but still make the K's. K frame speedloaders are harder to use due to the smaller area to insert the loaders and the stock interference with target stocks. Both types are well made and will last forever. They are cheap enough you can get both types and try them and use the one that works best for you.

 

[Ironhand]

I had a bunch of Safarilands for my Ruger Redhawk, but haven't found any for my 28-2, so I went with HKS. Either are good, in my opinion.

 

[ContinentalOp]

You're already familiar with HKS, so I'd be inclined to stick with that.

I use Tuff Products Quick Strips. As far as speedloaders, I've only used HKS, but I have to admit to wanting to try the Safariland speedloaders for their simplicity.

I've heard good things about S.L. Variant speedloaders and would like to try those, too. I believe the only source for those is Bobby Mac's .

I don't have any experience with Maxfire, but I've read several comments from different sources, including instructors, suggesting that it'd be best to avoid them. I've yet to read any positive reviews of them.

Here's a link to a video describing different speedloaders:

Snubtraining's Channel - YouTube

 

[681ismyfavorite]

Safariland Comp I or IIs for my J, K and L frame guns.

simple to use, require no fine motor skills. dont have to remember which way to turn the knob. just put in place and the rounds pop in.

 

[WyoStillhunter]

If you really want speedloaders stick with HKS for reasons of familiarity, etc. mentioned by others above.

For all around field use and concealed carry I have found Bianchi Speed Strips to be my best option.

 

[akviper]

Safariland I or II. Either will work but I went with the Safariland when they came out. Put the rounds on a flat surface and twist the knob until you hear the click and they are ready to go. When loading there is no knob to mess with , just insert the rounds in the cylinder , ejector rod releases them, close cylinder and you are shooting. I regularly beat most of the bottom feeders when doing quals using Safariland speedloaders.

 

[Patrick L]

I have both. I generally like the Safarilands better, but then again all mine are for play. Anyone who has duty experience with either, I respectfully defer to your expertise.

Interestingly, I just bought 5 HKS's from a "junk box" at my local gun shop for $4.99 apiece! I was looking for a speedloader for my new K22 (I know, I know, but I just gotta have one) and found 2 for a J frame 22, which HKS says will work on the K22 (and they do!) and 3 for my Model 29. Couldn't pass them up for that price!

 

[Buford57]

I had very bad experiences with Safariland in the early 80s and became an HKS fan. Last year I got a good deal on some more recent Safarilands and they work very well. But for all that, I am so used to the manual of arms for HKS that that is what rests next to the nightstand gun. If you are used to the HKS, play with the others but stick with what you know for serious work.

 

[luis]

I like the HKS which are very stable. What ever you do stay away from Dade loaders. Dade loaders are still made and some people have been selling them on ebay. They are nice to have when you take a picture of a vintage gun and that is it. If you drop them ammo will fly in all directions.

 

[Jodykid]

I have some of each and find the Comp IIs to be a little easier to use while the HKSs are easier to put cartridges in.

Joe

 

[Black Knight]

I have used both HKS and Safariland. I prefer the HKS speedloaders. They are far easier to use and holds the rounds very securely. For concealment use you may want to consider Bianchi Speed Strips. They are not as fast as the others but are relatively flat so they conceal easier.

 

[sheepdawg]

I prefer the HKS with my Model 66. The only thing is learning to grab the cylinder to use them but once you get the hang of it they are hard to beat.

 

[haggis]

Competition is the fire that tests firearms and their accessories, much like auto racing tests things related to cars. Nothing like a little heat to show the deficiencies in things. The combat shooting games have definitely shown a preference for the Safariland designs. I have seem several revolver competitors go for an HKS speedloader in a hurry only to wind up with an empty speedloader in their hand and six rounds in the holder. The twist release that seems so positive when you have plenty of time is terribly poor when you are moving fast and don't get a good grip on the body. It obviously doesn't happen every time, but if you blow a stage or two, you go hunting for something better.

And Safariland is better.

• It's more secure. I have dropped more full loaders than I like to admit, and none have spilled. I have heard people say that round retention with a Safariland was lacking, and my response is that they weren't loaded correctly. A correctly loaded Safariland won't dump correctly loaded rounds unless it breaks, which they don't do easily.
• Safariland requires less fine motor skill than HKS. Especially with the Comp I's, where the small latching knob encourages one to grab the body, unlike HKS where grabbing the knob is what one does in slow motion but can be disastrous at high speed. If you do insert the HKS correctly with the body, you then have to change your grip to find the release knob and twist it. The Safariland is activated by the central post trigger hitting the ejector star and only requires gross motor skill to do that. That translates into speed and reliability, and that shows in competition.
• HKS requires that you immobilize the cylinder while reloading, whereas the Safariland does not. This is not a problem if you shift hands and reload with your strong hand. If you reload with your weak hand you have nothing to stop the cylinder with. Why would one do that? Speed! Besides, you reload your slide guns with your weak hand - it works quite well with a revolver. (In fairness, JM can reload with either hand much faster than I ever will - talent makes up for a lot of weaknesses )

HKS have the advantage that they are offered in more calibers than Safariland, and I have HKS for my revolvers that fall in this category. A less perfect something is much better than nothing. It's also possible to modify HKS .45 Colt loaders to work with .38-40 and .44-40 in my New Services, and there's not enough meat in Safariland .45 Colts to do that.

However, I still subscribe to the premise that you should use what works for you. But I personally think Safariland is a better choice for defense and competition.

Buck

 

[H.Callahan]

I carried 4 Comp I's on my duty belt for a number of years. I also used them during qualifications and also when shooting combat competitions. They always worked 100% even with wadcutters. Over time, I have dropped a number of full loaders and never had one lose rounds.

I tried the HKSs, but had problems with them releasing rounds even when operated "correctly". More often than not, they would need to be shaken a bit to get the rounds to let you.

Thank god I never had to use one during an actual firefight, but I felt a lot more comfortable with the Comp I's on my belt rather than the HKS. The down side to the Comp I's was that they didn't come in a full line to cover a wide range of guns & calibers, particularly S&W .41 & .44 guns. I was forced to go to HKSs for those -- but I didn't like 'em much...

 

[JSR III]

I have been looking at speedloaders looking for a special run for a specific model gun without success. From my experience in shopping, the HKS seem to be the most plentiful. When I go to shows, they seem to be the ones that I most commonly see. Regardless of whether it's a dealer with a whole display of speedloaders or an old timer with a box full of odds and ends. The most common maker that I have come across is HKS. Not sure if that has any bearing on quality, but they sure seem to be plentiful.

 

[M1911-66]

I absolutely despise HKS speedloaders. Way too slow, and the twist action requires you to secure the cylinder, reducing your choices of reloads.

Safariland Comp IIIs are decent, but I prefer the slightly smaller JetLoaders. Either are much faster and, for me, far less fumble prone than HKS speedloaders.

I've been competing 2-4 times per month with my model 66 in IDPA for the past 9 months or so, using Safariland first and then JetLoaders.