Loading the Safariland Speedloader

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I am a handgun enthusiast but I have an affinity for DA revolvers. Those pursuits led to a lot of experience with various speedloaders.
I've probably tried more than my fair share of speedloaders. Some are just junk and some are better than others.
In the real world, most of the time it comes down to Safariland and HKS.

I don't wish for this to erode into a "Ford verses Chevy" thing. If you prefer one type over the other - That's fine !

The HKS style speedloaders are clearly a very simple design and they work. HKS has a huge selection to fit a large number of revolver types. The HKS models are also more readily available and generally cost a bit less than the Safariland models.
However, the technique (or if you prefer, "manual of arms") for the HKS is slightly different than the method of operation for the Safariland models.

Without getting into a Ford Vs. Chevy discussion, allow me to say that I trained with both types and I settled on the Safariland type decades ago. I never looked back. This is personal preference. None of this is Holy Writ or Royal Decree.

I've heard all of the complaints about the Safariland loaders. In my experience, Safariland loaders are durable and reliable. Most of the problems I've seen with Safariland Speedloaders are the result of cartridges being improperly loaded into the device.
So, rather than curse the darkness, allow me to shine some light:

The proper technique to load a Safariland Comp II Speedloader:
1. Start with an empty speedloader and ensure the "star" is all the way down (flush with the body of the loader)
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2. Insert the cartridges into the loader
3. Hold the loader in your non-dominant hand with the tips of the bullets pressed against your palm while using your thumb and forefinger to hold the loader body against the cartridges. (See Photos)
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4. Using your strong hand, push the release button in and rotate it clockwise until it locks. (there will be an audible "click")
DONE !
If you look at loader from the cartridge side you will see the points of the "star" will be aligned with each casing. The loader will hold those casings until the "star" bottoms out on the center pin of the revolver cylinder. When that happens, the loader will release the cartridges.
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Once the cartridges are properly locked in the speedloader, they will not release until the star is depressed. The loader can be dropped, shaken, tossed, whatever; the rounds will stay in the loader.
The above technique works with the Comp I and Comp II Safariland loaders as well. The Comp I models are made to be compact and have small locking buttons. The Comp III loaders are large and geared towards competition.
 
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Matt

Active Member
Exactly. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and before we were allowed to carry 1911’s there was the great speed loader debate. It was settled in my neck of the woods with HKS coming out on top simply because with the big knob they were easier to get out of the speed loader pouch. They were never as secure when dropped as the Safariland. HKS would frequently release rounds
when dropped and occasionally open in the pouch.
You had to watch them. The rounds “wiggled” a but which allowed the K -Frame size (M10-A?) to work well with Ruger security sixes. You needed the “PYTH” marked HKS for the Colt Python (Troopers etc.) and the L frame S&W.

When I got assigned to plain clothes I carried a 2.5” M66 S&W and two Safariland speed loaders in my jacket or pants pocket. You had to be precise with the Safariland because of no jiggle and the need to push the loader all the way in to release the rounds.
The silliness of a 2.5 inch barreled .357 now makes me blush. But the M19/66 2.5” revolvers were sexy!
4” J frames conceal just as easy as the 2.5s and perform much better with .357 ammunition.

When I carry .38 or .357 revolvers in the field or concealed these days I carry spare ammunition in my vintage Bianchi speed strips. They are flat and hold ammunition securely.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Safariland actually makes a dedicated loader for the Ruger Six series.

If you grab a HKS loader by the knob, you run the risk of the mass of the cartridges causing the body of the loader to rotate in relation to the knob. That relative motion will cause the loader to release the cartridges. If you grab a HKS loader by the knob you will eventually drop the cartridges before they are in the cylinder.
If you grab the HKS loader by the body, you eliminate that problem but then you have to change the position of your fingers to grasp the knob.

The Safariland loaders are just straight push to release, which reduces the complexity of the choreography needed to operate them.

And I'll give you two big thumbs up for the Bianchi Speed Strip. They aren't as fast as a speedloader but they are far better than loose rounds. AND, as you correctly point out, the speedstrip is flat. They fit nicely in the right watch pocket of blue jeans and if you're right handed, that's the proper side to carry a revolver reload.

One of the problems with a speedloader is that by necessity, they must be as large in diameter as the cylinder. I prefer a speedloader to a speedstrip if concealment isn't a concern but the speedstrip shines when its flat profile is needed for concealment.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Anyone try the Pachmayr speedloaders yet? Aluminum body vs. HKS plastic, but look very HKS-ish to me.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Anyone try the Pachmayr speedloaders yet? Aluminum body vs. HKS plastic, but look very HKS-ish to me.
The answer is, "No" but they look like a HKS or pretty blue version of the 5 Star loaders.

I keep coming back to the straight, in-line, push release of the Safariland loaders verses the "twist the knob" method of the HKS .

I think anything based on the HKS design is susceptible to the same failure.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Speed loader to me is putting two at a time in the cylinder.
 
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CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I have used HKS loaders since 1979. I haven't had one spill when dropped so far. Go with what ya know, and I do well with HKS.
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
The only problem with the Safariland speedloaders is they do not make one that works with my LCRx-3. Speed strips for me, thank you.
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
The only problem with the Safariland speedloaders is they do not make one that works with my LCRx-3.

:headscratch: Doesn't Safariland make speed loaders for the J-Frames? The HKS J-frame speed loaders work in my LCR. I purchased one Safariland speed loader for my Python...............very early model. Was constructed of 100% plastic. Didn't care for it and switched to the HKS...................that's why I don't keep up on their product line.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Safariland does make a speedloader for the S&W 5 shot J-frame; only comes in the Comp I configuration (small knob, J-C7 model).
I don't know if that model works for a Ruger LCR. (seems like it might if the cylinder spacing is the same as a J-frame).

As for the "All Plastic" construction; the external parts of a Safariland loader are all plastic. It's really not a problem and may even be a benefit.
The lobed wheel that engages the cartridge rims is metal and there's probably some other metal parts inside. Never had one fail, so I can't say for sure.
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
Nope the J-frame Safariland loaders do not work in my LCRx-3 with either large grips or the compact LCR grips. Perhaps the "wiggle in the HKS will allow them to work. I like the Safariland for their compactness and lack of the need to fiddle with them to release, they just don't make them in enough varieties.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
DSCN0395.JPG
From Left to Right:
Comp I - S&W J-frame (also works with SP101)
Comp II - S&W K-frame
Comp II - Ruger DA Six series
Comp II - S&W L-frame and Ruger GP-100
Comp III - S&W L-frame and Ruger GP-100

All of the above in 38 Special.

I color code the loaders just to make my life easier.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Nope the J-frame Safariland loaders do not work in my LCRx-3 with either large grips or the compact LCR grips. Perhaps the "wiggle in the HKS will allow them to work. I like the Safariland for their compactness and lack of the need to fiddle with them to release, they just don't make them in enough varieties.
The lack of Safariland varieties is a drawback.
 

Creeker

Well-Known Member
Thank you Petro & Powder for the great explanation. I use the HKS. Never tried anything else. Because of your great oracle I am now tempted to try your brand.