Speed loaders

My information is -SO DATED- that it's not even funny, :p:D

I used to watch the cops shoot PPC in the indoor basement range of the Sportsman's Club I hung out at when I was a teenager. The guys using the Safariland speedloaders would deploy them in there LEFT hand, and the cylinder itself needed to do a small degree of rotation when the rounds would fling from the speedloader.

Where the traditional old-school HKS is typically deployed with the RIGHT hand and you need to hold the cylinder and keep it from moving to quickly rotate the button on the speed loader.

You can tell that I've never used anything but the HKS. :p
 
Safariland speedloaders are the push-release type, so as long as you can align the rounds with the charge holes, there's theoretically no need to support the cylinder. Safariland speedloaders therefore give one the option of weak or strong hand reloads, which is always a good option to have.

In reality, though, a weak hand reload with safariland speedloaders puts a lot of "push" (read: strain) on an unsupported cylinder. S&Ws hold the entire cylinder assembly to the gun with a single yoke screw which can eventually bend (or even fail) from weak hand reloads, so my default speedloader reload is the strong hand (FBI) reload.
 
5 Star here. Because they are not round, they not only feed the bullets into the chamber easier in small framed guns like the j frame, ( some of the other loaders you can't get a straight shot into the cylinder). It is also easier for your fingers to know where the bullets are so you can align them to the cylinder easier.
 
DannyB1954

Have not used the 5 Star but they do look good. I too like the fact that they seem to be cut to match the gun cyl. Would make it a bit easier to use in the dark for sure. Do they load and hold like the HKS's?
 
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I've used HKS, Safariland, and speed strips. These days, I don't often carry much extra ammo, but when I do carry a revolver and extra rounds, I throw either one of the speed loaders in my pocket or a speed strip in this little, flat belt pouch I have. If I'm backpacking or hunting, I just toss a few speed strips in my bag. If I had to pick one for speed, I'd guess it's probably the Safariland by a small margin. But, it's definitely not the most convenient for carry. The speed strips are, and you can get quite quick with them with a little practice.
 
I tried the Maxfire with my SP101 in a 2 day course. Anyone want to buy them cheap? Ok for relaxed range use, in fact I kinda like them for that purpose. Just don't try to use them in a hurry or have LOTS of practice with them first.
 
I have two HKS models, one for my five-shot Taurus 85 and one for my two seven-shot .357s. Both have worked perfectly since new and I love using them at the range to speed reloading. I don't carry any of the three guns; when I did carry a j-frame I used a speed strip rather than toting one in a pocket or using a leather belt holder.
 
Here's my take at it (YMMV):

-HKS: Fine, but nothing to write home about. Cartridges are held quite loose, and aligning the speedloader isn't as quick as it could be.

-5Star: Total loss of money. Just a fancy expensive HKS equivalent with reverse release, so your training with HKS is screwed. Cartridges are looser still. It seems to be a little bit fatter, as it is less forgiving regarding grips.

-Safariland Comp: That's more like it. Harder to load and unload at first, but cartridges are held very rigidly, so alignment is perfect at the first try. And then, nothing to do, as cartridges are released automatically when the speedloader hits the cylinder.

After testing all of the above, I will never use anything but Comps.
 
Do they load and hold like the HKS's?
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Similar. To release the bullets on the 5 star, you turn the knob counterclockwise. I believe the HKS release by turning clockwise.

If some of your speed loaders release one way, and the others release the other way, I can see this might be a problem, but I only use 5 Star, so it is not an issue for me to learn which way to turn.
 
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That's why they have 2 series the "A" series allows "wiggle" the others don't.
*sigh*
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I have a PY in my right hand and a PYA in my left hand. The PY wiggles like crazy- the PYA wiggles like crazy mad. The Safariland ones do not wiggle at all.

As I said, YMMV. BIG SIGH.
 
I carry and have only ever used hks loaders ( besides biancchi speed strips ). I like them and have practice enough to be confident in them. I have never had them lose rounds in my pocket. I carry two in left pocket and my job requires physical work. I am odd in the sense that I reload with my left hand. I am a righty. I support the cylinder with my trigger finger through the window while twisting the knob with left hand. With practice it's like second nature. If you have short fingers could be difficult. But for the price and durability I say hks.
 
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