Lever action speed loader

MikeS. · Post by **MikeS.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:40 pm

Here is a link to a pretty slick way of loading a Lever gun. I'm gonna try this.

http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/rubiconspeedloader.htm

Texican · Post by **Texican** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:11 am

Here's a similar device in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-tbT3iSvGM

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:11 am

Cool! Project ideas!!!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:29 am

Back in the early days of CAS, a couple of guys showed up with a version of those... they were declared "illegal" for competition, so I've never had a reason to make one. For team events, especially at matches like the "National Shootout" in Raton put on by OWSA, you may have 2 or 3 rifle reloads, just to take out the targets, they'd be imminently practical. If not just darn convenient.

While they're illegal in CAS, there's plenty of other uses for them. Just plinking for example. And for practice sessions, they'd also be almost indespensible.

OJ · Post by OJ » Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:40 pm

They look pretty slick. I've been surprised how many lever gun shooters aren't acquainted with the correct method of loading tube magazines - instert each cartridge up to the rim and continue doing so until the max number for that magazine is reached. I've known so many that completely insert cartridges - which requires having to overcome the spring of the loading gate for each cartridge.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:21 pm

OJ wrote:They look pretty slick. I've been surprised how many lever gun shooters aren't acquainted with the correct method of loading tube magazines - instert each cartridge up to the rim and continue doing so until the max number for that magazine is reached. I've known so many that completely insert cartridges - which requires having to overcome the spring of the loading gate for each cartridge.

OJ, if you think watching some folks clumsally loading lever actions is surprising, just watch some time when they're loading single action revolvers. Most people just have no idea.

Joe

Kilroy6644 · Post by **Kilroy6644** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:03 pm

That's really cool. I'll have to rig one up.

Jeeps · Post by **Jeeps** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:41 pm

OJ wrote:They look pretty slick. I've been surprised how many lever gun shooters aren't acquainted with the correct method of loading tube magazines - instert each cartridge up to the rim and continue doing so until the max number for that magazine is reached. I've known so many that completely insert cartridges - which requires having to overcome the spring of the loading gate for each cartridge.

Don't forget that it save a little wear and tear on our thumbs too

OJ · Post by OJ » Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:21 pm

J Miller wrote:
OJ wrote:They look pretty slick. I've been surprised how many lever gun shooters aren't acquainted with the correct method of loading tube magazines - instert each cartridge up to the rim and continue doing so until the max number for that magazine is reached. I've known so many that completely insert cartridges - which requires having to overcome the spring of the loading gate for each cartridge.

OJ, if you think watching some folks clumsally loading lever actions is surprising, just watch some time when they're loading single action revolvers. Most people just have no idea.

Joe

Joe,
I agree - matter of fact, a lot don't do much better with double actions either. Oh well, with experience comes age -

I keep a book in the biffy for serious reading - "OLD AGE COMES AT A BAD TIME".

JEEPS I sure agree with that too.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:28 pm

How come no whiz-bang gunsmiths out there have come up with an even better idea - detatchable tubular magazines. The only thing different than a regular magazine that side-feeds would be a means to keep the cartridges in until the tube was fully seated, but that seems like something any machinist could figure a way around.

I don't care so much about loading one fast - I just leave a few rounds in the main house gun all the time, but I DO sometimes wish it was easier and perhaps faster to unload a full levergun (without shooting it). Coming in from the cold, hands stiff, glasses fogged, and needing to pee, isn't a good time to be unloading 9 or 10 cartridges by cycling the action.

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:33 pm

J Miller wrote:
OJ, if you think watching some folks clumsally loading lever actions is surprising, just watch some time when they're loading single action revolvers. Most people just have no idea.

Joe

Hmmm. I open the loading gate, set the hammer at the notch that lets the cylinder rotate freely, turn the cylinder and stick 'em in. Never thought much about it. Haven't really done all that much single action shooting. Is that the correct way?

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:49 pm

Since it's generally accepted that the best, safest way to carry a SA six-gun is with five and the hammer down on a empty chamber, the procedure should be: open the loading gate, pull the hammer to half cock, load the chamber presented, skip the next, then load four. Then, without moving the cylinder, close the loading gate, pull the hammer back to full cock, then ease it down on the empty chamber. If you wish to verify you've done this right, keep the barrel pointed downrange, turn the gun on its side, and watch as you perform this last function, you will be able to see the empty chamber move into position under the hammer.