The battle

[WPSmiths]

Using the search didn’t really find me a solid thread. So the question:
HKS vs Safariland
I have some limited experience with the HKS (for my 686+) and somewhere along the line picked up a single Safariland Comp 2 (I think for a K frame, but it’s been lost in the ever growing pile of holsters and such). My master plan is to pickup a 3” model 65 for carry and would like to have a few speedloaders on hand to compliment the speedstrips. I know there’s a wealth of knowledge and experience from old law dogs and general wheelgunslingers alike, so I’m curious as to the general consensus which would reign supreme-the HKS or the Safariland?

 

[chief38]

When I shot PPC matches I always preferred HKS speed loaders over Safariland. I like the positive short turning lock and release and the smaller size. I also like how they work better but that is a personal choice of course.

I used to carry a 3" M65 when woods walking and after not liking carrying extra ammo in a speed loader I trained myself to reload from looped and compartmentalized ammo pouches. At that time I could perform a reload almost as fast as most can with a speed loader and I did not have to worry about carrying a bulky speed loader around. Practice is key with any type of reload method.

 

[Nightowl]

I shot PPC for 10-12 years and preferred the Safariland. They were always easier to use for me. I only needed to insert and push, rather than insert, then move my fingers to the knob and turn. More actions, more time loading. I have used the original Safarilands since I bought them way back in the 1970s. The are very durable, having been dropped many times on gravel and concrete. I have some HKS for .44 Magnums and they work for their purpose, too. I always used model 27s for PPC and I believe that the N frame Safariland are easier to use than the K frame. I think either will serve you well, just personal preference.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I found it easy to dump rounds from the HKS removing the speedloader from friction fit carriers.....pulling the speedloader out it was easy to twist the knob.... leaving you with an empty speedloader and 6 rounds in the belt carrier.

 

[WPSmiths]

Thank you guys for the replies so far!
Is there a way (aside from typing it all out again) I can put this same post into other forums? I was hoping to put it in the hands of the “1981-Present” and carry forums.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I used HKS, probably because they were the more available alternative mid eighties. The fastest reloads I ever did was in the firearms instructors school using HKS.

In the early seventies basic academy it was all speed strips. Reloading was part of the timing and keeping up was not a problem. Because of the bulk I never carried anything but speed strips when we moved beyond bullet loops for uniform wear.

To this day any extra revolver ammo is in strips. Even slow fire fooling around at the range I make it part of my practice to reload with speed strips only.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Since you're planning to use a Model 65 for CCW and to take along some extra ammo, you might want to reconsider the use of speed loaders. Typical speed loaders are rather bulky and hard to conceal...unless of course you're like Dirty Harry and wear a sport coat with 3 speed loaders in the side coat pocket! If you will be wearing a jacket or coat when you CCW it would be easier to conceal the speed loaders, but speed strips are much flatter and fit into pants pockets. Yes, speed strips are a little slower for loading, but then again you can top off if you just need a couple of reloads. I only use speed loaders when I'm at the range.

How much ammo do you think you'll need when CCW? Unless you're planning for a sustained gun battle (highly unlikely), why do you need so many extra rounds? My EDC revolver is a 642-2 (5-rounds), and I take along an 8-rd Tuff Quickstrip. God forbid, if I were to ever need to use my revolver it would be to get out of trouble ASAP and not hang around for a shoot out. However, to each their own and only you know what situations you might face. HKS and Safariland both make dependable speed loaders, and so does 5-Star. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Baxter6551]

I carried Safariland Comp I on the police dept until we switched to autos. I now have and carry the Comp II for K frame and Ruger Security Six. My J, L and N frame loaders are all HKS. I prefer the Comp II for daily use / pocket carry / bumping around in console. I am faster with the CompII and I think they hold the rounds more securely with no rattling. Line up two rounds with cylinder the others slip into place. Grab some snap caps and practice.
The 3 inch 65 is an excellent choice ! I carry mine with speed strips and speed loaders. As noted above speed loaders are hard to pocket carry except in jacket pockets or on belt and the speed strips are excellent.

 

[crows]

When I carried a 65 on duty I only used Comp II's. They are simple to use and are quite tough. I have one that I stepped on while shooting/training on the range once. I straightened out the one charge hole that was damaged, and it still works fine.
When off duty I carried a 2x3 pouch on my belt and a couple of speed strips or speedloaders, depending on the clothes. I have some jeans with the watch pocket big enough to easily hold a speedloader. The ones that won't will hold a couple of speed strips. All of my jeans are loose fitting enough that a couple of speedloaders would fit in a front pocket.
Regarding the reference to carrying speedloaders in jacket pockets, in pockets at the bottom front of the jacket they add weight that helps to keeps the front from blowing/moving open.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I shot IDPA with a 586 (Brazil) and used Safariland Comp III's as my preferred loader. The big knob can preclude the Comp III's from consideration, but the Comp II's aren't any harder to conceal than an HKS.

That being said, I, too, carry a revolver and have found that speed loaders, for anything other than a J-frame, are too bulky to easily conceal, so I use speed strips. Pocket space is at a premium with me, so Simply Rugged makes a great dump pouch that fits around your belt. It is relatively flat, doesn't interfere with getting your hand in your pocket - if that's the location that works best for you. They even sell the speed strips too.

As far as speed loaders go, here is my assessment of what's out there - this is strictly my opinion - YMMV:

HKS and 5 Star - fine for general range use. Requires two motions to load cartridges - insert/twist. Relies on gravity to chamber the rounds, so the muzzle must be pointing down. BTW - 5-Star release knob rotates the opposite direction from the HKS loaders

Safariland Comp I & II - Better for carry applications where concealability and speed are a concern. Just requires firm insertion to release the cartridges - no separate twist motion. Release button bears against the extractor star to release. Still relies on gravity to chamber the rounds. The Comp I has no top knob and must be grasped by the sides. The Comp II has a top knob making it easier to remove the loader from the carry pouch.

Safariland Comp III and Jet Loader - Competition style speed loaders. Single motion (insertion) to release rounds. Loader is spring-loaded and pushes the rounds into the chamber - does not rely on gravity. Large top knob for easy grasp and removal from pouch (not suitable for CC).

Dade & SpeedBeez (Centerfire) - both of these have a coil spring, around the circumference of the body of the loader, that retains the rounds in the loader. The top knob pushes the cartridge rims past the spring into the chambers. Prone to losing cartridges if dropped - not real positive retention.

Variant SL - I've never seen these used, but from what I've heard these were excellent. Unfortunately, it appears that the lone importer for these is no longer bringing them into the country. Recently Variant loaders are either being imported again (different mfg.) or are being made domestically – not sure which, and haven’t seen them.

The loader you choose may be dependent on application (comp v. carry v. range) or availability of a particular loader for a particular cartridge/firearm combination, so optimum applications may not always be achievable.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[BAM-BAM]

Concealed carrying Safariland speedloaders I use their "Split-six" carrier in front of the holster....... on rare occasions a 2nd/3rd on the left.

You can carry a mix one speedloader and 2 [or more] speed strips.

 

[crows]

I shot IDPA with a 586 (Brazil) and used Safariland Comp III's as my preferred loader. The big knob can preclude the Comp III's from consideration, but the Comp II's aren't any harder to conceal than an HKS.

That being said, I, too, carry a revolver and have found that speed loaders, for anything other than a J-frame, are too bulky to easily conceal, so I use speed strips. Pocket space is at a premium with me, so Simply Rugged makes a great dump pouch that fits around your belt. It is relatively flat, doesn't interfere with getting your hand in your pocket - if that's the location that works best for you. They even sell the speed strips too.

As far as speed loaders go, here is my assessment of what's out there - this is strictly my opinion - YMMV:

HKS and 5 Star - fine for general range use. Requires two motions to load cartridges - insert/twist. Relies on gravity to chamber the rounds, so the muzzle must be pointing down. BTW - 5-Star release knob rotates the opposite direction from the HKS loaders

Safariland Comp I & II - Better for carry applications where concealability and speed are a concern. Just requires firm insertion to release the cartridges - no separate twist motion. Release button bears against the extractor star to release. Still relies on gravity to chamber the rounds. The Comp I has no top knob and must be grasped by the sides. The Comp II has a top knob making it easier to remove the loader from the carry pouch.

Safariland Comp III and Jet Loader - Competition style speed loaders. Single motion (insertion) to release rounds. Loader is spring-loaded and pushes the rounds into the chamber - does not rely on gravity. Large top knob for easy grasp and removal from pouch (not suitable for CC).

Dade & SpeedBeez (Centerfire) - both of these have a coil spring, around the circumference of the body of the loader, that retains the rounds in the loader. The top knob pushes the cartridge rims past the spring into the chambers. Prone to losing cartridges if dropped - not real positive retention.

Variant SL - I've never seen these used, but from what I've heard these were excellent. Unfortunately, it appears that the lone importer for these is no longer bringing them into the country. Recently Variant loaders are either being imported again (different mfg.) or are being made domestically – not sure which, and haven’t seen them.

The loader you choose may be dependent on application (comp v. carry v. range) or availability of a particular loader for a particular cartridge/firearm combination, so optimum applications may not always be achievable.

Adios,

Pizza Bob[/QUrounds

I tried some of the SL Variant speedloaders when they first hit the US. I read all the good things about them and decided to try them. I found that they don't hold the rounds as steady as Comp II's. Especially with the .357's there is a lot of the round sticking out of the body of the loader. I always practiced loading without looking at the gun/loader. Yes it is a little faster to visually watch the rounds into the cylinder, but what do you do if reloading in the dark, not to mention taking you eyes off threats. Now how this is affected by the design of the SL is when the nose of the rounds contact the cylinder and aren't perfectly lined up. With Comp II's an ever so slight turn will drop the rounds into the cylinder. This works great because the individual rounds are better supported. With the SL, the individual rounds shift around a good bit. Another plus listed with the SL is that the "cant" of the individual rounds can be adjusted in th loader. I tried adjusting mine and honestly saw little benefit. Also, there were no duty oriented pouches at that time for them, so that was another strike. I started making one, but gave up when I didn't find any big advantages. The overall length is close to Jetloaders.
I have wondered if replacing the spring on a Dade with a rubber O ring would help holding rounds more securely but not make the rounds too difficult to push out. I need to dig up some of the ones I have and give it a try.
I apologize for any drift from the op's thread. And if anyone is a fan of the SL design, no offense intended.

 

[Sixgun100]

Safariland Speedloaders are the only way to go for me. 25+ years LEO and only used Safariland, but guess it’s a personal preference because plenty of Officers used HKS. To me the no twisting of the knob and holding the cartridges firm wins out. Good luck!

 

[MajorD]

As I have bought sold and bought again dozens of K frames over the years, I have accumulated a good number of both hks and safariland.
For matches - safariland the push to release is faster
For carry hks- the safariland are not fragile at all, but dropping them invariably causes them to eject rounds ( sometimes one or two, other times the whole load) whereas the hks stand up to being dropped etc. without ejecting rounds.
To use the hks, you must secure the cylinder from turning, which makes reloading difficult in a stressful situation or when you might be in a compromised/ awkward position however.

When I carry a revolver a speed strip pouch is on my belt ahead of the holster strong side. A speedloader is loose in a pocket which mitigates the bulk issues.

 

[minconrevo]

HKS is most durable, IMO. You MUST practice with it, enough to get firm muscle memory. HKS is "insert rounds, hold cylinder static, twist knob while vertical, wait for cartridges to fully drop, close cylinder." Safariland II is "insert rounds, wait for cartridges to fully drop, close cylinder." Safariland III is same as II, except big spring on top decreases drop time. The Jet Loader is faster than the III and works the same.

 

[WPSmiths]

Much appreciation to all who’ve commented. Living in semi-rural southeast MO and avoiding cities like the plague, I don’t worry too much about a prolonged, running gun battle requiring multiple reloads. By the same token, I feel it prudent to have at least a few extra rounds on hand. I recently switched from my 20+ year companion Glock 19 (no extra mags carried on my person, just one in the car) to my handy dandy 642 with a speedstrip in the offside pocket. I have an HKS for it, but the small awkward space available for reloading makes me feel like maybe the Safariland might work better.
Not like we need a reason to buy another piece of shooting iron, but I’ve always shot the K & L frames very well, so why not pick another one up to carry!

 

[Buford57]

Sounds like you're on the way to a decision. When I was on the job 40 years ago Safariland was mandated. After one failed to release the rounds during qualification and the second only released when I bashed it repeatedly with the base of my hand I dutifully carried a fresh pair for inspection but never trusted them again. I kept HKS and speed strips in my pockets.

That said, their QC may have improved since then. Neither is an expensive item. Buy one of each and practice with them. You may find that you (not me or anyone else) are faster (or better - more certain) with one or the other. Today when I carry a 642 I keep.a speed strip in my pocket or a Bianchi belt pouch. One benefit of the speed strip: if you drop it, it won't roll away.

 

[xfarfuldog]

Started with HKS as a new officer. Found the Safariland and never looked back. I have Comp II's that are 50 years old and still work perfectly. As a firearms instructor, I saw a Comp II fail once. It had been dropped into dirt/sand. After cleaning it worked perfectly. Cannot go wrong with CompII's.