Revolver Gear – The HKS Speedloader

Mike Karbon was the boss of The Gun Room and he found and stocked these speedloaders. He would say “You’ll need a speedloader for that.” When we sold a defensive or duty revolver, which was the most common back then (we were in Detroit, in the 1980s), most people were skeptical. Make sure you choose the right one. Once you get it right, you’re in the clear. Mike had a demo-loader that he would pick up and throw across the shop floor. It would ricochet into a corner, off the floor and off a wooden ammo box strategically placed. Mike would have the customer pick it up and then turn the knob to release the rounds. The HKS worked. Made of durable plastic and aluminum (before the word “polymer”, which was a household term), the demo rounds inside it would not chamber and shouldn’t have been fired, but they did. It was revolver and caliber specific. It’s understandable that a.38-caliber speedloader would not be able to hold.44s, and vice versa. The cylinder diameters of various revolvers vary, and the spacing needed to be perfect for the rounds to fall out of the HKS into the cylinder. We had to stock all the different sizes to ensure we were covered. This was despite the fact that most of our customers were Detroit PD and carried.41s..44s. and.45s. We stocked the entire line because we knew that someone who carried a five-shot J frame would want extra ammo. I counted 21 models, ranging from.22 LR to.45 cal, that fit a variety of revolvers. Most are S&W, Colt Ruger, Taurus, and Ruger. The HKS has some minor flaws. First, the lock and unlock is a rotating knob. The cylinder must be pinched in place with your thumb or fingertips. Otherwise, turning the knob will just spin the cylinder. The muzzle must point down to load, as there is no spring propulsion. Gravity is needed, but it only works one way. Their durability comes with a certain amount bulk. The flat plastic/rubber loading strips that hold up to six rounds can be carried in a pouch or pocket. Since you have turn the knob to pin your cylinder in place, you must make sure it is pinned. It’s not an issue, because the right technique will ensure that. Lastly, although the HKS website gives you information, you cannot order them. You can only order them from a retailer or online. We would be buried in Chinese clones if revolvers were still the main defensive carry handguns. HKS speedloaders are made in America, using materials that are made in America. He didn’t break the rules, but word spread quickly and he was no longer required to demonstrate. This was despite the fact that speedloaders were not on the approved-wearing list. The Detroit PD officers did not care. Their shift supervisors also knew that if an inspection was done and they made officers remove the HKS pouches, the HKS loaders, and the DOT drills, the HKS would be back in their officers’ belts before the first cup of coffee cooled. The target grids and bullseye size are in MOA. Subscribe to the Gun Digest newsletter and we will send you your print-at home target pack immediately. Enter your email below.