Best speed loader for a 7-shot S&W 686

jski · November 12, 2017, 06:50 PM

I was looking at the Speed Beez and the HKS at $35.99 and 11.99, respectively.

Amazon is offering a Pelican case + Speed Beez loading block for $69.95.

Not to disparage any particular product but I intend this as a Christmas present and would like to get the "best".

Of course, spending more is no guarantee you're getting more.

Opinions? Thoughts?

Buckeye! · November 12, 2017, 07:32 PM

I like speed strips ..

Nick_C_S · November 12, 2017, 09:06 PM

I have five of the HKS units for my 686+.

They're decent. I last used them about three weeks ago to requalify for my CCW. When I carry my 686+, I don't carry speedloaders. I'm comfortable with 7 rounds.

Jim Watson · November 12, 2017, 09:15 PM

Speed Beez are based on the Dade design, retaining rounds with a circular spring.
Fast straight push loading but more likely to shed rounds if dropped.

weblance · November 12, 2017, 09:57 PM

HKS loaders have been popular for many years, for a good reason. They are economical, well made, and they work.

jski · November 12, 2017, 11:47 PM

Does anyone have experience with 5 Star Firearms.

Looks like a quality product.

Jim Watson · November 12, 2017, 11:51 PM

No experience, but operationally it is a twist-knob type like HKS. All metal, though.

Scoits · November 13, 2017, 07:20 AM

Use the Star 8 round loaders and the HKs . Like both but the Star is high quality.

NoSecondBest · November 13, 2017, 07:30 AM

I don't think it will make any difference unless you're one of the top rated shooters in the country. I shot team challenge for years and I used HKS speed loaders. My team and I almost always ran perfect scores in the handgun event. If you're got money to spend and simply want what is theoretically the best, get the Beez. I used a revolver three times in the precision event (when my semi-auto was back for rework) and ran it twice and one time only left one plate. That's with HKS loaders and that level of performance is pretty much unheard of with a revolver.

UncleEd · November 13, 2017, 08:54 AM

Google

Revolverguy.com

He'll give you the answer on speed loaders.

Won't go wrong with HKS on the seven shooters.

Unfortunately, for those who like them, Safariland
doesn't make a seven shooter loader, only a six round
model.

AzShooter · November 13, 2017, 01:00 PM

Have your 686+ converted to full moon clips from TK Custom and don't worry about speed loaders. You just send in your cylinder so you don't have to spend a lot on shipping. You will get it back in a week. No speed loader is as fast as a full moon clip.

MrBorland · November 13, 2017, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSecondBest

I don't think it will make any difference unless you're one of the top rated shooters in the country.

Good point, but I'd open that up even more to say whether you compete or not, the speed loader you choose won't matter much if you don't practice your butt off. Likewise for moonclips. Neither speed loaders nor moonclips are fast - it's the nut behind the trigger that is (or is not).

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleEd

Unfortunately, for those who like them, Safariland
doesn't make a seven shooter loader, only a six round
model.

Safariland speedloaders are the push-release type, as are the Speed Beez. Personally, I think push-release speed loaders are preferable to the twist type, so my vote was/is for the Speed Beez. The 5Star? Never used them, but they simply look like HKS loaders with lots of bling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzShooter

Have your 686+ converted to full moon clips from TK Custom and don't worry about speed loaders.

Moons are great, but they have their compromises. They also work best with short fat semi-auto rounds, and much less so with long skinny rounds. Unless one is going to use .38 Short Colts in this 686+, I'm not sure moons would be any faster than speedloaders.

smee78 · November 13, 2017, 01:43 PM

Full moon clips in a long case can sometimes be a bit touchy, they are so much easier in a short stubby round like the 45acp. My 625 is easier than my 627 to load with moon clips.

Now as for speed loaders I stick with HKS or speed strips to load my revolver, the strips lay flat and dont make a big round bulge in my pocket unlike the HKS can do. I know your looking for a gift but like said, just because you spent more does not mean your getting a better product.

Master Blaster · November 13, 2017, 03:41 PM

HKS all the way simple, reliable, they work. I tried the safariland push loaders I had two of them fail to retain the rounds after a couple months of daily carry and weekly practice. The push design is unreliable and prone to breakage and wear.

dgludwig · November 14, 2017, 06:49 PM

I like HKS speed loaders because they are reliable, easy to use and affordable. Of course, the fact that I've used them for the last thirty years or so makes my opinion a little biased.

Quote:

I like speed strips ..

So-called "speed" strips are anything but speedy; an oxymoron if there ever was one when compared to any other conventional speed loader. They are easy to carry undetected and probably faster to use than a pocket full of loose rounds (maybe), but they are a long way from being "speedy".

FairWarning · November 14, 2017, 08:57 PM

I've had perfectly good results with HKS for my 686P. Not inclined to pay 2X-3X for a different loader at this point when HKS works.

L-2 · November 15, 2017, 12:26 AM

For my various revolvers, I've bought and use HKS, SpeedBeez, 5Starfirearms, Safariland, and (Bianchi) speedstrips. As others have said, Safariland doesn't have a 7 rounder. I also will occasionally use/carry moon-clips for those revolvers which I have made for moon-clips.

If it was me receiving the gift, I'd be thrilled to receive either of the first three especially if I'd not owned them before.

The Speedbeez and 5starfirearms brands can be ordered/bought with those loading blocks which I find convenient at the range. These loading blocks can also be used with the HKS speedloaders, too, as the last time I looked, HKS didn't have loading blocks on the market.

Speedbeez
https://www.speedbeez.com/product-ca...-frame-7-shot/

5StarFirearms
http://www.5starfirearms.com/L7-357-...ries-s/133.htm

For actual carry, I'm usually using an HKS either in the pocket &/or clipped onto my belt using a Safariland clip holder.

BigJimP · November 17, 2017, 07:33 PM

I use 5 Star loaders for the 8 shot S&W 627's....(they twist to release )...they are well made...but they are no quicker than the HKS brand.

I prefer the Jet/Safariland style that propels the rounds into the cylinder....over the twist style / and I think you've found the only one that propels the rounds into the cylinder ( Jet and Safariland do not make them for 7 round guns...or 8 round guns )...

mauiglide · November 18, 2017, 12:00 AM

My vote is for HKS. I've been using them for years with my 686 Plus.

Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

Brian48 · November 18, 2017, 09:47 PM

I just use the HKS ones. No issues. They're fine for my purposes.

November 12, 2017, 06:50 PM	#1
jski Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2016 Posts: 374	Best speed loader for a 7-shot S&W 686 I was looking at the Speed Beez and the HKS at $35.99 and 11.99, respectively. Amazon is offering a Pelican case + Speed Beez loading block for $69.95. Not to disparage any particular product but I intend this as a Christmas present and would like to get the "best". Of course, spending more is no guarantee you're getting more. Opinions? Thoughts?

November 12, 2017, 09:06 PM	#3
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	I have five of the HKS units for my 686+. They're decent. I last used them about three weeks ago to requalify for my CCW. When I carry my 686+, I don't carry speedloaders. I'm comfortable with 7 rounds. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

November 13, 2017, 01:43 PM	#13
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Full moon clips in a long case can sometimes be a bit touchy, they are so much easier in a short stubby round like the 45acp. My 625 is easier than my 627 to load with moon clips. Now as for speed loaders I stick with HKS or speed strips to load my revolver, the strips lay flat and dont make a big round bulge in my pocket unlike the HKS can do. I know your looking for a gift but like said, just because you spent more does not mean your getting a better product. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

November 14, 2017, 08:57 PM	#16
FairWarning Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: GA Posts: 1,149	I've had perfectly good results with HKS for my 686P. Not inclined to pay 2X-3X for a different loader at this point when HKS works. __________________ Mauser Werke, Schmidt-Rubin, Colt, Walther, HK, Weatherby, Sig Sauer, Browning, Ruger, Beretta, etc, etc....a few friends of mine

November 15, 2017, 12:26 AM	#17
L-2 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 523	For my various revolvers, I've bought and use HKS, SpeedBeez, 5Starfirearms, Safariland, and (Bianchi) speedstrips. As others have said, Safariland doesn't have a 7 rounder. I also will occasionally use/carry moon-clips for those revolvers which I have made for moon-clips. If it was me receiving the gift, I'd be thrilled to receive either of the first three especially if I'd not owned them before. The Speedbeez and 5starfirearms brands can be ordered/bought with those loading blocks which I find convenient at the range. These loading blocks can also be used with the HKS speedloaders, too, as the last time I looked, HKS didn't have loading blocks on the market. Speedbeez https://www.speedbeez.com/product-ca...-frame-7-shot/ 5StarFirearms http://www.5starfirearms.com/L7-357-...ries-s/133.htm For actual carry, I'm usually using an HKS either in the pocket &/or clipped onto my belt using a Safariland clip holder. __________________ (former) Glock Armorer 1911 Armorer LEO (retired)

November 12, 2017, 07:32 PM	#2
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	I like speed strips ..

November 12, 2017, 09:15 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Speed Beez are based on the Dade design, retaining rounds with a circular spring. Fast straight push loading but more likely to shed rounds if dropped.

November 12, 2017, 09:57 PM	#5
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	HKS loaders have been popular for many years, for a good reason. They are economical, well made, and they work.

November 12, 2017, 11:47 PM	#6
jski Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2016 Posts: 374	Does anyone have experience with 5 Star Firearms. Looks like a quality product.

November 12, 2017, 11:51 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	No experience, but operationally it is a twist-knob type like HKS. All metal, though.

November 13, 2017, 07:20 AM	#8
Scoits Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2017 Posts: 178	Use the Star 8 round loaders and the HKs . Like both but the Star is high quality.

November 13, 2017, 07:30 AM	#9
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	I don't think it will make any difference unless you're one of the top rated shooters in the country. I shot team challenge for years and I used HKS speed loaders. My team and I almost always ran perfect scores in the handgun event. If you're got money to spend and simply want what is theoretically the best, get the Beez. I used a revolver three times in the precision event (when my semi-auto was back for rework) and ran it twice and one time only left one plate. That's with HKS loaders and that level of performance is pretty much unheard of with a revolver.

November 13, 2017, 08:54 AM	#10
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	Google Revolverguy.com He'll give you the answer on speed loaders. Won't go wrong with HKS on the seven shooters. Unfortunately, for those who like them, Safariland doesn't make a seven shooter loader, only a six round model.

November 13, 2017, 01:00 PM	#11
AzShooter Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Surprise, Az. Posts: 766	Have your 686+ converted to full moon clips from TK Custom and don't worry about speed loaders. You just send in your cylinder so you don't have to spend a lot on shipping. You will get it back in a week. No speed loader is as fast as a full moon clip.

November 13, 2017, 03:41 PM	#14
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	HKS all the way simple, reliable, they work. I tried the safariland push loaders I had two of them fail to retain the rounds after a couple months of daily carry and weekly practice. The push design is unreliable and prone to breakage and wear.

November 17, 2017, 07:33 PM	#18
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I use 5 Star loaders for the 8 shot S&W 627's....(they twist to release )...they are well made...but they are no quicker than the HKS brand. I prefer the Jet/Safariland style that propels the rounds into the cylinder....over the twist style / and I think you've found the only one that propels the rounds into the cylinder ( Jet and Safariland do not make them for 7 round guns...or 8 round guns )...

November 18, 2017, 12:00 AM	#19
mauiglide Member Join Date: November 3, 2011 Posts: 33	My vote is for HKS. I've been using them for years with my 686 Plus. Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

November 18, 2017, 09:47 PM	#20
Brian48 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2001 Location: Boston, People's Republic of MA Posts: 1,616	I just use the HKS ones. No issues. They're fine for my purposes. __________________ Proud to have served.