Small Arms Review
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Guns & Parts
    • Suppressors
    • Optics & Thermals
    • Ammunition
    • Gear
    • News & Opinion
    • Columns
    • Museums & Factory Tours
    • ID Guides
    • Interviews
    • Event Coverage
    • Articles by Issue
      • Volume 1
        • V1N1 (Oct 1997)
        • V1N2 (Nov 1997)
        • V1N3 (Dec 1997)
        • V1N4 (Jan 1998)
        • V1N5 (Feb 1998)
        • V1N6 (Mar 1998)
        • V1N7 (Apr 1998)
        • V1N8 (May 1998)
        • V1N9 (Jun 1998)
        • V1N10 (Jul 1998)
        • V1N11 (Aug 1998)
        • V1N12 (Sep 1998)
      • Volume 2
        • V2N1 (Oct 1998)
        • V2N2 (Nov 1998)
        • V2N3 (Dec 1998)
        • V2N4 (Jan 1999)
        • V2N5 (Feb 1999)
        • V2N6 (Mar 1999)
        • V2N7 (Apr 1999)
        • V2N8 (May 1999)
        • V2N9 (Jun 1999)
        • V2N10 (Jul 1999)
        • V2N11 (Aug 1999)
        • V2N12 (Sep 1999)
      • Volume 3
        • V3N1 (Oct 1999)
        • V3N2 (Nov 1999)
        • V3N3 (Dec 1999)
        • V3N4 (Jan 2000)
        • V3N5 (Feb 2000)
        • V3N6 (Mar 2000)
        • V3N7 (Apr 2000)
        • V3N8 (May 2000)
        • V3N9 (Jun 2000)
        • V3N10 (Jul 2000)
        • V3N11 (Aug 2000)
        • V3N12 (Sep 2000)
      • Volume 4
        • V4N1 (Oct 2000)
        • V4N2 (Nov 2000)
        • V4N3 (Dec 2000)
        • V4N4 (Jan 2001)
        • V4N5 (Feb 2001)
        • V4N6 (Mar 2001)
        • V4N7 (Apr 2001)
        • V4N8 (May 2001)
        • V4N9 (Jun 2001)
        • V4N10 (Jul 2001)
        • V4N11 (Aug 2001)
        • V4N12 (Sep 2001)
      • Volume 5
        • V5N1 (Oct 2001)
        • V5N2 (Nov 2001)
        • V5N3 (Dec 2001)
        • V5N4 (Jan 2002)
        • V5N5 (Feb 2002)
        • V5N6 (Mar 2002)
        • V5N7 (Apr 2002)
        • V5N8 (May 2002)
        • V5N9 (Jun 2002)
        • V5N10 (Jul 2002)
        • V5N11 (Aug 2002)
        • V5N12 (Sep 2002)
      • Volume 6
        • V6N1 (Oct 2002)
        • V6N2 (Nov 2002)
        • V6N3 (Dec 2002)
        • V6N4 (Jan 2003)
        • V6N5 (Feb 2003)
        • V6N6 (Mar 2003)
        • V6N7 (Apr 2003)
        • V6N8 (May 2003)
        • V6N9 (Jun 2003)
        • V6N10 (Jul 2003)
        • V6N11 (Aug 2003)
        • V6N12 (Sep 2003)
      • Volume 7
        • V7N1 (Oct 2003)
        • V7N2 (Nov 2003)
        • V7N3 (Dec 2003)
        • V7N4 (Jan 2004)
        • V7N5 (Feb 2004)
        • V7N6 (Mar 2004)
        • V7N7 (Apr 2004)
        • V7N8 (May 2004)
        • V7N9 (Jun 2004)
        • V7N10 (Jul 2004)
        • V7N11 (Aug 2004)
        • V7N12 (Sep 2004)
      • Volume 8
        • V8N1 (Oct 2004)
        • V8N2 (Nov 2004)
        • V8N3 (Dec 2004)
        • V8N4 (Jan 2005)
        • V8N5 (Feb 2005)
        • V8N6 (Mar 2005)
        • V8N7 (Apr 2005)
        • V8N8 (May 2005)
        • V8N9 (Jun 2005)
        • V8N10 (Jul 2005)
        • V8N11 (Aug 2005)
        • V8N12 (Sep 2005)
      • Volume 9
        • V9N1 (Oct 2005)
        • V9N2 (Nov 2005)
        • V9N3 (Dec 2005)
        • V9N4 (Jan 2006)
        • V9N5 (Feb 2006)
        • V9N6 (Mar 2006)
        • V9N7 (Apr 2006)
        • V9N8 (May 2006)
        • V9N9 (Jun 2006)
        • V9N10 (Jul 2006)
        • V9N11 (Aug 2006)
        • V9N12 (Sep 2006)
      • Volume 10
        • V10N1 (Oct 2006)
        • V10N2 (Nov 2006)
        • V10N3 (Dec 2006)
        • V10N4 (Jan 2007)
        • V10N5 (Feb 2007)
        • V10N6 (Mar 2007)
        • V10N7 (Apr 2007)
        • V10N8 (May 2007)
        • V10N9 (Jun 2007)
        • V10N10 (Jul 2007)
        • V10N11 (Aug 2007)
        • V10N12 (Sep 2007)
      • Volume 11
        • V11N1 (Oct 2007)
        • V11N2 (Nov 2007)
        • V11N3 (Dec 2007)
        • V11N4 (Jan 2008)
        • V11N5 (Feb 2008)
        • V11N6 (Mar 2008)
        • V11N7 (Apr 2008)
        • V11N8 (May 2008)
        • V11N9 (Jun 2008)
        • V11N10 (Jul 2008)
        • V11N11 (Aug 2008)
        • V11N12 (Sep 2008)
      • Volume 12
        • V12N1 (Oct 2008)
        • V12N2 (Nov 2008)
        • V12N3 (Dec 2008)
        • V12N4 (Jan 2009)
        • V12N5 (Feb 2009)
        • V12N6 (Mar 2009)
        • V12N7 (Apr 2009)
        • V12N8 (May 2009)
        • V12N9 (Jun 2009)
        • V12N10 (Jul 2009)
        • V12N11 (Aug 2009)
        • V12N12 (Sep 2009)
      • Volume 13
        • V13N1 (Oct 2009)
        • V13N2 (Nov 2009)
        • V13N3 (Dec 2009)
        • V13N4 (Jan 2010)
        • V13N5 (Feb 2010)
        • V13N6 (Mar 2010)
        • V13N7 (Apr 2010)
        • V13N8 (May 2010)
        • V13N9 (Jun 2010)
        • V13N10 (Jul 2010)
        • V13N11 (Aug 2010)
        • V13N12 (Sep 2010)
      • Volume 14
        • V14N1 (Oct 2010)
        • V14N2 (Nov 2010)
        • V14N3 (Dec 2010)
          • Ammunition
        • V14N4 (Jan 2011)
        • V14N5 (Feb 2011)
        • V14N6 (Mar 2011)
        • V14N7 (Apr 2011)
        • V14N8 (May 2011)
        • V14N9 (Jun 2011)
        • V14N10 (Jul 2011)
        • V14N11 (Aug 2011)
        • V14N12 (Sep 2011)
      • Volume 15
        • V15N1 (Oct 2011)
        • V15N2 (Nov 2011)
        • V15N4 (Jan 2012)
        • V15N5 (Feb 2012)
      • Volume 16
        • V16N1 (1st Quarter 2012)
        • V16N2 (2nd Quarter 2012)
        • V16N3 (3rd Quarter 2012)
        • V16N4 (4th Quarter 2012)
      • Volume 17
        • V17N1 (1st Quarter 2013)
        • V17N2 (2nd Quarter 2013)
        • V17N3 (3rd Quarter 2013)
        • V17N4 (4th Quarter 2013)
      • Volume 18
        • V18N1 (Jan Feb 2014)
        • V18N2 (Mar Apr 2014)
        • V18N3 (May Jun 2014)
        • V18N4 (Jul Aug 2014)
        • V18N5 (Sep Oct 2014)
        • V18N6 (Nov Dec 2014)
      • Volume 19
        • V19N1 (Jan 2015)
        • V19N2 (Feb Mar 2015)
        • V19N3 (Apr 2015)
        • V19N4 (May 2015)
        • V19N5 (Jun 2015)
        • V19N6 (Jul 2015)
        • V19N7 (Aug Sep 2015)
        • V19N8 (Oct 2015)
        • V19N9 (Nov 2015)
        • V19N10 (Dec 2015)
      • Volume 20
        • V20N1 (Jan 2016)
        • V20N2 (Feb Mar 2016)
        • V20N3 (Apr 2016)
        • V20N4 (May 2016)
        • V20N5 (Jun 2016)
        • V20N6 (Jul 2016)
        • V20N7 (Aug Sep 2016)
        • V20N8 (Oct 2016)
        • V20N9 (Nov 2016)
        • V20N10 (Dec 2016)
      • Volume 21
        • V21N1 (Jan 2017)
        • V21N2 (Feb Mar 2017)
        • V21N3 (Apr 2017)
        • V21N4 (May 2017)
        • V21N5 (Jun 2017)
        • V21N6 (Jul 2017)
        • V21N7 (Aug Sep 2017)
        • V21N8 (Oct 2017)
        • V21N9 (Nov 2017)
        • V21N10 (Dec 2017)
      • Volume 22
        • V22N1 (Jan 2018)
        • V22N2 (Feb 2018)
        • V22N3 (March 2018)
        • V22N4 (Apr 2018)
        • V22N5 (May 2018)
        • V22N6 (Jun Jul 2018)
        • V22N7 (Aug Sep 2018)
        • V22N8 (Oct 2018)
        • V22N9 (Nov 2018)
        • V22N10 (Dec 2018)
      • Volume 23
        • V23N1 (Jan 2019)
        • V23N2 (Feb 2019)
        • V23N3 (Mar 2019)
        • V23N4 (Apr 2019)
        • V23N5 (May 2019)
        • V23N6 (Jun Jul 2019)
        • V23N7 (Aug Sep 2019)
        • V23N8 (Oct 2019)
        • V23N9 (Nov 2019)
        • V23N10 (Dec 2019)
      • Volume 24
        • V24N1 (Jan 2020)
        • V24N2 (Feb 2020)
        • V24N3 (Mar 2020)
        • V24N4 (Apr 2020)
        • V24N5 (May 2020)
        • V24N6 (Jun Jul 2020)
        • V24N7 (Aug Sep 2020)
        • V24N8 (Oct 2020)
        • V24N9 (Nov 2020)
        • V24N10 (Dec 2020)
  • The Archive
    • Search The Archive
  • Store
    • Books
    • Back Issues
    • Merchandise
  • Events
  • About
    • About Small Arms Review
    • About Chipotle Publishing
    • Contact Us
    • Other Publications
      • Small Arms Defense Journal
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Guns & Parts
    • Suppressors
    • Optics & Thermals
    • Ammunition
    • Gear
    • News & Opinion
    • Columns
    • Museums & Factory Tours
    • ID Guides
    • Interviews
    • Event Coverage
    • Articles by Issue
      • Volume 1
        • V1N1 (Oct 1997)
        • V1N2 (Nov 1997)
        • V1N3 (Dec 1997)
        • V1N4 (Jan 1998)
        • V1N5 (Feb 1998)
        • V1N6 (Mar 1998)
        • V1N7 (Apr 1998)
        • V1N8 (May 1998)
        • V1N9 (Jun 1998)
        • V1N10 (Jul 1998)
        • V1N11 (Aug 1998)
        • V1N12 (Sep 1998)
      • Volume 2
        • V2N1 (Oct 1998)
        • V2N2 (Nov 1998)
        • V2N3 (Dec 1998)
        • V2N4 (Jan 1999)
        • V2N5 (Feb 1999)
        • V2N6 (Mar 1999)
        • V2N7 (Apr 1999)
        • V2N8 (May 1999)
        • V2N9 (Jun 1999)
        • V2N10 (Jul 1999)
        • V2N11 (Aug 1999)
        • V2N12 (Sep 1999)
      • Volume 3
        • V3N1 (Oct 1999)
        • V3N2 (Nov 1999)
        • V3N3 (Dec 1999)
        • V3N4 (Jan 2000)
        • V3N5 (Feb 2000)
        • V3N6 (Mar 2000)
        • V3N7 (Apr 2000)
        • V3N8 (May 2000)
        • V3N9 (Jun 2000)
        • V3N10 (Jul 2000)
        • V3N11 (Aug 2000)
        • V3N12 (Sep 2000)
      • Volume 4
        • V4N1 (Oct 2000)
        • V4N2 (Nov 2000)
        • V4N3 (Dec 2000)
        • V4N4 (Jan 2001)
        • V4N5 (Feb 2001)
        • V4N6 (Mar 2001)
        • V4N7 (Apr 2001)
        • V4N8 (May 2001)
        • V4N9 (Jun 2001)
        • V4N10 (Jul 2001)
        • V4N11 (Aug 2001)
        • V4N12 (Sep 2001)
      • Volume 5
        • V5N1 (Oct 2001)
        • V5N2 (Nov 2001)
        • V5N3 (Dec 2001)
        • V5N4 (Jan 2002)
        • V5N5 (Feb 2002)
        • V5N6 (Mar 2002)
        • V5N7 (Apr 2002)
        • V5N8 (May 2002)
        • V5N9 (Jun 2002)
        • V5N10 (Jul 2002)
        • V5N11 (Aug 2002)
        • V5N12 (Sep 2002)
      • Volume 6
        • V6N1 (Oct 2002)
        • V6N2 (Nov 2002)
        • V6N3 (Dec 2002)
        • V6N4 (Jan 2003)
        • V6N5 (Feb 2003)
        • V6N6 (Mar 2003)
        • V6N7 (Apr 2003)
        • V6N8 (May 2003)
        • V6N9 (Jun 2003)
        • V6N10 (Jul 2003)
        • V6N11 (Aug 2003)
        • V6N12 (Sep 2003)
      • Volume 7
        • V7N1 (Oct 2003)
        • V7N2 (Nov 2003)
        • V7N3 (Dec 2003)
        • V7N4 (Jan 2004)
        • V7N5 (Feb 2004)
        • V7N6 (Mar 2004)
        • V7N7 (Apr 2004)
        • V7N8 (May 2004)
        • V7N9 (Jun 2004)
        • V7N10 (Jul 2004)
        • V7N11 (Aug 2004)
        • V7N12 (Sep 2004)
      • Volume 8
        • V8N1 (Oct 2004)
        • V8N2 (Nov 2004)
        • V8N3 (Dec 2004)
        • V8N4 (Jan 2005)
        • V8N5 (Feb 2005)
        • V8N6 (Mar 2005)
        • V8N7 (Apr 2005)
        • V8N8 (May 2005)
        • V8N9 (Jun 2005)
        • V8N10 (Jul 2005)
        • V8N11 (Aug 2005)
        • V8N12 (Sep 2005)
      • Volume 9
        • V9N1 (Oct 2005)
        • V9N2 (Nov 2005)
        • V9N3 (Dec 2005)
        • V9N4 (Jan 2006)
        • V9N5 (Feb 2006)
        • V9N6 (Mar 2006)
        • V9N7 (Apr 2006)
        • V9N8 (May 2006)
        • V9N9 (Jun 2006)
        • V9N10 (Jul 2006)
        • V9N11 (Aug 2006)
        • V9N12 (Sep 2006)
      • Volume 10
        • V10N1 (Oct 2006)
        • V10N2 (Nov 2006)
        • V10N3 (Dec 2006)
        • V10N4 (Jan 2007)
        • V10N5 (Feb 2007)
        • V10N6 (Mar 2007)
        • V10N7 (Apr 2007)
        • V10N8 (May 2007)
        • V10N9 (Jun 2007)
        • V10N10 (Jul 2007)
        • V10N11 (Aug 2007)
        • V10N12 (Sep 2007)
      • Volume 11
        • V11N1 (Oct 2007)
        • V11N2 (Nov 2007)
        • V11N3 (Dec 2007)
        • V11N4 (Jan 2008)
        • V11N5 (Feb 2008)
        • V11N6 (Mar 2008)
        • V11N7 (Apr 2008)
        • V11N8 (May 2008)
        • V11N9 (Jun 2008)
        • V11N10 (Jul 2008)
        • V11N11 (Aug 2008)
        • V11N12 (Sep 2008)
      • Volume 12
        • V12N1 (Oct 2008)
        • V12N2 (Nov 2008)
        • V12N3 (Dec 2008)
        • V12N4 (Jan 2009)
        • V12N5 (Feb 2009)
        • V12N6 (Mar 2009)
        • V12N7 (Apr 2009)
        • V12N8 (May 2009)
        • V12N9 (Jun 2009)
        • V12N10 (Jul 2009)
        • V12N11 (Aug 2009)
        • V12N12 (Sep 2009)
      • Volume 13
        • V13N1 (Oct 2009)
        • V13N2 (Nov 2009)
        • V13N3 (Dec 2009)
        • V13N4 (Jan 2010)
        • V13N5 (Feb 2010)
        • V13N6 (Mar 2010)
        • V13N7 (Apr 2010)
        • V13N8 (May 2010)
        • V13N9 (Jun 2010)
        • V13N10 (Jul 2010)
        • V13N11 (Aug 2010)
        • V13N12 (Sep 2010)
      • Volume 14
        • V14N1 (Oct 2010)
        • V14N2 (Nov 2010)
        • V14N3 (Dec 2010)
          • Ammunition
        • V14N4 (Jan 2011)
        • V14N5 (Feb 2011)
        • V14N6 (Mar 2011)
        • V14N7 (Apr 2011)
        • V14N8 (May 2011)
        • V14N9 (Jun 2011)
        • V14N10 (Jul 2011)
        • V14N11 (Aug 2011)
        • V14N12 (Sep 2011)
      • Volume 15
        • V15N1 (Oct 2011)
        • V15N2 (Nov 2011)
        • V15N4 (Jan 2012)
        • V15N5 (Feb 2012)
      • Volume 16
        • V16N1 (1st Quarter 2012)
        • V16N2 (2nd Quarter 2012)
        • V16N3 (3rd Quarter 2012)
        • V16N4 (4th Quarter 2012)
      • Volume 17
        • V17N1 (1st Quarter 2013)
        • V17N2 (2nd Quarter 2013)
        • V17N3 (3rd Quarter 2013)
        • V17N4 (4th Quarter 2013)
      • Volume 18
        • V18N1 (Jan Feb 2014)
        • V18N2 (Mar Apr 2014)
        • V18N3 (May Jun 2014)
        • V18N4 (Jul Aug 2014)
        • V18N5 (Sep Oct 2014)
        • V18N6 (Nov Dec 2014)
      • Volume 19
        • V19N1 (Jan 2015)
        • V19N2 (Feb Mar 2015)
        • V19N3 (Apr 2015)
        • V19N4 (May 2015)
        • V19N5 (Jun 2015)
        • V19N6 (Jul 2015)
        • V19N7 (Aug Sep 2015)
        • V19N8 (Oct 2015)
        • V19N9 (Nov 2015)
        • V19N10 (Dec 2015)
      • Volume 20
        • V20N1 (Jan 2016)
        • V20N2 (Feb Mar 2016)
        • V20N3 (Apr 2016)
        • V20N4 (May 2016)
        • V20N5 (Jun 2016)
        • V20N6 (Jul 2016)
        • V20N7 (Aug Sep 2016)
        • V20N8 (Oct 2016)
        • V20N9 (Nov 2016)
        • V20N10 (Dec 2016)
      • Volume 21
        • V21N1 (Jan 2017)
        • V21N2 (Feb Mar 2017)
        • V21N3 (Apr 2017)
        • V21N4 (May 2017)
        • V21N5 (Jun 2017)
        • V21N6 (Jul 2017)
        • V21N7 (Aug Sep 2017)
        • V21N8 (Oct 2017)
        • V21N9 (Nov 2017)
        • V21N10 (Dec 2017)
      • Volume 22
        • V22N1 (Jan 2018)
        • V22N2 (Feb 2018)
        • V22N3 (March 2018)
        • V22N4 (Apr 2018)
        • V22N5 (May 2018)
        • V22N6 (Jun Jul 2018)
        • V22N7 (Aug Sep 2018)
        • V22N8 (Oct 2018)
        • V22N9 (Nov 2018)
        • V22N10 (Dec 2018)
      • Volume 23
        • V23N1 (Jan 2019)
        • V23N2 (Feb 2019)
        • V23N3 (Mar 2019)
        • V23N4 (Apr 2019)
        • V23N5 (May 2019)
        • V23N6 (Jun Jul 2019)
        • V23N7 (Aug Sep 2019)
        • V23N8 (Oct 2019)
        • V23N9 (Nov 2019)
        • V23N10 (Dec 2019)
      • Volume 24
        • V24N1 (Jan 2020)
        • V24N2 (Feb 2020)
        • V24N3 (Mar 2020)
        • V24N4 (Apr 2020)
        • V24N5 (May 2020)
        • V24N6 (Jun Jul 2020)
        • V24N7 (Aug Sep 2020)
        • V24N8 (Oct 2020)
        • V24N9 (Nov 2020)
        • V24N10 (Dec 2020)
  • The Archive
    • Search The Archive
  • Store
    • Books
    • Back Issues
    • Merchandise
  • Events
  • About
    • About Small Arms Review
    • About Chipotle Publishing
    • Contact Us
    • Other Publications
      • Small Arms Defense Journal


No Result
View All Result
Small Arms Review


No Result
View All Result
Home Articles Articles by Issue Volume 20 V20N7 (Aug Sep 2016)

Magazine Loading Tools for the Black Rifle For High Volume Shooters

by Christopher R. Bartocci
September 1, 2016
in V20N7 (Aug Sep 2016), Ammunition, Articles, Articles by Issue, Gear, Guns & Parts, Search by Issue, Volume 20
Magazine Loading Tools for the Black Rifle For High Volume Shooters

Image processed by CodThe Caldwell Mag Charger. Notice the compartment which holds 50 rounds of ammunition.eCarvings Piczard ### FREE Community Edition ### on 2014-04-10 20:02:04Z | | ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ÷՝ÿ

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Christopher R. Bartocci

For your average shooter loading up 5 or 6 magazines is no big deal. If you have arthritis, well that is a whole other problem. What about the guy in the armory for a Police Department or military who is loading hundreds of magazines? Then this rather simple task
can be daunting.

Maglula is located in Tel Aviv, Israel. Maglula (MAGazine Loaders and ULoader Accessories) was started in 2000 by Ran Tal and his son Guy. Sergeant Major Ran Tal is a former small arms instructor of the Israeli Defense Force and reserves. A traumatic event with a malfunctioning UZI magazine on the battlefield in 1956 Sinai Campaign was the driving force to get Ran interested in the reliability of magazines. During his time on the battlefield, Ran kept his 12 UZI magazines in socks to protect them from the sand, there were no plastic bags available to him back at that time. Ran was facing an enemy soldier when his UZI jammed; a fellow IDF soldier pushed Ran to the ground and eliminated the enemy soldier. Lessons learned from that incident by Ran involved purchasing a .22 caliber Beretta pistol as a back-up weapon if his primary weapon was ever to jam again and he decided to seriously maintain cleaner magazines from then on. Later, Ran’s own son Nadav serving in the IDF experienced similar magazine failures with M16 magazines. Ran vowed to himself that if no one cares or takes care of the hardship of cleaning magazines, then he would volunteer to do it himself for the IDF soldiers. He did just that.

You can see the cam on the LuLa that pushes down the top round so another can be slid in. Also by reversing the lever you can unload the magazine. RIGHT: On the left is a stripper clip holding 10 rounds of M855 ball ammunition. In the center is the US issue stripper clip guide which slides on the back of the magazine. On the right is the Maglula Strip LuLa.
The Maglula LuLa on an aluminum GI magazine. Notice the Hebrew writing on the LuLa. This was one intended for the Israeli Defense Force.

The first invention of Ran Tal was the LuLa. This deviced snapped over the top of the UZI magazine. There is a pivoting lever on top of the LuLa attached to a cam. When the lever is pulled downward the cam pushes down on the top cartridge allowing another to be dropped in place. The lever is reversed it pushes the new cartridge down allowing a cartridge to be dropped in the opposite side. This action continues until the magazine is full. Now if you want to unload the magazine you just reverse the direction of the lever and each time you actuate it a round will drop out of the magazine until it is empty. This tool was then modified for the M16 magazines used by the IDF. The IDF has purchased these for their soldiers. This is a portable hand-held tool that can be dropped in a range bag or the pocket of a soldier. Many will say “I can load the magazine faster without the tool.” This is true. But after 10 magazines, not only is the tool faster but the user’s hands are not fatigued. The MSRP is $26.95.

It seems like forever that the US military has used stripper clips. The 5.56mm ammunition is issued in a ten-round stripper clip. The stripper guide slides on the back of the magazine, the stripper is dropped in the slot and the shooter’s thumb presses down on the top round and all ten go in the magazine. Anyone who has done this, knows it is not a comfortable or easy task, especially if you are loading numerous magazines. This method remains SOP until this day. This has a solution though, the Strip LuLa by Maglula out of Israel. This gives a comfortable and efficient tool. The stripper clip slides into the device and a lever is flipped over the top. This turns into the lever that pushes the rounds into the magazine. It is a large lever that is comfortable to push down on compared to the narrow round cartridge case. After the rounds are loaded in the magazine, the stripper clip slides out of the Strip LuLa. On the bottom of the Strip Lula is a tool to depress the bottom round of the magazine, this allows the top one to fall out of the magazine to unload the magazine. The unfortunate thing is Uncle Sam does not issue these! The soldier would have to purchase it himself. It is a wise investment for someone who shoots a lot. The MSRP is $33.95.

On the left is a stripper clip holding 10 rounds of M855 ball ammunition. In the center is the US issue stripper clip guide which slides on the back of the magazine. On the right is the Maglula Strip LuLa.

The BenchLoader

For the Armory, Maglula came out with a tool they call the Bench Loader. The first model was designed for standard NATO M16 magazines which are primary weapons of the IDF. The BenchLoader is both portable or could be bolted to a work bench. The BenchLoader is CNC machined out of tough polymer and consists of only three pieces. The magazine is placed into a receptacle which aligns the feeding track with the center of the feed lips. So when the magazine is loaded the cartridges never come into contact with the feed lips of the magazine. The feeding track consists of two alignment grooves, one for the tip of the bullet and one for the cartridge case base. Every 5 rounds are marked off letting the loader know how many rounds are being loaded (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30). Once fully loaded and the magazine in place, the slider is pushed inward loading the magazine with one swift stroke. No strain on the loader’s hands or fingers. This whole process for loading a 30-round magazine is 25 seconds! The original model would load both 20- and 30-round GI magazines. The first model was specifically for the aluminum US GI magazine which was the primary magazine of the IDF. As time has gone on there have been many new magazines introduced for the M16/M4 series rifle. Many of them have different external shapes than the original one. The second generation BenchLoader had the receptacle modified so it would accept both the US GI, PMag and the German High Reliability steel magazine/SA80 magazine. But there were still multiple magazines in both commercial and military use that would not fit this loading tool. The MSRP is $427.50 for the BenchLoader. This is not for the amateur shooter but designed for long term armory use.

The Strip LuLa about to load a magazine from the stripper clip. You have a large lever over the top round so they can be comfortably pushed into the magazine.

The Range BenchLoader

While at SHOT Show 2015, Maglula showed up with a new product. This was a clear descendent of their popular BenchLoader but improved. With all of the new magazines introduced it was not possible to make a BenchLoader that could accept all of them as the design stood. Not only do you have different shape magazines but thicknesses as well. The new Surefire 60 and 100 round mags and Beta C-Mag for example. The Range BenchLoader took the loading technology of the BenchLoader and eliminated the loading receptacle. The shape of the loading receptacle was the problem with making the BenchLoader compatible with all of these different magazines. In its place is a magazine well with a magazine catch that would engage ANY NATO STANAG magazine. To release the magazine you pull outward on the magazine catch. The loading of the magazine is the same, the rounds are placed in the loading track and the lever pushes the rounds into the magazine. This author has tested 33 different magazines of different manufacturers and variations in the Range BenchLoader and has yet to find a magazine that will not load from it reliably. The Range BenchLoader comes with a handy green carrying case. The MSRP is $149.99 for the Range BenchLoader.

“The Maglula BenchLoaderô. This one was designed for the standard GI aluminum magazine, steel H&K High Reliability/SA80 magazine and also worked with the Magpul PMag 30 round magazines. Notice this is a solid piece of hard polymer with a receptacle cut for magazine installation.

The Caldwell Magazine Charger

Another popular loading device is the Caldwell Mag Charger. This is a translucent polymer device that you load from a 50-round ammo box. The rounds are loaded with the projectile pointing upwards. This loader is compatible with all known magazines including the Surefire 60 and 100 round magazines as well as the Beta C-Mag. The loader is provided with an ammo tray used to invert ammunition into the ammo boxes for loading into the magazine charger. The loader is placed on top of the ammo box and then flipped over where the rounds drop into the loading tool. You must be careful not to tip or the rounds will fall out the side. Once the ammo box is removed the loading tray is pushed into the device and the loading lever closed. A magazine is placed in the opposite side. Every time the loading lever is pushed in, 5 rounds are loaded into the magazine. When the lever is pulled out the loader indexes to the next row of ammunition. The lever is actuated 6 times to load 30 rounds. Then you replace the magazine and load the remaining 20 rounds. The Magazine charger is the most difficult of the lot tested to use and the most time consuming. Loading all 50 rounds into the box and then loading the device and then loading the magazines takes longer. If you have several ammo boxes loaded, you can load magazines fairly quickly. According to Caldwell this loader will work for 5.56mm and .204 Ruger but not for 300 Blackout. This magazine charger is more for the recreational shooter than for military use. It does not have the durability required for long term use as found in daily use. But for the average shooter who will be loading a small number of magazines it is just fine. The MSRP is $64.95.

The Maglula Range BenchLoader has many similarities but no magazine receptacle. Just a magazine well with a catch which allows any magazine in the industry to be loaded. The loader is lighter and more affordable.

The Mitusa Mag Pump

This device was released at the 2015 SHOT Show. This author just happened to stumble upon it when the representative was demonstrating it. I was quite taken with it for many reasons. First it was not plastic but manufactured from steel. It had a large hopper on top where you could place over 100 rounds. The magazine is placed in a mag well under the hopper. When the actuation lever is pulled a round falls from the hopper down the loading gate. The weight of the projectile indexes the round facing down into place for loading the round into the magazine. As the lever is pulled to the rear, the round is pushed into the magazine. With one pull all these things happen. When first using it, it was difficult getting the rhythm and speed to pull the lever. If you pull the lever too fast the round will jam up in the hopper or the loading gate. Once I got use to it, I was able to load magazine after magazine quickly and without a hiccup. As for magazine compatibility, I have tried more than 20 different magazines with only one magazine giving me trouble and that was the Elite Tactical Systems polymer magazine. One magazine kept popping out of the mag well but two other Elite Tactical Systems magazines worked just fine. So I will chalk that up as a fluke. The loader is actuated by one hand. The loader will load both 5.56mm as well as 300 Blackout rounds. This device is patent pending and falls under ITAR restrictions for export. This author received the T&E Mag-Pump around March of 2015 and has been meticulously testing it over the past 7 months. More than 200 magazines have been loaded. After I figured out the speed to pull the lever, I never had a single failure to load a round.

Notice the 50 rounds of 5.56mm loaded in the ammo box with bullet up.

The device is broken down into three components for storage. Remove the top two pins and the hopper is removed. Unscrew the bottom two large bolts and the main body slides off of the stand. You can store it in a 50 cal ammo can with no difficulty. This unit could be mounted to a bench for heavy volume loading. With all major components being made from steel the Mag-Pump is durable and reliable. Most ammunition is received in boxes rather than stripper clip. The rounds are dropped in the hopper and it does not matter whether the bullet is pointed toward the front or back of the hopper. When the hopper releases the round into the sorting gate it automatically aligns the round projectile down. This is one of the more expensive loading devices at $389 but it is well worth it to someone loading a lot of magazines

The new Mitusa USA Mag Pump. There is a Hera Magazine in the machine.

Does everyone need one of the expensive speed magazine loading tools? Heavens no. However if you work in an armory or training facility and you are in charge of loading numerous magazines these tools will make your life much easier. The Maglula LuLa can fit in any range bag. With its low cost it can be used by anyone. The BenchLoader and Range BenchLoader are much more expensive and are not for the weekend plinker. The current Range BenchLoader is less than half the price and gives you the ability to load absolutely any magazine that you may have with 100% reliability. The price is a bit steep but for shooters who shoot a lot or have hand conditions such as arthritis will really benefit from this tool. The Caldwell Magazine Charger is a lower cost alternative to high speed magazine loading. This price puts it in reach of the average to more frequent shooter. However the Mitusa manufactured Magazine Pump has a stout price tag but is a very durable an effective loading tool designed for heavy use. For the armorer or trainer the Maglula Range BenchLoader and the Mitusa Magazine Pump would serve well.

The Mitusa USA Mag Pump in mid-magazine. Notice the 5.56mm rounds in the hopper, the partially loaded magazine and the lever on the right side of the machine.
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V20N7 (September 2016)

Author

  • Christopher R. Bartocci
    Christopher R. Bartocci

    View all posts
Tags: 2016AUGUST 2016Christopher R. BartocciMagazine Loading Tools for the Black Rifle For High Volume ShootersSEPTEMBER 2016V20N7
Previous Post

At The Range

Next Post

Guns of the Silver Screen: September 2016

Next Post
Guns of the Silver Screen: V20N3, Red Dawn: “Robert’s Gun”

Guns of the Silver Screen: September 2016

TRENDING STORIES

  • VALKYRIE ARMAMENT BELT-FED CONVERSION

    VALKYRIE ARMAMENT BELT-FED CONVERSION

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Complete Guide To Colt M-16 Models: Part I

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Second Generation AR57: Drop-in 5.7 Upper For Your AR

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Forgotten M16A1 Rifle Manufacturers: GM/Hydra-Matic and Harrington & Richardson – Part I

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The New Light and Handy Ruger American Generation II Ranch Rifle

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

RECENT POSTS

SIG Sauer’s Full-Size Compact P365 “Fuse”

SIG Sauer’s Full-Size Compact P365 “Fuse”

June 27, 2024
The Importance of Offhand Shooting

The Importance of Offhand Shooting

June 25, 2024
BOOK REVIEW – The Collector’s Guide to the SKS

BOOK REVIEW – The Collector’s Guide to the SKS

June 20, 2024
True to Form: The Tisas 1911A1 ASF

True to Form: The Tisas 1911A1 ASF

June 18, 2024
Setting the Record Straight on the Fedorov Avtomat

Setting the Record Straight on the Fedorov Avtomat

June 6, 2024

QUICK LINKS

  • About Chipotle Publishing
  • About Small Arms Review
  • Advertise with Us
  • Write for Us

CONTACT DETAILS

  • Phone: +1 (702) 565-0746
  • E-mail: office@smallarmsreview.com
  • Web: www.chipotlepublishing.com
  • Chipotle Publishing, LLC 631 N. Stephanie St., No. 282, Henderson, NV 89014
Small Arms Review

FOLLOW US

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

© 2022 Chipotle Publishing | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist



No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Guns & Parts
    • Suppressors
    • Optics & Thermals
    • Ammunition
    • Gear
    • News & Opinion
    • Columns
    • Museums & Factory Tours
    • ID Guides
    • Interviews
    • Event Coverage
    • Articles by Issue
      • Volume 1
      • Volume 2
      • Volume 3
      • Volume 4
      • Volume 5
      • Volume 6
      • Volume 7
      • Volume 8
      • Volume 9
      • Volume 10
      • Volume 11
      • Volume 12
      • Volume 13
      • Volume 14
      • Volume 15
      • Volume 16
      • Volume 17
      • Volume 18
      • Volume 19
      • Volume 20
      • Volume 21
      • Volume 22
      • Volume 23
      • Volume 24
  • The Archive
    • Search The Archive
  • Store
    • Books
    • Back Issues
    • Merchandise
  • Events
  • About
    • About Small Arms Review
    • About Chipotle Publishing
    • Contact Us
    • Other Publications
      • Small Arms Defense Journal

© 2022 Chipotle Publishing | All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.