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Push vs Twist Revolver Speed Loaders: Is One Design Better?

Annihilator

Annihilator

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Interesting article on which type of speed loader is better….twist or push

gunmagwarehouse.com

Push vs Twist Revolver Speed Loaders: Is One Design Better? - The Mag Life

I learned a few things during this test. First, I need to practice revolver reloads more often. My times are pitiful. Second, I discovered some differences between these two-speed loaders, and it's really up to the user which works. The push loaders seem to be the fastest option, but they seem...
gunmagwarehouse.com gunmagwarehouse.com
 
Annihilator said:
Interesting article on which type of speed loader is better….twist or push

gunmagwarehouse.com

Push vs Twist Revolver Speed Loaders: Is One Design Better? - The Mag Life

I learned a few things during this test. First, I need to practice revolver reloads more often. My times are pitiful. Second, I discovered some differences between these two-speed loaders, and it's really up to the user which works. The push loaders seem to be the fastest option, but they seem...
gunmagwarehouse.com gunmagwarehouse.com
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I prefer “twist”
 
so I've used both over the years. A couple of things here - the issue isn't which is faster as most folks carry their revolver "speed" loader, when not in competition, in holders that are like fabric pouches. I have sks and others, plus for the 454 I use 5 star firearms R6. Check them out. It should be said that moon clips can be way quicker to reload as it's just a thin spur with cutouts that holds your cartridges. Super light too. One thing the semis have with their box like mags is silence. In so many of those holders, the cartridges "Clink" together when you walk move or reach for something, giving away the concealment aspect to a degree.
 
I will add too that box mags fit flat against your body, whatever its shape. Round "mags" for revolvers kind of stick out a bit, necessitating a looser over garment if ccw. I would carry 4 or 6 depending on the season, and those would be 7 shot for the 357 or 6 for the 454 or 44. heavy esp with 44 mag. Plus a redhawk/super redhawk isn't exactly a light item. Nowadays I'll use the "wallet style".
 
trader said:
I will add too that box mags fit flat against your body, whatever its shape. Round "mags" for revolvers kind of stick out a bit, necessitating a looser over garment if ccw. I would carry 4 or 6 depending on the season, and those would be 7 shot for the 357 or 6 for the 454 or 44. heavy esp with 44 mag. Plus a redhawk/super redhawk isn't exactly a light item. Nowadays I'll use the "wallet style".
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I use an old cell phone belt case; I can fit two speed strips in it. Flat, unobtrusive.
 
I prefer push specifically Safari-land Comp 2 and 3. I have experience carrying the comp 2’s for duty with split 6 pouches and have dropped them and they have always held. From taking falls chasing perps over fences and ally’s and outright hands on fights getting them in cuffs never had the Safari-lands spit rounds like some claim

The HKS I have used and have a few but don’t really carry any.

In retired life carry a 3 and 4” K frame quite a bit and never run speedloaders just a speed strip or 2 as it’s flatter and easier to carry.
in retired life I am not going to anyone else’s emergency and if it goes past 6 rounds something really bad happened that a 10 or 15 round problem wouldn’t made a difference

(Disclaimer the above is my choice for me not anyone else so if someone wants something they can warp speed reload with cool, I don’t care you do you)

I will add there is no good way to reload a revolver fast in a fight . While we had to and got proficient at it nobody reloaded any I can remember that had shootings. They solved it withi their 6 rounds OR a couple went to the backup snub. What some folks did was run the snub IWB just behind the ammo pouch revolver pouches usually were ran o. The gun side due to we all did some variation of the FBI reload) the. When and off it was time to get more ammo they could go speedloader or backup gun as it was the same place. I know a a couple that dumped their wheelgun and went to a snub for one or 2 rounds I have never heard where anyone did a reload with speedloaders.
 
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I think as long as you're comfortable with the choice and it works - all good. Some of the trainings over the years would make us run up ladders, climb over cars, crawl through tunnels, and do the nfl empty tire leg shift running thing. You had to make sure your loaders cover flaps were on tight and the holster would, well, hold the firearm. We were timed in all of it and losing any of your stuff - demerits. those super fast extended out from the body ipda and ipsc speed loader trays were not allowed and wouldnt work anyway.
 
When training security officers with revolvers I made them use both in classes to be sure they were familiar with both. Some liked the hks better, some like the Safariland push type better, both work if you practice with them. I did observe it takes some pressure to release rounds with the Safarilnd, and there seemed to be more unintentional ammo releases with the HKS.
 
Long ago, I started carrying 4 rounds as reloads for my J-frames; 2-space-2 on a 6-round strip.

I’ve found that it’s much faster to get back into the fight than trying to get that 5th round in. The 6-round strips also give more purchase, for times when you’ve gone all sweaty.

Although, like @ECS686, I rather doubt I’ll need more ammo than what I have in the cylinders…and if I do, it may well be a situation where I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.

I still carry a couple of speed strips, though. Just because.
 
ECS686 said:
I prefer push specifically Safari-land Comp 2 and 3. I have experience carrying the comp 2’s for duty with split 6 pouches and have dropped them and they have always held. From taking falls chasing perps over fences and ally’s and outright hands on fights getting them in cuffs never had the Safari-lands spit rounds like some claim

The HKS I have used and have a few but don’t really carry any.

In retired life carry a 3 and 4” K frame quite a bit and never run speedloaders just a speed strip or 2 as it’s flatter and easier to carry.
in retired life I am not going to anyone else’s emergency and if it goes past 6 rounds something really bad happened that a 10 or 15 round problem wouldn’t made a difference

(Disclaimer the above is my choice for me not anyone else so if someone wants something they can warp speed reload with cool, I don’t care you do you)

I will add there is no good way to reload a revolver fast in a fight . While we had to and got proficient at it nobody reloaded any I can remember that had shootings. They solved it withi their 6 rounds OR a couple went to the backup snub. What some folks did was run the snub IWB just behind the ammo pouch revolver pouches usually were ran o. The gun side due to we all did some variation of the FBI reload) the. When and off it was time to get more ammo they could go speedloader or backup gun as it was the same place. I know a a couple that dumped their wheelgun and went to a snub for one or 2 rounds I have never heard where anyone did a reload with speedloaders.
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My LEOSA qual creds are for semi-auto or revolver, or both. My main gun is a .45 SAO, but I shoot a second course with the revolver so I have a choice of what to carry. I am amused at range officers who have not seen anyone speedload a revolver before. They thought life began with Glock and I am like their grandpa. Sheesh I feel old.
 
HansGruber said:
Long ago, I started carrying 4 rounds as reloads for my J-frames; 2-space-2 on a 6-round strip.

I’ve found that it’s much faster to get back into the fight than trying to get that 5th round in. The 6-round strips also give more purchase, for times when you’ve gone all sweaty.

Although, like @ECS686, I rather doubt I’ll need more ammo than what I have in the cylinders…and if I do, it may well be a situation where I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.

I still carry a couple of speed strips, though. Just because.
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Yeah with a snub I will run a 6 or 8 rounds and have a couple live rounds empty and etc just like the lessons learned on Newhall had CHP closed the cylinder on 2 or 3 rounds he could have put the dude down closing on him.

Speed strips and revolvers are sort of a lost art I’m just glad fits coming back around with Bolke Eastridge Dobbs and Haggard with the Revolver roundup events and American Fighting Revolver pages
 
Back in my IDPA days, I would sometimes shoot matches with a revolver. I've used both types. The HKS is smoother to put in the gun and drop right in. The Safarilands are just a hair quicker. But, the push to release requires a firm push. I have tried to reload and then realized that I hadn't pushed hard enough and give it another shove. :rolleyes:
Nowadays when I carry a revolver, I carry speed strips. ;)
 
current 5 star speed loader and 454 cartridge with belt holder by Wilderness
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HayesGreener said:
My LEOSA qual creds are for semi-auto or revolver, or both. My main gun is a .45 SAO, but I shoot a second course with the revolver so I have a choice of what to carry. I am amused at range officers who have not seen anyone speedload a revolver before. They thought life began with Glock and I am like their grandpa. Sheesh I feel old.
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Not to get off topic think we talked on another thread about this but places that “require” bot Revolver and Semi quals for LEOSA are running a scam OR the ones running it get LEOSA confused with their department policy as it’s not a LEOSA requirement. But until someone challenges it in that district gotta do what you have to I get it.

That is why I don’t run any reload requirements when I run LEOSA quals. While in a perfect world I’d love to I have folks showing up that were the barely qualified fools when they were active and I watch them fiddle fart with their gun that they have shoot every year to qualify for act like it’s the first time ever fish out of water so to speak.
 
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