There aren’t many people who enjoy loading rounds into magazines.
Whether for pistols or rifles, loading round after round into high-capacity magazines is time consuming, irritating, and at times even painful. Investing in a good speed loader will give you more time for actually shooting on the range and nobody can complain about that.
Keep scrolling to see some of the best 9mm speed loaders available today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 9mm Speed Loaders
- OUR TOP PICK: Maglula UpLULA Universal Pistol Magazine Speed Loader
- RUNNER-UP: Glock 9mm/40 S&W Mag Loader Black Finish
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Elite Tactical Systems Universal Pistol Magazine Loader
Comparison of the Best 9mm Speed Loaders
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What to Watch For When Buying a Speed Loader
There are a few important things to keep in mind when shopping for a 9mm speed loader. With so many options available, the more knowledge you have going in the better. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
This Section Written By:
Brian Belko
Expert Author
Brian is an experienced freelance writer and technical writer who has previously written for publications such as Wide Open Spaces, Bigfoot Gun Belts, Alien Gear Holsters, and Kampgrounds of America. He brings both a passion for writing and a love of the outdoors to his published content.
Aside from writing and the outdoors, Brian enjoys gardening, being a co-host on The Nostalgia Blast Podcast, and learning to code.
Practice Makes Perfect
The term speed loader can be a bit misleading. For those unfamiliar with how they actually work, an image of magazines being filled nearly instantaneously might come to mind. However, that isn’t really true. The speed part comes in when compared to the time it takes to load a 9mm magazine by hand. In that regard, speed loaders really do make a difference in both times to load a magazine and the effort involved.
That being said, don’t expect to get the maximum amount of speed from a speed loader during your first use. Read the instructions, watch some videos, and give yourself some time to practice to gain the most time back during reloading. In fact, it is really helpful to watch videos of different speed loaders in use when deciding on which one to get. That will help ensure that you choose a 9mm speed loader that will work well for your needs and that you don’t fall for any marketing lingo on packaging at the sporting goods store.
Photo credit: firearmreview.com
Save Your Thumbs
A common misconception about speed loaders is that they are only for people who don’t have the strength or “toughness” to force round after round into magazines. Especially if those magazines have tight springs or followers. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Speed loaders are for any shooter who wants to focus more on putting rounds down range and improving their form and less on reloading.
If you do any sort of regular or high-volume shooting with your 9mm, do yourself a favor and invest in a speed loader. You’ll save time now and help prevent the chance of any sort of damage to your thumbs, hands, and wrists.
Grab a Pair
As far as firearm accessories go, speed loaders are on the lower end of the price spectrum. This is great news for shooters who prefer most of their extra cash to go towards ammo or saving up for a new gun. That being said, do yourself a favor and throw two in your cart when you decide on one.
This serves two purposes. It gives you an extra to lend to that buddy that never comes prepared and it gives you a ready-to-go backup if the first one gets lost or damaged. It is never fun to wait around for a replacement for a broken piece of gear and even high-quality 9mm speed loaders don’t tend to break the bank.
Review of the Best 9mm Speed Loaders
Choosing the best speed loader can be tough, but no matter what you're looking for, you will find the best options right here on our list. Read on for the best 9mm speed loaders available now.
Best Overall:
Maglula UpLULA Universal Pistol Magazine Speed Loader
Pros
Cons
Maglula is an Israeli company that was founded in 2001. The company focuses specifically on the production of top quality loaders for military applications. This unit, the UpLULA, is a military grade universal speed loader and unloader for pistols.
It has been engineered to work with nearly all single and double stack mags including those for the 9mm, .45 ACP, 10mm, .40 and .380 ACP cartridges. It also works with most 1911 mags. This product self-adjusts to work with the specific mag.
Loading is simple and easy on the hands. No inserts, spacers or user adjustments are necessary. You will not get mag thumb or fatigue using this slick loader no matter how many mags you load. This mag loader cuts loading time down to a third of what it would otherwise be. When you are done the UpLULA fits into a pocket.
It weighs a mere 2.3 ounces, making it easy to carry around or toss into your range bag. These are durable units with a matte finish. Made in Israel is the next best thing to made in the USA, especially in shooting products.
Bottom Line
The top features of this speed loader are broad compatibility, the automatic adjustment and the portability. This is without a doubt the best unit in its class on the market today.
Runner-up:
Glock 9mm/40 S&W Mag Loader Black Finish
Pros
Cons
Glock is the top dog in handguns, even though they are about as stylish and exciting as your standard refrigerator. The company is responsible for so many innovations that pretty much every other handgun manufacturer has been playing catch up for the last 20 or 30 years. The great things about buying an original Glock mag loader is the design prestige and the flawless compatibility with your Glock brand or compatible mags.
These loaders work both with Glock 9mm and 40 S&W mags. The loader has a black finish and slides easily over any compatible mag. This is a fool-proof way to simplify loading no matter how many mags you have to plow through.
The longevity of this loader is outstanding thanks to its robust, simple design. The versatility of being able to use this loader both with the world's most common handgun round and with the standard FBI round make it a fantastic choice. This is a loader that will last a lifetime and works with mags that will never go out of style. We can't recommend this one enough.
Bottom Line
Glock is an obvious no-brainer option for a speed loader if that is the only company's mags that you have to load. The top features of this speedloader are the simple design and easy portability.
Best for the Money:
Elite Tactical Systems Universal Pistol Magazine Loader
Pros
Cons
Elite Tactical Systems is a company from Indiana. They produce all of their products here in the USA and back them up with a lifetime guarantee. This is their new second generation mag loader.
It is designed to automatically center the feed lips on either single or double stack mags. This helps to make it easier to seat mags in the loader. It will not harm your mag's feed lips in any way. The compatibility of this product is also outstanding.
It works with almost all brands of pistol mag. This mag loader gives you some of the fastest loading that you can get for a handgun at less than ten seconds per mag. It even lets you load directly from an ammo tray or with loose rounds.
This product is compact and easily transportable. Keep it in a pocket or throw it in your range bag. The materials used to make these loaders are robust and will last a lifetime. The broad compatibility and ease of use make this a great option for any shooter.
Bottom Line
This is a fantastic model from a great American company. The best features of this speed loader are the automatic alignment, feed lip protection, and the incredible speed with which it works. This is a great item that will save you a lot of time, especially with double stack mags.
4. HKS - Semi-Auto Pistol Magazine Speedloader
Pros
Cons
This loader from HKS gives you the power of loading 15 rounds in a mere 18 seconds. It is also easy to use. It works with either single or double stack mags.
Slip a mag into the loader, depress the thumb lever and start loading your rounds. This keeps your fingers from getting sore or getting pinched. The thumb lever is ribbed and features an anti-slip design.
This product also prevents you from inflicting any damage to the feed lips on your mags. It is made of black plastic and comes in a variety of models designed to fit certain models of magazine. You will have to check to ensure that you order the right model for your mags.
This speed loader is low profile and easy to keep in a pocket. It is hard to find a more portable and compact option. HKS is a great company offering excellent engineering and build quality. Although the design is a bit complex, it is easy to use and easy to keep around in any shooting situation so that it is always on hand for a quick load.
Bottom Line
This is a great and easy to use product. The top features of this model are the ergonomic thumb lever and the wide compatibility with various mags. The high speed with which this loader fills your mags will surprise you.
5. Butler Creek - 9mm/45 ACP Asap Universal Single Stack Magazine Loader
Pros
Cons
Butler Creek was founded in Montana in the 1930s when the founder started producing some of the world's first scope lens covers. Today, the company is part of Vista Outdoor, along with such heavy hitters as Bushnell and Federal Premium. This model, the ASAP universal loader, works with the vast majority of single stack mags on the market today, anything in the size range from 9mm to 45 ACP.
To use this product, simply push it down onto the mag and insert each round below the feed lips. Lift the loader up and there you have it. This innovative system is simple and fast to use. This is another portable and compact mag loader that is easy to keep on you no matter what situations you drag it into.
Furthermore, this product is 100 percent made in the USA. Why not support a great American company, especially when they produce an excellently designed and easy to use item. We can't recommend this mag loader enough. It makes a great gift for your shooting buddies and will last a lifetime.
Bottom Line
This is a great option from a classic American company. The top features of this speed loader are the easy operation and the portability. Of course, it is also always nice to buy products made in the USA. This is a great option that you will get addicted to loading your mags.
What is a Speed Loader and What Are They Used for?
Speed loaders are devices used for loading rounds into mags quickly and without straining or pinching your fingers. Mag thumb is a common condition of wearing your thumb raw while feeding round after round into your mags by hand. It is a kind of minor repetitive stress injury.
Another problem with loading mags is that it takes a long time. If you have squeezed a day at the range into your busy schedule, the last thing you want to do is waste your practice time tediously reloading your mags. This is especially true if you are running a training program.
Mag loaders are designed to solve both of these problems. They are handy, portable little items that make loading mags both faster and more comfortable.
Different mag loaders have different levels of compatibility. Some are designed to work with as many models of magazines as possible, while others just work with one.
Elite Tactical Systems Universal Pistol Magazine Loader
How to Choose a 9mm Speed Loader
When it comes to firearms, firearm components, or shooting accessories, as with so many other products, there is one key rule to choosing the best item. Always go with a well established, reputable company and a proven model. Most speed loaders are made of polymer or a similar plastic; you don't get much variety in the materials used.
The best speed loaders will be reliable and last a lifetime. This usually means that they will have as few moving parts as possible. They should also be easy to use intuitively without taking much effort or time.
Some options will be widely compatible with many magazines but may not work perfectly with all of them. Others are designed to work with specific mags. The choice depends on your needs, whether you want rock solid performance with specific mags or need one loader to work with many.
How to Use a Speed Loader
Different speed loaders have different designs and therefore are operated in different ways. The Maglula UpLULA reloader is a good example of how they generally work.
First, you slide the speed loader over the top of your magazine. You will notice that this model has a squeeze lever. As you pull the unit all the way down over the magazine, squeeze it with your hand.
Drop a round in and release your grip. The round will be quickly and easily loaded into the mag.
Repeat this action until the magazine is completely loaded. The great benefit of this design is that no matter how strong your magazine's spring is, you will be able to quickly and easily load the last rounds in, which could be a struggle by hand. Once you try it, you will never go back to loading by hand.
Conclusion
Now you know everything you need to know to save your thumbs and not waste any valuable range time slowly loading your mags. Speed loaders can be a godsend for high volume shooting and training courses. Remember to shoot safe and have fun.
I bought a speed loader and got no instructions I tried 6 or 7 times with no sucess