Bad Day For Tec Tube Speedloaders

[GringoPerdido]

I am right handed, and had always speed loaded my Benelli using my right hand. Today I practiced using my left hand.

It worked well, except for the fact I broke 3 speed loader tubes.

The M1S90 has an Arredondo chute. I have never broken a tube before. They are pretty old, from about 1994 or so.

So, am I doing something left handed that would cause the tubes to break? Or are they just old and fragile?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. (I only have 5 tubes left...

Thanks!

Daryl

(Benelli by TSS)

Edited February 10, 2007 by GringoPerdido

[Flexmoney]

Opinions? Hell I have one.

I don't know much about those tubes, but I know quite a few of those "here's yer sign" jokes... (note smiley face above)

You loaders worked for a dozen years, then you did somethng different and broke 3 all at once ?

[GringoPerdido]

...You loaders worked for a dozen years, then you did somethng different and broke 3 all at once ?

Yep. That is what happened.

I just noticed something while inspecting all 8 tubes. 2 of them are the "new" style that came with the primer relief cut handles. The tubes are also different then the older version, having a relieved taper from the ears back to the slot.

This different design almost duplicates the way two of them broke as shown in the pictures posted above.

Maybe this was a high stress area all along and the manufacturer corrected this with the new design...

[uscbigdawg]

Don't do it left handed any more.

Rich

[Religious Shooter]

You need to get weakhand tec loaders.

It's just like that thread that asks about dummy shells for weak hand loading.

If you use those dummy shells for strong hand loading they will break the gun.

[GringoPerdido]

Don't do it left handed any more.

Rich

[Scout454]

Gringo -

You're twisting the Tec Loaders more when you load weakhand. They lock into the Arredondo chute *too* well and it's easier to break them when you shove the handle forward. I've broken two that way *stronghand* and one weakhand. You can do it but shove the loader straight in and then let it go, don't twist it.

[GringoPerdido]

Gringo -

You're twisting the Tec Loaders more when you load weakhand....You can do it but shove the loader straight in and then let it go, don't twist it.

Scout, I agree with you. I think I was subconsciously drifting left when I pushed...time to practice again.

Just an observation, but when static loading tubes strong vs weak hand there doesn't seem to be much of a difference in time, but when loading dynamic, like running, weak hand is way faster for me.

Thanks for the advice!

[outerlimits]

i'll take the busted ones off yer hands-gotta make more 6 rounders...

[GringoPerdido]

Ha! That was my first thought as well.

But as it turns out they are broken in a way that matches the new tubes, so most likely they will still work...

Sure seems like there would be a market in the U.S. for carbon fiber or aluminum tubes in 4, 5, 6 round capacity.

[uscbigdawg]

I would love to have 5 rounders for Open. But alas, Armstec has a pretty nasty hold on their patent and aren't seemingly open to folks modifying/borrowing, etc. their design for their own product. It's why Arredondo's chute goes over the existing load gate. I dunno though, maybe you could. I'll get with you on this Butch when I get back. If it's possible, I've got access to a CNC that can knock 'em out.

Rich