HandiLoaders (picture links fixed)

[Twin]

The evolution continues of my attempt to perfect my handiloaders. Notice I am no longer calling them speedloaders. This is because they are much more than that, and as people mentioned, speed is not important at the loading table. Some other benefits are the elimination of broken fingernails and pinched fingers a loading gate can cause. Also once proficient in their use these handiloaders can be manipulated with gloves on in cold weather and require less dexterity than loading by hand for arthritus sufferers.

I will mention that all original work was done using an 1873 rifle. This rifle proved to be the easiest model to work with. The Marlin and 1892 models require a much different angle on the loader and due to their internal designs require a little longer to become proficient in using them.

Prototype #1 was made in about 1 1/2 hours the night before a match and worked well with my 1873.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/HANDILOADER%20PROTOTYPES/PROTOTYPE1/SPEEDLOADER018.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/HANDILOADER%20PROTOTYPES/PROTOTYPE1/SPEEDLOADER017.jpg

It was a little on the long side but was very easy to manipulate. The only problem was the spring. I only had soft wire available and did not want to go through the process of making a true spring due to time constraints. It works but would probably wear out fairly quickly. While I like this style the best I wanted something more compact.

Prototype #2 was the next attempt. I added a self contained follower of aluminum and a hairpin style clip to retain the ammo. I also added a guide to the end which made using the loader even easier with the 1873. I found that trying to cut a slot in pvc is a very trying experience but finally hit on a technique that gives satisfactory if not perfectly straight results.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/HANDILOADER%20PROTOTYPES/PROTOTYPE2/SPEEDLOADER008.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/HANDILOADER%20PROTOTYPES/PROTOTYPE2/SPEEDLOADER004.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/HANDILOADER%20PROTOTYPES/PROTOTYPE2/SPEEDLOADER007.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/HANDILOADER%20PROTOTYPES/PROTOTYPE2/SPEEDLOADER005.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/HANDILOADER%20PROTOTYPES/PROTOTYPE2/SPEEDLOADER001.jpg

Prototype #3 is the current 1866/1873 HandiLoader model. I received some helpful hints from J.P. Withers and added a leather thong to the end cap and attached the clip to the loader with heavy monofilament line. Also due to safety concerns I opted to make the followers out of wood instead of aluminum. I also made prototype #3 long enough to hold 10 rds of 357mag.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/1873%20HANDILOADER/1873HANDILOADER05.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/1873%20HANDILOADER/1873HANDILOADER02.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/1873%20HANDILOADER/1873HANDILOADER03.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/1873%20HANDILOADER/1873HANDILOADER04.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/1873%20HANDILOADER/1873HANDILOADER01.jpg


Then I got an email from someone wanting to know if this would work with an 1892 or a Marlin. I actually had not even tried to use these on a Marlin. Much to my embarrassment it did not work. The angle was not correct due to the way the Marlin loads. The rounds have to be inserted just right to keep them from bottoming out and hanging up against the bottom of the loading port. So it was back to the drawing board.

Prototype #4 works with the Marlin and though I do not have an 1892 I remember them loading much the same as the Marlin and #4 should work in both. I am sending one to a fellow here on the wire and he will field test it in the 1892/Rossi. I did find the correct angle for the Marlin but also found there is a lot more work involved getting everything just so for it to function. Also it takes a little more finesse to manipulate it and a little longer to get the hang of using it. Prototype #2 had a very short learning curve and after just 2 attempts my wife was using it rather proficiently in her 1873. Due to the finicky loading quirks and the much heavier magazine spring the Marlin and the 1892 will take a little longer to get used to. I also found I could not use a long lip beyond the guide to hold the tube in the loading port on the Marlin like I could on the 1873 and this required a lot more work when making them. It also requires a different method of using the loader than the 1873 model. I can actually use the 1873 model with one hand.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/MARLIN%20HANDILOADER/MARLINHANDILOADER01.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/MARLIN%20HANDILOADER/MARLINHANDILOADER04.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/MARLIN%20HANDILOADER/MARLINHANDILOADER03.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/twin9553/MARLIN%20HANDILOADER/MARLINHANDILOADER02.jpg



I also decided to eliminate tying the clip to the loader. It just is something to get tangled up and if someone would want to attach it to the loader it would be a simple task.

Well that is how, why, where, etc. of my obsession over the last week and a half to design something that is totally unnecessary and yet seems to make the task of loading fun and easy.

This post has been edited by Twin, SASS #9553: Yesterday, 10:21 AM


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Twin
SASS TG, Regulator
NRA, NAHC, NAFC (all life)
"Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see, and you will do ok in life."

[Stump Water]

"This image has been moved or deleted."

All of 'em. 

[Tensleep]

"This image has been moved or deleted."

All of 'em. 

I was gonna say that....
ya beat me to it.

[Twin]

Hopefully they are fixed now.

[Goatlips]

Twin, yup, they're fixed now and very interesting!  Cowboys got a "Skunk Works" too!  I fooled with a brass tube years ago and found it kinda unwieldly, yours looks easy to work with.  Thanks for the good work and pitchers.

Goatlips