The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Hazcat on March 29, 2007, 07:01:29 AM

Title: Speedloaders
Post by: Hazcat on March 29, 2007, 07:01:29 AM
I have a Redhwak in 45LC and I'm looking for speedloaders for it.

1st.  What is a 'speed strip' that you guys have mentioned?

2nd.  I can find HKS speed loaders for the Redhawk but they say they are for 44mag / special.  I'm guessing these won't work for 45LC, correct?

So where can I get speed loaders for the Redhawk in 45LC?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: flyandscuba on March 29, 2007, 07:45:47 AM
Check out this weblink and application chart:

http://www.hksspeedloaders.com/SpeedloaderPage.html

Although a speed loader is manufactured for .45 Long Colt (Model 25-5) only the S&W 25-5 and Taurus Raging Bull are listed.  This doesn't necessarily mean that it will not work with the Ruger -- the only way to know for sure is to obtain one and try it out.

The speed strips mentioned are made by Bianchi and to my knowledge only come in .38/.357 caliber.
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Hazcat on March 29, 2007, 08:28:14 AM
Yeah, I've seen that chart and some others, but thanks.  I was wondering if any one actually knows.
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Rock44 on March 29, 2007, 09:19:36 AM
could try safariland,I don't know if they make one for your gun
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Hazcat on March 29, 2007, 12:52:51 PM
could try safariland,I don't know if they make one for your gun

They have them for the Redhawk 41 and 44 mags not the 45LC.  Thanks
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Mike1951 on March 30, 2007, 01:58:14 PM
The ones for the 25 will definitely work as far as cylinder fit.

However, I had to remove quite a bit of material from the grip to allow clearance for the speedloader.

I picked up a spare set of grips for $10 and modified them.

I have made speedstrips for my .44 Special by punching 7/16" holes in a vacuum cleaner belt.

I haven't tried .45's yet.


Mike
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: storm1911 on March 30, 2007, 09:40:53 PM
At the risk of sounding silly, something  I am quite an expert at, does anyone make a speedloader for the S&W .500 or .460 ?  Never know when a swarm of wooley mammoths might charge you.  All kidding aside, I am a land surveyor and a 4 inch or shorter biggiie fits my needs from urban to the bush. I've had a run in with a boar once. We did not agree with each other, and the insurance claim on thr equipment was fun to explain.
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Mike1951 on March 30, 2007, 10:10:15 PM
The ones for .45 Colt should work for the .460, since you can use .45 Colt or .454 Casull in a .460.

Not sure about a .500, though.

Mike
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: flyandscuba on March 31, 2007, 07:05:52 PM
The X-frame cylinder is larger than the N-frame cylinder...plus, it is only 5 rounds for the .460 and .500 in the X-frame.  No one to my knowledge makes speed loaders for either pistol.

I have the 500ES -- but to be honest, I'm more apt to carry my 3" 629 in .44 Mag out in the woods.  The X-frame guns are just too big to carry comfortably....unless, that is you could play on the typical NBA team...
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Mike1951 on March 31, 2007, 08:34:07 PM
I stand corrected.

Just wasn't thinking.

Mike
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: canon6 on April 01, 2007, 12:19:14 PM
Mike 1951, any chance you could post some pictures of the self made speed strips for the 44 special   thanks Doug
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Jerry R Howell on April 07, 2007, 09:52:52 AM
You might want to try and use a rifle stripper for the larger bores.  I've seen on THR were a person made a 480 Ruger (I think) out of a 303 British stripper.

Jerry
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Mike1951 on April 07, 2007, 04:39:26 PM
Quote from: canon6
Mike 1951, any chance you could post some pictures of the self made speed strips for the 44 special   thanks Doug

Doug,

I'm sorry. I'll try to get a photo posted of what I've done so far.

Mike
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Mike1951 on April 07, 2007, 11:42:36 PM
First, this is an idea I found on another forum and I'm just tinkering with it.

OK, I started with a vacuum cleaner belt (Kirby?), cut.

The other gentleman specified a .44 wad cutter punch, which I immediately saw as too expensive to buy just for this.
I had a cheapo set of punches that included a 7/16" (.437") and figured that was close enough.

At the spacing I chose, the belt was long enough for 11 holes. It looks like it might have been possible to squeeze in 12.

The holes are a good fit for .44's, but I tried .45 Colt and I believe those will work as well.

I plan on experimenting with glueing a second, solid layer on the back to provide more rigidity.

That should work fine as long as my glue is kept away from the holes, so the cartridges will still insert easily from the front.

I welcome all suggestions and improvements.

Mike
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: DonWorsham on April 08, 2007, 08:16:14 AM
American ingenuity!  :)
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Hazcat on April 08, 2007, 08:17:56 AM
OK, I'm confused.  Just how does a stipper clip work?  I don't understand how this would be used to load faster.
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Mike1951 on April 08, 2007, 10:37:59 PM
First, as opposed to loose cartridges, they are all oriented correctly.

With practice, you can insert two at a time into adjacent chambers.

The rims pull easily through the rubber as you're loading.

I'm guessing you thought it was necessary to remove the cartridges from the strip and then load individually.

Mike
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: Hazcat on April 09, 2007, 07:18:00 AM
Thanks Mike.  Yep, I couldn't figure out how they 'came out' of the strip.
Title: Re: Speedloaders
Post by: mnshooter on April 09, 2007, 11:14:17 AM
Vacuum cleaner belt! Good idea.
It normally would seem likely that if you have expended 5 rounds of .500 or .460 and haven't solved your problem, you are at the extreme end of the survival bell curve;
however, to sorta paraphrase Clint, "keep shooting until you're out of ammo, then use the gun as a club"!