Speedloaders - Safariland vs. HKS

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TarpleyG

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What does everyone prefer? I have both Comp IIs and HKSs. Both have their own pros and cons. The Comp II for instance; I feel leary carrying it in an Andrews speedloader pouch because the speedloader straddles the belt and the pouch wraps around it. It fits tight enough in there and hasn't dumped any rounds yet but all it takes is a small dose of Mr. Murphy and a crowded room with a tile floor. The Comp IIs are faster than the HKS, however. Is there perhaps another brand I should be looking at?

Greg
 
I don't shoot much revolver but many of my friends do in IPSC and Steel Challenge type events. The speed-loader of choice is moon clips.
 
safariland far out classes the hks's.......and theyve been carried many many years in "split six" holders without any problems....


hks is o.k. but trying to reload under stress you start loosing fine motor skills.....its easier to push you entire hand than to manipulate a knob with your finger and thumb.......but what ever works for you go with it.
 
I like the Comp III for competition, and the HKS for carry since they are a little smaller. I had some Comp I's and they were terrible, no good for anything.
 
I've tried the HKS and all three types of Safarilands. I like the smallest Safariland (I forget which comp # that is_. Very fast, just push it in (no need to hold the cylinder to keep it from rotating), and the smallest model clears the grips on all of my revolvers.
 
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For me - no comparison!!!! HKS are sloppy - and I use SWC's for compo (PPC) - they suck, and even with RN bullets they are still sloppy!

I have used Comp I for carry with SP-101 and they work OK - but my fave is Comp II's - very fast - hold rounds nice and firm and release real fast. Comp III's are the ultimate for speed but - biggest downside is having grip clearance so that things line up totally.

So - Comp II's are for me - no contest at all. :) Great investment and I can speedload not much slower than some guys change mags.
 
Check Ebay for Dade loaders...There is a guy there that bougth the old Dade parts inventory and is making to sell on Ebay...
 
I used Dade's for my N frame when shooting practical revo way back - they are good and fast but - the circumferential spring method of retension was not IMO really strong or reliable enough. It was too easy to get a ''spill'' and if dropped! Well - not good!
 
In typical internet bb fashion I won't answer your question because I don't have Safariland experience. That said, I hope they are better than HKS. I have one speedloader gun, 642 and I carry it as a BUG without a reload usually. When I do carry a HKS speedloader I find that it sometimes undoes itself. More and more I like my moonclip guns.
 
Safariland Comp II. Used them for duty for many years in a split Six without problems. The one I used most for range work was used heavily and thrown around all the time. Never had a bit of trouble.

Used the HKS for a short time before that. No comparison.

A double split Six is a little more stable than a single. These days I use a 2x2x2 De Santis pouch for CCW which meets my needs adequately.
 
I used HKS for years, then saw the light about Safariland loaders. They are faster, more secure, and hold the rounds in better alignment. I like the comp II's and III's, but my choice of carry gun is a Smith 44, so the comp I is the one I use. I like them fine, and head and shoulders above HKS.

I've had HKS loaders dump rounds when pulling them out several times, and had them wear enough from carry that they lock up and won't release. They sit in a box and gather dust now, If anyone carries the HKS loaders, check them once in awhile for wear on the points that hold the rims, and promtly throw away any that begin to wear.
 
I've been using HKS Speedloaders since 1976. Those were the old gold coloured aluminium ones.

I have tried every brand of speedloader I have ever seen.

Yes the Dades were faster. But of you ever drop one it'll dump the rounds quicker than a Webley break open..

My very first speedloaders were the all rubber Safariland ones. Most people have never even seen one. About all I can say is that they worked, sort of.

Yes HKS take some practice. If you use the knob for a grip you have to make sure you don't turn it until the rounds are in the chambers.
It's better top grab them by the body if you can.
The cartridge "jiggle" can sometimes work better to help get the bullets into the chambers.
Personally I think the HKS are better for duty use carried in a belt pouch.
That knob makes them easier to pull out of the pouch.
That knob also enables one to release the rounds if the loaders should get in a bind against the grips.

With the Safariland Comp 1 the knob is too small to grab so you have to grab the body. This works well unless your hands are wet, such as from sweat or, heaven forbid, blood.
Since they hold the ammo a bit tighter they can in some cases work better with sharp shouldered bullets. But ONLY if they line up just right with the chambers. If they don't then the rigidness works against you.
Personally I think the Safariland loaders are better for pocket carry.
There's no knob to get accidentially turned.
They are also better suited to the metal, bikini style holders made coincidentially by Safariland.

Both brands would work much better if the outside of the body were either knurled or in some way textured.

It boils down to the fact that both HKS and Safariland have their pros and cons.
The real secret is to try both and decide for yourself which works best for you.

Either brand will work quite well.

ANY brand will require lots of practice.



Practice Safe
Practice Hard
Practice Often
 
Having used both I prefer the Comp I. HKS are good, but too bulky for pocket carry. The Comp I for a J-frame just disappears in a pocket, and I feel it is a much more stable platform to work from when fine motor skills go to hell.
 
I've used every tiype of speedloader imaginable in my decade plus of packing a wheelgun.

I carry Comp Is for CCW use and typically carry them in either Hume Pack-Six pouches or Del Fatti SLC-2 pouches. The Comp IIs are also very nice. HKS are not at all speedy for me.

The Del Fatti pouches are the best, hands down. Nothing else is even close. The Humes are for situations where I will be in the woods and don't want to muck up the classy Del Fatti gear.
 
...I use the Safariland Comp III's for competition where I have to reload against the clock and HKS's for carry....mikey357
 
Does anyone know if Safariland makes speedloaders for the Ruger SP-101 .357? I have looked around and can't find any. I have a HKS for it and I was just going to compare.

Dave
 
Does anyone know if Safariland makes speedloaders for the Ruger SP-101 .357?
Click to expand...
Indeed they do - tho they are actually just J frame dealies - that suit the Smiths too. Looking at mine which are ideal for SP - there is a number/code ''CH7'' - not sure if this is the designation.

A search for Safariland should point you at folks who keep them.
 
Safariland Comp3s for me. with comp2s next. I have some of the Dade loaders, and they are okay.

In my opinion, speedstrips are better than the HKS stuff.
 
If I have to use speedloaders, Safariland Comp II or III. However, I prefer moonclips. My converted K-frame cylinder just came back from the 'smith' so the M66 joins my converted 686+ and moonclip standard 627.
 
How do you guys carry the safarilands in a split six holder? I don't own a split six, but my understanding is that a piece of leather or belt would run through the middle of the speedloader between the cartridges...wouldn't this activate the release?
 
I stuck one in my Andrews split six the other day and ran the belt in there (off my body BTW) and wiggled, jiggled, pried, and pawed it for a good 2 or 3 minutes trying to get them to come loose and they wouldn't. I suppose that was primarly because it keeps pressure on the 'button' on top and doesn't allow it to move out and release. That question was exactly what prompted me to discuss the differences. I went and looked at the Del Fatti pouches and they have a Kydex insert that keeps them from coming loose but I can't say if you would really need it if your pouch was tight enough.

Greg
 
I haven't had any trouble with mine so far, tho I haven't carried them a lot in the split six carriers yet. I leave the carriers on the belt when tossing it around getting in and out of the truck, etc.

Anyone have contact info for Del Fatti? I'd like to see pics of his carriers. Mine are black leather made by Rogers? Or Safariland. Can't recall. I'd like some brown carriers to match most of my other leather.
 
I used HKS for 10 or 15 years before I found SL Comp 1 and Comp 2.

The SLs are faster and more secure. Only downside is they're a pain to reload...but I can live with that.
 
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