Shooting is fun. Stuffing rounds into a magazine is not.
We burn through a ton of ammo here at Pew Pew Tactical, and we swear by magazine speed loaders.
Once you try one, I promise you won’t want to wreck your thumbs by loading magazines the old-fashioned way ever again.
We tested some of the most popular loaders on the market and have the full rundown for you. Let’s dig in!
THE QUICK LIST
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Best Overall
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Best for Competition
How We Tested the Best Magazine Speed Loaders
We’ve used a bunch of speed loaders, including the ones that come with pistols from the manufacturers, aftermarket products, and all the speed loaders you see here.
We’ve collectively put thousands of rounds (or more) through our recommendations, so we know they work.
Whenever we evaluate a speed loader, we’re interested in how easy it is to use, how well it accommodates different cartridges (lots of people shoot both 9mm and .45 ACP, for example), and how affordable it is.
It’s important to provide options for serious shooters, casual shooters, high rollers, and tight budgets.
Best Pistol Magazine Speed Loaders
1. Maglula Uplula – Best Overall
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Affordable
- Works with a range of cartridges and magazines
- User-friendly
Cons
- You still have to load rounds individually
The Maglula Uplula is simple, easy to use, and fairly cheap.
While this speed loader isn’t the fanciest or coolest-looking one we tried, it’s our favorite.
You should know, though, that this is actually our second Uplula. The first one finally broke after loading more than 20,000 rounds with it. In our opinion, that is a respectable service life.
Operating this speed loader is simple; just place it over the magazine, squeeze the handle, and push the whole thing down over the magazine.
This depresses the follower or last round in the magazine and lets you drop the next round on top with no resistance. Release the lever and pull up to reset the loader for the next round.
It’s intuitive and does the hard work for your, even on really stiff magazines. Best of all, it works on a huge range of magazine types and calibers with no adjustments.
We’ve used the same loader for .380 ACP up to .45 ACP and with Glock, Beretta, and Wilson Combat 1911 magazines. The same loader worked great for all of them.
I would also recommend this loader to anyone that has pain in the wrists or hands since it requires minimum force to use and is easy to gain leverage on.
What’s your take on the Maglula? Rate it below!
2. Caldwell Universal Pistol Magazine Loader – Best for Competition
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Easy to use without a bench
- Great ergonomics
- Well-built
Cons
- Slightly more time consuming
The amount of engineering that went into the Caldwell Magazine Loader is nothing short of impressive.
Caldwell is known for making great gear, and their magazine loader keeps that tradition alive. It isn’t as intuitive as the Uplula but, once you see how it works, it is easy to use.
Set the spacer for your magazine (instructions are provided with the loader), insert the magazine, tighten the set screw, and simply load each round into the window before using the staple-gun-like handle to load the round into the magazine.
This is really handy if you have limited space, such as at a training class, a busy range, or a competition. It doesn’t require the use of a table or bench to brace yourself on, so it’s easy to use while standing.
The handle is large enough that it provides a ton of leverage, making the squeeze much easier than you might expect.
It’s also surprisingly affordable. The main downside is the extra space it takes up in a range bag and the extra time it takes to set it up.
3. Elite Tactical Systems CAM Speed Loader – Fastest
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Super fast
- So satisfying
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Requires significant force
Loading one round at a time can be a fairly speedy process once you get used to it, but it is limited by the fact that it is still only one round at a time.
Enter the Elite Tactical Systems CAM Loader.
ETS combines the use of your ammo boxes with your loader to make the process a whole lot faster by filling the whole magazine in one motion.
Use the tray to slide over the cartridges while they are sitting in your ammo box to pre-load them and set them in place over your magazine.
Use the provided T-Handle to press the whole stack of rounds down into your magazine.
Keep in mind that this takes more force than other loaders, and it’s a bit hard to get the right leverage when using a table.
We actually found that bracing the magazine against the sternum and pulling the T-Handle to the body actually worked better than trying to brace it all on the table.
While not the most comfortable technique, it is effective.
If you’re cool enough to wear a plate carrier while loading your magazines, you wouldn’t feel a thing!
If you really want speed or frequently load larger magazines, the ETS CAM really does save a lot of time.
How to Choose the Best Magazine Speed Loader
Your first priority when shopping for a magazine speed loader should be making sure it works with your firearm and ammunition.
There’s a good chance your pistol came with a speed loader from the factory. Those work fine, but there are faster options out there and OEM speed loaders often don’t work with other kinds of magazines.
If you own multiple pistols or PCCs, it’s a good idea to invest in an aftermarket speed loader that works with all of them so you don’t have to pack multiple speed loaders every time you go to the range.
FAQs
Are all speed loaders the same?
No. In addition to working differently, some speed loaders cater to specific cartridges or magazines. There's a good chance that the one the manufacturer provided with your pistol won't work with other types of magazines.
Are speed loaders gun-specific?
Some are. We focused on universal designs for this guide, though.
How many rounds does a speed loader hold?
Some speed loaders, including all revolver speed loaders, have a set capacity. Others are just a tool that help you load one round at a time so they don't have a limit.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of other magazine speed loaders on the market, but of the ones we’ve tested, the Maglula Uplula was the clear winner.
It’s simple and easy to use, and fewer moving parts means fewer potential points of failure. It’s an affordable option that works with a huge range of pistol cartridges.
To see all our picks and more in action, check a video we did a while back on them!
What magazine loader do you use? Let us know in the comments! And if you want more awesome pistol goodness, check out our guide to the best gun cleaning kits.
Latest Updates
October 3, 2024: Removed the MagPump.
31 Leave a Reply
Same on my G3c. But it is the trick on my other handguns. The 5.56 size is great on AR mags and works better than the pistol model on my AP5
I’ve got the ETS & Uplula. The Uplula gets used more since my wife doesn’t like seeing me sternum load with the ETS. The ETS is definitely faster and not to painful using the sternum method.
That ETS doesn't work on my Taurus magazines. I attempted every which way but backward.
One Loader Maker I don't see on the list is Makershot.
Makershot makes loader specific to each gun. Their model for the P365, I find superior to the Maglula. Their Beretta 92 works better than Beretta's loader.
Their not terribly expensive either, as most models are under $20.
When I have lots of magazines to load, I give some of the neighborhood kids (with parents permission) $10.00, the magazines, crate of ammo, sit them down in the garage and let them go at it while I go have a sandwich and watch TV.
The only complaint I have about the Maglula is the safety lock as a lefty, I often accidentally lock it while loading.
I bought the Maglula a year ago or so, so much easier than fighting those last couple rounds especially after spending part of a day at the range. I highly recommend this loader.
I've used, bought, given, lost, found (in an old bag or back behind the bench) the uplula forever and have never really thought of any alternative. Anyone at the range with me or nearby that hasn't seen one before loves it and asks about it and sometimes I'll give them one (which is when I usually lose my other, then buy another). Right now I think I have 4 of them (maybe 5). It's just there and always works and I never think much about it. If you don't have one yet, get one.
I've used all of these, but the MagLula is the one I like the best. I keep one on my workbench at home and one in the range bag. The caldwell is super cool and easy, but doesn't work well for double stack to single stack mags like Sig 365 and Hellcat. The ETS was a little faster when I could get it to work on the first try, but it almost never works on the first try. The Magpump is great in theory, but jams to easily, is too big, and requires power. Thankfully I was able to sell it at a profit to a guy looking at one at a gun store right after the Covid hit.
I was going to reply, then as I was reading comments, realized I had already replied 2 years ago. So, update, still love the MagLula for anything, I don't think I've touched the Caldwell in the past 2 years, and I've figured out the trick to the ETS and it is my go to for loading Glock/PMag- it's stupid fast for that.
The ETS cam loader sucks. I have one and it works great.....when it doesn't jam, which happens every other mag! The bullets seem to get hung up on the rail and won't load straight. I know it's not a lube problem either, cuz I practically drowned that thing in lube every time I attempt it. It's time to find a better way I guess...
Is there a preferred rifle magazine loader, specifically for AR 15 5.56/.233? I may have missed it. I have the ETS Tactical for my .40 and it is awesome as long as you lubricate!
Must be freezing inside to be wearing that trendy Atom LT.
Had my Maglula for bout a year and I love the thing. Very simple and have had no issues with it. My wife and son both like using it when loading magazines.
https://amzn.to/2TNOj0f
Mine works great for $7.
I have an ETS that works great. When it's lubed well. And on double stack mags. Can't get it to load my G43 single stacks. Easy to load 10, then a little harder to add 5 or 3 to my Glock mags. After the first time bruises went away, I learned to brace it with a towel against my body.
Maglula, by far and away. But please note that the "Maglula" loaders being sold on Amazon are Chinese ripoffs - a Chinese company even went so far as to register the name "Maglula" in Chine. Not only is it intellectual property theft, but the Chinese ones are not as well-machined. The actual company is in Israel and their website warns about buying Magula Loaders on Amazon and certain other sites while providing a list of company they do sell to.
I agree, I've seen those knock-offs....stay away from them. I purchased mine from a local gun dealer for a few dollars less than advertised here. I believe Maglula released a video on how to tell the difference between the real product and china's product.
Maglula...
I bought the MagLula a while back... It's slow ( individual rounds ) and the 'lock closed' button keeps activating, causing it to quit working until I reset it... Also, no matter how much I lube it, the spring won't force the plunger back out from under the newly inserted round... It hasn't worked that well for me...
The ETS Cam works like a champ however... It loads those 30 round ETS mags like it was made to do it ! ( Oh - wait, it was ! )
I also got a chest bruise after trying to find a 'slip proof' place to brace the magazine as well... But I solved the problem with a piece of 'fairly dense' foam ( like a piece of horse trailer mat ) placed on my desk... NO SLIPS NOW !!!
I love it...
Nothing beats the simplicity of my 5 round-at-a-time, AR loader though...
I enjoy your educational articles here... Glad I found you guys !
Thanks
You probably got the chinese knock-off version.
Love my maglula didn’t realize how much I relied on it until I forgot it at a pistol competition thankfully a guy seen me struggling and loaned me his -simple amazing product
I have the Caldwell snagged it at Walmart on the cheap love it
Hey Norman, Moe here. Just curious if your still using the Caldwell speed loader and if you are did you ever have issues with it pushing the lead back into the casing a little bit. Hope your still around. Thanks
I have the Maglula for my pistols and an ETS for my AR. The ETS works so quickly, and you don't even have to load the rounds into the loader itself
Simply slide the loader across rounds in the box and it slots them into the feed channel - pop it onto the mag and slam down the t-handle. 15 rounds loaded in like 5 seconds. Do it twice and you've got a full magazine. I also use the method of pressing it into my chest to load. I keep all my pmags loaded up so I can just grab a stack and head to the range!
The MagLula is an excellent loader. I do have one question. I own a BULLPUP 9 and the bullets load into the magazine in the reverse as other magazines. Will the Caldwell universal pistol magazine loader work in loading the BULLPUP 9 magazine?
Interesting! I'm not sure since there's that light gray part that helps seat the round and it might be optimized for one direction.
Is it a Bond Arms or Boberg bullpup pistol? If so, I don't think it would work well. The Maglula relies on depressing the magazine follower for the first round and as I understand it, the Boberg doesn't have a follower. I'm not sure about the Bond Arms but since it is the same design I assume it doesn't as well.
It might work once the first round was in, but I think it would be iffy at best.
Maglula
I have used a Maglula for both a 9mm and 22's, both work excellent, take up little space in your range bag and can be used for loading or unloading.
MagLula is perfect. It takes up little space in the range bag. Plus, Hitchcock45 uses one all the time. I liked it so much that I bought a 2nd one to put in the safe. I’ve used it for 380, 9mm, and 45 with no issues. A genius device.