Magazine loaders, a pictorial review

[Dave_M]

Okay, so a lot of you may be considering picking up a magazine loader (and if you're not, you might want to consider it) so I've made a review with some tests.

I'll be reviewing the LULA, the Cammenga Easy loader, the 10/22 Butler Creek loader. stripper clips, and the Strip LULA (at the end)

Although I'm only using AR magazines for the test, both Cammenga and LULA make their loaders for a variety of magazines and are functionally the same.

The AR mags being tested are:
-D&H AR mags (basically teflon coated USGI)
-Magpul mags
-Beta-C Drum

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/1.jpg

As you can see from the picture, the LULA is much more compact than the Cammenga.

Cammenga Easy Loader

1) Attach the loader to the empty magazine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/2.jpg

2) Fill up with rounds
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/3.jpg

Unfortunately, you cannot fit 30 rounds into the Cammenga in a single sitting. The most I've been able to do is somewhere are 22 rounds at a time.

3) Close top
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/4.jpg

4) Rack it forward.

This is a little harder than it looks. I usually place the magazine against my chest and pull the handle towards me in a single motion. All rounds load in about a second.

Also easily fits on the Beta-C and the Magpul mag
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/11.jpg

LULA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/6.jpg

The LULA is much more compact than the Cammenga. In fact, the lever even presses down into the body when not in use to further reduce its profile.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/5.jpg

Unlike the Cammenga, the LULA locks directly into the magazine catch.

Operation

1) To load, place LULA on magazine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/7.jpg

Operating the lever back and forth pushes the stack of rounds on either side of the magazine down, enabling you to insert a round
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/9.jpg

So basically it's:
Push the the lever forward, insert round. Push the lever backward, insert round.

LULA makes claims of loading magazines in superman-fast times. In practice it takes a little longer.

For loading, the Cammenga is the faster system. However, LULA is also a magazine un-loader. To unload, simply hold the magazine sideways, rounds pointing to the dirt, and operate the lever back and forth. Rounds dump right out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/10.jpg

The standard AR LULA worked in both the USGI and the Magpul magazines, but had a problem with the Beta-C.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/12.jpg

Once the LULA is engaged on the feed tower of the Beta mag it is very hard to take it off, due to the lack of space. I think it puts needless pressure on the feed tower (which is made of plastic) and is a PITA to take off.

I found a YouTube video which displays the clumsy use of the LULA but it gives you the concept
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcEIy4EabrQ

Between the two:

Cost: Tie. Both run $20-$30

Models offered: Tie. Both have models for multiple firearms and calibers

Speed: Initially Cammenga. However when you factor in the unloading capability of the LULA, it certainly evens out. LULA comes out on top when you add the fact a full mag cannot be loaded in a single motion.

Easy of Use: Neither are hard. The Cammenga is easier to figure out if you've never seen either one.

Portability: LULA, hands-down.

Tally all of the above, and the LULA wins for me (Even though my preferred method of unloading mags is, of course, shooting!)

To anyone that says, "Nah my hands work fine" obviously haven't spent a lot of time with sub-guns or shot 500 rounds in a single sitting on any kind of regular basis.

Of course, not many of us can afford to shoot 500 rounds in a single range session, unless of course it's with a .22lr. Which leads me to my next review, the Butler Creek Magazine Loader.

Butler Creek 10/22 Loader

.22lr's are a pain in the ass to load--several hundred times. By the time I leave the range my thumbs were black and sore just from loading magazines. On a whim I picked up a Butler Creek mag loader at a gunshow for $20.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/13.jpg

Funky looking for sure. Here's the operation:

1) Insert magazine and lock in place with the lever as shown
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/14.jpg

2) Open the hopper and dump a bunch of ammo in
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/15.jpg

3) Shake the whole thing lightly so the rounds line up and tilt towards the magazine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/16.jpg

4) Crank the knob on the right clockwise

30 rounds load (well, 28 in this case) in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, the only aftermarket magazines I have for my 10/22 are Butler Creek so I couldn't test any of the others out.

Works great with the 10-round factory magazine too.

I highly recommend this to anyone who owns a 10/22. Now if they would only make them for the Mk Series...

AR mag loaders to be covered in the future:

-Regular stripper clips
-Beta "Personal Loader"
-LULA stripper clip loader. (At bottom of posting)
-LULA bench loader

So this is not all-inclusive by any means.

[Dave_M]

USGI Stripper Clips

Okay, this next review is of the standard 10-round stripper clip. This review includes a standard USGI magazine and also a Magpul PMag.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s001.jpg

First and foremost, a stripper clip charger is needed for standard strippers to work. My first thought was, "can a PMag accept a charger?" Upon initial inspection I discovered this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s002.jpg

A slot for a charger.

Fits like it was made for it (which it most certainly was)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s003.jpg

The USGI magazine doesn't have a special slot like the PMag, the charger just fits over the rear-most rib of the magazine, as shown:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s004.jpg

Operation:

The stripper clip charger is placed on the magazine as shown above. The loaded clip is inserted into the charger
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s005.jpg

Holding onto the magazine in one hand and pressing down on the cartridges with the other (at the base) loads the magazine quickly.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s006.jpg

Same for the PMag
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s007.jpg

Stripper clips are great because:
-You can load ammo fast
-When loaded into bando's you can keep track of ammunition easily
-Both the stripper clips and chargers are very inexpensive.

Cons:
-Stripper clips and the needed charger are most definitely expendable items. Don't expect a stripper to last for more than just a few reloads and a charger to last forever.

The most common part to break on a stripper clip is the tiny metal clip that holds the rounds in. When it breaks off, the stripper is dead.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s009.jpg

This happens due to metal fatigue. Every time you load a magazine with a stripper clip that little tab bends. When you reload the stripper you have to bend it back. When the metal is brought to load over and over it will become fragile and break.

Furthermore, the lips that hold the rim of the cartridge will also deform
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/s008.jpg

If you can shake the filled stripper clip and cartridges fall out, the lips are deformed. So long as the metal tab is still in place it can be fixed. Simply squeeze the lips down slightly with a pair of pliers and it will be 100% again.

Chargers also will wear out and deform just like the lips of the stripper clip. When this happens just toss it and go with a new one.

This is my preferred PAW method of carrying ammunition.

StripLULA

Since stripper clips are my preferred PAW method of carrying ammo, when I saw the StripLULA finally for sale I knew I had to buy one.

Mags tested are windowed PMags, Beta-C, and USGI
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL1-1.jpg

It fit on the USGI with no problems
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL2-1.jpg

The folding lever made loading a magazine with strippers easier than I ever thought it could be
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL3-1.jpg

When you're done, simply tip the mag over and the stripper falls right out
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL4-1.jpg

PMags were just as easy
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL5-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL6-1.jpg

Now for the Beta. Initial fit seemed okay
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL7-1.jpg

With just a little pressure, the StripLULA would fall out of place
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL8-1.jpg

However, this turned out not to be a problem so long as you evenly applied pressure
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/projects/SL9-1.jpg

This product is a must have if you prefer stripper clips like I do. It is also notable that loose rounds, not on strippers, can also be loaded with the StripLULA. The StripLULA has made it's way permanently to my range bag.

[No.6]

StripLULA is the way to go for sure. Last training I was able to recharge all my magazines (7) in about a minute, while everyone else was rocking back and forth on their LULA's or getting sore thumbs mashing them in one at a time. Just make sure if you're using PMAGs that you use steady, even pressure so no rounds get slightly askew. Yeah, I'm sold on bandoleers, stripper clips and StripLULA.

[Jwalker]

This ought to be a sticky.

Edited to add: I should have mentioned that this is a three-year-old thread...

[Dunderway]

I just started researching this. Very cool and helpful post.

Thanks!

[uwe1]

bravocompanyusa.com also has these...

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Personal-Magazine-Loader-p/ar15%20personal%20mag%20loader%20556.htm

I got a couple of them as schwag from a couple classes and then work pretty well. Very simple and effective.

[Clint]

Looks good Dave!

I'll have to look into the stripper clips.

Do you have a favorite source?

[MSteele]

The LULA Stripper clip loader is the best damn invention for loading mags. You can obviously use the stripper clips or load rounds into it 1 by 1 and then just push all 10 in 1 sec. When I load just the stripper clips which is easy enough, on occasion with the Federal 5.56 ammo cans that has 420 rds loaded onto 42 stripper clips some of them will not slide easily. This has caused me to slice my hand open or I will use the edge of a table/bench to help push the rounds in but if you use to much force you will dent the casing and then cause failures to feed. I use the LULA stripper loader at home and just take 5-10 minutes to load 15-20 mags to go to the range, instead of carrying ammo can and mags.
Definitely worth every penny and I also own the universal one for handgun mags, just the most time saving piece of equipment you can own.
Great job on the review and post..... :thank_you2:

[Skang]

For me LULA bench loader did not work well with P-mag 20rd. But no problem with 30rd.

[duece71]

Excellent post, Thank you!

[justin_247]

bravocompanyusa.com also has these...

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Personal-Magazine-Loader-p/ar15%20personal%20mag%20loader%20556.htm

I got a couple of them as schwag from a couple classes and then work pretty well. Very simple and effective.

No doubt, this is AWESOME! I have one and love it. You put in five rounds, push it down, and repeat until done.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/v/vspfiles/photos/AR15%20Personal%20Mag%20Loader%20556-5.jpg

[armatac]

the 5 rd loose plunger loader is the best I have ever used. the 10 rd version with the stripper clips has issues.

1-the plunger and body are separate
2-the stop for the stripper clip can break and the stripper clip then slides in the top of the magazine
3-you can get it slightly tilted from the long stroke
4-the guides on the plunger will chip and after many many thousands of rounds the plunger is unsupported and can snap

the 5rd loose plunger has none of these problems.

*when using a plunger loader you need to make sure you don't have a loose fit or the rounds will catch on the front of the magazine and with the force you're using can create some bad stuff. This is why some have changed the geometry there to avoid the tips getting caught. This is what cuts the front of the BETA magazines.

Watch using a LULA on "higher" capacity magazines. The additional force can cause the cam arms to wear/spread and after awhile getting the next round is a pain because the round before isn't all the way down. Also I have seen them dent the ammunition from the cam arms.

I have never gotten the larger loader that does 20 in a shot to work.

The Strip Lula is very nice, doesn't that work well with pmags or magazines that have the change in metal forming at the rear feed lip like the HK magazines, the SF quads have the same geometry so not sure there.

[Jwalker]

armatac:
plunger loader
the 5 rd loose plunger loader is the best I have ever used. the 10 rd version with the stripper clips has issues.
Good info, armatac. Which brands are these and the ones with problems? Are they not all "plunger loaders?"

[armatac]

BETA is the original designer of the plunger style loaders, meaning that you are pushing a plunger of some sort into the body of the loader.

They have 2 types (the 5 and 10) and both of their products are more durable than the clones on the market from NCStar.

The clone of the 5 rd is nearly indestruclible, but since there is such a huge difference in the 10 rd stripper clip version I would bet the 5 rd is a tad bit better.

Promag does the 5rd clones. They are good all the way around.

[mkmckinley]

A nice trick if you're using the standard USGI stripper clip and clip guide is , once assembled, use something like the edge of a table and apply pressure at the base of the cartridges toward that magazine. It keeps the cartridges from binding and they slide into the mag easily.

[NWPilgrim]

Now if they would only make them for the Mk Series...


There is one! I have one of these Ultimate Clip Loaders (:bad: it is a Magazine!!!) by McFadden, available from Midwayusa.com (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=523189). I have used it for the Mk III 10-rd and old Ruger Standard 9-rd mags. Very slick.

It works much better than their poor use of the word "Clip" and that they misspelled their own company name in their URL. :sarcastic:

You just dump a 50-rd box of .22KR cartridges into the hopper, shake it a little bit and then jam the mag up into the device and it loads a complete magazine in about ONE SECOND. I can load 10 Mk III mags in about one minute. Very cool. :D



http://www.mcfaden.com/cliploader.html

http://www.mcfaden.com/images/cliploader.jpg

http://www.mcfaden.com/images/cliploader2.jpg


The McFadden Machine Co. Inc. Ultimate Clip Loader 22 Caliber Pistol Magazine Loader will save your thumbs and load a 10 round magazine in as little as 3 seconds. Just empty a 50 round box of 22 rimfire ammunition into the hopper of the McFadden Machine Co. Inc. Ultimate Clip Loader 22 Caliber Pistol Magazine Loader, insert a magazine and remove. The magazine follower is automatically held down by the adjustable detent screw for easy loading. This McFadden Machine Co. Inc. Ultimate Clip Loader 22 Caliber Pistol Magazine Loader will make a brick of 500 rounds disappear in no time. The only thing faster is unloading the magazine, with your gun! Made in the USA!

Technical Information: McFadden Machine Co. Inc. Ultimate Clip Loader 22 Caliber Pistol Magazine Loader

Length: 11"

Works for the following pistol magazines:

Ruger Mark II, III & Hunter
Ruger 22/45
Colt Woodsmen Mag.
Old Military High Standard
Newer High Standard
Browning Buck Mark Pistols
Stoeger Luger


Will not work with:

Beretta 89
Kimber Rimfire Target
S&W 41
S&W 422
S&W 622
Savage 66
Sig Sauer Mosquito
Walther GSP
Walther P22

[militarymoron]

The Strip Lula is very nice, doesn't that work well with pmags or magazines that have the change in metal forming at the rear feed lip like the HK magazines, the SF quads have the same geometry so not sure there.
i use the strip lula on all my mags - tangodown, USGI, HK or pmags, and don't have any issues. you're supposed to hold it onto the mag with your support hand index finger when you load it - it's not meant to clip on and hold on by itself.

[BountyXP]

I don't get my ammunition in stripper clips so the standard LULA works just fine for me but good to know there are some interesting and effective options out there...

[carshooter]

Excellent review.

[Magelk]

I don't get my ammunition in stripper clips so the standard LULA works just fine for me but good to know there are some interesting and effective options out there...

You can buy stripper clips (dirt cheap) and load ammo onto them on rainy days when there's nothing to do. ;)

[Evil Bert]

I LOVE my StripLULA. It is awesome. Lightweight and easily stowed in a pack etc.