Two LCR Speedloaders Compared

[The Man With No Name]

Recently I ordered a speedloader for my Ruger LCR 357. The first one I ordered was a HKS 36-A. The retailer I ordered it from listed it as fitting the LCR. It fits but doesn't really work well. I next ordered a speedloader from 5 Star Firearms. http://www.5starfirearms.com/357_j_2.html It does work. Some pictures to explain.

Speedloaders in their packaging.

Loaded side by side. Here you can clearly see the HKS is larger in diameter.

Top side view. HKS takes a clockwise turn to release the cartridges while the J2 from 5 Star Firearms takes a counterclockwise turn. Once again you can clearly see which is larger in diameter.

Using the HKS.

As you can see the HKS with LRN .38's will barely start. Same with different ammo. You can use it but it is hardly fast as you have to hold it just right and then release the ammo.

Using the J2.

As you can see it will easily bottom out on the speedloader like it should. Considerable faster.

This is just a warning. I've seen more than one retail web site list the HKS 36A as fitting the LCR when it clearly doesn't atleast not with the standard grip. Maybe with the boot grip it would but I'm not changing grips just to make a speedloader work especially a grip I'm happy with. I'm not one that normally would care about this but I'm wanting to qualify my LCR as a backup at the department I work at and am required to have speedloaders even though I'll never use them on duty.

 

[JERRY]

thanks for the comparison. id like to see that sleek speed loader with a safariland comp release to lessen the motor skills needed to deply in haste.

 

[rswartsell]

Does anyone have experience with the Maxfire soft rubber loaders?

 

[PabloJ]

All I can say is magazine capacity for G27 is 11 cartridges with G22 magazines available as reloads. What you have there is just FIVE shot weapon the "speedloadeR" concept is ludicrous.

 

[MK11]

Unless we're talking Gen 4 Glock 27, in which case the idea of getting through 5 malfunction-free rounds is ridiculous.

Thanks for the heads up on the 5 Star! It's a little pricy, but about the only game in town.

 

[ljnowell]

All I can say is magazine capacity for G27 is 11 cartridges with G22 magazines available as reloads. What you have there is just FIVE shot weapon the "speedloadeR" concept is ludicrous.

And what exactly does your statement have to do with this thread? People used speedloaders for a long time before your wondergun came out, and will continue to for a long time. Nice to note that fanboyism is alive and well around here.

 

[barnbwt]

Moving along...

I bought one of the 5star speedloaders for use in my S&W TRR8 8-shot .357 (power and capacity). They are indeed well made, competitively priced (at least compared to other guys making an 8-shot loader, Thunder Ranch), and seem very robust. Especially compared to the moonclips I typically use. Their one failing is that they hold the ammo I've tried somewhat loosely, allowing it to jiggle around (worse than my moonclips).

If I'm using flat-tip bullets, this means I have to finagle the loader a bit to get all the rounds to fall into place. The moonclips wobble a bit, but about half as much. With 8 rounds to hold, there just isn't much metal left to wrap around the casings. Still, they look way cool compared to my blued clips, and pointed LeveRevolution bullets allow them to slide right in regardless. The main problem (with mine) is how big an 8-shot loader is in a pocket.

Moonclips and (proper) speedloaders can be very fast to reload, by the way. Practice makes any reload fast, mag changes are just more intuitive. And revolvers will always have the advantage as far as powder charge and bullet variability are concerned

TCB

 

[BrainOnSigs]

I love the 5 Star speedloaders in 8 shot for my S&W M627 PC......especially the one's with zombie blood on them.

 

[Old Fuff]

I learned a long time ago that speed loaders and revolver stocks seldom get along with each other, and obviously a one-size-fits-all perspective doesn't get very far.

the Man With No Name went about it the best way by trying two brands to see if one was superior to the other. The other alternative is to modify the stocks, in particular the panel on the left side. When practical I've done a lot of that. Unfortunately both the gun and loader manufacturers don't seem to pay much attention to such details.

 

[barnbwt]

I love the 5 Star speedloaders in 8 shot for my S&W M627 PC

Do your loaders hold your rounds securely (little to no shake)? Did you do something to reduce it? Mine sound like jingle bells and are harder to slide in than moonclips.

I learned a long time ago that speed loaders and revolver stocks seldom get along with each other

No kidding, my TRR8 grips actually interfere with loaded factory moonclips. If you eject a clip of unfired rounds, the case heads hit the grip before the bullet clears the chamber rim. No problem for fired brass, though.

TCB