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Loading bullets into your favorite AR-15 magazine can be time-consuming, not to mention tiresome and dangerous to your health. But there is a grand way to reduce all these shortcomings by not only making loading time shorter but also reducing the bodily strain that would put your health on the line.
Magazine speed loaders are made to ease the loading process so you can spend the saved time and energy doing what you love most- firing away!
In this article, we will guide you through everything magazine speed loaders, including how to choose and use the best one from the hundreds available on the market.
Exit hand-loading, enter the efficient speed loaders...
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best AR-15 Speed Loaders
- OUR TOP PICK: Caldwell AR-15 Mag Charger
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: MagPump .223/5.56 AR-15 Magazine Loader
- BEST WOODEN AR-15 SPEED LOADER: Maglula StripLULA Magazine Speed Loader
Comparison of the Best AR-15 Speed Loaders
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What is a Speed Loader?
A speed loader is basically a device used to feed bullets into a gun magazine. Some loaders can do both loading and unloading, while some can only do the loading. However, the name “speed loader” applies to both types.
Speed loaders come with varying loading capacities. There are those that only load one bullet at a time. Some load five or ten at once. A super loader can load up to 90 bullets at once at the pull of a lever.
If you are wondering what types of speed loaders exist on the market, here they are:
LULA Loaders - universal loaders and unloaders. LULA is short for “Loading and Unloading Accessory”.
Bench Loaders - load magazines in bulk at the shooting range or armory
Stripper Loaders - load up to 10 bullets at once
Hopper Feed Loaders - feed up to 90 bullets at once
Caldwell AR-15 Mag Charger
How Does a Magazine Speed Loader Work?
The working mechanism of a speed loader depends on the types mentioned above.
LULA loaders sit on the magazine's top and load or unload bullets one-by-one at the flip of a simple lever.
Bench loaders require placing on a bench to operate. The magazine is held on one end and bullets are placed side-by-side in the loader's middle cavity until it's full. A latch on the second end of the loader is pushed all the way through to the head of the magazine and the rounds slide in.
Stripper loaders are used with stripper clips into which bullets are fed. After this step, the loader is placed on the head of the magazine and the strip is slid all the way down to load the magazine. Stripper loaders can also be used for unloading.
In a hopper feed loader, the rounds are fed into the upper cavity, after which the hopper is pushed up and down the magazine repeatedly to load it. It can be used to load many magazines at once but cannot unload.
How to Choose a Speed Loader
To fish the best speed loader from the market, you need to consider the following factors:
Mechanism of Operation
You will want to choose a speed loader that you can easily operate on your own at any time. Choose a simple loader, like the LULA ones, which are easy to use in a plug-and-play manner. The mechanism you choose will depend on how much loading you need to do. The LULAs and stripper loaders are okay for loading a few rounds, while the bench and hopper feed loaders are best used on a larger scale.
Simultaneous Loading
While some magazine speed loaders will allow you to load only one round at a time, others allow you to load multiple rounds all at once. Stripper loaders load up to ten rounds in one motion, while hopper feed loaders install up to 90. It will depend on how many you project you would need to load on a daily basis.
Build Material and Weight
The material used to make the loader will have a significant impact on its weight. Go for loaders made of light, but durable material such as a polymer. Heavy loaders will be stressful to carry, while the light ones can be carried easily and used anywhere.
Review of the Best AR-15 Speed Loaders
It's not enough to just know what speed loaders are and how they work. It’s important to look keenly at some of the best ones on the market so it's easier to narrow down to a favorite.
Best Overall:
Caldwell AR-15 Mag Charger
Pros
Cons
Recent buyers have had loading times slashed by up to 50% so they spend more time shooting to better their game. Loading the charger is not easy, and most buyers feel that a few ammo boxes should be included to ship in with the loader. They Recommend buying the Caldwell ammo boxes to make loading the charger easier.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The instant transfer mechanism between the ammo box and charger makes this a unique loader especially once the buyer has mastered its usage. With the ability to load five rounds at a go and the compatibility with all AR metal and polymer magazines, this loader remains unique for the AR platform. It also stands out because of its small size which allows for easy portability.
Bottom Line
This loader is suitable for buyers who shoot on a smaller scale as it will allow you to load at your pace so you don't have unwanted loaded magazines lying around at any time. However, you won't be able to load two 30-round magazines fully without having to add more rounds to the loader first. But that’s still okay within your shooting scale and need for newly loaded magazines.
Best for the Money:
MagPump .223/5.56 AR-15 Magazine Loader
Pros
Cons
According to recent buyers, this speed loader is a must have for loading on a larger scale since it loads up to 90 rounds at a go. So much time is saved that they gladly use shooting away with renewed zeal. The major shortcoming they say is the risk of jamming when the loader is used repeatedly in close succession.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Inbuilt safeties to stop the loader when the magazine is full so your rounds won't be spoiled? Wow! This feature alone makes this a golden loader, not to mention the ability to load 90 rounds at once, and the compatibility with all mil-spec AR-15 magazines, and mounting on all Picatinny and Weaver rails. Speed, safety, and efficiency all in one.
Bottom Line
This loader is for you if you shoot at a large scale and thus require frequent reloading. You won't have to worry about the loader trying to overfeed your magazines since the built-in safeties will stop the feeding when it's full. Cut down your loading times tremendously and dedicate the saved time to more shooting.
Best Wooden AR-15 Speed Loader:
Maglula StripLULA Magazine Speed Loader
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The loader is a good bet according to most recent users. It gives them the chance to load up to 10 rounds at a go with ease and efficiency as they are able to cut down stop times by half. Since it loads the specific ten rounds each time, it is easy for them to keep track of how many rounds they load. This they say is important especially in shooting competitions.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Ambidexterity is a major selling feature for this loader for the ability to accommodate even left-handed users and allow ease of operating it with both hands. Other than that, the compatibility with AR-15 and M-16 5.56mm caliber metal and polymer magazines is a plus feature that provides a wide range of options for buyers. The polymer reinforcement gives it an upper hand for sturdiness and durability.
Bottom Line
If you are a left-handed user, then this loader suits you well given its ambidexterity. You will love how easy it is to use it without the risk of damaging your magazine lips or fingers. The compact size and lightness mean carrying the loader around is easy so you can use it on the move any time.
Editor's Pick:
Maglula Range Benchloader Magazine Loader
Pros
Cons
This speed loader lives up to its promise according to recent buyers. They love it for its ease of use and the ability to load 30 rounds at once. Most buyers also love the protective canvas-like bag that helps keep the loader free from physical damage.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The compatibility with both M4 and AR-15 models is a unique feature for this loader. Loading up to 30 rounds at a time also makes for an outstanding loader with the ability to load many magazines as needed. It's six rubber feet are also a unique feature for improved stability and safety during use with no risks for slips or slides.
Bottom Line
Gun users will love this loader for its speed, portability, lightness, and ease of use. You don’t even require any training to use it. It will serve you for a long time because maintaining it is easy given that it has only three easy-to-clean parts.
5. Butler Creek LULA Loader/Unloader
Pros
Cons
Recent buyers are observably happy with this loader as it is easy to use to load or unload their magazines. Some even regret buying only one or having not bought it earlier. Given its popularity, they recommend that you keep it ‘hidden’ as everyone who sees it wants to borrow it until they get their own!
Why it Stands Out to Us
This LULA loader stands out with its dual capacity to load and unload magazines. It is extra simple, with only a few parts. The ability to fold up also makes it unique as it becomes easy to store or carry around. The sturdy feet add to its stability by enhancing a positive grip on any suitable surfaces it is used on.
Bottom Line
Sometimes simplicity is the real deal. This Butler Creek Loader offers great simplicity in the design and usage while remaining fully functional in its ability to load and unload magazines. As such, it is a good starting point for new users who are still working to better their shooting skills. It will let you work at your pace.
Pros and Cons of Speed Loaders
Pros
Below are the main pros:
Speed Loaders Save on Time
Magazine loaders, just like any other good tool, are meant to make work easier and faster for improved efficiency. Speed loaders will save you time since they are faster in loading than if you were still using the hand-loading style.
Speed Loaders Eliminate Mag Thumb
Mag thumb is a term used to refer to painful fingers that have had bruises, cuts, or sores resulting from hand loading. Since you won't be using your hands and fingers as much, you will be able to keep them clean and free from sores, scratches, and cramps. This way you can still load and get back to enjoy using your rifle with no damaged fingers.
Speed Loaders Boost Your Shooting Efficiency
Whether you are shooting on the range, competitive shooting, or simply plinking, having a speed loader will improve your overall efficiency. The saved time means you can focus on other more pressing activities to perfect your shooting.
Cons
Below are the main cons:
Extra Baggage
Some loaders can be heavy and bulky. These would come as extra baggage to the user especially if he uses them daily or has to keep moving around with them.
Speed Loader Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Success
Place Your Magazine on a Flat Surface
Placing the magazine on a flat surface like a table ensures the loading process is smooth and gentle on your hands. This is because as you load more and more rounds, the spring in the magazine compresses and exerts more pressure so it becomes harder to load every subsequent round. Using the magazine on a sturdy flat surface helps you counter this restrictive pressure.
Know Your Magazine and Speed Loader Well
You will have to use a speed loader compatible with your magazine type. LULA loaders work with many magazines as they easily adjust to fit the magazine. Knowing your magazine and speed loader well is important also for understanding their compatibility and functionality.
Wear Protective Gear
No tool is ever totally safe. Furthermore, we humans are prone to erring. You might make mistakes that could cost you your health. Wearing gloves will reduce the strain on your hand and the finger soreness even as you won’t be handling bullets directly that much.
Maglula Range Benchloader Magazine Loader
How to Use a Speed Loader
Since speed loaders come in different types, the usage process differs depending on the type of magazine and loader you have at hand. For the purposes of this article, we will look at how to use a simple loader.
1. To use a simple LULA loader, place the magazine upright on a sturdy, flat surface. This may not be necessary for some shooters, but it will make the loading process more gentle on your hands.
2. Start by loading the first round by hand. Remember to have the rear of the round to the rear of the magazine so it almost rests on the backside of the magazine.
3. Place the loader on top of the magazine with the first bullet at the top. To drive it in, push down the loader so that the lever is in direct contact with the bullet. Do not release from this position.
4. Place the next round on the magazine's head. Release the loader slowly up the magazine until the lever is right on top of the round.
5. Press the loader down to drive the bullet into the magazine.
6. Repeat this process for the subsequent rounds.
Conclusion
Loading your magazine should no longer be a painful, time-consuming exercise if you follow the lessons you have learned from this article and also buy one of our recommended picks. Use the knowledge you have acquired on how to choose and use the best speed loaders to your advantage to do away with the time-consuming hand-loading procedure.
Be gentle on your hands.