I’ve been learning the art of the wheel gun for the past few months, and I’ve become so enamored with wheel guns that one is sitting in my pocket as I type this. A few months back, I would have largely told you that wheel guns are a bit outdated, but it turns out all you need is a few revolutions around the cylinder to understand the allure.
As part of getting into revolvers, you have to get into revolver holsters, ammo, and, of course, speed loaders. This eventually led me to the Safariland Comp 2.
Safariland Speed Loaders
Revolvers aren’t known for their capacity. Even with a larger-frame revolver, you might only get eight rounds. Most defensive revolvers hold five or six rounds. This is where the importance of speed loaders comes in.
Being able to reload a revolver quickly can be a game-changer, allowing you to stay in the fight, win the match, or just shoot more than you load at the range. The revolver world is full of speed loaders, and it’s interesting to note that a company like Safariland, known for its high-quality holsters, also produces an entire line of loaders.
The Comp 1 is a low-profile speed loader primarily designed for concealed carry and for both larger and medium frame revolvers in .44 Mag/Special and .357/.38 Special. The Comp 3 is a massive speed loader designed for competition revolvers, primarily medium and large frame guns in .357/.38 Special.
Finally, the Safariland Comp 2 stands out as a versatile option. It’s not too big or too small, making it the Goldilocks of Safariland Speed Loaders. This moderate-sized loader is well-suited for both duty and concealed carry, making it a perfect fit for a wide range of revolver users.
The Comp 2 fits medium and large frame revolvers and chambers .357/.38 Special. Safariland produces the Comp 2 for S&W, Ruger, Taurus, and Colt revolvers.
These speed loaders are made via injection molding and are made primarily from polymer. All three of the Comp speed loaders are IDPA-approved and some of the more common options on the market. They fall into the push-to-load speed loader genre.
The Comp 2: How It Works
The Comp 2 uses the push-to-release method and metal tabs to retain the cartridges.
To load the speed loader, drop the rounds into the cartridge slots. Then, press the cartridges in with your palm and use your other hand to rotate the knob clockwise. This activates the retention devices and locks the cartridges into the speed loader.
Boom, now you’re set and ready to load.
Loading isn’t difficult either. While you twist the knob to lock the cartridges, you don’t have to twist the knob to release the rounds. Instead, you drive the speed loader into the chamber and press the body of the speed loader forward against the revolver’s cylinder. The revolver’s cylinder pin will hit the post in the center of the Comp 2.
When the post is pressed against the cylinder pin, the cartridges release and fall into the cylinders via gravity. Push-to-release systems are typically faster and simpler than twist-to-release designs and require only a single motion.
Going Fast
Like all things with guns, speed only comes after putting the work in. Using the Comp 2 is plenty easy. When your gun goes click instead of bang, invert the gun and eject the empty brass cartridges. Now, reorient the gun downward, preferably as vertically as possible. Gravity is your friend here.
Retrieve your speed loader by the body. Do not grab the knob. Align the Comp 2 with the chambers and push the loader against the cylinder until you hear a click. That click means the rounds have been released. The Comp 2 relies on gravity to release the cartridges into the gun. This is why the gun should be as vertical as possible.
Gravity helps you pull the cartridge into the cylinder for a smooth and rapid reload. The less vertical you go, the less likely you’ll achieve a smooth-as-butter reload. It also increases the likelihood of a round sticking, which takes precious seconds to fix.
Live fire With the Safariland Comp 2
I practiced what feels like countless dry and live fire reloads with the Safariland Comp 2 and my Ruger Security Six. The Comp 2 lines up perfectly with the Ruger’s cylinder, and the little rounds don’t take much effort to line up with the chambers of the Ruger’s cylinder.
If you’re like me, you might be slightly surprised by the force required to free the cartridges. It’s not that it’s a ton; I just expected less. My first few reloads had me pressing downward with increasing force until I heard the pop. After the first few practice reloads, I got into the groove of how much force was needed and got the pop quickly and efficiently with one firm press.
Another mental block I had to overcome was getting used to just dropping the speed loader and closing the cylinder. Part of my brain wanted to retain the speed loader, so I had to conquer that feeling. With some practice, I was getting 4.5-second revolver reloads when things went perfectly.
I’m still a bit new to revolver reloads, and my spare speed loader pouch isn’t exactly modern. I need to grab a polymer, flap, and button-free speed loader pouch, and I bet I’d cut a quarter-second at least.
After what felt like a ton of reloads, I realized I was gaining time, and my reloads weren’t as smooth. I kept having sticking rounds. It turns out that clean cylinders make for smooth reloads. As the cylinders got dirty, the rounds were less likely to always slide smoothly into the cylinder and might stick a bit. A quick clean made the reloads a lot smoother.
Saved Rounds
Retention is a big deal with speed loaders. You don’t want your speed loaders dropping rounds before they leave the pouch. I loaded the Comp 2 and dropped it from chest height to test retention.
I tried to drop it at multiple angles, including with the knob and body hitting first. It never dropped a round, and you realize that the extra pressure needed to release the rounds makes tons of sense for retention purposes.
The Comp 2 does a fantastic job of keeping the rounds in the loader. You can carry them with confidence and not worry about lost rounds.
It is effortless to use. It’s one motion rather than two, and it’s cheap! They retail for less than $20. In fact, the speed loader pouch I’m shopping for costs more than two of these speed loaders. Great budget gear doesn’t come along often, so it’s worth mentioning when you can get more than you pay for it.
I do wish Safariland would make speed loaders for a greater variety of guns and calibers, but if you have a wheel gun that matches the Comp 2 you should snag one up for all your speed-loading needs.
