Although revolvers are no longer the default fighting handgun of the shooting public, the wheel gun continues to excel in areas where modern striker-fired pistols have not caught up. If anything, the revolver has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.
If you own or are considering owning a revolver, you probably heard of the criticisms of the platform, namely the lower ammo capacity and slower reloads. Although reloading the revolver takes a few more steps than an autoloader, a quality speed loader will allow you to accomplish that quickly.
Over the course of 15 years of revolver shooting, I have tried just about every reloading device imaginable. Here’ are’s a look at several of the more popular speed loader devices on the market and how they stack up:
The HKS Speed Loader
The HKS speed loader became popular in the 1970s as law enforcement agencies sought ways to increase the speed of the revolver reload in the aftermath of the 1970 Newhall shootout. Although the HKS is not the fastest reloading device, the design has stuck around where others have come and gone due to its sheer durability.
Construction and Operation
The HKS loader has an injection molded polymer body and a steel racket backplate that locks the rims of each cartridge in place. The backplate is moved by an external knurled knob that you twist counterclockwise to lock.
Loading consists of lining bullet tips to chamber mouths and twisting the knob clockwise to release the rounds. A spring-tensioned ball detente at the mouth of the loader prevents the knob from turning accidentally.
Pros
The advantages of the HKS are numerous. Due to its longevity, it is the most popular design you are likely to find in a local sporting goods store. Due to sheer popularity, most speed loaders on the market are available for .38/.357 revolvers. But HKS has the distinction of producing loaders for other designs ranging from .22 rimfire to .45 Colt.
The overall design also lends itself well to holding the rounds securely with no slop and it is impossible to lose rounds when the loader is thrown into a pocket or in a pouch.
Cons
The sole disadvantage is you have to remember to twist the knob to release the ammunition. I have gotten around this distinctive step by palming the knob of the loader as I go for the reload and incorporate a twist with the palm as I push the loader home into the cylinder.
The 5-Star Speed Loader
5-Star is a relative newcomer to the speed loader market and their designs serve as an alternative to the HKS loader.
These loaders have a similar release knob and rachet setup as the HKS but are crafted from aluminum with no polymer parts involved. The only appreciable difference is the 5-Star’s knob is turned counter-clockwise to release the ammunition.
Pros
5-Star’s loaders are lightweight yet durable. There are no polymer pieces to age and crack. 5-Star also makes loaders in a number of calibers.
My first experience with the company was when I was in search of a loader for a 6-shot Ruger LCR in .22 Magnum. 5-Star had a loader for it and I still have it and use it on occasion.
Cons
On the flip side, the 5-Star loader’s CNC machined construction make them more expensive than other loaders. In addition, the tolerances involved give the ammunition some room to shake. This makes it harder to push all the rounds home into the cylinder at the same time in one smooth motion.
Safariland’s COMP Loaders
The Safariland Comp. loaders came onto the market after the HKS but quickly gained its adherents. By the early 1980s, the FBI authorized the use of the Safariland Comp. II for duty use. The Comp. loader also made inroads in competitive shooting and has become a staple for revolver competitors and self-defenders alike.
Construction and Operation
Like the HKS, the Comp loader uses an injection molded polymer body and a steel rachet backplate as well as a locking knob to secure the rounds into the cylinder. But the Comp. loader turns the horizontal force of pushing the rounds into the cylinder into vertical force that turns the rachet to release the rounds.
With loose rounds placed in the loader, push the locking knob inward and twist counterclockwise. The front of the loader has polymer gear that is shaped like a helix. When that gear is pressed against the cylinder face, it acts on the rachet and releases the ammunition. All this is done by simply pressing the loader home.
Three Models to Choose From
The Safariland Comp I is their smallest loader and is the available option for small 5-shot J-frame and Ruger .38/.357 revolvers. But they are also available in a 5-shot .44 caliber configuration.
The Comp II is the next size up and setup for medium sized revolvers of different makes from .38 Special to .45 Colt. Like the Comp I, the Comp II releases its ammunition by pushing down the base of the loader against the cylinder of the revolver.
The Comp III is Safariland’s largest loader and is set up for competition shooters. It features a large release knob that is powered by a large coil spring. It loads similarly to the others, but releasing the ammunition is as easy as hitting the knob. The spring tension is released, and the ammunition is forcefully pushed into the cylinder and the loader falls clear.
The Safariland Comp. series of loaders has the best balance between speed and security. The polymer body holds the rounds securely with no movement and the release mechanism does not require a separate motion.
Cons
The only disadvantages of the Comp loaders are its polymer construction will require you to check for damage on occasion. Although it is available for most popular models of revolver, not all are covered.
Speedbeez Speed Loaders
Speedbeez is another newcomer on the market. They specialize in somewhat different version of the old Dade loader from the 1980s, except in machined aluminum.
Construction and Operation
The Speedbeez loader has a large release knob with six or more protrusions that push the rounds from the charging holes. The rounds are held in place by a simple garter spring that snaps past the rim of each cartridge.
Pros and Cons
Loading is effortless and releasing is as easy as pressing on the knob with your palm or your thumb. The Speedbeez speed loader is a simple design and is made for speed.
The chief disadvantage is that the garter spring is not strong enough to hold the rounds in place if the loader spends a day in a pocket or takes a fall to the ground. To use a stronger spring would make it harder to load and release.
This is of little consequence for competitive shooters who use need speed and are housing their loaders in special pouches. But for everyday carry, you might produce the loader to find it is carrying four rounds instead of the six you loaded.
Speed Strips and Tuff Strips
In an era where revolvers were loaded one round at a time with loose ammunition, John Bianchi’s solution for a speed reload was a piece of rubber.
His Speed Strip hit the market concurrently with the HKS and other early loaders. It consisted of a rubber strip with recesses molded for the case head of each round. The rubber snaps over the rim of each case, holding the ammunition in place. Loading the ammunition into the revolver is as easy as lining up two rounds and peeling the rubber away.
Pros
The Bianchi Speed Strip is still around and a compelling option because you can have extra ammunition carried in a flat profile, while a conventional speed loader takes up some bulk in a pocket.
You can also reload two rounds into your revolver about as fast as a conventional speed loader, allowing you to effectuate a partial reload. Or you can repeat the process of stripping off two rounds until the cylinder is full.
The Bianchi Speed Strip is available for .38/.357 or .44/.45 caliber revolvers. For other calibers, Tuff Strips have come to the rescue. They are a facsimile of the Bianchi design but available in calibers from .22 rimfire to .45 Colt/.410.
No matter what brand you choose, the strip is an excellent option for partial reloads that carry without printing. The downside is that it takes a few uses for the rubber to become supple enough to use quickly.
Speed Loaders and Speed Strips: Which to Choose?
While I have come to prefer the Safariland Comp loaders for most of my revolving needs, I have gotten mileage from all of these reloading options.
All of these speed loaders have their advantages and disadvantages and ultimately the decision will be in equal parts on you, your revolver, and how you hope to carry and shoot it. Speaking of which, be sure to check out the ROC from Shield Arms.
