5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Handgun discussions - Handgun ammunition selection, gun modifications, pictures. Tell us about your handgun.
Post Reply
User avatar
230therapy
Pot Shot
Pot Shot
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:16:24

5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by 230therapy »

In this essay, I will compare two aluminum speed loaders by 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot (sold through Thunder Ranch). Both loaders are for S&W eight shot revolvers.

A standard 38 Special 158 grain LSWC cartridge is used for the size comparison.

Image
8Shot on the top, 5 Star Firearms on the bottom

Image
The 8Shot loader covers more of the cartridge, but allows for movement.

Image
Both have index points, but the 8Shot's loader indexes on only 1/3 of its area.

Image
The 5 Star Firearms loader is less bulky, but not painted.

Image
5 Star's 100% index point coverage, as well as smaller diameter, makes loading easier.

Image
The knobs are about the same. Both turn to the left for easy loading. Cartridges are securely held by both.

Image
Another shot showing index points.

In all, I like both loaders. Either would be fine. However, the 8Shot loader's index points force the shooter to align the loader to the frame of the gun. Certain revolver stocks may cause problems if the area is not relieved.

I found the 5 Star Firearms loader to be easier to use. It is slightly smaller and it indexes perfectly. I would prefer that it came painted.

The 5 Star Firearms loader sells for $19.95, while the 8Shot loader sells for $65.95.

5 Star Firearms:
Speed Loaders

8Shot:
Thunder Ranch® Oregon 8Shot Speed Loader
Does anyone actually believe that the Founders were sitting around in John Adams' tavern UNARMED because they believed a bar should be a gun free zone?
OakRidgeStars
VGOF Gold Supporter
VGOF Gold Supporter
Posts: 14108
Joined: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:13:20

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by OakRidgeStars »

Moved to "Handguns / Pistols"
User avatar
newdovo
Sharp Shooter
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 504
Joined: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:25:00

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by newdovo »

Very cool. I went to the 5 star site, and was pleased to see 5 and 6 shot speedloaders, as well. I use HKS speedloaders, and have been pleased with them, but I like the idea of an all aluminum device.
Thanks for the post.

Parry
User avatar
punchie
Marksman
Marksman
Posts: 75
Joined: Fri, 15 May 2009 12:43:54
Location: Chesterfield,VA

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by punchie »

Very nice comparison! My question is are the speedloaders that much of an improvement over the moon clips? Does the extra length of the 357/38 in the moon clip as compared to the 45ACP for the S&W/Colt revolvers cause too much of a problem?
AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY
User avatar
230therapy
Pot Shot
Pot Shot
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:16:24

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by 230therapy »

I have not tried them with 357 Magnum rounds yet.

As for moonclip vs speedloader: it depends. I will evaluate that during the gun course I will be attending soon.
Does anyone actually believe that the Founders were sitting around in John Adams' tavern UNARMED because they believed a bar should be a gun free zone?
User avatar
Everett113
Marksman
Marksman
Posts: 51
Joined: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:49:34
Location: Salem

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by Everett113 »

COOL :thumbsup: I have a Taurus M608 with 3" barrel. I belive it lines up the same. I have been looking for a good speed loader. You put that the 5 star speed loader was 19.95. I looked on there web site and it said 24.95. I would like to pickup 2 of them, but I didn't see how to order them. :confused:
J.J.E.
I would rather carry a gun every day and never need it. Then not have one when needed
User avatar
230therapy
Pot Shot
Pot Shot
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:16:24

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by 230therapy »

Everett113 wrote:COOL :thumbsup: I have a Taurus M608 with 3" barrel. I belive it lines up the same. I have been looking for a good speed loader. You put that the 5 star speed loader was 19.95. I looked on there web site and it said 24.95. I would like to pickup 2 of them, but I didn't see how to order them. :confused:
Yikes...he cranked up the price. I guess they're popular.

Click the "Load Up" button to buy.
Does anyone actually believe that the Founders were sitting around in John Adams' tavern UNARMED because they believed a bar should be a gun free zone?
user

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by user »

Thanks! I hate the moonclip thing; too hard to load/unload and too floppy to slide cartridges easily into the chambers. Just hate'em. Been looking for some like these, with no luck.
User avatar
230therapy
Pot Shot
Pot Shot
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:16:24

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by 230therapy »

user wrote:Thanks! I hate the moonclip thing; too hard to load/unload and too floppy to slide cartridges easily into the chambers. Just hate'em. Been looking for some like these, with no luck.
The moonclip tool solves all those problems. Loading and unloading is easy and fast. mooncliptool.com.
Does anyone actually believe that the Founders were sitting around in John Adams' tavern UNARMED because they believed a bar should be a gun free zone?
User avatar
NickLikesGuns
On Target
On Target
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat, 14 May 2011 22:26:17

Re: 5 Star Firearms and 8Shot Speed Loader Comparison

Post by NickLikesGuns »

Excellent comparison, thanks for the info!
Post Reply

Return to “Handguns/Pistols”