Yeah, my thought process is "just because I don't know about them doesn't mean they're not potentially rad." There are only a few ways to skin the speedloader cat, and if it's done right I think it'd be pretty awesome. I'm actually really interested in their 8-shot loader for the .22 LCR, because I have one of those that ends up getting used pretty regularly as a sort of improv kit gun. It'd be neat to be able to carry a reasonably quick and easy to access reload.
Yes, the cartridge rims are held by the spring, and then pushed forward by eight small metal pins.
I was going to get one more speed loader for the rimfire, and one for a J-frame Smith just to play with.
Honestly, the only reason I got the ones for the .22 was because they are the only offering available. I'm going to grab one for the J frame for a range toy. I highly doubt it will ever be carried.
I'll be happy to bring them to Memphis next month, if you desire.
Hope that was useful.
My .22lr LCR shoots to the sights.
I have also been looking at these speedloaders for use with my LCR and/or 43c, might have to finally spring for one or two and try them out.
I ordered one of the Speed Beez for a 7-shot L frame. It just came in.
A few observations:
I did some drop testing, from 1, 2, and 3 feet onto a berber carpet with about a half inch of padding, while the loader was loaded with A Zoom snap caps. Dropped from each height twice, and no rounds popped loose.
While using the loader to load the AZooms into the 686, it seemed that it required a strong push on the back of the knob to release the rds. I attempted to measure this with an RCBS trigger pull gauge that goes from 0 to 25 lbs. The loader still hadn't released when the gauge got to 25 lbs. I wonder how quickly the crane would get bent if one held the grip of the gun in the right hand and simply pushed on the back of the loader with the left hand, instead of holding the cylinder in the left hand and pushing on the back of the loader with the right hand.
Tried loading when the bore of the gun was parallel to the floor. When released, the rds would spring a fraction of an inch toward the rear of the cylinder and stop with the rims about a quarter of an inch shy of seating fully. They did seat fully if the gun was held so that the bore was at least a 15 or 20 degree angle to the floor.
Based on my limited knowledge of the Dade speedloader, this looks similar. There is a coil spring that runs around the body of the loader. To load the Speed Beez, one pushes each rd past this spring, and the spring then holds the rds in position.
Interesting. Sounds like they are using a much-sturdier spring. And yes, that is exactly how the Dade loader functioned.
Suggest you re-try your drop test with live cartridges; they are heavier than snap caps/proving rounds. And as the spring wears some, that retention level may lessen. That was certainly the case with the Dades.
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