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)
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)
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.
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.
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)
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)
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.
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.
Last edited: