How to Use a Magazine Speed Loader

Speedloaders for semi-automatic handguns--or Magloaders, as they are often called--are generally little more than a tool to assist in the depression of the follower when you are loading the magazine, saving your fingers from being pinched as you get to the last rounds inserted. A number of these products are on the market: Glock includes one with its new pistols, HKS makes an excellent example and Maglula makes a particularly excellent example called the UpLULA. The UpLULA product is discussed here, but the others operate on similar principles and simply require more manual functionality.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flat, stable work area
• UpLULA magloader
• Magazine for your semi-automatic pistol
• Box of ammunition

1. Place your magazine, sole down, on a flat, stable work area such as a workbench, table or loading bench.

2. Fit the UpLULA magloader firmly over the mouth of the magazine. The UpLULA works with most 9-mm and .45 ACP pistol magazines.

3. Get a comfortable grip in the UpLULA lever with your weak hand.

4. Place the first cartridge into the mouth of the UpLULA with your strong hand.

5. Lever the UpLULA closed with your weak hand. This action will depress the follower and correctly seat the cartridge.

6. Release the pressure on the UpLULA. The first cartridge will rise to the first position in the magazine, and you may now put the second cartridge into the mouth of the UpLULA.

7. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 until your magazine is filled to capacity.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many brands of speedloaders and magloaders on the market, so try to handle as many as you can before you choose one. Excellent and inexpensive products are made by HKS and Glock, and there are many special function magloaders as well, made for optimum functionality on a specific type of magazine or a particular firearm. To find out more about the variety of magloaders available, talk to a representative at your local gun store, your local gunsmith or consult the numerous shooters' forums available on the Internet.
• As always, when handling firearms and cartridges, exercise the utmost caution and good firearms safety practices. While it is unlikely that a dropped cartridge will explode, there is a chance, albeit a small one, that it will, so be sure to wear your eye protection when loading magazines. Never attempt to load a magazine with more cartridges than the manufacturer suggests: this will likely result in the pistol jamming and incorrect feeding from the magazine. High-capacity magazines are available from companies like Scherer, and conversion kits allowing stock magazines to hold an extra round are available as well. Items like these will allow you to safely pack more rounds into your weapon.

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