Speedloaders. HKS and Maxfire and speed strips, oh my!

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BabySeal

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I just bought my first double action revolver. I havent even handled one of these in a long time. But I want to get good with it. And that means I have to learn to use some new gadgets.

I bought some HKS speedloaders,
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some Maxfire Speedloaders,
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and, some speed strips.
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I can see that the speed strips are not the most practical tool for the range. They seem to be the most compact way of carrying a reload, ie, for CCW applications. But I in my unpracticed state, I can reload the loose shells from the box faster than I can from a speed strip. I am not really interested in these, I dont have a CCW license.

The HKS Speedloaders seem to be the most common tool people are using, but I am not 100% happy with them. I find that its a PITA to hold the cylinder still while I twist the knob to release the rounds. I also find it a little hard to line all 6 rounds up with their chambers sometimes. The only thing I think is great about these I discovered when I dropped one. Nothing happened. I just picked it up and kept on going. They have a good grip on the rounds they carry. I consider these to be the most likely to survive years of use.

The Maxfire speedloaders are definately the fastest and easiest to use for me. They have that nice big rubber ring on the top like a magpul floorplate on an AR mag. It is easy to grab and hold on to. They are also stepped so all you have to line up is the first two of the six rounds. To release the rounds you just pull the loader to the side and the rounds slip out of their slots and you are off to the races. A nice thing about these is that after you finish your reload you can just leave it on your finger. It doesnt really get in the way.

The cons to these units as I see them are that they don't hold on to the ammo as well as the HKS units if you drop it and that I cant see them lasting as long as the HKS units.

Have I missed anything here? Any tips on using these, or alternative products?

Also, when you unload the cylinder, do you think its faster to do it with the pistol canted to the left, or it best to do with the gun in the normal upright position. My hands are all worn out and I cant decide.

Thanks!!!!
 
HKS as well. I use them to carry my spare .454 Casull ammo when I ATC carry.

If you hold the revolver, muzzle down, in your left hand, your left thumb and index finger can hold the cylinder making it much easier to twist release the reloads (since the muzzle/cylinder is pointing downwards, gravity will drop the reloads into the cylinder chambers) from the HKS speedloader. Then drop the loader, push the cylinder back into battery with your left thumb and Bob's yer uncle.

With practice, you can get very fast with this re-load.

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So you grab your speedloader with your right hand!

Maybe thats why I am having a hard time. I've been bumbling along trying to use my left hand.

I will have to give this a try!
 
As above, comp 3s & 2s. Straight push to load the cyl., they`re fast and reliable, I`ve used them for years and have never had a problem with them, try it you`ll like it.
 
I've used a bunch of different loaders over the years, HKS, Safariland, the Dade, Bianchi Speed Strips and I'm sure there have been others that I'm forgetting. I always seem to come back to the Safariland.

Comp III's for the K-Frames and the GP-100, Comp II's for carry and the Comp I for the J-Frames, N-Frame .357's and the .44's.

I have found HKS too prone to accidental dumping of rounds (speedloader ND) and the strips, while great for carry require a lot of work to get really good with. I only use them with my J-Frames or when I want 6 rds in the back pocket of my jeans around the hacienda. They work best with only 4 rds in pairs - load 2, load 2 more, leave the 5th chamber empty and get back in the fight (or whatever...:D)...
 
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Safariland also my first choice. Most PPC shooters use them, comp II or III's. They also do not let the rounds shake quite as much as the HKS do. Also no stupid little knob to turn to release the rounds. just push on the body. Also agree the best way to reload is to hold gun in left hand with first and second fingers through the frame holding the cylinder still. Hold the gun with the barrel pointing to the ground, and gravity will do most of the work. With very little practice you should be able to shoot 6 then reload and shoot 6 more in under 20 sec. Reload should ony take a couple seconds.
 
... Here's another vote for Safariland ! The HKS is excellent if you're going to be carrying them, just loose in a pocket, as they're less prone to accidentally letting go. .... David K
 
wholeheartedly agree with safariland comp II, and for competition, get a few comp III

first speedloaders were the hks for me, but the older style with fully exposed cartridge head and primers, very loose, have not tried the upgraded style like in the photo posted

speed strips are neat, most users ignore the last 2 round for loading, to save valuable seconds, as advised in some combat forums

i use one of the foam or you can get a specified size plastic trays to set up for the cartridges to load onto speedloaders, very handy

i eventullly went to loading with the barrel straight down pointing to the ground too, after speedloader does its work, just close the cylinder and let the speedloader naturallly drop to the floor without the extra hand/arm motion, have not damaged one yet, of course not good idea if others are around and cause a slip and fall, lol
 
BabySeal said:
So you grab your speedloader with your right hand!

Maybe thats why I am having a hard time. I've been bumbling along trying to use my left hand.

I will have to give this a try!
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If you are right handed yes, hold the revolver in your left hand and keep the cylinder pushed out with your fingers thru the gun keeping the cylinder from moving.

I also use HK speedloaders...
 
Thanks guys!

Lots of good advice here!

You got me thinking about a .454 revolver now though Camp Cook!

Nobody has tried the maxfires though?
 
Moparlover said:
how long can a person keep the safarilands loaded under pressure without eventually weakening the spring? the hks may be better for your purposes i think
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The Safariland Comp models don't use an actual spring to hold rounds. They can be stored loaded forever and work as designed. Much easier to use and can take a beating. The HKS models, some aluminum and some plastic bodies, can dent a slight amount and have rounds hang up on release. Under duress it's easier to line up the rounds and push to release rather than line up the rounds, insert and turn a knob.

I started with HKS and switched to Comp II's. Never looked back.
 
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